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Date Posted: 15:46:07 02/06/03 Thu
Author: Lisa
Author Host/IP: ool-18b8f7c4.dyn.optonline.net / 24.184.247.196
Subject: Pondering Palffy (faceoff.com)

http://www.faceoff.com/nhl/teams/islanders/news/story.html?f=/news/20030206/030206105346.html

February 6, 2003
Pondering Palffy
Isles would be wise to consider acquiring former Fish stick

By PETER BOTTE
Faceoff.com correspondent
ADVERTISEMENT

The New York Islanders understandably have no desire to relive the embarrassing era that formed the basis for "Fish Sticks," the recently released book (how's that for a shameless plug?) that depicts everything that went comically wrong with the franchise over the last decade.

But while owner Charles Wang doesn't have to spend another cent to prove the Islanders no longer should be regarded as the NHL's quintessential nickel-and-dime outfit, there is one retro-90's move available to him that is too obvious to ignore. That is, to find a way to bring back old friend Ziggy Palffy before someone else lands him.

If the Los Angeles Kings are seriously mulling shedding the salaries of Palffy and others -- such as former Isles All-Star Mathieu Schneider and defenseman Aaron Miller -- GM Mike Milbury and the Isles need to be in the front of the line to find out what it will cost them to correct the most painful of all the salary dumps the franchise and its faithful fans had to endure under the negligent regimes of previous ownership groups.

The Isles are making their only West Coast trip of the season next week, but it's still noteworthy that the Kings were among a handful of teams represented by scouts in the press box at Tuesday's 2-1 loss to Philadelphia at Nassau Coliseum.

Palffy, who posted three straight 40-goal seasons with the Isles between 1996-98, has been somewhat injury prone since his trade to the Kings for prospects Olli Jokinen, Josh Green, Mathieu Biron and a first-round draft pick (Taylor Pyatt) in 1999. (All four of those components have since left the Islanders.)

But before anyone starts ripping Milbury for his impatience, they were included in deals that netted Mark Parrish, Roman Hamrlik, Adrian Aucoin and Michael Peca. But in 246 games for the Kings over four seasons, the 30-year-old Palffy has remained a point-per-game player with 261 points, including 19-29-48 numbers over 47 appearances this season entering Thursday's action.

Wang and Milbury clearly and understandably have their eyes fixed on the upcoming CBA battle; and they aren't looking to deviate greatly from their maxed $40 million payroll budget for this season (which is $25 million greater than when Wang purchased the team in 2000).

But because so many other teams also are operating under cost uncertainty, the March 11 trade deadline looks to be evolving into a buyer's market for premier players. And in an Eastern Conference that sent a mediocre Carolina (Carolina!) squad to the finals last season, the Isles have moved within six points of fifth-seeded Toronto with a 19-10-4-2 mark over their last 35 games since Michael Peca's full return to the lineup.

Still, they clearly are lacking another proven scorer to team with Alexei Yashin on the top line -- with all due respect to out-of-place plugger Arron Asham -- and on their 20th-ranked power-play unit, which could barely set itself up against the Flyers' clogging PK system Tuesday night.

Among those also available around the league, Pittsburgh All-Star Alexei Kovalev is likely to command up to $8 million through arbitration this summer, not including the reported $4 million payout and NHL-ready players the Penguins are seeking in any deadline deal.

Miroslav Satan, another ideal fit stylistically, reportedly might get caught up in an asset-freeze while the Sabres sort out their bankruptcy proceedings mess.

San Jose winger Owen Nolan's production is down, he has two more pricey years remaining on his contract and the Isles' power-play already is cluttered with too many righthanded shots.

There also are cheaper options than Palffy for the Isles to pursue as rentals, such as Columbus' Geoff Sanderson, whom Milbury tried to acquire last season, or Atlanta's Slava Kozlov or Shawn McEachern, Yashin's former Ottawa linemate.

But none have the sizzle -- or the Coliseum-buzzing juice -- that Palffy's re-acquisition would bring. Ziggy is earning a hefty $7.25 million under the final guaranteed year of the 5-year, $26 million contract he signed with the Isles following a holdout at the start of the 1998-99 season. He also is owed a $7.25 million option for next season, but the cash-strapped Kings don't appear likely to exercise it.

Thus, they should be shopping Palffy at a discount, as if he's to be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Would an Isles' package consisting of either Brad Isbister or rookie YoungStars participant Mattias Weinhandl, along with a high-round draft pick, be enough to satisfy Kings ownership? It at least deserves to be investigated, especially since Altantic rivals such as the Devils and the Flyers also are expected to seek a big-splash forward such as Palffy before the deadline.

And while it's Wang's and Milbury's jobs to figure out the financial ramifications, here's some rough math that might help offset such an outlay.

Remove Brad Isbister's $1.8 million, either in this deal or in another.

Remove the $1.7 million owed forgotten defenseman Kevin Haller, although most of that is being picked up by insurance, because Haller played just 32 games for the Isles over three seasons because of a debilitating hip/groin injury.

If former No.1 pick Rick DiPietro is deemed ready to play regularly in goal beginning next season -- and it appears he might be -- perhaps soon-to-be restricted free agent Chris Osgood's $4 million can be removed from the books this summer. Pending unrestricted free agent Claude Lapointe's PK minutes and $1.2 million salary also can be replaced by Bridgeport center Justin Mapletoft, who makes half that amount.

Besides, Palffy unquestionably will sell tickets for the remainder of this season -- and he might be the difference between a first-round ouster and a money-generating trip deep into the playoffs.

While Coliseum fans used to chant "No more fish sticks" in an era gone by, this flashback makes perfect sense.

INJURIES: Workhorse defenseman Adrian Aucoin dressed for the first time since Jan. 12 (missing eight games) in Tuesday's loss to Philadelphia, logging an insane 32:40 because defense partner Kenny Jonsson left the game after playing just 45 seconds because of migraine headaches following a first-shift collision with Jeremy Roenick. Jonsson, who has a history of concussions, was cleared to resume practicing Thursday after the team's medical staff concluded he had not suffered another one.

Steve Webb, who's missed 17 games since Dec. 30 with back spasms, resumed skating with the team Wednesday. Osgood (sprained ankle) also is expected to be on skates this week, although he's expected to miss another 1-to-2 weeks.

Isbister (sprained ankle) and defenseman Eric Cairns (dislocated shoulder) also remain sidelined.

CAPTAIN COMEBACK: Peca's interesting MVP test-case is based more on the Isles' record (5-10-1 without him and 19-11-4-2 since his Nov. return from offseason knee and shoulder surgeries) than his offensive numbers (8-18-26 in 37 games). But the captain believes the Isles' dedication to defense and their ability to put losses behind them quickly (no back-to-back regulation defeats since November) bodes well for the stretch run.

"We're not one of those teams that feels it will just squeak into the playoffs. The playoffs are an opportunity to win a championship," said Peca, who also was asked this week if he believes a trade would cement the team's aspirations.

"I've always been a believer that what we have in here is capable of doing it," he said. "But obviously, Mike, Charles and Peter (Laviolette) can get together and see if there's an area of weakness or an area that we're just not as strong as we can be to improve upon."

BRIDGE TOO FAR: Rookie wingers Raffi Torres and Eric Godard were assigned back to AHL Bridgeport over All-Star weekend, but both were recalled Monday. Torres netted a hat trick last Friday for the SoundTigers.

LINE COMBINATIONS:

Arron Asham-Alexei Yashin-Oleg Kvasha.

Shawn Bates-Michael Peca-Mark Parrish.

Jason Wiemer-Dave Scatchard-Jason Blake.

Raffi Torres-Claude Lapointe-Mattias Weinhandl.

Eric Godard.

Roman Hamrlik-Adrian Aucoin.

Kenny Jonsson-Radek Martinek.

Sven Butenschon-Mattias Timander.

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Replies:

[> I always liked Palffy... -- Tim B., 16:09:11 02/06/03 Thu (gsvlflma-as-4-ip-101.atlantic.net/209.208.110.164)

I was very dissapointed when he got traded to the Kings. He makes 7.5 mill which is my biggest concern BUT he's starting to really come alive of late scoring wise. It might take too much to get Kovalev so maybe Palffy should be our man.

Yashin passes to Palffy he shoots he SCORES!!!!!!!!!!!! And the Isles win the Stanley Cup in double overtime of Game 7 from Detroit!!

>http://www.faceoff.com/nhl/teams/islanders/news/story.h
>tml?f=/news/20030206/030206105346.html
>
>February 6, 2003
>Pondering Palffy
>Isles would be wise to consider acquiring former Fish
>stick
>
>
>By PETER BOTTE
>Faceoff.com correspondent
>ADVERTISEMENT
>
>
>The New York Islanders understandably have no desire
>to relive the embarrassing era that formed the basis
>for "Fish Sticks," the recently released book (how's
>that for a shameless plug?) that depicts everything
>that went comically wrong with the franchise over the
>last decade.
>
>But while owner Charles Wang doesn't have to spend
>another cent to prove the Islanders no longer should
>be regarded as the NHL's quintessential
>nickel-and-dime outfit, there is one retro-90's move
>available to him that is too obvious to ignore. That
>is, to find a way to bring back old friend Ziggy
>Palffy before someone else lands him.
>
>If the Los Angeles Kings are seriously mulling
>shedding the salaries of Palffy and others -- such as
>former Isles All-Star Mathieu Schneider and defenseman
>Aaron Miller -- GM Mike Milbury and the Isles need to
>be in the front of the line to find out what it will
>cost them to correct the most painful of all the
>salary dumps the franchise and its faithful fans had
>to endure under the negligent regimes of previous
>ownership groups.
>
>The Isles are making their only West Coast trip of the
>season next week, but it's still noteworthy that the
>Kings were among a handful of teams represented by
>scouts in the press box at Tuesday's 2-1 loss to
>Philadelphia at Nassau Coliseum.
>
>Palffy, who posted three straight 40-goal seasons with
>the Isles between 1996-98, has been somewhat injury
>prone since his trade to the Kings for prospects Olli
>Jokinen, Josh Green, Mathieu Biron and a first-round
>draft pick (Taylor Pyatt) in 1999. (All four of those
>components have since left the Islanders.)
>
>But before anyone starts ripping Milbury for his
>impatience, they were included in deals that netted
>Mark Parrish, Roman Hamrlik, Adrian Aucoin and Michael
>Peca. But in 246 games for the Kings over four
>seasons, the 30-year-old Palffy has remained a
>point-per-game player with 261 points, including
>19-29-48 numbers over 47 appearances this season
>entering Thursday's action.
>
>Wang and Milbury clearly and understandably have their
>eyes fixed on the upcoming CBA battle; and they aren't
>looking to deviate greatly from their maxed $40
>million payroll budget for this season (which is $25
>million greater than when Wang purchased the team in
>2000).
>
>But because so many other teams also are operating
>under cost uncertainty, the March 11 trade deadline
>looks to be evolving into a buyer's market for premier
>players. And in an Eastern Conference that sent a
>mediocre Carolina (Carolina!) squad to the finals last
>season, the Isles have moved within six points of
>fifth-seeded Toronto with a 19-10-4-2 mark over their
>last 35 games since Michael Peca's full return to the
>lineup.
>
>Still, they clearly are lacking another proven scorer
>to team with Alexei Yashin on the top line -- with all
>due respect to out-of-place plugger Arron Asham -- and
>on their 20th-ranked power-play unit, which could
>barely set itself up against the Flyers' clogging PK
>system Tuesday night.
>
>Among those also available around the league,
>Pittsburgh All-Star Alexei Kovalev is likely to
>command up to $8 million through arbitration this
>summer, not including the reported $4 million payout
>and NHL-ready players the Penguins are seeking in any
>deadline deal.
>
>Miroslav Satan, another ideal fit stylistically,
>reportedly might get caught up in an asset-freeze
>while the Sabres sort out their bankruptcy proceedings
>mess.
>
>San Jose winger Owen Nolan's production is down, he
>has two more pricey years remaining on his contract
>and the Isles' power-play already is cluttered with
>too many righthanded shots.
>
>There also are cheaper options than Palffy for the
>Isles to pursue as rentals, such as Columbus' Geoff
>Sanderson, whom Milbury tried to acquire last season,
>or Atlanta's Slava Kozlov or Shawn McEachern, Yashin's
>former Ottawa linemate.
>
>But none have the sizzle -- or the Coliseum-buzzing
>juice -- that Palffy's re-acquisition would bring.
>Ziggy is earning a hefty $7.25 million under the final
>guaranteed year of the 5-year, $26 million contract he
>signed with the Isles following a holdout at the start
>of the 1998-99 season. He also is owed a $7.25 million
>option for next season, but the cash-strapped Kings
>don't appear likely to exercise it.
>
>Thus, they should be shopping Palffy at a discount, as
>if he's to be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
>
>Would an Isles' package consisting of either Brad
>Isbister or rookie YoungStars participant Mattias
>Weinhandl, along with a high-round draft pick, be
>enough to satisfy Kings ownership? It at least
>deserves to be investigated, especially since Altantic
>rivals such as the Devils and the Flyers also are
>expected to seek a big-splash forward such as Palffy
>before the deadline.
>
>And while it's Wang's and Milbury's jobs to figure out
>the financial ramifications, here's some rough math
>that might help offset such an outlay.
>
>Remove Brad Isbister's $1.8 million, either in this
>deal or in another.
>
>Remove the $1.7 million owed forgotten defenseman
>Kevin Haller, although most of that is being picked up
>by insurance, because Haller played just 32 games for
>the Isles over three seasons because of a debilitating
>hip/groin injury.
>
>If former No.1 pick Rick DiPietro is deemed ready to
>play regularly in goal beginning next season -- and it
>appears he might be -- perhaps soon-to-be restricted
>free agent Chris Osgood's $4 million can be removed
>from the books this summer. Pending unrestricted free
>agent Claude Lapointe's PK minutes and $1.2 million
>salary also can be replaced by Bridgeport center
>Justin Mapletoft, who makes half that amount.
>
>Besides, Palffy unquestionably will sell tickets for
>the remainder of this season -- and he might be the
>difference between a first-round ouster and a
>money-generating trip deep into the playoffs.
>
>While Coliseum fans used to chant "No more fish
>sticks" in an era gone by, this flashback makes
>perfect sense.
>
>INJURIES: Workhorse defenseman Adrian Aucoin dressed
>for the first time since Jan. 12 (missing eight games)
>in Tuesday's loss to Philadelphia, logging an insane
>32:40 because defense partner Kenny Jonsson left the
>game after playing just 45 seconds because of migraine
>headaches following a first-shift collision with
>Jeremy Roenick. Jonsson, who has a history of
>concussions, was cleared to resume practicing Thursday
>after the team's medical staff concluded he had not
>suffered another one.
>
>Steve Webb, who's missed 17 games since Dec. 30 with
>back spasms, resumed skating with the team Wednesday.
>Osgood (sprained ankle) also is expected to be on
>skates this week, although he's expected to miss
>another 1-to-2 weeks.
>
>Isbister (sprained ankle) and defenseman Eric Cairns
>(dislocated shoulder) also remain sidelined.
>
>CAPTAIN COMEBACK: Peca's interesting MVP test-case is
>based more on the Isles' record (5-10-1 without him
>and 19-11-4-2 since his Nov. return from offseason
>knee and shoulder surgeries) than his offensive
>numbers (8-18-26 in 37 games). But the captain
>believes the Isles' dedication to defense and their
>ability to put losses behind them quickly (no
>back-to-back regulation defeats since November) bodes
>well for the stretch run.
>
>"We're not one of those teams that feels it will just
>squeak into the playoffs. The playoffs are an
>opportunity to win a championship," said Peca, who
>also was asked this week if he believes a trade would
>cement the team's aspirations.
>
>"I've always been a believer that what we have in here
>is capable of doing it," he said. "But obviously,
>Mike, Charles and Peter (Laviolette) can get together
>and see if there's an area of weakness or an area that
>we're just not as strong as we can be to improve upon."
>
>BRIDGE TOO FAR: Rookie wingers Raffi Torres and Eric
>Godard were assigned back to AHL Bridgeport over
>All-Star weekend, but both were recalled Monday.
>Torres netted a hat trick last Friday for the
>SoundTigers.
>
>LINE COMBINATIONS:
>
>Arron Asham-Alexei Yashin-Oleg Kvasha.
>
>Shawn Bates-Michael Peca-Mark Parrish.
>
>Jason Wiemer-Dave Scatchard-Jason Blake.
>
>Raffi Torres-Claude Lapointe-Mattias Weinhandl.
>
>Eric Godard.
>
>Roman Hamrlik-Adrian Aucoin.
>
>Kenny Jonsson-Radek Martinek.
>
>Sven Butenschon-Mattias Timander.

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