Isles News 5/24/2007

Some rare Islanders news on Memorial Day weekend!

First, Ryan Smyth's agent Don Meehan has stated that he will be contacting Garth Snow to have prelimeniary discussion on a contract extention. This is big news....though it doesn't guarentee the Isles will sign Ryan before the July 1st free agency opening. The fact that the discussions will be held ahead of time is a very promising sign for the Isles. Smyth enjoyed his time playing for Head Coach Ted Nolan and the fact that he is willing to hear the team out shows that he is truely interested in a possible return. Now....I totally expect that Smyth will at least hear what the open market has to offer....but there are no guarentees that he will get a better deal than what Charles Wang will offer him. I full expect a 6 year $35 million offer....besides the promise of the Captainicy and a sharing of the face of the franchise along with Rick DiPietro. There will be plenty of teams interested in Smyth....but not many who would place his value as high as the Islanders have put it. Obviously seeing what an effect that he had on the team during the playoff run puts his return at a premium. If I had to put odds on his return....75% he comes back.

The Islanders also signed Defenseman prospect Andrew McDonald to a 3 year contact. McDonald spent his junior years playing in Moncton (under Ted Nolan in 2005). McDonald, ranked as the Islanders 10th best prospect but hockeyfutures.com, played his way into Moncton's top 3 d-men after walking on to the team 4 years ago. He will be at the Islanders prospect camp in the June, ironically being held this year in Moncton.

Notes...

Forward Randy Robaitialle has signed a contact to play with a Russian team next season and wont be back.

Kyle Okposo has until June 1st to let his coach at the Universtiy of Minnesota know if he'll be returning next season. The fact that it's May the 25th and we haven't heard anything yet....means there is a possibility that we could see Okposo next fall.