SUNRISE, Fla. -- The Ottawa Senators traded disgruntled
center Alexei Yashin to the New York Islanders for the second pick
in the NHL draft Saturday and then selected forward Jason Spezza.
Ottawa also received forward Bill Muckalt and defenseman Zdeno Chara.
Yashin, 27, was to become a restricted free agent on July 1. The
Russian made $3.6 million last season and is looking to sign an
$8 million contract for next year.
"We've turned the page," Senators general manager Marshall
Johnston said. "Alexei was with our franchise, contributed to the
early success of our franchise and we wish him the best."
Ottawa, the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed, was swept in the
first round of the playoffs by Toronto. Yashin, who had a team-high
40 goals and 48 assists, finished the series with just one assist.
Yashin sat out the entire 1999-2000 season because he felt he
was underpaid in the final year of his contract. He returned to
Ottawa to play this past season and became the player fans
everywhere loved to hate.
In exchange for Yashin, the Senators got the top-rated prospect
in North America and two tough players.
Spezza, who broke into the Ontario Hockey League at 15, had been
touted as the top pick but slipped slightly because of questions
about his skating. He had 116 points including 43 goals in 56 games
this season.
The 6-foot-9 Chara had two goals, seven assists and 157 penalty
minutes last season. Muckalt had 11 goals and 15 assists in 60
games.
Yashin has played his entire seven-year career in Ottawa,
scoring a career-high 44 goals and 50 assists for 94 points in
1998-99. He was runner-up for the Hart Trophy as the NHL's MVP that
year.
The Islanders, who haven't made the playoffs since 1993-94, were
looking for an impact player.
"We've got so many draft picks in our stable of young players
and it's time for us to advance the cause," said Islanders general
manager Mike Milbury. "We're thrilled he's going to be part of our
organization. A premium first-line center is hard to come by."
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