Islanders general manager Mike Milbury knew his team needed to add an impact player this offseason. But since Long Island isn't a top destination these days, it was going to be difficult to lure an unrestricted free agent without overpaying.
|  | | Islanders' GM Mike Milbury knew what he had to do. |
If it was going to happen, it was going to happen via a trade.
"We've had so many draft picks and have a stable of young players. It was time to advance the cause," Milbury said after using the No. 2 pick in Saturday's entry draft in a deal for Alexei Yashin. "A premium first-line center is hard to come by, and this guy certainly fits the bill."
Yes, he does, and Yashin is less expensive than Jaromir Jagr and more offensively talented than Michael Peca.
The reason Yashin was the only big name to move on Saturday is because the teams with rights to the others -- the Flyers (Eric Lindros), Sabres (Mike Peca) and Penguins (Jaromir Jagr) -- need NHL players in return, not prospects. Meanwhile, the Senators needed to save money more than get equal value, and Ottawa management could justify trading the oft-malcontented Yashin for Bill Muckalt, Zdeno Chara and the No. 2 pick (which turned out to be Jason Spezza, who is an Ontario native with a solid chance to make the team out of training camp). The team didn't get much worse -- the Senators made the playoffs just fine the season Yashin held out -- and it remained deep in talent and less expensive.
Spezza doesn't slip
Rumors of Jason Spezza possibly slipping to No. 4 were greatly exaggerated.
When the Senators acquired the No. 2 pick from the Islanders, Spezza was the logical choice. The 6-foot-2 Ontario native fills a void at center left by Yashin.
"I just want to play in the National Hockey League. (But) it's great for my family -- close to home," said Spezza, who had 116 points in 56 OHL games this past season. And I get to stay in Canada."
Of course, all that is predicated on the Senators staying in Canada, but because the team cut payroll and added three assets -- including Spezza -- the odds now are higher that Spezza will be in Ottawa, perhaps until he, too, becomes too expensive.
Svitov could be ready now
Two years ago, Alex Svitov was the youngest player on his Omsk team in Russia. Next season, he turns 19 on Nov. 3, and by that time, he might be the youngest player on the Tampa Bay Lightning.
"In our opinion, he was the most complete player in the draft," Lightning GM Rick Dudley said. "And he's nasty."
The 6-foot-3 center only scored eight goals in 39 games playing in Russia's top league, but he amassed 115 penalty minutes and his style is suited to playing the physical game in the smaller NHL rinks. Svitov also excels on faceoffs.
Both qualities could be needed to support fellow youngsters Vincent Lecavalier and Brad Richards -- both 21 years old.
"I think if there's anyone in the draft who can play in the league (now), it's him," Dudley said.
Ducks stay small
The Anaheim Mighty Ducks need a lot of things to get back to being a playoff-caliber team.
But did they need another 5-foot-9 forward?
Of course, GM Pierre Gauthier would be thrilled if Stanislav Chistov turned out to be anything like left wing Paul Kariya.
"They certainly look the same on the ice," admitted Gauthier after picking Chistov with the No. 5 pick.
Unlike Kariya, Chistov plays center. He might not skate as well as Kariya, but Chistov was considered the most highly skilled player in the draft. If Chistov wasn't so small, he could have competed for the No. 1 pick.
But that doesn't mean Gauthier will rush to have Chistov on a line with Kariya.
"He'll take a year or two; he's a young 18-year-old," Gauthier said.
More Weiss-erman comparisons
If being the No. 4 pick by the team hosting the NHL entry draft isn't enough pressure, Stephen Weiss continues to garner comparisons to future Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman.
Panthers GM Bill Torrey didn't call him Steve or Steven. He referred to him as Stevie -- as in perhaps, Stevie W can become like Stevie Y.
The younger Stevie considers himself ready to begin fulfilling expectations right away.
"I'm just looking forward to (training) camp and hopefully making the club," Weiss said.
The Panthers were expected to pick University of Michigan defenseman Mike Komisarek with their pick, but according to sources, Florida management thought Weiss could contribute at the NHL level sooner than Komisarek, who wants to return to college next season.
Brian A. Shactman covers the NHL for ESPN.com.
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