| | UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- The New York Islanders traded goalie Felix Potvin to the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday night, just hours
before the NHL's roster freeze for the Christmas holiday.
| |  | | | Potvin |
| |  | | | Weekes |
The Islanders received goalie Kevin Weekes, right wing Bill
Muckalt and center Dave Scatchard in exchange for Potvin, and second- and third-round picks in the 2000 entry draft.
"We're pleased with the package we were able to get,"
Islanders general manager Mike Milbury said. "All three players
fit in with Butch Goring's system and our organization's plans for the future."
The Islanders, who beat New Jersey 5-3 Sunday night, were
expected to start Potvin. However, the goalie was pulled from the
starting lineup and sat on the bench throughout the game.
"I got a call from Mike and was told that Potvin couldn't play
tonight," said Goring, the Islanders coach.
That fueled rumors that Potvin was going to be dealt before the
midnight ET roster-freeze that will remain in effect until Dec.
27.
"It was something I guess that was coming since training
camp," Potvin said. "It's going to make it tougher because it was
so close to Christmas."
Potvin, acquired from Toronto on Jan. 9 for Bryan Berard and a sixth-round draft pick, was 5-14-3 in 22 games with a 3.21 goals-against average this season and was 7-21-4 in his stint with the Islanders.
The 28-year-old goalie became expendable in New York with the
emergence of rookie Roberto Luongo.
"Felix is a solid NHL goaltender who has demonstrated all-star
potential during his young career," Vancouver general manager
Brian Burke said. "He has played well under trying circumstances
over the past few years, but we believe he is still one of the
better goaltenders in the NHL."
With regular backup goalie Wade Flaherty lost for the season
with a shoulder injury, Luongo was called up from the minors to
serve as Potvin's backup.
Luongo made 46 saves Sunday night in the Islanders' first
home-victory since Nov. 4.
"I would say it was a deadline for the Islanders," Burke said.
"If Roberto Luongo is their starter, and they can get three
players, that's a good trade for them."
It's also the second trade for Weekes, who was part of the
deal in which Vancouver sent Pavel Bure to Florida.
At the time of that trade, Burke called Weekes "the goalie of the future."
| |  | | | Muckalt |
| |  | | | Scatchard |
There was speculation last week that Potvin would be dealt to the Canucks for goalie Garth Snow, but that was angrily denied by Burke.
With an injury to Florida starting goalie Trevor Kidd, rumors of
a deal between the Islanders and Panthers swirled as well.
"Recent events in the league have accelerated interest in
Felix," Burke said. "I decided it was time to pull the trigger.
It was a lengthy process and I'm going to sleep well tonight."
Muckalt had 16 goals and 20 assists as a rookie with the Canucks
last season. This year he had four goals and eight assists in 33 games.
Scatchard had just four assists in 21 games this season and did
not play in the last two games. He has gone eight games, dating to
Nov. 22, since his last point.
Weekes is 6-7-4 with a 2.86 GAA this season, and Burke said he
was very frustrated with Vancouver's play in goal.
"I don't feel either one has done it," Burke said. "I'm tired
of starting games down 1-0 and 2-0. I put up with it for as long as
I could, I think I was patient with both of them. Now I've made a
move that says 'I think we need a No. 1 goaltender.' " | |
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