Isles Find A Way To Dump Rolston & Mottau

Trade Details:

New York Islanders Trade Brian Rolston and Mike Mottau To The Boston Bruins In-Exchange For Yannick Riendeau and Marc Cantin

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New York Islanders Acquire:

RW. Yannick Riendeau Age: 23 Height: 5-11 Weight: 180 CONTRACT:  Cap-Hit: $613,333 Expires: 2012 (RFA) Important Facts: -Two-Way Contract Clause (AHL Salary: $50,000) -In 2008-09 was the leading scorer of all Canadian Major Junior Hockey -In 2008-09 was named to the QMJHL First All-Star Team

D. Marc Cantin Age: 21 Height: 6-1 Weight: 200 CONTRACT:  Cap-Hit: $750,000 Expires: 2014 (RFA) Important Facts: -Two-Way Contract Clause (AHL Salary: $67,500) -Was signed last season by the Bruins as a free agent out of the OHL -In 2010-11 (last season), was named to the OHL Second All-Star Team

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Boston Bruins Acquire:

D. Mike Mottau Age: 33 Height: 6-0 Weight: 190 CONTRACT:  Cap-Hit: $800,000 Expires: 2012 (UFA) Important Facts: -Has missed 86 games due to injury over the past two seasons -Had the lowest average time on ice per game of any Isles defenseman

LW. Brian Rolston Age: 39 Height: 6-2 Weight: 215 CONTRACT:  Cap-Hit: $5,062,500 Expires: 2012 (UFA) Important Facts: -Has a No-Trade Clause in his contract -Nine points in 49 games played this season

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Analysis:

The Islanders completed one trade today and it saw them dump veterans Brian Rolston and Mike Mottau on the Boston Bruins. In return for the two roster players, the Boston Bruins traded Marc Cantin and Yannick Riendeau to the NY Islanders.

The New York Islanders have been dealing with poor play by many of their veteran players for most of this season and in the past week or so, they've made it their goal to clear out those under-performers. Of that group, Mike Mottau and Brian Rolston were two of the worst offenders. On Saturday the Isles placed Rolston on waivers and took Mottau off of the IR. Once Rolston cleared waivers this afternoon many fans were concerned that both Rolston and Mottau were going to remain in the Isles line-up. Once this trade was announced it was like a breath of fresh air knowing that these two under-performers will be replaced in the Isles line-up by some hungry young players. From this trade the Islanders save $1,299,256 in remaining salary owed to both players so it saves some money to use down the line. It really is a case of 'addition by subtraction', but I personally believe they did make two nice subtle additions that could, down the line, pay off. Last season Marc Cantin was very good in the Ontario Hockey League with the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors and was named to the OHL's Second All-Star Team. I think its worth noting that Casey Cizikas played on that team with Cantin so I wouldn't be surprised if Cizikas might have given Snow some of his thoughts on his former teammate. Cantin has struggled a bit this season in both the ECHL and AHL, but I don't think its fair to judge him based on his first year of pro-hockey. The Islanders will have him under contract for two more years after this so if by that time he's still having the same problem then it would be fair to judge because he would have had more than enough time to adjust to the pro style of play. Next season will tell a lot about his potential as an NHL player. The other prospect that was included is a twenty-three year old named Yannick Riendeau. Despite being a prolific scorer in juniors (where he led all Canadian Junior Hockey players in scoring during the 08-09 season), he's had a hard time finding success at the American Hockey League level. He will be given the opportunity to win Isles management over down the stretch, but if he doesn't he will likely be let go at the end of the season. These two young players will be placed on the Isles AHL Affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, and will be expected to help them get to the Calder Cup.

I was very surprised that the Isles were able to trade these two guys without having to include anything to entice the Bruins to eat up over a million dollars in salary for players that will not make much of an impact down the stretch, but to see them get two prospects that DO have at least some possible potential is astonishing.