MSG NETWORK: Stan Fischler reports the re-signing of defenceman Janne Niinimaa by the NY Islanders “virtually guarantees” blueliner Roman Hamrlik won’t be back with the club. Fischler notes the Tampa Bay Lightning have wanted to re-acquire Hamrlik for some time.

aucoin will be offered a lt deal, after the cba. i have spoken.

Newsday reports the Isles are trying to sign Hamrlik to a multi yr extension now.They signed Niinimaa to his 3 yr extension several days ago.

So the idea that they are waiting for the new cba to ask Aucoin what type of contract it’ll take to keep him an isle and if he’ll pass up the chance to test the ufa market makes no sense.

Aucoin is a UFA next summer.He wants to test the market.If the isles trade Jonsson and Hamrlik this summer,by next July 1st they will have gone from

Aucoin,Niinimaa,Jonsson and Hamrlik in their top 4 to Niinimaa,Martinek and whoever they can pick up.

I think Tampa was intererested in Hamrlik before they got Darryl Sydor. But I do agree Hamrlik will be moved. Pittsburgh, Dallas, Columbus, Nashville?

As for forwards I think Milbury could be interested in Cory Stillman now that he’s free agent group III.

listen jack -

I PLAYED JR. A hockey. I didn’t just sit on a couch and think i know the game, as you do.

here are the facts, FROM the ice:

1) do you remember the name dick tarnstrom? he was a number 7 defensemen on the isles a few yrs back. he is top 3 on the pens now. you are jaded by the idea of the isles having and keeping an ALL STAR caliber top 4. it is not neccessary. mOST teams do not have such a situation. aucoin, ninimma, martinek, and a player to be added, of slghtly above average ability, (NOT expense types as Scneider like you suggested), is a more than adequate top 4 in this league.

2) NO, the isles have not made an earnest attempt to resign aucoin to a long term deal. be/c of the cba! he is going to demand much more money than ninimma long term. when the cba is wroked out they’ll go to getting serious about. NOT before.

wake up please.

Martinek is probaly going to have to take that 4th spot for now, even though he is more of a 5. They should go after a Lyle Odelein type player to be a 5 or 6. They have 2 good defensive prospects in Ryan Caldwell and Bruno Gervais who they could give a shot to.

I would love to see palffy back to where he dominated. For 5 years he was the bright spot and one of the darkest days of this team is when he was traded. Over a point per game for a career. With the Isles he exceeded the 40 goal mark 3 times with NO ONE. so maybe he will help but he definately will fill the seats

and don’t you think the isles have been trying to sign Aucoin to a longterm extension this summer,just as they signed Niinimaa and have been trying to sign Hamrlik?

Use your head,Aucoin wants to test the ufa market next summer,where wealthier teams will outbid the isles.

Your proposal is like something from a fantasy league.Move two established top 4 defensemen,replacing one with a #5 d-man and replacing the other with some unknown/unnamed ufa.Who?Zhitnik who’s already rejected the Sabres $4m a yr offer?Schneider who wants $5m-$6m a yr?

aucoin will be signed to an extension after the cba is solved during the season. you will have aucoin, ninimma, and martinek, plus one acquired d-man, in my plan, for yrs to come. that is more than enough.

i repeat. use your head.