Not Quite a Signing: Alexei Zhitnik

Defenseman Alexei Zhitnik, who has seemed to have drummed up little NHL interest after a career worst season and being bought out by the Atlanta Thrashers, has signed a try-out contract with Moscow Dynamo of the KHL. The deal literally means that Zhitnik will come to Dynamo's training camp. Pending he either wows Dynamo coaching and management or finds a better offer in the NHL before the season starts Zhitnik is still as of now unemployed.

Originally selected in the 4th Round, 81st overall in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings, Zhitnik has the distinction of over 1,000 NHL games under his belt. Zhit has played 1,085 games notching 96 goals and 375 assists for 471 points. He has 1,268 penalty minutes along with 13 game winners, a -53 career rating and a 4.4 shooting percentage. Zhitnik has suited up for the Kings, Sabres, Isles, Flyers and Thrashers.

FIW will update as we learn more about the fate of d-man Alexei Zhitnik.

Update: Mike York

NHL.com is reporting that winger Mike York has signed a 1 year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Financial terms were not released but it is believed to be in the $750K range. Despite reports that York had signed with Sibir Novosibirsk of the Kontinental Hockey League in Russia, it appears that he has opted out of that contract to continue his tenure in the NHL. If he did in fact opt out of a KHL contract it would be valid since York inked the deal before the new NHL-KHL player movement agreement mediated by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) was sealed. Update: As it turns out, York signed a 2-way deal that will pay him $750K in the NHL and $100K in the AHL. If York does not make the big team in Columbus this is surely a sign that York's career has taken a nosedive, no offense Mike.

York is a 578 game NHL veteran having notched 127 goals and 195 assists for 322 career points. For his full background please refer here.

Welcome back to the NHL Mike, even if you never really left!

UFA Signing: Josh Green

Announced simultaneously with the signing of fellow Former Islander Eric Boguniecki, the Anaheim Ducks announced that they have inked left wing Josh Green to a 1 year deal. Monetary terms of the deal have not been released.

Green, originally selected in the 2nd Round, 30th overall in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings, last played in the NHL during the 2006-07 season when he suited up for the Vancouver Canucks. Green spent last season playing for Salzburg in the Austrian Hockey League (Österreichische Eishockey-Liga). He shined in Austria netting 20 goals and 22 assists for 42 points on 43 games. When he last played in the NHL he managed 7 points (2 goals, 5 assists) on 57 games with the Canucks.

Green has played for the Kings, Isles, Oilers, Rangers, Capitals, Flames and Canucks. Anaheim will be his 8th team. In 322 NHL games Green has 35 goals and 39 assists for 74 points. He has a career -7 rating as well as 193 penalty minutes and 7 game winners. A seasoned veteran, Green has also made an extensive tour of the AHL playing for Fredericton, Springfield, Lowell, Hamilton and Manitoba.

We wish Josh the best in Anaheim.

UFA Signing: Eric Boguniecki

Forward Eric Boguniecki has agreed to terms with the Anaheim Ducks. Terms of the deal have yet to released. Update: The contract is for 1 year yet monetary terms are still unknown.

Boguniecki spent last season with ERC Ingolstadt of the German league (DEL). In 16 games with the Panthers he logged 4 goals and 14 assists for 18 points with 24 penalty minutes.

Originally drafted in the 8th Round, 193rd overall of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft (yes, he is that old), Boguniecki has played halfway around the world and back suiting up for teams in college's Hockey East, ECHL, IHL, AHL, NHL, SWI2 and DEL. In the NHL Boguniecki has played for the Panthers, Blues, Penguins, Blue Jackets and Isles. A one-time 49 point scorer, he has played in 178 NHL games recording 34 goals and 42 assists for 76 points with a career +14 rating and 7 game winners.

We wish Eric the best with his new team.

UFA Signing: Mike York

For all those who think that Michigan and Siberia have similar weather patterns, please consult Mike York in a few months. The forward and Waterford, MI native with the consistently diminishing returns bailed the NHL last week to sign with HC Sibir Novosibirsk of the Russian Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Yes, Sibir does mean Siberia and Novosibirsk is the third largest city in Russia lying on the banks of the Ob River and not too far removed from the northern Kazhakstani border. Terms of the deal are unknown.

Now back to York. He played 63 games last season for the Phoenix Coyotes after signing a 1 year, $1 million gamble deal. York netted only 6 goals and added 8 assists for 14 points. He had a -8 rating, 4 powerplay tallies and 1 game winner to cap off another slow season.

Originally chosen in the 6th Round, 136th overall by the New York Rangers in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, York has had stays with the Blueshirts, Oilers, Isles, Flyers and 'Yotes. In 578 career games, York has 127 goals and 195 assists for 322 points. He has a career -34 rating with a gentlemanly 135 penalty minutes, 32 powerplay goals and 23 game winners. He hit the 50 point mark with 3 different teams (Rangers, Oil and Isles).

We wish Mike the best in Russia and encourage him to bundle up.

UFA Signing: Josef Vasicek

Josef Vasicek has joined his fellow hockey brethren as they flee the NHL in search of higher paying gigs in Europe, namely Russia. Vasicek has inked a 2 year deal with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv of the new Russian Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Monetary terms of the deal are unknown.

Vasicek has 16 goals and 19 assists for 35 points on 81 games with the Islanders last season. The Czech native was 5th overall on the team in scoring and was tied for 3rd overall in goals.

Originally selected in the 4th Round, 91st overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Vasicek has played for the 'Canes, Predators and Isles. Vasicek was a central player during Carolina's near-Stanley Cup Run during the 2001-02 season and was on the roster for their eventual Cup win during the 2005-06 season. In 460 games, Vasicek has notched 77 goals and 106 assists for 183 points. He has a career -38 rating, 311 penalty minutes and 11 game winners.

We wish Josef the best in Russia.

UFA Signing: Dick Tarnstrom

Defenseman Dick Tarnstrom has returned to the team and country that started his professional ice hockey career signing a 1 year deal with AIK (Solna) of the Hockeyallsvenskan (Sweden's 2nd highest league). Monetary terms of the deal are unknown but it appears the 1 year deal has a second year option attached to it, or as the team's website referred to a 1 + 1 contract.

Tarnstrom was originally selected in the 11th Round (that does not even exist anymore!), 272nd overall of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft by the Islanders. He played his first 9 professional seasons with AIK before making the jump to the NHL during the 2001-02 season. Tarnstrom played only 62 games with the Isles notching 19 points (3 goals, 6 assists) befored winding his way to the Penguins, Stanley Cup contender Oilers and Blue Jackets. Tarnstrom has always had a spotty NHL resume opting one time to play in Switzerland following the Oilers near Cup winning drive instead of returning to the team the following season. In 306 NHL games Tarnstrom has notched 35 goals and 105 assists for 140 points. He has a career -86 rating with 254 penalty minutes, 20 powerplay goals and surprisingly 0 game winning tallies.

We wish Dick the best with his original squad and leave the post with this bright observation from AIK's website: "Dick has also been very good shot, where he will celebrate the great triumphs of the power play".

UFA Signing: Steve Regier

The St. Louis Blues have signed left wing Islander prospect Steve Regier to a contract. Terms of the deal are not yet known.

Originally selected in the 5th Round, 148th overall of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Regier has played a handful of games over the last few seasons for the Isles. Regier has suited up for 18 games logging 0 points, a -2 rating a 4 penalty minutes. Regier is a rare case of an FI having scored literally no points for the team in his tenure on the Island. He fared much better in Bridgeport where he played in 65 contests notching 44 points on 19 goals and 25 assists, good enough for 3rd on the Sound Tigers in scoring.

We wish Steve the best as he continues to work his way into the NHL full time.

UFA Signing: Aaron Johnson

Defenseman Aaron Johnson signed a deal with the Chicago Blackhawks late last week. Terms of the deal have yet to be announced. Update: It is believed to be a 1 year deal worth $525K. FIW is inclined to believe that this is a 2-way contract that pays a max of $525K full-time NHL.

Johnson played 30 games for the Islanders last season notching 2 assists, 30 penalty minutes and a +2 rating. Originally selected in the 3rd Round, 85th overall of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. In 146 games between the Jacks and Isles, Johnson has notched 7 goals and 21 assists for 28 points. He has also logged 123 penalty minutes, a 0 +/- rating and 2 game winning goals.

We wish Aaron the best with the rapidly rebuilding Chicago franchise.

UFA Signing: Jason Krog

AHL star center Jason Krog has signed a deal with the Vancouver Canucks. Terms of the deal have yet to be released. The leader this past season in the AHL in goals, assists and points, Krog helped lead the Chicago Wolves to the Calder Cup Championship. Krog notched 112 points (39 goals, 73 assists) on 80 games as he drew attention around the NHL for his prowess. Krog had an even more impressive 80 points (26 goals, 54 assists) on only 44 games during the 2006-07 AHL season, also with the Wolves.

An undrafted signing by the Islanders after a successful college career with the University of New Hampshire, Krog entered the NHL during the 1999-2000 season. Krog has played in 198 games notching 21 goals and 37 assists for 58 points including 3 game winning tallies. Krog has suited up for the Isles, Ducks, Rangers and Thrashers.

Only time will tell if the Canucks have plans to make Krog a main part of their offensive corps and return the one-time NHLer back into the fold. We wish Jason the best in his return to the big time.

Farewell Ted Nolan

As reported today on the Islanders website, Ted Nolan will not be returning for the 2008-09 season despite 1 year remaining on his contract. FIW does not normally talk about Former Islander coaches but we wanted to take a minute to thank Ted for his 2 years of service to the team. Ted is a gentleman and we cannot help but bemoan his loss. Ideological differences between Ted and the rest of the front office over these formative months have been strikingly clear and if anything have been made too public. The relationship deterioration between Snow and Ted was a lamentable one.

In 2 seasons with the Isles, Ted amassed a 75-68-21 record (.521 win percentage). Ted successfully steered the Isles back into the playoffs in his first season and was sadly overlooked for the Jack Adams award. On his career, Ted has a 148-140-19-21 record (.514 win percentage).

We wish Ted the best wherever fate takes him now. You will be missed. May the Great Spirit guide you in your quest.

UFA Signing: Branislav Mezei

Former Islander 1st Round pick (10th overall, 1999 NHL Entry Draft) Branislav Mezei is bailing ship and joining Russia's new Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Report has it that the defenseman signing with Barys Astana. Terms of the deal are not yet known.

The large (6' 4") blueliner joins a near wave of NHLers that are making a move toward European leagues including Jaromir Jagr, Martin Straka and potentially Alexander Radulov. Mezei has played parts of the last 5 seasons with the Florida Panthers after starting his career with the Isles. He has never clocked more than 57 games on a season. During the 2007-08 season he set a career high with those 57 games while notching 2 goals and 2 assists for 4 points. On 240 career games, Mezei managed a modest 24 points (5 goals, 19 assists), -14 rating, 311 penalty minutes and a lone game winning goal.

Best of luck to Branislav in Astana.

UFA Signing: Rob Davison

Defenseman Rob Davison inked a deal with the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. Terms of the deal have yet to be released. Update: The 1 year contract is valued at $560K.

Davison was picked up by the Islanders late last season in a trade that sent a 7th Round pick in the Entry Draft that just past to the San Jose Sharks. Davison played 34 games during the 2007-08 campaign including 19 with the Isles. He notched both of his points (1 goal, 1 assist) in the Orange and Blue including one of the worst goals in NHL history. On the penalty kill in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Davison swatted the puck from the Isles' goal line that knuckled and bounced its way over opposing goaltender Vesa Toskala. If you have not seen it, check it out here.

Originally drafted in the 4th Round, 98th overall of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft by the Sharks, Davison has played in 195 games notching 3 goals and 13 assists for 16 points. He has a career -1 rating and 270 penalty minutes. Davison has suited up exclusively for the Sharks and Isles.

UFA Signing: Jason Strudwick

FIW has learned that defenseman Jason Strudwick has signed a 1 year deal with the Edmonton Oilers. Full terms have yet to be announced. Update: The 1 year deal is valued at $650K.

Originally drafted in the 3rd Round, 63rd overall of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft by the Islanders, Strudwick has spent parts of the last 3 seasons only miles away from Long Island as a member of the hated Rangers. Strudwick has been signed to bolster the Oil's blueline.

Strudwick has played in 488 games tallying 11 goals and 27 assists for 38 points. His best season came with the Blueshirts in 2005-06 when he notched 7 points (3 goals, 4 assists) on 65 games. Strudwick has played for the Isles, Canucks, Blackhawks and Rangers. We wish Jason the best with his new team.

UFA Signing: Michael Peca

The Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed center Michael Peca. Terms of the deal have yet to be released. Update: Peca signed a 1 year, $1.315 million deal. Peca was seeking a 2 year contract but word has it he has been so impressed with Columbus' "improvement" plan that he was willing to take a lesser length deal.

Peca had a moderately strong season last year, his first with the Jacks. He notched 34 points (8 goals, 26 assists) on 65 games. Peca managed a -1 rating despite being on the lowest scoring squad in the NHL. He also added 3 game winning goals to lift his career number to 31.

Peca, no stranger to injury, played nearly a full season for the first time since 2005-06. Originally selected in the 2nd Round, 40th overall of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by Vancouver, Peca has suited up for the Canucks, Sabres, Isles, Oilers, Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets. He has played in 793 games racking up 172 goals and 271 assists for 443 points. Peca twice won the Selke Award as the league's best defensive offenseman.

We at FIW wish Peca a healthy and productive second season in Columbus.

UFA Signing: Arron Asham

Toughman winger Arron Asham's tour of the Atlantic Division continues as he signed a multi-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday. Terms of the deal have yet to be released. Update: The deal is believed to be worth $1.28 million over 2 years.

Asham was effectively cut from the New Jersey Devils' roster following a poor offensive season where he notched only 10 points (6 goals, 4 assists) on 77 games. He even sat out a few competitions as a healthy scratch due to extended point-less stretches.

Originally drafted in the 3rd Round, 71st overall of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens, Asham has played from the Habs, Isles and Devils. The Flyers will be the third Atlantic Division squad that he suits up for. Asham has played in 498 games notching 64 goals and 71 assists for 135 points along with 537 penalty minutes.

We wish Arron the best with his new team.

UFA Signing: Todd Bertuzzi

Just when it seemed that the "silly season" was turning into a snooze-fest, things got interesting on Monday when the Calgary Flames announced that Todd Bertuzzi will be joining their corps for the 2008-09 season. The journeyman winger signed a one year contract with the Flames. The amount has yet to be disclosed. Update: The one year deal is valued at $1.95 million, a severe pay decrease from the $4 million per year he was slated to make with Anaheim. But his buyout from the Ducks combined with the current year salary still has Bertuzzi making roughly $3.33 million for the 2008-09 season plus at least another $1.33 million for the 2009-2010 season.

Without going too far into his sordid history (again), Bertuzzi was selected in the 1st Round, 23rd overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft by the Isles. Since then he has suited up for the Isles, Canucks, Panthers, Red Wings and Ducks. He has played in 793 games scoring 240 goals and adding 340 assists for 680 points. Bert has a career -26 ratings along with 1147 penalty minutes and 30 game winning goals. He is a hearty underperformer in the playoffs where he has played 46 games to the tune of 23 points (9 goals, 14 assists).

We wish Todd the best in Calgary and will update as soon as we learn of a dollar figure.

On the Move: Brad Lukowich

Brad Lukowich will join reluctant-to-waive-his-trade-clause teammate Dan Boyle as the two defensemen were bundled as a package bound for the San Jose Sharks while the Tampa Bay Lightning received in return defensemen Matt Carle and Ty Wishart along with San Jose's 1st Round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and their 4th Round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. After days of refusing to waiver on his no trade clause, Tampa finally found a team up to Boyle's expectations. The Lightning were looking to shed some major payroll following a heavy round of Free Agent signings and Boyle's $6.67 million per year contract should take a load off.

Lukowich being shipping to the Sharks is a side note to what has turned out to be the most intriguing trade of the offseason, so far. Originally drafted in the 4th Round, 90th overall of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, Lukowich has played for the Stars, Lightning, Isles and Devils. Despite being drafted by the Orange and Blue, Luko actually started his pro-career in Dallas during the 1997-98 season, eventually winding his way to Long Island for the majority of the 2005-06 season. Lukowich played 59 injury-shortened games this season for Tampa Bay (his second tour of duty with the Lightning) notching 7 points on 1 goal and 6 assists. On his career, Luko has played in 582 games netting 22 goals and adding 81 assists for 103 points. He has a career +33 rating and has amassed 353 penalty minutes. Lukowich has also suited up for 65 playoff games managing 6 points on 1 goal and 5 assists. We here at FIW wish Brad the best with his new team.

UFA Signing: Wyatt Smith

The Tampa Bay Lightning have secured the services of center Wyatt Smith. Smith signed a 1 year, 2 way deal for an as yet undetermined amount. Update: The NHL portion of the 2-way contract would pay Smith a full-time amount of $500K.

Smith played 25 games for the Colorado Avalanche last season recording 3 assists. Originally drafted in the 9th Round, 233rd overall of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft by the Phoenix Coyotes, Smith has played in 211 games to the tune of 32 points (10 goals, 22 assists). Smith has played the Yotes, Predators, Isles, Wild and Avs.

UFA Signing: Ruslan Fedotenko

The Tank is rolling out of Long Island. Winger Ruslan Fedotenko signed a 1 year, $2.5 million deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday almost simultaneously with new Steel City mate Miroslav Satan. Fedo, who played 1 season with the Isles, 33 points (16 goals, 17 assists) on 67 injury-shortened games.

An undrafted acquisition by the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2000-01 season, Fedo will forever be remembered as the player who scored the 2 goals that clinched the Stanley Cup for the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7 of the 2004 Finals. In 532 NHL games, Tank has 239 points on 123 goals and 116 assists. He has also suited up for 53 playoff games recording an unimpressive 17 points on 13 goals and 4 assists.

Our best wishes go out to Ruslan.

UFA Signing: Miroslav Satan

Well it took a while but bigger name FIs are finally on the move. On Thursday winger Miroslav Satan signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins on a 1 year deal valued at $3.5 million. Satan, who had probably the worst season of his career this past year, inked a deal with a highly competitive yet rapidly reforming Pens squad.

Satan has played in 947 NHL games notching 337 goals and 348 assists for 685 points. Originally drafted in the 5th Round, 111th overall of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft by Edmonton, Satan has suited up for the Oilers, Sabres and Isles. He has also 56 games of playoff experience with the Sabres and Isles notching 38 points on 15 goals and 23 assists.

FIW wishes Miro the best of luck with his new team but why did it have to be Atlantic Division?

Update: Martin Straka

Will he or won't he play in the NHL next season? The question about the future of winger Martin Straka has been up in the air for about week after the club president for the Czech team Plzen, Tomas Kral, claimed that they had secured Straka's services as both a player and the team's sports director. Straka's agent Ritch Winter immediately denied that a decision had been made and that his client would weigh his options once Free Agency began. According to THN the rumors of Straka moving to Europe are in fact true.

Straka has played in 954 NHL games registering 717 points on 257 goals and 460 assists. He has suited up for Pittsburgh, Ottawa, the Isles, Florida, Los Angeles and the Rangers over his 16 professional seasons. Straka was originally selected in the 1st Round, 19th overall in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft. We wish Martin the best back with his home town team where he is of course a local hero.

UFA Signing: Drew Fata

Moments after the last post, it was learned the defenseman Drew Fata is headed to the desert to suit up for the Phoenix Coyotes. Terms of the deal have yet to be released.

Originally selected in the 3rd Round, 86th overall of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Fata, the younger brother of Rico, took the hard way to get to the league. After failing to make the Pens, Fata bounced between the AHL and ECHL before a chance series of events landed Fata on the Isles during the 2005-06 season for a few games. A hard-nosed, dedicated d-man, Fata had a limited fill-in role for the Isles over the past two seasons playing in 8 regular season contests notching 1 goal and 1 assists for 2 points. Fata also filled in for Sean Hill following the latter's drug-related suspension in Game 5 of the 2006 opening round series against the Buffalo Sabres.

We wish Drew the best with his new team and will update the terms of the contract when we get it.

Free Agency Day 2: Slow Going

While players are being snapped up left and right by new squads, there has been a virtual wave of nothingness in terms of Former Islander movement. So far today no FI has signed a contract. In fact few have even garnered much interest. Even Miroslav Satan, a proven yet enigmatic scorer, has received little interest according to David Pagnotta at The Fourth Period. This is not surprising since FIW noted back in June that the FI talent pool is awfully shallow this offseason.

The Isles, on the other hand, have acquired a defenseman (Mark Streit), a veteran forward (Doug Weight) and a fairly untested goaltender (Yann Danis). Welcome to the Orange and Blue and remember that though you may be Isles now you will be Former Islanders sooner or later.

UFA Signing: Stephen Valiquette

Goaltender Stephen Valiquette has re-upped with the New York Rangers but terms of the deal are as yet unknown. The 30-year old Valiquette finished his first full NHL season as the backup for Blueshirts' starter Henrik Lundqvist to much success. Vali made appearances in 13 games including 10 starts going 5-3-3 with a 2.19 goals against average, a .916 save percentage and 2 shutouts. Update: The 1 year contract is worth $725K.

Originally drafted in the 8th Round, 190th overall of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft, Valiquette has played for the Isles, Oilers and Rangers. He has played in 25 games recording a 9-6-0-3 record with a 2.40 gaa, a .916 save percentage and those aforementioned 2 shutouts.

UFA Signing: Eric Godard

The first Former Islander UFA signing of Free Agency season took place on Tuesday afternoon and it only helps make the Pittsburgh Penguins a whole lot tougher. Rugged right wing Eric Godard signed a 3 year deal for an undisclosed amount with the Pens. Godard had played a season an a quarter with the Calgary Flames. Last season he had 1 goal and 1 assist for 2 points on 74 games. Not a scorer, Godard is known for his muscle, grit and willingness to drop the gloves. In fact, Godard is such a poor offensive forward he averages 1 goal per ever 66.7 games played. Update: The Pens are shelling out an average of $750K per year for Godard's services.

Coming into the league undrafted, Godard signed with the Florida Panthers in 1999. He has played in 200 NHL games notching 8 points on 3 goals and 5 assists. He has amassed 481 penalty minutes since entering the league in the 2002-03 season while managing only 45 shots over that time. Prior to this signing, Godard had played for only the Isles and Flames. We extend best wishes to Eric with his new team.

On the Move: Raffi Torres

With the Free Agency market opening up in a matter of minutes, last minute trades and negotiations have kept the NHL abuzz. Among the moves the Edmonton Oilers packaged left wing Raffi Torres up and traded him the Columbus Blue Jackets for center Gilbert Brule. Torres, who suffered a knee injury that kept him from playing the last 49 games of last season, is currently in a professional spiral after having a career season in the final lockout season. His offensive production has steadily decreased over the last few years. Torres had only 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists) on 32 games this past season before suffering the injury. He should be sufficiently ready to go for the new season.

Originally drafted in the 1st Round, 5th overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, Torres has played 307 games for the Isles and Oil notching 67 goals and 59 assists for 126 points. He has a career +7 rating and brings with him to Columbus a 11.9 scoring percentage. We wish Torres the best with the Jackets.