The Price of Loyalty: Why Doug Weight, Bill Guerin Should Remain Islanders

Flash-forward to March 4, 2009: The New York Islanders would like to make an announcement!

Centerman Doug Weight and right winger Bill Guerin will not be traded, in fact, both will remain with the Islanders for two more seasons following the 2008-09 NHL season. We have decided that today was a great day to provide them the security they wanted, and to provide us with the leadership, talent, and respect that we wanted on our roster. They have both been phenomenal this year, and we agree that they have plenty of great hockey left in them.

This is the kind of announcement I would love to hear on the NHL trading deadline on March 4, 2009, rather than hearing that the Islanders have decided to trade the two of them for second-round draft picks, and mid-to-low level prospects. 

While many Islander fans continue to speak out through blogs and message boards that now is the best time to trade Doug Weight and Bill Guerin, I beg to differ. Let us get a better idea of the kind of package we would receive, and then we will discuss the major reasons for them staying.

After reading through many articles and blogs, especially ones associated very closely to the team, it seems as if the Columbus Blue Jackets would be the No. 1 suitor for Doug Weight. When I first heard this, I probably had the same opinion as you did. "Great! They are desperate for a playoff spot, and will definitely give up a nice return for a player that could center Rick Nash for the first time in team history," I exlaimed to myself.

My mind ran rampant with ideas and trade proposals that always included their first round pick, some packages even including Witt and Guerin both going along with Weight, and us somehow landing Filatov and a first round pick with this package.

This is how desperate it has become on Long Island, and this is never going to happen! Realistically, the Islanders would most likely get a second round pick from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Doug Weight, with the possibility of a low-level prospect getting put into the mix as well. (I credit this information to Eric Smith, a respected blogger for the Columbus Blue Jackets). I think Doug Weight for two more seasons is worth more then that, don't you?

For Bill Guerin, still a twenty to twenty-five goal scorer, with a tremendous leadership repertoire both on and off the ice, we would probably net the same return, or less, as we would for Weight. He has won a Stanley Cup, and could provide the stability on a secondary scoring line that a playoff team sorely needs in order to be a true contender. What kind of teams would negotiate with the Islanders for Bill Guerin?

In my opinion, few and far between considering his no-trade clause. With him publicly exclaiming that he loves Long Island, and that he wants to stay for well past this season, and the fact that he has the power to keep his no-trade clause in tact, Bill Guerin will not be going anywhere on March 4. 

If Snow were to find teams at the deadline interested in him, and maybe at least one will present themselves, they are not going to give up a first-round pick or a high-level prospect just to land Bill Guerin. Ten years ago? Definitely! Now? Highly unlikely! Bill Guerin's leadership and mentoring is worth more then just a second-round pick.

My response to them not leaving: "Great! I love the two of them, and they will make the Islanders a better team!"

The Islanders are in rebuild mode, and Garth Snow seems to be sticking to his plan of success. The plan, involving proper drafting, the passing of the Light-House Plan, and the addition of key free-agents at the right time, is one that will bring stability and success that has avoided the Islanders for decades.

With three second-round picks in the fold for this upcoming draft, along with our first round pick that will most likely be in the top two at this point in time, the Islanders are going to be able to load up on prospects for a second year in a row. Are two more second-rounders this season really going to be plan-changing for Garth Snow? More importantly, where would the veteran presence come from next season when both Guerin and Weight are gone, and with the possibility of Witt on his way out too?

Let us allow both Guerin and Weight to continue doing as they are doing on the island, which is playing excellent hockey, teaching the younger players the ropes, and more importantly, giving the Islanders team a little more respect on and off the ice.

When two players with Weight and Guerin's status exclaim that, "they love Long Island, they love Scott Gordon, they think Garth Snow is on point with his plan, and they want to be around for many more years," then you know that there is reason to continue doing as you are doing, and there is reason to keep these two on the roster.

Who knows, maybe with comments like that they could draw other players here on July 1?

I rest my case.

As always, comments and questions are greatly appreciated. Feel free to e-mail me anytime at [e-mail] with any inquiries you may have, and I will be sure to respond as soon as possible!