Garth Snow's Phone Line Heats Up as NHL Trade Deadline Approaches

The NHL trade deadline is a few days away now.  Now that Mike Comrie and Chris Campoli have been traded, New York Islanders general manager Garth Snow has some tough decisions to make on some other players.

The Islanders are one of the few teams out of the playoff race, and therefore potential sellers over the next few days up till and including March 4. 

There are some players on the team such as Brendan Witt, Radek Martinek, and Bill Guerin who are garnering interest from around the league.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with Guerin.  He has a full no-move clause, and has to accept a trade to any team.  Guerin has stated he would like to remain an Islander beyond this season.

The only teams I see Guerin possibly waiving his no move clause are to the Rangers or Devils because they are close to Long Island.  The Isles and Rangers don't trade with each other, so that eliminates them.  He could go to the Devils if they have interest, but I think the Devils will be looking to bolster their blueline.

The other possible landing place for Guerin could be Boston, which is his hometown.  The Bruins have a young team, and could be looking for some veteran leadership as they gear up for a playoff run.  I could see Guerin waiving his clause to go home to Boston for a championship run.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with defenseman Brendan Witt, the only other player besides Guerin that I think has any chance to be traded by March 4.  Witt is a tough as nails old school defenseman, who isn't afraid to sacrifice his body to block shots.

There are plenty of teams in the playoff hunt who could use a tough, stay-at-home defenseman like Witt.  Witt is signed to a very economical deal though for the next two seasons.

Generally, you only see guys in the last year of their contracts traded at the deadline as a rental.  If a team is desperate, though, you could see a team offering the Isles a first- or second-round pick and a prospect in return for Witt. 

If Snow does not get fair value in return for Witt, he should hold onto him.  They will need veterans next year to help lead the young players that are on this and will be on this team next season.  Witt is a great guy for these younger players to learn from so they should hold onto him unless they get an offer for him they can't refuse.

Radek Martinek could be an interesting case as well.  He is regarded and respected around the league as a very underrated defenseman.  He is also signed for two more years to a very cheap contract. 

If I'm Garth Snow, only way I trade Martinek is if a team offers a first-round pick.  I think Martinek is a solid defenseman, and even though he has had health issues throughout his career, he is the Isles' top shutdown defenseman when healthy.  He is also the only other defensman they have other than Mark Streit who is fit to play Scott Gordons up tempo system.

Dean Mcammond could have a short stay on the Island.  He is a fast player, and he is also good on faceoffs and the penalty kill.  If Snow gets offered a fourth rounder or better for Mcammond, then he'll be gone before he even really had a chance to settle in.

Finally, there is Sean Bergenheim.  Bergenheim is one of their younger players who was rumored to be available a few weeks back.

I hope the Snow does not make the mistake of trading Bergenheim.  This kid seems to finally be starting to get it, and there is so much potential there for him to be a solid contributor to this team in the future. 

I would hate to see Bergenheim go, and turn into a star on another team.  Oh, and he has said he likes Long Island, and wants to make it work with the Isles. 

In the end, the Comrie/Campoli trade I feel will turn out to be the Isles' biggest move.  If Boston gets involved for Guerin, then I think things could get interesting there, but I dont see much other movement.

Witt will go if a team gets desperate, and overpays for him, but I think the fact that he is signed for two more seasons will scare off teams.  I don't think Martinek is going anywhere either because he is signed to a cheap contract, and is their top shutdown defenseman.

I could see a few small deals, like Mcammond or Andy Hillbert for a low pick. Otherwise I do not anticipate anything major come deadline day.