Blake Comeau: Happy Thanksgiving, You've Been Waived

It must have been an awkward conversation when New York Islanders GM Garth Snow notified Islanders forward Blake Comeau that he was being waived on the national holiday.

Happy Thanksgiving; you have been placed on waivers?

Comeau was released by the Islanders Thursday morning. The young winger has not had a lot to be thankful for this season. In 15 games, Comeau had not registered a single point and had a minus-11 rating.

The 25-year-old winger was coming off the best season of his career, registering 48 points in 75 games last season. It may be that the impact of the concussion suffered on a brutal hit from Mitch Talbot last February has had an affect on Comeau's struggles since.

He has 27 points in 42 games since the incident, but he just hasn't been the same player. A change of scenery may be just what the former second-round pick needs. He has the talent to succeed but it appears his days as an Islander are numbered.

With the departure of Comeau, the Nino Niederreiter era on Long Island may finally be starting.

Niederreiter, the former fourth overall pick of the Isles will now have a consistent place in the lineup and will attempt to work his way to a top-six forward position on this young team. The Isles, in return, will hope that Niederreiter can deliver the scoring punch that the Islanders have been missing this season.

In 120 games the last two seasons in the WHL, El Nino registered 77 goals and 130 points. In 12 career games with the Islanders, Niederreiter has a goal and an assist—two more points than Comeau has scored in 15 games this season. El Nino has not looked out of place so far and the Isles hope that, at the very least, he can replace Comeau's scoring production.

Along with Niederreiter, Comeau's departure may open playing time for other players recently called up by the Islanders who were playing well at Bridgeport, including David Ullstrom and Michael Haley.

With the struggles of both Comeau and the Islanders, it had became clear that Comeau's time on the Island had run out. The Isles had been looking to trade Comeau for some time but had apparently given up on that hope.

One has to call management into question on this move, both on timing and the fact that they were not able to get something back via trade. It remains hard to believe that the Islanders were not able to get anything back for a guy that scored 48 points last season.

Athletics are a "what have you done for me lately" occupation and teams are just not willing to give up anything for a guy who has given very little production in the now.

There is a chance that Comeau can clear waivers and go to Bridgeport, but with $2.5 million left on his contract, it is likely that a team will take a chance on the young winger. The Calgary Flames and New York Rangers are strong candidates to grab Comeau because of their lack of scoring depth.