Since 2007, Islanders general manager Garth Snow has not been one to get into major blockbuster trades. Despite recent rumors, it is likely that he continues his pragmatic managerial style as the upcoming trade deadline approaches.
In recent days, rumors have surfaced regarding an imminent trade for NY Islanders center Frans Nielsen. The Dane has been a fixture in New York's lineup for years and is signed until 2015-16. His cap hit comes at a cheap $2.75 million, an attractive figure looking to add a solid two-way center.
According to Tim Sassone of the Daily Herald, the Chicago Blackhawks were interested in trading for Nielsen in a package that would include defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky. However, the Islanders' recent signing of Visnovsky seems to have shifted to the Islanders' captain Mark Streit, another unrestricted free-agent.
According to Sassone's source, "[Nielsen is] decent on face-offs (45.2 percent), can kill penalties and is a good passer. He could slide into the second-line role, you can move Dave Bolland back to the third line and Andrew Shaw can go back to wing, which is where they belong."
The rumor stated that the Islanders would look to bring back 2009 first-round pick D Dylan Olsen and Jeremy Morin; both are top Chicago prospects.
However, the rumor was recently quashed by Islanders beat writer Arthur Staple who tweeted that "Having been asked, I asked a source about Nielsen rumors: 'No chance they trade Frans.' There you have it. #Isles."
Staple's statement goes in line with Snow's recent behavior pertaining trades, but it is always possible that he makes the trade if he is confident that the return is favorable and if he feels that some of the Islanders' developing prospects can step into the role vacated by Nielsen.
Nielsen has 18 points in 35 games this season for New York. He is also the most prolific scorer in the history of the NHL shootout (which began after the 2004-05 lockout).
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