ISLES MAKIN' DEALS
I didn't really have time to write a whole feature on the two trades involving the Islanders, so I'll make this quick.

The first saw Bryan McCabe, Todd Bertuzzi, and a draft pick going to Vancouver for Trevor Linden. This is an interesting deal. Assuming Linden is healthy and good to go, he'll give the Islanders some much needed leadership. He's also a quality individual who does a lot of work in the community. Having him on the team is nothing but an asset.

But the Isles didn't get Linden to do community service. They need him to be a 35-goal, 85-point guy. For all his talent and drive, Linden has never broken 33 goals or averaged a point per game. At 27, he should be in his prime. But Linden's an old 27. He's been in the league for 10 seasons. It's doubtful he's got any new tricks left.

In McCabe and Bertuzzi, the Canucks get two young players with some major potential. McCabe, 22, was the youngest captain in Islander history. That's a lot of pressure on a kid. Looking back, giving him the C was probably a mistake. It wasn't because of a lack of effort on McCabe's part, though. He's a gritty, feisty competitor that will drop the gloves and stand up for his teammates. He's also extremely durable and has enough skill to contribute offensively. Mike Keenan is seeing McCabe as a cornerstone for the Vancouver defense.

Bertuzzi, 23, was given every chance to succeed in Long Island and just didn't respond. When inspired, the 6'3", 224-pound left winger can be an impact player. He goes to the net well and is a handful for goaltenders and defensemen once he sets up in front. If Keenan can get the most out of this kid, Bertuzzi could become the dominant physical force that Linden never really was.

This trade is pretty much a wash. The Islanders get the character and leadership they needed, the Canucks get two quality young guys with size and toughness that could be fixtures in their lineup for years to come. Bertuzzi is the key. If he fulfills his potential, it's a steal for the Canucks.

Mike Milbury and the Isles weren't done swappin'. Milbury pulled off a six-player deal with the Ducks that sent Travis Green, Doug Houda, and a prospect to Anaheim in exchange for Joe Sacco, Mark Janssens, and J.J. Daigneault.

The Ducks wanted a playmaking center to play between Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya. They got their man in Green. Good ol' Travis is a heck of a playmaker. He's not the best skater in the world, but he's shifty and can handle the rock. He could have a field day skating with the two superstars. Doug Houda was just a throw in. He's an experienced veteran, but that's about it... just another pylon for the Anaheim blue line.

The Islanders were willing to part with Green because they already had Robert Reichel and Bryan Smolinski in the middle, with Linden able to jump between center and wing when needed. And Green isn't a third-line center. So in return they were looking to get some veteran depth. Joe Sacco adds some speed and pretty good skills to the wing, but it's doubtful he'll ever be more than a solid role player. Luckily, that's all the Islanders need him to be. Janssens will fit the third-line checking center role that Green couldn't. He's a big guy, strong on faceoffs, and can throw. Janssens will go with anyone. Daigneault is an excellent skater that can move the puck, but he's pretty brutal defensively. There's a reason why the Islanders are his eighth career team.

Both teams get want they want in this one. Green will have the single largest impact of the players involved, but Janssens, Sacco, and Daigneault should make the Isles a better overall team.

THIRD JERSEY JIVE
A new batch of third jerseys have hit the ice this season. And once again, most of them are brutal. There is, however, one noticeable exception. The St. Louis Blues' third sweaters are pimp smooth. They bucked the trend and used white as the main color. Aw, there's brilliance in simplicity. The use of black to accentuate the blue and gold stripes on the shoulders and sleeves was another stroke of genius.

The new Shark duds are, well, different. I haven't seen them enough to say for sure, but they could be cool. Using grey as a main color and the unusual design, sort of like a "Y", were bold choices. There's no doubt, though, that the Flyer ones are painful. Don't let the fact that they look ugly and wear ugly fool you... they really are ugly. And Ottawa? Not good. The Senators might have been on to something with the design of the sweater, but the 3D-lookin' logo is weak as hell.

Um, that's all I got...

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