| | Associated Press
CALGARY, Alberta -- The rapidly changing New York Islanders
shook up their roster some more Sunday, acquiring veteran
goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck from the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Islanders gave up a fourth-round draft pick for
Vanbiesbrouck, who fell out of favor with the Flyers and sat on the
bench late last season while rookie Brian Boucher played.
|  | | Next season, Vanbiesbrouck will be stopping shots for the New York Islanders. |
The Islanders haven't made the playoffs in six years, and
general manager Mike Milbury is intent on ending that drought.
"We're rolling the dice a little," he said.
Vanbiesbrouck was the fourth goalie involved in a move by the
Islanders in two days.
On Saturday, Milbury traded his best goaltender, Kevin Weekes,
along with young defenseman Kristian Kudroc and a 2001 second-round
pick, to the Tampa Bay Lightning for the fifth pick in the entry
draft and two late-round picks.
Then, Milbury used the No. 1 selection to take Boston University
goalie Rick DiPietro, making him the first goalie taken overall in
any draft.
Vanbiesbrouck is expected to serve as a mentor to the
18-year-old DiPietro.
Milbury then traded Roberto Luongo, who was considered the
Islanders' goalie of the future after being taken fourth overall in
the draft three years ago, and forward Olli Jokinen to the Florida
Panthers for forwards Oleg Kvasha and Mark Parrish.
Milbury took left wing Raffi Torres, a 91-point scorer with the
Brampton Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League last season, with
the No. 5 pick acquired from the Lightning.
When Milbury had the No. 35 pick overall, in the second round,
he made another trade, sending defenseman Eric Brewer and left wing
Josh Green to the Edmonton Oilers for defenseman Roman Hamrlik.
Milbury said the Islanders' new owners are not content with the
status quo.
"Our owners didn't come into this business to wait another five
years for us to make the playoffs," he said. "The danger spot
obviously is going with a youthful goaltender.
"You know you're going to take some criticism, but we believe
we're a better team today."
| |
ALSO SEE
Goalie DiPietro goes first overall in NHL draft
Isles shake things up with draft-day trades
Marrapese-Burrell: Isles counting on DiPietro
Parent: Milbury's taking a risk
ESPN.com's NHL Draft 2000 coverage
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