Trade Value, Part One: Mike Comrie

As we all know, the NHL Trade Deadline is set for March 4th, 2009. With the Islanders being committed to Garth Snow's rebuild, along with the dismal season they are having, it is almost understood that they will be sellers this year. That being said, every week until the week of the Trade Deadline, I will present the case both for and against trading certain players which experts feel could be shopped within the next month. We begin with perhaps one of the fans least favorite active players, Mike Comrie.

Comrie was signed by the Islanders on July 5, 2007. Having a great post-season the year before with the Senators, Comrie was seen as a hot commodity that offseason. This led to extremely high expectations for the Edmonton, AB, Canada native, and for a brief time, he lived up to those expectations, as he became just the fourth player to four or more goals over his first two games with a new team.

Comrie has slowed down lately, with many fans seeing him as a bust. In 32 games this year, he has 7 goals and 11 assists for a respectful 18 points, however nowhere near the "first line center" numbers the Islanders thought they were getting in 2007.

There is very little argument between fans and experts alike that Comrie will be traded. His speed doesn't fit into coach Scott Gordon's overspeed system, he makes very bad no-look passes in the neutral zone (any hockey player will tell you that unless your name is Wayne Gretzky, that's a big no-no), and he tries to be too fancy with the puck. However, he has made a small case for himself as of late, playing very well centering youngster's Kyle Okposo and Blake Comeau during the end of December, but that, like all "good" things, came to an end. He also had a good game against Florida on January 31st, with a goal and assist, earning him the games third star honor.

With all of this being said, Comrie should never have been brought in as a first line center. He came off a very good post-season playing with Ottawa, centering Mike Fisher, whom we can all agree was on fire during that stretch. Comrie is a good complementary player who would probably fit in very well on a team like the Chicago Blackhawks, who have expressed interest all year in aquiring a second line center for Martin Havlat to play with. Chicago, who just missed out on a playoff spot last year, will be looking to put their team over the top, and perhaps that would be the perfect fit for Comrie. He would be playing on a team which wouldn't rely on him to be the primary scorer (something which has haunted him for the past two years), and the change of scenery may be just what he needs to get it back in gear.

Assuming Comrie keeps on this pace on the Island, I don't think anything other than a second or possibly even third round draft will be given up for Comrie, which will be a steal for any team looking for a second or third line center.

Prediction: Comrie will be shopped on or before March 4th, with the Islanders bringing in a mid-level draft pick for a draft which is supposed to be the deepest in years.

Check back next week for part two of four as captain Bill Guerin is discussed as being potential trade bait.