After last year's disastrous July 1 in which GM Garth Snow undervalued his Free Agents, most Islander fans were a little nervous heading into Canada Day 2008. As Isles Blog Boxer Dee Karl (The 7th Woman) messaged me the other day "July 1st always makes me nervous". In a good PR move, Snow downplayed the Islanders chances at landing a significant Free Agent and they would be happy with the youth movement come September. That of course wouldn't be the case.

In a somewhat surprising fashion the Islanders landed a very important piece to the puzzle with Defenseman Mark Streit. Streit, (pronounced St - Right), was an intregal part of Montreal's top rated Power Play last season as he amassed 13 goals and 62 points during the regular season. Those numbers would have gave him the Islanders 4th highest goal total, the leader in assists (by 20 might I add) and the top point scorer.

Heading into Free Agency the Islanders had 4 needs, a 2nd line Center, a goal scoring winger, an enforcer and a PP quarterback. Streit fills the last need and the Islanders are still in the running for C Doug Weight and LW Kristian Huselius as of this morning. Georges Laraque is the top enforcer on the market so far.

I've read this morning that $4.1 Million per season is way too much money for a 5th defenseman, but on an extremely deep Montreal defense unit (with the likes of Roman Hamrlik, Mike Komisarek, Andrei Markov for starters) Streit had some touch competition, but honestly.....Brian Campbell is no Niklas Lidstrom in his own zone either....(and he got 3 million more per season).

All in all it was an exciting day with a terrific start for the Islanders.

Some Notes....

As previously mentioned the Islanders have been linked to Doug Weight, Kristian Huselius and Sean Avery, though it seems that Avery is considering the Northwest Division with either Vancouver or Calgary. Dallas has also been mentioned. 

Huselius has been rumored to be in negoitions with Minnesota as his agent stated last night that they would speak again this morning....so that might be a dead end as well.

Tampa Bay has just offered me a 3 year contract

Is it me or does it seem that Mats Sundin is looking to really stick it to the Leafs?....I say he ends up in Montreal.

Brian Campbell is a very good offensive defensman....but $7.1 Million for 8 years is unreal. Now what is Lidstrom worth??

The Rangers now have $32.6 million in cap space tied up in 5 players the next 4 years (Gomez, Drury, Redden, Rozsival and Lundquist).

FAN 960 in Calgary broadcast nearly 12 hours straight of Free Agency talk yesterday (and sadly I listened to about half of it).

I don't know whats more ridiculous the price of gas, or the price of cigarettes.

Many thanks to Bill from NYI Fan Central for joining me on my Live Blog yesterday....as always his knowledge and passion for the Islanders outstanding.

Greg Logan's blog has been updated with a short Mark Streit YouTube video, you can view it here.

If you can....please visit Chris Botta's blog and beg him to keep writing....it's one of the most interesting perspectives out there, and as of now he plans on shutting it down on July 7th.

Keep checking IslesNation.com for all your UFA needs....I'll be on the live blog throughout the day....

Tony