[Jlg-28]

Source : Flyers.com

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have acquired 5?10?, 185-pound forward Mike York from the New York Islanders in exchange for center Randy Robitaille and a fifth round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, according to General Manager Paul Holmgren.

?Mike is a younger player,? said Holmgren in making the announcement. ?He has had very good offensive numbers over the course of his career with the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers and the Islanders. We think that he is going to upgrade our offense. He is a player who is a right-handed shot, can play center or right wing and he gives us a little more versatility and a little more scoring. He is a highly competitive player.?

?It is always a little bit of a shock when you first get traded,? said York. ?I?m going to a new team and getting a new start, so I am excited about that. Hopefully, I can help turn the Flyers around in a positive way.

?I?m a fresh face and new blood coming in here. I have been in this situation before. We still have over half the season to play. There?s a long way to go, so hopefully I can help the team improve.?

York, 28, recorded six goals and seven assists for 13 points and 14 penalty minutes in 32 games for the NY Islanders this season. A native of Waterford, Michigan, York posted 52 points (13G,39A) and 30 penalty minutes in 75 regular season games for the Islanders during the 2005-06 season. His 39 assists led the team.

A seven-year NHL veteran, York has registered 117 goals and 183 assists for 300 points and 123 penalty minutes in 481 career regular season games with the NY Rangers (1999-2000 to 2001-02), Edmonton (2001-02 through 2003-04) and the Islanders (2005-06 and 2006-07).

Robitaille, 31, registered five goals and 12 assists for 17 points and 22 penalty minutes in 28 games for the Flyers this season. He was second on the team in assists (12) and tied for third on the team in points (17). He was signed as a free agent by the Flyers on July 4, 2006.

Over parts of the last 10 NHL seasons with the Boston Bruins, Nashville Predators, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, the Islanders, Atlanta Thrashers, Minnesota Wild and the Flyers, Robitaille has recorded 68 goals and 136 assists for 204 points and 161 penalty minutes in 413 regular season games.

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I am surprised that we would make yet another deal to a team in our divison,

[sekkes85]

Very interesting indeed. Robitaille was playing pretty well here, considering how poorly the team as a whole has been. I like this trade for 2 reasons though. York is SLIGHTLY younger(only like 3 years i think) which is minor, however York is also a RIGHT HANDED SHOT. However, this looks like just another salary dump for the Isles. Robitaille was making 600k with us, and has been producing rather well for somebody with that salary. York is making almost $3 million. We've now taken on about $6 million from the Isles in exchange for about $1.2. I don't understand why we are helping a division foe help dump salary, it makes me wonder who they are going to pick up

[tmcc]

Possibly some other deals on the way? We could certainly dump some salaries. I've heard rumors that NY wants Nedved back. Not that it would really affect our financial situation that much. I like this move, but do we have enough centers now? Or will York be put at center, I know he can play both.

[dutch74]

Interesting move... I guess it puts the Zhitnik trade in a little more perspective considering we got fleeced a bit... but this trade does even it out a bit. York's got a much bigger upside than Robi has and being younger is good for us too.

Overall I like it... I wonder who's next now?

[Hyperfried]

Hopefully a young defenseman... Though I hate to say it, I would not be surprised to see a Nedved for defensemen and low-level draft pick deal in the near future. Though I don't agree with it.

[Ryan20]

Uhhhh

I don't get what we're thinking here, salary wise. I do like the fact that we added another right-handed shot, but that's about all for right now anyway.

:\

[sekkes85]

Maybe its their way of telling us they are writing off the season?

$2.85 mill could be spent in much better ways

[Tocchet22]

ive ehard the flyers will have some nice cap room to make some move nxt year. Anyone know if its a good FA year sicne you know were getting nothing in the draft