Vanek’s Final Hurrah: As it turned out, Thomas Vanek has played his last game for the Sabres. He was dealt to the Islanders Sunday.
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In a stunning move, the Islanders have acquired Thomas Vanek from the Sabres in exchange for Matt Moulson, a 2014 first round pick and 2015 second round pick. Newsday’s Arthur Staple broke the trade in a tweet 31 minutes ago.

Playing in the final year of his contract, the 29-year old Vanek was tied for the team lead in points with nine (4-5-9). Rumored to be on the block since season’s start, he lasted just 13 games. With Buffalo continuing to rebuild, all signs pointed to their best player getting moved. Sitting dead last in the Eastern Conference with five points (2-10-1), the Sabres had the opportunity to get a good return from the Islanders. GM Darcy Regier moved him for a proven finisher in Moulson. In 11 games this season, he has six goals and three assists. Five of his six markers have come on the power play.

Moulson is also in the final year of his deal earning $3.9 million. His cap hit is $3.133 million. A stark contrast to Vanek, whose cap hit is $7.143 million thanks to Edmonton’s lunacy that forced Buffalo to match. He’s due $6.4 million this season.

For the Islanders, it’s a chance to upgrade a roster that features captain John Tavares. With the continued emergence of Frans Nielsen, Kyle Okposo and Josh Bailey, it allowed GM Garth Snow to swing a trade for a talented player. In a weak division, they’re banking on Vanek to make a difference. Currently, the Islanders are tied for second in the Metro with the Hurricanes at 4-4-3 for 11 points.

“We had opportunity to acquire an elite player and given where we are right now (.500), you go for it,” Snow told TSN’s Bob McKenzie.

“If we hadn’t drafted so well, if we didn’t have good prospects, we couldn’t afford to take the risk,” Snow told McKenzie on the steep price the Islanders paid to acquire Vanek.

I don’t necessarily agree. They didn’t lose anything off the roster. Vanek replaces Moulson. The only concern would be how fast he clicks with Tavares. Moulson had great chemistry with the Islander captain posting three consecutive 30-plus goal seasons. There’s no doubt he would’ve been a lock again in a full season. Now, he goes to the Sabres, who don’t score much. It’s unfortunate for him because he turned himself into a poor man’s Adam Graves. Who knows? Maybe he gets moved again at the deadline. There’s no guarantee he’s staying in Western New York.

As for Vanek, he gets basically a free trial with the Islanders. He can still turn unrestricted unless his new team can reach an agreement that keeps him with them when they relocate to Brooklyn. The best way for that to happen is for the Islanders to make a run in a second consecutive postseason. First, they must get there.