While the Islanders were off on Saturday after getting a point against the first place Blackhawks Friday night, GM Lawrence Linke was not. While not blockbusters, Linke was one of the most active GM's in the BRHL. Prior to discussing the individual deals, Linke stated one thing about the current state of the Islanders. He coninued to state that the recent losses to the upper echelon teams in the league indicate that the Islanders must become more responsible in the defensive zone.

The first trade addressed this problem as the talented Tomas Tatar was sent to the Montreal Canadians for Johan Larsson and Dylan Blujus. Johan is a player who was on pace for 16 goals this year when he suffered a season ending injury. Already having an above average DEF rating, he was one of the main penalty killers for the Buffalo Sabres and had a defensive zone vs offensive zone rating of 215 - 113. With an above average DEF rating and an SC rating that could be in the low 70's a top 6 position is not out of the question. Dylan Blujus is a defensemen in the Tampa Bay Lightning organization who was a 2nd round choice. His offensive game is ahead of his defensive game and he has been injured most of he year.

The second trade shocked most GM's in the BRHL as Linke was able to complete a trade with Kirk of the Ottawa Senators. On numerous occasions the hallways of the Barclay Center echoed with unprintale four letter words when Linke got off the phone with Kirk. Linke denied a rumor that his wife told a car salesman while negotiating the price that "she would Kirk him". The Islanders obtained goalie Kirsters Gudlevskis for defensemen Ryan Sproul. Linke stated that this move was made to address a shortage of goalies in the system. 

The last two trades were related. In an odd move Linke sent defenseman Mark Fayne, a pending unrestricted free agent to the division leading New Jersey Devils for a 2017 6th round draft choice. Linke stated that he had to be realistic when it comes to the Devils and wouldn't have made the final trade without obtaining the pick.

The last trade sent 2017 5th round and 7th round picks to the rebuilding Colorado Avalanche for 24 year old defenseman Jon Merrill. Linke stated that Merrill's TOI and penalty killing time has been trending upward after missing the first month the season with an injury. Linke stated he is the perfect addition for next year and is aware that he may lose him in the expansion draft