The New York Rangers have acquired defenseman Jyri Niemi from the New York Islanders for a sixth-round pick in this year's draft. The Rangers immediately signed Niemi to an Entry Level contract and he will report to their prospect camp.
The trade announced Tuesday is the first between the New York area rivals since forward Ron Stewart was dealt to the Islanders for cash on Nov. 14, 1972, during the Islanders' first season.
The 19-year-old Niemi played in 50 games with Saskatoon of the Western Hockey League last season. He had eight goals and 21 assists with a plus-9 rating.
Niemi was chosen by the Islanders in the third round -- the 72nd pick -- of the 2008 draft. The 6-foot-2, 192-pound native of Finland has spent the last three seasons with Saskatoon.
Just about everyone in the league has said over the last years that Niemi - the Isles 3rd round pick in 2008 who had to be signed by the end of this month - was not considered an NHL prospect. However, all it takes is one scout to believe in a player, and obviously Gordie Clark at the Rangers employs someone who thought the 6'3" Finnish player was worth a shot.
For Garth Snow, instead of losing a player for nothing, he gets another dart in the sixth round. Since the Islanders don’t think Niemi is anything significant, the deal was a no-brainer.
It seems as though the Islanders had no interest in signing him to a deal or having him develop in their system, but, even still, this trade is very shocking for the mere fact that it was done between these two bitter rivals. Good for Garth, though, for getting something when he was about to lose this kid for nothing.
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