Islanders deal for Vanek, send Moulson and picks to Buffalo

By Joe Pantorno

Last night, the New York Islanders made the first blockbuster deal of the 2013-2014 NHL season when they traded Matt Moulson, a 2014 first round and 2015 second round pick to Buffalo for Thomas Vanek.

I refrained from writing this for at least a day just so everything could sink in and I could evaluate the trade.

Matt Moulson was a fan favorite, a cult hero, who had been with the team during some of its worst times and seemed to have signed up for some of its best. His chemistry with captain John Tavares was well documented as he was at the center's side since the moment he was drafted.

He didn't provide blazing speed or the strength that normally shed top defenders like a cheap coat. He was one of the perfect Islanders. A hard-nosed, blue-collar workhorse that would go out every night and give you his all. The working man's player.

The deal shocked a lot of people as it seemed so sudden. According to Isles GM Garth Snow, it has been discussed at length for quite some time, which part of me would like to think that the team originally inquired for goaltender Ryan Miller. But let's get something straight: Thomas Vanek is no slouch.

The new left winger, and new no. 26 is an upgrade from  Moulson. He has size, can live in front of the net kind of like John LeClair, but has a set of hands like a piano player and a set moves that a dancer would be jealous of.

Vanek is established, putting up good numbers since 2005 and has produced consistently when talent has lacked around him. Moulson has been the beneficiary of playing alongside Tavares, having scored 30 or more goals in each of his first three FULL (2009-2011) NHL seasons.

Both are 29, Moulson two months older than Vanek.

It's imperative the Islanders re-sign the Austrian. He, like Moulson, is in the last year of his contract and
many Islanders fans have had the name Ryan Smyth running through their minds for the past 24 hours. The Islanders traded for Smyth for a playoff run in 2007, only to have him sign with Colorado the next season.

Granted, the Islanders' outlook is far brighter than it was in 2007, but if Vanek walks, and there are already rumors swirling that he will want to go to Minnesota, they will be the losers of this deal despite the depth of its farm system.

If you're a Moulson supporter like 99% of Isles nation is, don't get too down quite yet. A part of me thinks Garth Snow told him that he is going to get his money over the summer and come back to the Island.

The Islanders still need to address its defense and goaltending situation, but this Vanek deal is a sign that Snow is going to go for it and has a lot of faith in the team. When's the last time the team made a deal like this?

The team is making waves. And the good type, too. If Vanek goes out and scores a pair against the Rangers tomorrow night, he becomes a fan favorite immediately.

I'll be in Section 311, with a Rangers fan. I know, but he's one of my best friends. I'll be the big guy in the Billy Smith jersey probably yelling a lot. Come say hello if you get the chance.

Pick 'em: Week 8 NFL

By Joe Pantorno

Everyone and their mothers do predictions, so who am I to miss out on all the fun?

I'll keep track of my dismal record. I tend to over-analyze and make a fool of myself in all sorts of office pools and fantasy games.

Bills @ Saints

"There will be domination, it will be ugly, Drew Brees will put up gaudy numbers," a lot of people will say. While the Saints will win, it won't be as lopsided as I think many expect. The Bills are missing EJ Manuel, odd enough to say, but a team in a tough division like the AFC East that needs to find its bearings needs continuity. Losing their QB obviously doesn't help. Saints win by two touchdowns, almost treating this like a trap game.

Who Dat 35 Boofalo 21

Browns @ Chiefs

Chiefs? 7-0? Well make it 8-0. They could lose next week to the Bills, maybe some complacency creeps in, but it won't be this week, and that's another prediction for another day. Alex Smith is a winner and he's smart. The Browns don't possess any of the assets needed to rattle him. Jason Campbell gets the start for Cleveland as the team has finally seen enough of Brandon Weeden, at least for a half. Who knows? Campbell could go out there and look like he should be playing for Seaford High School. Either way, Chiefs roll.

KC 21 Dawg Pound Nation 7

Cowboys @ Lions

Hey guys, it's America's team! They're first in the NFC East! Cue the ESPN fan-fare! Cue the triumphant looking Troy Aikman in the press box! Cue all the shots of a smiling Jerry Jones! Cue the talks of Tony Romo being a Hall of Famer! Cue a gut-wrenching loss to the hands of Detroit and all the Cowboys fans wanting to jump out a window! Detroit is coming off a tough loss to Cincinnati where they played a very good Bengals team tough. Dallas comes off a win against an NFC East team...so that doesn't count as anything much. It'll be close and it'll be fun. Lots of offense hopefully.

Lions? 34 'Boys 31

49ers @ Jaguars (Wembley Stadium, London, UK)

The Jaguars are giving away home games to play on another continent. For Jacksonville fans, I don't think they care that much. The pitch at Wembley has provided its fair share of problems to American Football players, so we might have plenty of mistakes, especially for a running side like San Francisco and an inept side like the Jaguars. Low scoring, headaches galore. At the end of the day, the Jaguars remain winless, despite a scare.

San Fran 17 Jags 10

Dolphins @ Patriots

The Patriots can't lose. They just can't. They're angry, coming off a loss...and Bill probably spanked Tom in front of the team just to set an example. It'll be scary, Ryan Tannehill will have a nice game, but something will happen to give the Patriots the game. Then all will be right in the world and Jets fans will be saying things like, "see? You always get the calls, too." And I'll just want to slap them both.

Pats 27 Dolphins 23

Giants @ Eagles

I don't know anymore. Maybe the Giants turned a corner. Have the taste of winning on their lips and are lusting for blood. Or they'll come out and lay an egg. Either way, this game is going to be ugly. Philly needs to just ride Shady McCoy until he gives out and the Giants have to work on playing mistake-free football. They got lucky last week. They won't be against the Eagles. Too many skill players.

G-Men 17 Fly Eagles Fly 14

Jets @ Bengals

"BUT WE BEAT THE PATRIOTS!" Every Jets fan will scream after a loss to the Bengals. I like this Cincinnati team, they're onto some big things very soon. Playing the Jets won't be easy, and Geno might give a solid defense some minor problems, but nothing too crazy. The Bengals will learn from the mistakes they made last week against the Lions. The defense will stiffen back up and force a few turnovers against a young quarterback. That win last week against New England won't mean absolutely nothing, but the Jets will drop another game back after this week. IF they win however, this will be a team that believes. And you never want to play a team with that.

Cincy 27 Gang Green 14

Steelers @ Raiders

What used to be the greatest rivalry of the '70s is nothing more than a boring sounding game today. Steelers coming off a big win against Baltimore to get to two games within .500. Raiders were beaten soundly by the Chiefs. I go with the team that's feeling better about themselves this week.

Black & Gold 17 Oak Town 6

Redskins @ Broncos

Hey guys, RG III is back. Of course I benched him after five bad weeks of fantasy, so he comes out and has a monster game. Tough stretch for the Redskins having to take on the Bears and now the Broncos. Denver coming off that loss to Indy will not be a happy bunch and Peyton will be looking for redemption. Unfortunately the frustration will be taken out on the Redskins secondary. Hooray high scoring games!

Orange Crush 38 Am I allowed to call them Redskins? 20

Falcons @ Cardinals

I'll forever be mad at the Falcons for losing to the Jets and ending my hopes of winning a suicide pool. Once this team has a head coach and a quarterback that can win big games, the Falcons will be wonderful. I mean, they're playing the Cardinals this week, so this game is winnable, but who knows? Maybe Mike Smith will kick the ball off if they win the toss in overtime. And they'll miss Julio Jones. I don't think it'll get that far. Falcons win, but I'm still mad at them.

Dirty Birds 21 Cardinals 13

Packers @ Vikings

If the Giants can beat the Vikings, anyone can beat the Vikings (except for the Jaguars...they can't). Green Bay is without Jermichael Finley, hope everything is okay with him. That was scary last week. Aaron Rodgers will have a field day, the Vikings will be stubborn and try and get Josh Freeman into this offense, even though I think Christian Ponder can be a very good NFL quarterback. Packers in a laugher.

Pack Attack 35 Purple People Eaters 10

Seahawks @ Rams (MNF)

So the Rams called up Brett Favre, huh? They're that desperate. That's all you need to know...seriously.

Ricky Running Watters 31 Greatest Show On Turf 7

If you are to watch one game this morning, let it be Newcastle v. Sunderland

Yes, we know Sundays are reserved for NFL Football. Yes, I know this is AMERICA and we are still reeling over a World Series finish that has left me scratching my head (I agree with the call, but what a bad way to end a game), but if you want to see passion and two teams that really, really dislike each other, turn on NBC Sports and watch Newcastle and Sunderland.

I'm not even promoting my team! Chelsea is playing Man City. It's going to be a doozy as well. But the Tyne-Wear derby is going to provide you an amazing atmosphere and a heck of a game.

Granted, both teams are struggling, Newcastle is 10th with 11 points, Sunderland, desperate for its first win, is at the bottom of the table with one point in eight games.

Keep an eye on the touchline as well. Gus Poyet has just taken over for Paolo Di Canio and he gets his new team's biggest rival. Welcome to the big show Gus.

You think Jets-Pats, Yanks-Sox and any kind of California sports fans (because they're irrational and uneducated and just stab people for the heck of it) is bad? Wait til you see these guys. It's starting now, 9:30 AM.

A moment for Adrian Peterson

By Joe Pantorno

I've been away for a while and I deeply apologize. The job hunt has been difficult and I've been taking any chance I get to freelance. So any time I did have to write went out the window. But working today during a 10 hour shift at a warehouse, my phone buzzed an update containing horrifying news.

Adrian Peterson's son is dead.

"Sheesh," I said.

That's all I could say. What else can you say? Anger isn't going to bring a beautiful two-year old child back. Hate isn't going to right the wrongs done by a coward. Of course, I felt those emotions and I'm sure many of you did as well.

Peterson is a class act. A true role model. It's beyond unfortunate, it's tragic that something like this had to happen to such a good man. And to show the kind of man that he is, he thanked his friends, fans, fellow players and family for their support on his twitter account that was covered in photos of him visiting children's hospitals, brightening the days of millions of people.

If football is his release, his escape for a few hours. Let him have at it. And gosh darn it do I hope he runs for 800 yards and 12 touchdowns.

If it's not in a loving, appropriate manner, keep your hands off of children. Innocent newcomers to such a bad place shouldn't be objected to the monsters they fear about. Whether it's the one's hiding under their bed or stumbling in from the bar. They should be protected.

Go on Adrian. Do your thing. You have an army of millions behind you for support.