Isles get Vanek

Big deal up top, first reported by Arthur Staple, as the Islanders acquire Thomas Vanek* from Buffalo for Matt Moulson, a first-round pick next year and a second-rounder in 2015. It’s a bold move, picking up a big-name talent who could do some amazing things riding shotgun with John Tavares. It’s also a big price to send with Moulson, who grew from guy who could’ve been sent here to a regular 30-goal scorer in The Show, for a pending free agent (as is, obviously, Moulson). Time — and what else Garth Snow is able to do with his other assets — will tell.

And RIP, Lou Reed.

*-Would be remiss if I didn’t bring up my favorite running gag and note that Vanek was a 2005 AHL All-Rookie Team member ahead of Zach Parise. Which is wrong, as Parise should’ve been rookie of the year. But I digress. About that delay-of-game rule…

Michael Fornabaio