COLUMBUS – Not only has the Islanders’ blue line been crowded the last two games after the injury-related recall of Mattias Timander, but so have the press boxes, filled with scouts from around the league.
Among teams with representatives in the house the last two games – back-to-back matches in Florida and Tampa – have been Detroit, Calgary, Chicago and Los Angeles, all of whom are in need of help due to injuries up and down their rosters. The Kings, who have been decimated by injuries up front, could be interested in acquiring a forward, such as Mark Parrish.
In addition, both Kenny Morrow and Kevin Maxwell, who head up the Islanders’ pro scouting unit, also have been tagging along during the middle portion of this four-game trip that concludes tonight against the Blue Jackets, whom the Isles have never beaten (0-4-1) in Columbus’ brief history. So it doesn’t exactly take the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew to figure out that something’s cooking.
Since being recalled from Bridgeport, Timander has been steady on the blue line in racking up two points (a goal and an assist) with a plus-one rating over a total of 47 shifts. His $1.2 million salary is a burden for the Isles, but if Eric Cairns – who will be qualified for over $1 million next season – could somehow be moved, Timander would be a serviceable sixth defenseman. The Flames have expressed minor interest in Cairns, who has struggled on this trip, while the Blackhawks have made no secret of their intent to deal for Parrish.
Several well-placed sources have told The Post, however, that there really is nothing on the table right now as far as the Isles are concerned, partly because of the uncertainty surrounding the expiration of the CBA next year.
However, where there are scouts, there’s generally a trade in the works, so it’s just a matter of time before something gets done – perhaps as early as this week when the Isles finally return home after a week-long road trip.
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Coming off a 3-0 win over Detroit Thursday, Columbus claimed former Rangers first-round draft pick Manny Malhotra off waivers yesterday from Dallas. Scoreless in nine games with the Stars this year, the 6-foot-2 Malhotra, who will make $1 million this season, is expected to dress for tonight’s game.