Flyers Acquire Mark Streit from Islanders
The Philadelphia Flyers have acquired defenceman Mark Streit from the New York Islanders for minor-league forward Shane Harper and a fourth-round pick in 2014.
Streit, the captain of the Islanders, had 27 points in 48 games last year with New York. He followed it up with an impressive post-season where he put up five points in a six round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 491 career NHL games, the offensive defenceman has compiled 65 goals and 288 points.
Streit is scheduled to become a free agent on July 1st but the Flyers now own his rights and can negotiate a new deal with him before that date.
The 35-year-old Streit was signed by the Islanders as a free agent in 2008 where he went on to lead the team in scoring with 56 points. He was also named an all-star in his first year with the Islanders. His best offensive season came with the Montreal Canadiens in 2007-2008 where he put up 62 points in 81 games.
Streit would help a Flyers blueline in desperate need. With a Chris Pronger return unlikely and Kimmo Timonen not getting any younger, the left-handed shot of Streit will greatly boost the Flyers defense core. Streit made $4.1 million this season in New York and the Flyers will hope to strike a new deal before July 1st.
Even though the Flyers missed the Playoff this past season, Streit was quick to give them praise
“This year was a short season and they had lots of injuries,” Streit said. “That makes it tough. It was a special year because of the lockout. That gave an advantage to some teams and some teams struggled. But when you see the Flyers lineup, it is a playoff team. It’s no question to me. I believe the Flyers will be in the playoffs next year. They have the skill and the physical part of it”.
“It’s a great group and I’d love to join that team.”
Streit played for Switzerland in the Olympics in 2006 and 2010 and will look to bring his experience to the Flyers. Shane Harper has 41 points overall in four seasons with the Flyers AHL affiliate the Adirondack Phantoms.