In what was a long time coming, the Islanders finally traded Michael Grabner.
The Austrian speedster who has struggled with injuries over the past three seasons was dealt to the Maple Leafs on Thursday in exchange for five young players: Taylor Beck, Matthew Finn, Christopher Gibson, Tom Nilsson and Carter Verhaeghe.
It also made it easier for general manager Garth Snow to then give veteran forward Steve Bernier a one-year, $750,000 contract, a one-way deal that ended the former Devils’ professional tryout (PTO) agreement.
For some time, Snow has been fielding calls for Grabner, who once amazed the league with his breakaway speed while scoring 34 goals in his debut season with the Isles in 2010-11, after being claimed off waivers from the Panthers.