Islanders captain Trevor Linden survived the trading deadline but he doesn’t know if he’ll survive the summer. “A lot will depend upon if they find new ownership,” Linden told The Post.
Indeed, if the Milstein brothers have not sold their 45-percent share – and now they can take their time after failing to acquire the Redskins – Linden thinks there’s a definite chance he’ll be part of more payroll-cutting. Linden becomes a restricted free agent for the second straight summer. If he’s not traded first, a Ziggy Palffy-sized holdout could be in the offing.
Although Linden won’t say it, expect him to play more hardball than this season when he surrendered to a no-raise, one-year, $2.5 million contract. With “Hoistgate” engulfing ownership’s attention last September, Linden decided to report toward the end of training camp.
“Last year was more of waiting to see if we’re going to play in Hartford than a contract negotiation,” Linden said.
The sticking point on future talks will likely center on length. Linden doesn’t want another one-year deal.
Linden posted disappointing statistics – 16 goals, 44 points – but those numbers hardly measure his leadership worth on the league’s youngest team. His agent Don Meehan will likely ask for a moderate raise and Milstein’s Isles are not expected to budge on the $2.5M figure.
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G Felix Potvin (groin) will make his first start tonight since Feb. 12. Potvin played final period of Saturday’s 6-1 loss to Carolina, allowing two goals.
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Isles have shut down hulking LW prospect Brad Isbister, 21, obtained for Robert Reichel. Isles wanted to take a look at former Coyote, but groin injury prevented it … D Rich Pilon (inflamed disc) also won’t return … Isles edged out Florida for UNH C Jason Krog, the Hobey Baker Award winner who signed two-year, $2 million deal Saturday.