[TheScorpion]

BROOKLYN---The New York Islanders are betting big, setting their sights on a superstar offensive catalyst in Patrick Kane.

Kane, whose 79 overall rating ranks third in the CPHL, became an Islander on Sunday, along with defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk. The winger commanded a hefty price; namely, forwards Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Max Pacioretty, and Jeremy Bracco, and defenseman Nick Leddy.

The Sharks also no longer owe the Islanders second- and third-round picks in the CPHL Draft.

"Last season, we had a tremendous team, largely thanks to Eric Staal, whose rating put him in the upper echelon of CPHL forwards," said GM TheScorpion. "We feel that Patrick Kane is at another level. We were only able to use Staal for a little over a year, but we feel that Kane will be an Islander for many years to come."

The Islanders sacrifice much of their depth to make this deal. The team now has only four skaters (Kane, Mikko Koivu, Ilya Kovalchuk, and Zdeno Chara) rated at a 70 overall or above.

The Islanders say thanks to the Sharks for the negotiations.