Looks like the latest roster files have been updated, meaning the trade has been approved by the league.
UNIONDALE, N.Y. - As sources alluded to earlier this morning, the Islanders have acquired centre Pavel Datsyuk from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Leaving for Pittsburgh are rugged centreman Mike Ricci, former 1st overall pick Chris Phillips, recently acquired winger Martin Rucinsky, a 2006 1st Round Pick and a 2006 2nd Round Pick.
In return, the Islanders will welcome centreman Pavel Datsyuk and winger Valeri Bure to the mix in New York.
"We were having a few problems on the powerplay to say the least," Islanders GM said. "Datsyuk's had a tough time establishing himself in this league, but there's no question in our minds what he's capable of. We took the same calculated risk in acquiring Eric (Daze) earlier in the year, and that worked out for us. Hopefully, Pavel can find his game with Sammy (Samsonov) on his wing."
Ricci was one of the Islanders' best two-way forwards, spending the majority of the season on the third line acting as the Islanders' penalty kill specialist.
"It was very tough to lose Mike," Isles' GM commented. "He's fabulous on our penalty kill and he's consistently out there shutting down the oppositions' snipers. We wish him the best in Pittsburgh."
"It's tough leaving these guys," Ricci said. "I really enjoyed it here, but I'm excited in becoming one of the leaders on their young team over in Pittsburgh."
Both Datsyuk and Bure are expected to be in tomorrow's lineup when the Islanders face the Panthers.
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