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Going across the river

Islanders deal center Nemchinov to Devils for draft pick

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Posted: Tuesday March 23, 1999 12:03 AM

The Devil inside: Center Sergei Nemchinov will now don a New Jersey Devils uniform. Robert Laberge/Allsport

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- The New Jersey Devils acquired veteran center Sergei Nemchinov from the New York Islanders on Monday for a fourth-round draft pick in 1999.

The trade gives the Devils a savvy defensive-minded veteran who can also kill off penalties.

"He can play against the top forwards in this league. He's proven that. And he can also score the timely goal. And he can score a certain type of goal at the right time," Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said.

Nemchinov appeared in 67 games for the Islanders this season, scoring eight goals and eight assists.

The trade is just the latest for the Islanders who have cleaned house in recent weeks. The Islanders traded goaltender Tommy Salo to Edmonton, center Robert Reichel to Phoenix and left wing Ted Donato to Ottawa.

It also gives Nemchinov the rare opportunity to go from a team out of the playoffs to one that is definitely going to make it.

The Devils lead the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference heading into Tuesday night's action.

"It's always good to play in the playoffs," said Nemchinov, who was a member of the New York Rangers Stanley Cup Championship team in 1994. "I am happy to go to one of the best teams in the league."

Nemchinov is expected to be in New Jersey for Tuesday's game against the Buffalo Sabres.

Lamoriello would not say whether he had plans to make another deal before the NHL trading deadline expires at 3 p.m. Tuesday. He said if a good deal presents itself, he'll make it.

Lamoriello has been known to pull off several blockbuster deals just before the trading deadline. He acquired Dave Andreychuk from Toronto in 1996. The following year he picked up center Doug Gilmour and defenseman Dave Ellett in late season deals.

The Devils also announced Tuesday that defenseman Scott Stevens and forward Jay Pandolfo were being placed on the injured list.

 

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