Islanders Get One Right: Sign Mapletoft

By Jonathan Litterine
The Islanders make a lot of mistakes. Last year they blew their Top draft pick. But this week they got one right. They signed center Justin Mapletoft to a three year deal. Yet in typical Islanders fashion, they made everyone sweat it out. Had the Islanders not been able to reach a deal with Mapletoft, he would have had to re-enter this month’s 2001 Draft. Mapletoft who had 43 goals, 77 assists and 120 points this year lead his Red Deer Rebels to the CHL Memorial Cup. In addition to that, Mapletoft was named the WHL’s Most Valuable Player. Mapletoft was a 5th round selection of the Isles, 130th overall in 1999. I wouldn’t even want to see the faces of Islanders fans if Mike Milbury couldn’t come to terms with this kid. He is considered by many to be the steal of the 1999 draft. Smartly the Isles paid him what he wanted and locked him up for 3 seasons. Hopefully for most Islanders fans, You will see Mapletoft on the Nassau Coliseum ice for a lot longer then 3 seasons. With a guy with Mapletoft’s skill and desire it makes you wonder how all the teams ahead of the Islanders missed Mapletoft?, Mike Milbury credits his WHL scout Earl Ingarfield for finding this diamond in the rough. The Isles make a lot of mistakes, and most 5th round picks turn out to be mistakes. But the Islanders are going to be winners for a long time with this one.