No more dinners with Andrey: Pedan traded to Canucks for Mallet, 2016 third round pick

Defenseman Andrey Pedan had made a few trips in the last year between the Islanders' farm clubs of Bridgeport of the AHL and Stockton of the ECHL. His next trip is out to Vancouver, now as a member of the Canucks.

In exchange for Pedan, the Islanders will receive forward Alex (alias Alexandre) Mallet and a third round pick in the 2016 NHL draft.

The 6'-4" Pedan was a hulking, bruising defenseman that had some of our Top 25 Under 25 panel dreaming of a crease-clearing ice golem of the future. But injuries and more talented teammates pushed Pedan further down the depth chart and eventually to Stockton just to get playing time. His flight was uncomfortable. But he was recalled after a few days to the AHL just in time for last week's big brawl with Springfield. He is currently in the second season of a three-year entry level contract.

Mallet, the Canucks' second round pick in 2012, will report directly to Stockton. Prior to the draft, the center had a big overage year for Rimouski in the QMJHL with 34 goals, 47 assists and 132 PIMs (!) in 81 games. His production has tailed off exponentially since, and he has just one goal and five assists in 77 AHL games between Canucks affiliates in Chicago and Utica.

Arthur Staple provides some insight into the thought process

#Isles were looking to add a pick in '16, Pedan well behind Reinhart/Pulock/Czuczman/Mayfield/Pelech on prospect depth chart.

— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) November 25, 2014

Maybe a change of scenery is a good thing for both guys. Or maybe a third rounder in 2016 helps the Islanders recoup some of the lost draft picks in the upcoming one next June.