SUNRISE, Fla., June 23 -- Embattled New York Islanders general manager Mike Milbury made another draft-day splash Saturday by acquiring center Alexei Yashin from the Ottawa Senators for the second overall pick, defenseman Zdeno Chara and right wing Bill Muckalt.
Newly bankrolled by owners Charles Wang and Sanjay Kumer, Milbury was seeking a high-profile player to give his team an identity and snap a seven-year playoff drought.
Last year, Milbury completed three trades on draft day and made Rick DiPietro the first goaltender ever selected with the top overall pick.
But this time, Milbury went for the established star.
Yashin tied for 11th in the league in scoring, but again was a no-show in the playoffs and is just one year removed from a contentious contract holdout. He had 40 goals and 48 assists and led the Senators to a division title, but flopped in the playoffs when Ottawa was swept in the first round by Toronto.
Milbury also made a trade on Friday, acquiring defenseman Adrian Aucoin and right wing Alexander Kharitonov from the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenseman Mathieu Biron and a 2002 second-round pick.
