The Edmonton Oilers have traded veteran Ryan Smyth to the New York Islanders in exchange for right wing Robert Nilsson, center Ryan O’Marra and the Islanders’ first-round choice in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
Both Nilsson and O’Marra are former first-round draft choices of the Islanders, being selected 15th overall in the 2003 and 2005 NHL Entry Drafts, respectively.
With the addition of the Islanders’ first-round choice, the Oilers now have three first-round selections in the upcoming 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
Nilsson, currently in his second pro season, leads the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in scoring with 45 points (12 goals, 33 assists) in 50 American Hockey League games and has 34 penalty minutes this season. He tops the Islanders’ affiliate in assists and is fifth in goals.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound forward made his professional debut in 2005-06, splitting the season between the Islanders and Bridgeport. He scored six goals and 14 assists for 20 points in 53 games with New York in his NHL rookie season.
O’Marra is currently in his fourth season in the Ontario Hockey League and has scored 21 goals and 18 assists for 39 points with 63 penalty minutes in 39 games with the Saginaw Spirit and Erie Otters in 2006-07.
The 6-foot-2, 207-pound center is a two-time gold medalist with the Canadian National Junior Team, winning at the 2006 and 2007 World Junior Championships.
O’Marra made his pro debut at the end of the 2005-06 season, playing eight regular-season games with Bridgeport, recording four goasl and one assist. He added one assist in three Calder Cup Playoff contests.
