The impending unrestricted free agent, who scored a first-period hat trick in Tuesday night's 6-5 OT win over the Flyers, had stated his intention to test the free agent waters, but also later declared his desire to remain a New York Islander"for as long as they'll have me." But after word that a number of Western Conference teams were interested in his services, Blake was concerned his days in Uniondale might be numbered.
"Obviously from [Monday] night to pre-game skate this morning I didn't know if it was 50-50," Blake said. "I didn't know if I was staying or I was going. There was a big question mark there. But when 3:00 came around and I didn't get a phone call, it was a big relief."
It's unknown what GM Garth Snow will decide after the season ends, but for the time being it appears Blake will be linemates with All-Star import Ryan Smyth.
"He's a great hockey player," Blake said. "He did a lot for Edmonton and hopefully he can do the same thing here. . . . I've been here for six years and we've made a couple of moves, but maybe not someone of his caliber. It shows Garth and Charles have done a great job getting guys here and they want to bring a winning team to Long Island and they don't want to wait."
Goaltender Rick DiPietro was one of many teammates pleased not only with the imports his former backup had acquired, but that neither Blake nor any other players presently on the roster were lost in the process.
"Obviously we'd probably like to have a day off after the trading deadline – you wouldn't want to wake up from your nap and find out you got traded – but it's a tough day emotionally, mentally," DiPietro said. "Every trade deadline we've seen guys moving out the door, and now this year with the push we've been on after the All-Star break we've got some new guys in who are talented guys and are going to be extremely helpful down the stretch."
As for Blake, could he eliminate future trade talk by convincing Snow or his next boss into a no-trade clause?
"That would be nice," Blake laughed. "I don't know what's going to happen at the end of the year, but that would be nice."
