Felix Potvin made a public plea yesterday that he wants to remain with the Islanders. But it seems the goaltender’s days on Long Island could abruptly end this week.
With Florida’s No. 1 goalie Trevor Kidd expected to be out for two months after dislocating his shoulder Monday in the club’s skills competition, the Panthers are showing interest in trading for Potvin, The Post has learned.
Neither Panthers GM Bryan Murray nor Islanders GM Mike Milbury were available for comment. But a source close to the situation confirmed the Panthers are considering dealing for the two-time All-Star.
In return for Potvin, the Panthers might be willing to give up goalie Mikhail Shtalenkov and left wing Oleg Kvasha, in whom Milbury has previously shown interest.
Though Potvin has struggled lately, he played no part in the Isles’ 4-2 loss to the Oilers last night at the Coliseum before about 4,000 very loyal fans. (The announced crowd of 6,526 included tickets sold.) Instead, 20-year old rookie Roberto Luongo was in the nets for the Islanders, who lost their club-record seventh consecutive home game and slid to a league-worst 6-17-4.
For Luongo (27 saves), who will become the team’s No. 1 goalie upon Potvin’s departure, this marked his poorest performance in five starts this season (1-3-1). The Oilers (10-14-7) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Bill Guerin and Pat Falloon, respectively. After Mariusz Czerkawski scored his team-high 12th goal from the slot with 13:14 left in the second, Edmonton took charge again when goals by Mike Grier and Janne Niinimaa (his was on the power play) opened up a 4-1 lead late in the second.
Usually, Islanders coaches don’t make speeches to the players after a game. But assistant Greg Cronin was so incensed by the defeat that he addressed them in the closed-door dressing room.
As for Potvin, Goring refused to express support in keeping his No. 1 goalie.
“That’s Mike’s job, who he keeps and who he doesn’t keep,” Goring said.
Goring, then, was asked flat out if he had tried to persuade Milbury not to deal the 28-year old goalie.
“I’ve talked to him about Felix,” he answered vaguely.
Goring’s not alone. At least three teams have been talking to Milbury about Potvin’s recent emergence. Besides the Panthers, the Canucks and the Blackhawks have been pursuing a trade for Potvin.