The Edmonton Oilers have pulled off the most shocking trade of the deadline, if not of the season, trading Ryan Smyth to the New York Islanders for prospects Robert Nilsson, Ryan O'Marra and the Islanders first round pick.

The timing of this move probably couldn't have been worse, coming on the same day as the Oilers are set to honor Mark Messier prior to tonight's game with the Phoenix Coyotes.

Smyth and his agent had been negotiating with Oilers GM Kevin Lowe throughout deadline day but were unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension. It's believed Smyth was seeking a five-year, $5.25 million contract.

Oilers fans will be furious with Lowe for dealing away the popular face of the franchise in Smyth, a heart and soul leader who'd been with the team since the mid-1990s through good times and bad.

This deal follows a trend that's been happening for nearly twenty years, that of the Oilers trading away their star players either because they can't or won't re-sign them.

The new CBA was hailed by many Oilers followers as a means for small market teams to retain their best players, but in the end it wasn't enough to help them keep Smyth in Edmonton.  It's done nothing to stop business as usual in the so-called "City of Champions".

Yes, the argument can be made that the Oilers have gotten a great return of prospects and a high pick, but Oilers fans have heard that song far too many times over the past twenty years.

This move is a kick in the guts of their fans after a disappointing season preceded by a heartbreaking loss in the Stanley Cup finals and the bitter departure of Chris Pronger.

The Oilers front office can claim this was a tough business decision that had to be made, but that won't mollify their fans. 

As for the Islanders, give full marks to rookie GM Garth Snow, for pulling off a move nobody saw coming and bolstering his club's chances to lock up a playoff berth in a very tough Eastern Conference playoff race.

Smyth will bring them a hard-working, talented scorer who's unafraid to sacrifice his body to win. Head coach Ted Nolan must be thrilled to have a hard-nosed leader like Smyth coming to Long Island.

The Islanders may not be able to re-sign Smyth, an unrestricted free agent in July, but if he plays as strongly for them as he did for the Oilers, he should prove a worthy playoff rental.