Shawn Bates Has Left the Island...

Center Shawn Bates has been bought out by the Islanders, according to Greg Logan of Newsday. The buyout has come pretty expectedly, seeing as injuries have plagued the forward for the past few years, keeping him from playing full seasons with the club. Moreover, although he may be healthy now, with the roster full of centers as it is, Bates no longer fits into the scheme of things- not to mention his departure makes way for the all-new youth movement Garth Snow is planning for the Isles.

link- http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/blog/2008/06/buyout_for_shawn_bates.html