Along with author and Capitals expert Ted Starkey, we remember Richard Zednik, a talented player and borderline legend for three NHL teams, but a footnote in Islanders history.<\/p>\n
Zednik started his career with the bang, as an exciting rookie<\/a> on the Capitals 1998 Stanley Cup final team. He hit a new level after being traded to Montreal and blossoming into a big scorer. But after a disappointing return to Washington, he found himself again shipped off to Long Island. In one of the strangest seasons in Islanders history, Zednik was a true passenger. Ten games, one goal<\/a> and a disappearance during an electric run to the playoffs, in which he would also play briefly. Later, he had a renaissance with the Panthers and used the Islanders for one final highlight reel goal<\/a> after coming back from a horrific injury<\/a>,<\/p>\n Ted talks to us about Zednik\u2019s folk hero status in Washington – including a hilarious and era-appropriate promotional event – and what he meant to that fun squad that made a surprise run to the Cup final. We marvel at Zednik\u2019s numbers with the Canadiens and Panthers and laugh about his incredibly disappointing short time with the Islanders. He showed up, got some fans excited, did very little, dipped out for a while and came back just in time for a five-game playoff wipeout. It was yet another strange element to the extremely strange 2006-07 season, one we can\u2019t get enough of.<\/p>\n What makes a \u201cWeird Islander?\u201d<\/p>\n We\u2019re always open to suggestions about other Weird Islanders to discuss. Remember the criteria. Candidates must fulfill one of the two of the following:<\/p>\n