Islanders get winger Grabner on waivers

Looking to upgrade their offensive skill, the Islanders claimed right winger Michael Grabner off waivers Tuesday.

The 6-1, 170-pound Grabner, who was waived by Florida Monday, was selected in the first round (14th overall) in the 2006 draft by the Vancouver Canucks. He finished with five goals and six assists in 20 games for Vancouver last season before being dealt to the Panthers at the draft in June in the Keith Ballard deal.

Grabner, a native of Austria who turned 23 Tuesday, was shipped to Florida along with Steve Bernier and a first-round pick in exchange for Ballard and Victor Oreskovich.

"He's highly skilled, a great skater and very creative offensively," general manager Garth Snow said. "For us it was an opportunity to add a top-six talent and provide him an opportunity for that talent to flourish."

For an Islanders team that recently lost top forwards Kyle Okposo (shoulder) and Rob Schremp (back) to significant injuries, Grabner is a player they hope can boost the team's offensive production.

"[Grabner] is a tremendous skater whose main asset is carrying the puck," said one Western scout. "With his speed and skills he can be dangerous in the offensive zone, but the main concern is whether he can be gritty enough to play consistently at the NHL level."

The Islanders took a similarly low-risk gamble on a player last season - they claimed Schremp off waivers from Edmonton almost exactly one year ago - and the move paid off.

After being scratched for a good portion of the first half of last season, Schremp became a productive member of the lineup, finishing with seven goals and 18 assists in 44 games.

"It worked for us last year," Snow said.

Grabner, who is in the last year of his entry-level deal, is expected to practice with the team Wednesday and dress for the Islanders' home opener against Dallas Saturday.

"He's definitely a player we've watched over the past few years and been impressed with at certain times," Snow said. "This seemed like a good opportunity to see what he can do."

In anticipation of today's 23-player roster limit deadline, the Islanders also placed winger Andy Hilbert on waivers. Hilbert, who was signed to a one-year, two-way deal in August, will report to Bridgeport assuming he clears waivers at noon.

Notes & quotes: Matt Martin (foot) and Nino Niederreiter (calf) returned to practice.