Islanders Trade LaFontaine, Sutter

The New York Islanders, struggling in the NHL standings and at the box office, traded two of the cornerstones of their franchise Friday, swapping holdout center Pat LaFontaine to Buffalo and center Brent Sutter, captain of the team, to Chicago.

In addition to LaFontaine, the Islanders sent left wing Randy Wood, defenseman Randy Hillier and future considerations to Buffalo for center Pierre Turgeon, defenseman Ewe Krupp, center Benoit Hogue and forward Dave McLlwain.

Then New York sent Sutter and left wing Brad Lauer to Chicago for center Adam Creighton and left wing Steve Thomas.

The trade broke a contract stalemate between LaFontaine and the Islanders. He had demanded renegotiation of his $425,000 contract for more than a year and had been a holdout this season, rejecting the team’s last offer of a four-year, $6-million deal.