from Arthur Staple of Newsday,

Thomas Vanek is nearing a decision, according to his agent. Which means the Islanders are nearing a decision on whether Vanek, their big early-season acquisition, will be on the move again before the March 5 trade deadline.

"I don't think any final decision has been made yet," Steve Bartlett, Vanek's agent, told Newsday on Wednesday. "We continue to have what I consider very good and constructive conversations with the Islanders. But we're not there yet."

Garth Snow is believed to be gauging the trade market for Vanek, according to a league source, given that there are only eight days until the Olympic roster freeze, which runs from Feb. 7-23, and then only 10 days until the trade deadline.

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