The former Rookie of the Year was the first overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, just the sixth American to be taken first overall.

VOA: standard.2010.01.12

The last time the Islanders qualified for the postseason was 2007, and while the NHL now has 30 teams, New York has ranked last or next-to-last in attendance every year since.

WSJ: The MVP of Long Island

And the NFLPA does not see trust when it sees the NFL engage Bob Batterman, the attorney who guided the NHL through a lockout, as far back as 2007.

FORBES: Trust Is Gone In NFL Labor Negotiations, and That's a Big Problem

According to Stats LLC, Deutsch was the 16th player to join the NHL through the amateur-tryout provision since the start of the 2007-08 season.

WSJ: NHL: Obscure Rule Lets Paul Deutsch Go Pro for 24 Hours