Bruins deal Walter

The Bruins have traded forward Ben Walter to the Islanders for former first-round pick, Petteri Nokelainen, a Finnish winger/center who has battled knee woes from the time he was drafted three years ago.

The Islanders also will receive a conditional draft ;pick from the Bruins, based on how many games Nokelainen might play with Boston.

Nokelainen, only 21 years old, originally was drafted by the Islanders in the first round (No. 16 overall) of the 2004 draft. The Bruins that year were without a first-round pick, and didn't make their first choice until the third round when they acquired David Krejci No. 63 overall.

As an 18-year-old, playing in Finland's top pro league, he connected for 15 goals in 52 games with SaiPa Lappeenranta. His only NHL experience came with the Islanders in 2005-'06, and he put up an unremarkable 1-1--2 in 15 games. Nokelainen spent all of last season in Bridgeport, the Islanders top AHL affiliate, and he again collected a modest 6-10--16.

Nokelainen, a righthanded shot, can play both center and right wing. He is 6-feet-1, 205 pounds.