[5] In the 2000–01 season, Blake played in only 17 games with the Kings before he was acquired by the New York Islanders in a January trade, who sent a conditional pick in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft in return.

[4] During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Blake signed a brief contract with the Swiss team HC Lugano.

[9] Along with Islanders teammates Rick DiPietro and Mark Parrish, Blake was part of Team USA at the Winter Olympics held in Turin Italy in February 2006.

[10] Blake scored his 100th career NHL goal against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on October 31, 2006.

He was quoted in Newsday in February 2007 saying he would probably test the free agent market if not re-signed by the Islanders prior to the NHL trading deadline.

[13] Before the season began on October 8, 2007, Blake announced that he had been diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia, a rare but highly treatable form of cancer.

[15][16] He was awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy at the end of the season for perseverance and dedication to hockey through the difficult times he faced after being diagnosed with cancer.

[16][17] However, his 2008–09 season was up and down, with a fight during practice with teammate Mikhail Grabovski making headlines[18] and being taken out of the gameday lineup for poor play.

[19] In the 2009–10 season, Blake struggled for the Maple Leafs, posting 10 goals and 26 points in 55 games.