Feb 06 2010
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KevinZuk gets Roberto Luongo:
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Putting on the Foil gets Alex Burrows:
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Roberto Luongo is one of the elite goalies in the league and once he puts the demons of playoffs past behind him and Martin Brodeur retires, he'll hands down be the best goalie in the league.
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Alex Burrows is a tough guy with a bit of a scoring touch and has really excelled in the month of January playing alongside the Sedin twins. He is well on his way to a career year.
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Trade Analysis:
Let me say this first, I said back in October that Putting on the Foil would be one of the top teams in our league and I was right. He's one of the top owners in our league and has a lot talented players with quite a few having breakout seasons. This trade however... I don't see it. I understand that Alex Burrows is playing really well right now, but trading an elite goalie that's had a great career for a goon that has had a great month is not a good trade. At least not for POTF. KevinZuk gets a steal acquiring one of the best goalies in the league and gives up guy he drafted in the 12th round. POTF has a pretty nice collection of goalies, which made Luongo expendable, but he should have been able to get someone better than Burrows. Burrows did score 15 goals in the month of January, but in his first three months of the season he just scored 10. With the trade deadline looming, player movement and line changing will happen all over the league. Not to mention, if that line of the Burrows and the Sedins slumps at all, Burrows will be moved off that line very quickly killing his fantasy value.
While I don't disagree with the idea of trading Luongo for a forward, the forward should have matched the talent level of Luongo. KevinZuk wins this deal big time.
What do you guys think? Did someone get a steal or was this pretty even?
Feb 04 2010
The wait is over. One of the league's most prolific goal scorers, Ilya Kovalchuk, has been traded to the best defensive team in the league, the New Jersey Devils. Not good news for the Eastern Conference.
Devils get Ilya Kovalchuk:
Annnnnd the winners of the Ilya Kovalchuk sweepstakes are... the NEW JERSEY DEVILS!! There were a lot of rumors and over the past couple days the Devils made a serious push and got their man. The Devils are a really good hockey team, but they're having a lot of trouble scoring goals. Problem fixed. Its not clear as to who he'll be lined up with, but rest assured, whoever his linemates are will gain instant value. Can you imagine this powerplay with Zach Parise on one side and Kovalchuk blasting it from the other? I really like this move for the Devils and I like this move for Kovalchuk owners. His plus/minus will improve and seeing as how New Jersey doesn't have a lot of offense, they'll rely on him just as much as the Thrashers did. This deal gives Kovalchuk a little more value than before, but not much. Let's face it, he was already good. Take note of who plays on his line. These players could have their values skyrocket.
(Photo by Getty Images)
Thrashers get Niclas Bergfors and Johnny Oduya:
Much like the Hossa trade, the Thrashers really didn't get enough in return. Bergfors is decent and may get a more prominent role in the Atlanta offense, but he has some giant shoes to fill. Oduya is a solid defenseman, great for a team like the Thrashers that have no defense, but nothing special.
Trade Analysis:
Once upon a time the Thrashers had Dany Heatley, Ilya Kovalchuk and Marc Savard and the future looked extremely bright for the Atlanta Thrashers. Now all of them play for different teams and Atlanta looks setup to be the worst team in hockey for the next several years. Contract impasse or not, you don't give away your franchise for a few of warm bodies and a first round pick. Great move for the Devils, but the real question will be, can they hang onto him. Unless they can shed some salary, I wouldn't be so quick to order that Kovalchuk Devils jersey just yet.
Feb 04 2010
No more "maybes" about it. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Thrashers GM Don Waddell informed Ilya Kovalchuk that he will be traded. Several teams are rumored to be in the mix for the Russian winger that wants $11 million per year next season. Waddell attended the last two Devils games and attended a game for Lowell Devils who are the NJ's minor league team. So the Devils are definately in the mix. The Flyers, Blackhawks, Rangers, Kings, Canucks, Flames and Bruins are all said to still be in the mix.
Feb 02 2010
Maybe Ales Kotalik figured it would be better to play for a team that didn't want to bench him or maybe the Flames just wanted one more game out of Olli Jokinen. Whatever the reason, the trade was completed last night shortly after the Flyers shutout the Flames.
Rangers get Olli Jokinen: 
For the second straight year, the hard shooting Fin has been dealt at the trading deadline. Jokinen hasn't been the same since leaving the Eastern Conference two years ago. His numbers have been declining and this year is projected to finish with a career low 16 goals. When he was traded to the Flames last March, big things were expected and he did pretty well in the final couple months, but he's been awful this year. This move really gives his fantasy value a much needed boost. He will most likely be the center for the Vinny Prospal / Marian Gaborik line which has been strong all season for the Rangers. Those owners that have been patient with Jokinen, now could be your reward.
Flames get Ales Kotalik and Christopher Higgins:
Unless the Flames know something about these players that no one else does, this was a salary dump. Higgins has been average at best his entire career and Ales Kotalik, despite owning a great shot, has yet to cash in on that talent. Kotalik has exactly two goals in the past two months. This trade doesn't make either one of them worth owning. Maybe by dropping Phaneuf and Jokinen, the Flames have cleared enough cap space for Ilya Kovalchuk.
Trade Analysis: The Rangers deal away dead weight in exchange for a first line center they've desperately needed.
Feb 01 2010
While we wait for the Jokinen trade to complete, the Leafs also acquired Anaheim goalie Jean Sebastien Giguere in exchange for Jason Blake and Vesa Toskala.
Maple Leafs get Jean Sebastien Giguere:
Ever since Brian Burke took over for the Leafs, this trade has been rumored to happen. The 2007 Stanley Cup winning goaltender was considered to be a franchise goalie since 2003 when he took the underdog Mighty Ducks to Game 7 of the Finals before falling short. Giggy has a very rough couple of years though. So rough that he's lost his starting role to youngster Jonas Hiller in Anaheim and is now traded. Giguere will get every opportunity to shine in Toronto but he's been awful so far this year and I don't know if moving to a bad defensive team like the Leafs will help. Despite letting down my fantasy hockey team for the last two years, I DO believe that Giguere can still re-establish himself as an elite goaltender in this league. The Leafs appear to be trying to build themselves to the Ducks of the east and acquiring Giguere is a big move in that direction.
Ducks get Jason Blake and Vesa Toskala:
The Ducks have finally been able to get rid of their $6 million benchwarmer and have acquired a capable backup and a much needed offensive minded winger. This move should give Blake a little more value as he'll have more talented players around him. This move though kills any value Toskala had. He'll be riding the pine and watching Jonas Hiller most nights.
Trade Analysis:
In 2003, the Leafs took a chance on a guy that was considered to be a "former elite goalie", plugged him into their lineup and Eddie Belfour showed the world that he still had it in him. I think the same will be said for Giguere. Maybe not this year, but in the coming years, Giguere will show everyone that he still has it in him. The Ducks get a decent forward and a career backup for a guy that could lead the Leafs into the playoffs and beyond in a couple years. The Phaneuf deal and now this one, the Maple Leafs are making a serious run to put 1967 behind them in the near future.
Feb 01 2010
Rumor has it that the Flames are looking to ship another big name out today. Center Olli Jokinen could be headed to New York to play for the Rangers, if Ales Kotalik waives his no trade clause. This would be huge for Jokinen owners as he would be paired up with Marian Gaborik on the Rangers top line.
Jan 31 2010
Young Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs this morning in exchange for Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers and Ian White.
Maple Leafs get Dion Phaneuf:
To say that Phaneuf has been a disappointment up to this point would be a bit of an understatement. He was expected to be the "defenseman equivalent to Sidney Crosby" and started off pretty good, but over the past couple years, he production has really tailed off. I don't know if it was the Mike Keenan system or is feeling the pressure of that big contract, but a change of scenery is good for him. However, heading from Calgary to Toronto is like going from the frying pan into the fire. If the pressure was high before, he hasn't seen anything yet. Phaneuf was a -11 last year with just 47 points and is currently projected to finish with just 31 points this year. If Phaneuf is going to get his career back on track, now is the time. With dmen like Phaneuf, Tomas Kaberle and Luke Schenn, the Leafs appear to be building themselves up similar to the way the Anaheim Ducks were built which makes sense since Brian Burke is their GM.
Flames get Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers and Ian White:
I'm really intrigued by this deal from the Flames standpoint. They lose a defenseman with a lot of potential, but gain some needed parts that can contribute to their depth. Matt Stajan is a good play maker that should help get more out of Jarome Iginla. Hagman, a native from Finland, will most likely be placed on a line with Olli Jokinen giving him someone to take the pressure off him. Mayers is a good fit for the third line and from a statistics standpoint, Ian White is every bit as good as Phaneuf.
Trade Analysis:
Unless Phaneuf develops into the next Ray Bourque, the Flames won this deal hands down. They get a nice package of players for less than they were paying Phaneuf and they will contribute a lot more. The Leafs are in a rebuilding process and don't really have anything to lose by dealing away this players. You don't build your franchise around Matt Stajan. You do build it around cornerstone defensemen which Phaneuf could be, but he needs to start playing like it or all the Leafs have done is help the Flames get rid of their money hog.
Jan 29 2010
Odds are you used your first round pick to acquire the services of one of the best wingers in the game today, Ilya Kovalchuk. So all this trade rumor talk has to be exciting for your big fantasy investment. Will a trade help his value or hurt it? Its hard to imagine Kovalchuk not doing better elsewhere, but he has good chemistry in Atlanta with Nik Antropov and Maxim Afinogenov this season. Sometimes it takes time for a new player to gel with his linemates and having your first rounder get accustomed to his new environment at this critical part of the fantasy season, might be rough. Here are a few of Kovy's rumored destinations:
Calgary Flames - It would be somewhat ironic to see the Atlanta franchise player leave for Calgary after their first hockey franchise also left Calgary. With the Flames wanting to move Dion Phaneuf, this seems very possible. It would be interesting to see a Iginla, Kovalchuk, Jokinen line except the only problem is all three of those players like to shoot the puck. In all likelihood it would be Iginla, Kovalchuk and Langkow. That'd be a pretty solid line as well, but one thing to keep in mind, the Flames are a defense first team this season and its affected the production of their star players. It could affect Ilyas' as well.
Boston Bruins - With Phil Kessel gone, the B's are in desperate need of a sniper. The addition of Kovalchuk would be huge for them, but there's one problem... how do they make it work financially? Boston has a little over a million in cap space, which means they would have to shed some salary. If they somehow swing it, a Kovalchuk / Savard reunion would be in order and when those two teamed up in Atlanta, big things happend.
LA Kings - A good, young, exciting team with cap space and a need for winger. The Kings have a lot of young talent that Atlanta would be interested in too. This seems like a perfect fit. However, with Kovalchuk becoming a UFA at the end of the season, the Kings may not want to risk losing these young players for a possible rental.
Philadelphia Flyers - It would be a HUGE deal for the Flyers to snatch up Kovy, but they would have to part with a big name in order to fit him under the cap. Jeff Carter comes to mind and there were plenty of rumors swirling around him earlier this season. He would be placed on a line with Mike Richards and/or Daniel Briere and any combo of those players would be deadly.
Chicago Blackhawks - Yes, I know. Didn't they just go on a spending spree this past summer? How in the world could they fit him under the cap? The rumor is Patrick Sharp would be part of the deal as well as Kris Versteeg. This would give them the neccessary cap space. With all of the forward talent Chicago has already, if they could acquire him at the deadline, it would be a huge boost in fantasy value.
Jan 26 2010
3 Stars of the Week
(1/18 - 1/24)
Jeff Carter - He's been a little frustrating to own at times this year, but Jeff Carter has really rebounded in a big way for the Flyers. Carter looks every bit like the player that racked up 46 goals last season. He scored 5 goals and added 2 assists to his totals over the past 4 games. He's also been taking a ton of shots and was a fantasy monster this past week.
Sidney Crosby - Sid the Kid made a big impact this past week especially on the hapless Islanders. Crosby recorded 2 goals and 4 assists in a 6-4 smashing.
Ray Emery - Sugar Ray is back between the pipes for the Flyers and, at least for one week, have some consistency. Emery was 3-1 with a 1.75 GAA and a shutout.
Those are my three for the week. Who are yours?
Jan 20 2010
- Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson is back in the lineup and making an immediate impact. He had 3 points in each of his first two games back in the lineup and has helped jump start the play of other around like Mike Fisher who had a goal and 4 assists in those two games as well.
- Sticking with the Sens, their rookie goalie Mike Brodeur has looked good in all three of his starts this season. With Pascal Leclaire out indefinitely with a concussion and Brodeur looking like he may start a Ty Conklin like hot streak, he's a good guy to roll the dice on.
- If you're afraid to take a chance on someone new like Brodeur, how about someone old(er). Rick DiPietro (pictured) has returned to hockey after a long layoff and is looking solid. The former first overall pick shutout the Devils on Monday and appears to be getting better and better as time goes on. Owning an Islanders goalie is never an attractive option, but he'll face a ton of shots which is good in a lot of formats.
(Photo by Getty Images)
- Devils forward Patrick Elias will see a specialist for what is believed to be a concussion. His return to the lineup isn't looking too promising.
- If you picked up Erik Christensen thinking he was going to stick on the Rangers top line, think again. He's been replaced in the revolving door position known as the top line center for NYR. Brandon Dubinsky is now the top dog next to Vinny Prospal and Marian Gaborik. If he manages to stick in that spot, his value will skyrocket.
- With Teemu Selanne out for the next 4-6 weeks with a broken jaw, Dan Sexton is suddenly a valuable player again. The surprising winger has 16 points in 22 games
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