Feb 28 Fantasy Tips: Pickups

FOLLOWING CONCENTRATES ON WAIVERS FOR THE PUCKINEH? YAHOO FANTASY LEAGUE:

FORWARDS

- Brandon Dubinsky: NYR- Center--Jaromir Jagr has been struggling this entire season, partly because he could not gel with any of the centers the Rangers had in their arsenal. Then comes along Dubinsky in his first full season. He has developed chemistry with Jagr and has picked up 8 points (4 G 4 A) in his last 6 games. Through in the fact he provides PIM, he can be a great late season boost to a team in need of offensive stats.
- Word of warning: for those concerned with obtaining more powerplay points (PPP), Dubinsky is not seeing a whole of powerplay time. Obviously, this is due to the amount of talent on the Rangers roster.

- Sean Avery: NYR - LW--everyone knows Avery's a pest and provides tremendous PIMs. But recently, while also playing with Jagr, he has posted 10 points (7 Goals!) in his last 10 games. So definitely a worthy pickup for anyone looking for goals, +/-, and PIM.
- Avery has actually had a respectable year statistically, although it is a contract year for him. Either way, a great pickup regardless, as the Rangers are playing really well right now as they are trying to achieve home-ice advantage for the playoffs.

- Niklas Hagman: DAL- LW--most of you probably had no idea who this guy was prior to this season. Heck, maybe you still don't know anything about him. But with Brad Richards in Dallas and Hagman playing on the same line, Hagman is looking to benefit. He already has 2 Goals against Chicago in Richards first game, so things look promising.

- Sam Gagner: EDM- C--I had to throw in a hometown player. He has enjoyed a huge boost in minutes since Shawn Horcoff went down with a season-ending injury. Combine a recently-ended 9 game point streak and plenty of ice time, Gagner is not looking to be slowing down anytime soon. He is a must have for those GMs looking for a boost in assists and PPP.
- The benefit with Gagner at this point point of the season is that the Oilers are on the outside looking in for a playoff position. Their main goal to well enough to avoid finishing in the bottom 5 so that the Ducks don't get a great draft pick. Thus, MacTavish probably won't stay true to his "juggling" act of the lines, and will keep Gagner on the 1st unit with Penner and Hemsky. Nevertheless, keep an eye on Gagner's minutes. The moment you see his minutes drop, could be time to bench him.

- Patrick O'Sullivan: LA- C--a second year forward, having a respectable sophomore season. But recently, he has been placed on a line with Alexander Frolov and Michael Cammalleri and they have gelled. All three have been on fire, especially O'Sullivan--13 points in his last 11 games (5 goals). The Kings are not playing for anything this year, so expect O'Sullivan to continue receiving plenty of ice time with LA's top talent.
- Keep in mind, this guy was traded from Minnesota for Pavol Demitra in the 2006 offseason. So he must be a talented player!


DEFENCE

- Niklas Kronwall: DET-D--this is strictly a short term solution, as the Wings just activated him off the IR. Since the Wings are having their share of injuries on the blueline, Kronwall (who is an offensively minded d-man) will be seeing a large share of minutes in the next couple of games for the Red Wings. More importantly, he can provide a boost to the Detroit team who have been struggling to score, especially on the powerplay.
- If his injury is making you hesitant, look at Derek Meech from the Wings as well. He has 3 assists in the last 4 games, all on the powerplay.

- Joe Corvo: CAR-D--Corvo was overshadowed by Wade Redden and Chris Phillips in Ottawa, but now has all the limelight in Raleigh. He has put up huge minutes in Carolina, while also providing occasional PPP. I would recommend him as an emergency pickup in case of an injury to your starter D-man.

NHL Fantasy News

Marian Hossa (RW) - Pittsburgh Penguins: SUFFERS MCL SPRAIN

- Midway through the first period against the Boston Bruins, Hossa had a knee-on-knee collision with a Bruin. He immediately hobbled, under his own power, to the Penguins locker room.
- AMS: Since the Pens do not have Hossa signed to any deal and gave up a lot to get him, this could be a huge loss for the team depending on how long the injury keeps Hossa out of action (so far its a Grade 1 MCL Sprain--supposedly not a severe injury, but he will be out a week or two). OUCH!

Martin Havlat (RW) - Chicago Blackhawks: Suffers another injury (surprise?)

- Apparently it is a shoulder injury and it could call for season-ending surgery. Yawn! Not like this catches anyone off guard.

Richards Trade

To Dallas: Brad Richards, Johan Holmqvist
To Tampa Bay: Jussi Jokinen, Mike Smith, Jeff Halpern

I would be very excited to be a Stars fan right about now. This trade is perfect for the Stars as they did not have to give up any of their future, while acquiring a Conn Smythe winner and former captain in Richards. He will add tremendous depth and character to this already formidable team. The biggest factor that Richards adds to the Stars is his character. He will not command the spotlight or become a 'cancer' in the lockeroom. This Maritime native is a proven winner and will be re-invigorated to prove his former organization wrong about letting him go. In addition, with Mike Modano nearing the end of his career, Richards is the perfect replacement who can lead this team back to the high ground.

Adding Holmqvist to the goaltending duties is strictly to give Turco a back-up, although not the most reliable goalie compared to Mike Smith. Either way, this Dallas team has become a serious playoff contender, already joining Anaheim, Detroit and San Jose as the West's elite teams.

For Tampa, this organization just can't find a legitimate goalie. Ever since Nikolai Khabibulin exited Florida after winning the Cup in '04, the Lightning have really struggled in that department. Apparently, Mike Smith is the goalie of their future. While he is a great back-up, it will take some time before he can become a proven starter. So in the short term, the Lightning are in the same position as before but were able to shave Richards $7 million salary off their cap. It's clearly a long-term goal of Tampa's to become a contender in the East. While it shouldn't be too hard to achieve that goal, since the Southeast Division is the weakest in all the league, goaltending makes or breaks a team and the Lightning are miles from the holy land.

But who won the deal? No brainer on this one. Dallas, plain and simple. One word: Richards.

Hossa Trade

To Pittsburgh: Marian Hossa, Pascal Dupuis
To Atlanta: Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen, Angelo Esposito and 1st round pick

We all knew that Marian Hossa was going to be traded, but just not to Pittsburgh. While the Pens gained a bonafide sniper, it came at a hefty cost when you consider Hossa is just a rental player. Losing Armstrong and Christensen may not affect their scoring, but it could affect the grit and nastiness that is essential in making a run in the post-season. What this trade does for the Pens, is provide 2 solid lines that most Eastern Conference defenses will have a tough time defending. You can expect Hossa to play wing with Sid the Kid, upon his return from a high ankle sprain, and Gary Roberts completing that first line. While I expect the second line to be centered by potential MVP candidate Evgeni Malkin, with Sykora and Malone on the wings. Yikes! sucks to be the team who has to face them in the first round. But where those two lines take the Pens past that is up in the air. The rest of the talent pool is a bit lacklustre with only Jordan Staal (who is underachieving this season) and veteran Pascal Dupuis as potential post season role players.

Overall, this is strictly a short term trade for the Pens organization. Marian Hossa (who is a UFA after this season) will not sign with the Penguins after this season as the team has to eventually re-sign upcoming RFA's Malkin and Staal. The organization will definitely have to re-sign those two and it won't come cheap, especially for Malkin (expect $8-10 million over 5-6 years). They are clearly looking to win now by acquiring Hossa. It makes me wonder who is really calling the shots? General Manager Ray Shero, or executive/former owner/former franchise player/2-time Stanley Cup Winner Mario Lemieux?

On to the Thrashers. Although, they received a couple of 3rd line players and a prospect who may or may not pan out, they at least gained some credible depth players that will benefit them long term. They are slowly developing a core group around the franchise player (Kovalchuk), but still need a few missing pieces (playmaking center??). Nevertheless, this organization is still years away from being considered a legitimate contender. Apart from Kovalchuk and a few promising rookies, this team lacks some serious talent. But I can't blame anyone else but GM Don Waddell for that as he made some questionable moves (e.g. letting Marc Savard walk a few years ago in the offseason and then giving away a lot of the team's future to acquire Keith Tkachuk during last season's trade deadline). Either way, this was a trade they had to make.

Who won it? Well, that is left to be determined until we see how the Penguins perform in the postseason this year. Hossa has a horrible playoff history (13 goals in 51 postseason games), but this is the best supporting cast he has ever had in his career. So this may be the beginning of something special!