Playing the Waiver Wire: Tricks of the trade

The NHL trade deadline is almost here and that means Fantasy owners should expect some big names to change uniforms. Michael Hurcomb talks about some players on the trading block and much more in his latest edition of Playing the Waiver Wire.

The days are quickly winding down. The hours are passing by. And with every waking second, NHL general managers are racking up larger phone bills than teenage girls.

This could only mean one thing: The NHL trade deadline is fast approaching.

When the clock strikes 3 p.m. on Feb. 26, the 2007-08 deadline activity will come to a halt. We will without a doubt see many players switch sweaters as teams gear up for a playoff run or, sadly, next season.

The ramifications not only impact the NHL landscape, but Fantasy owners also must be aware of the rumblings. In this week's Waiver Wire, we examine some of the bigger names being mentioned in trade rumors and what bearing it can have on the Fantasy world. A trade potentially opens the door for a lower-end player to gain considerable Fantasy value.

Mats Sundin, C, Toronto
The 17-year veteran doesn't want to leave Toronto. He has been with the organization since 1994, but is an unrestricted free agent after the season. Toronto might not have the money to sign Sundin and dealing him for some solid prospects appears to be the logical choice. Sundin, coveted heavily by Detroit, remains the Maple Leafs' best offensive weapon with 23 goals and 35 assists in 57 games. A trade would create a great opportunity for Nik Antropov to center the top line, but even his name has been mentioned in trades.
Players who might benefit from a trade: Antropov (owned 85 percent of leagues), Matt Stajan (owned 10 percent of leagues), Kyle Wellwood (owned 20 percent of leagues) and Jiri Tlusty (owned 5 percent of leagues).

Marian Hossa, RW, Atlanta
The Thrashers desperately want to lock up Hossa long term and keep him on a line with Ilya Kovalchuk for years to come. Hossa has been a model of success through the years (totaling 80-plus points in the previous four seasons) and a contender might just throw together the right package which Atlanta can't afford balk at.
Players who might benefit from a trade: Mark Recchi (owned 60 percent of leagues), Pascal Dupuis (owned 2 percent of leagues) and Slava Kozlov (owned 62 percent of leagues).

Rob Blake, D, Los Angeles
Blake is battling an ankle injury right now, but that hasn't stopped teams from targeting the 18-year veteran. Los Angeles is still in a rebuilding mode and can part with Blake to stock the cupboard with young talent. Blake is an unrestricted free agent and might not even be back with L.A. next season, so a trade would be wise. He has 26 points and 80 penalty minutes in 53 games.
Players who might benefit from a trade: Jack Johnson (owned 27 percent of leagues), Jaroslav Modry (owned 5 percent of leagues) and Tom Preissing (owned 32 percent of leagues).

Brian Campbell, D, Buffalo
The Sabres were frantically working with Campbell's representation trying to hammer out a deal with the eight-year veteran. The two sides were making little progress and Campbell then broke off negotiations in January. Campbell wants to stay in Buffalo, but a deal might not be forthcoming. It's too bad because he has really developed into an offensive whiz. He has four goals and 37 assists through 56 games. He is on track for a career-high 52 assists.
Players who might benefit from a trade: Toni Lydman (owned in 6 percent of leagues) and Henrik Tallinder (owned in 3 percent of leagues).

Vaclav Prospal, LW, Tampa Bay
Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis steal the limelight in Tampa, but Prospal could be a star on pretty much any team. He has 25 goals and 28 assists through 57 games. He has had his greatest success in Tampa (two stints), but is an unrestricted free agent and is expected to be dealt.
Players who might benefit from a trade: Michel Ouellet (owned 14 percent of leagues) and Chris Gratton (owned 3 percent of leagues).

Olli Jokinen, C, Florida
The frustration continues to mount in South Florida. Jokinen has been around the stables for seven seasons, but Florida hasn't even sniffed the playoffs. He is not really happy anymore with the Panthers and Florida wouldn't mind trading him. He has two years left on his contract, but again, he is a big-time scorer than can help a contender. He has 29 goals and 29 assists in 58 games.
Players who might benefit from a trade: David Booth (owned 19 percent of leagues), Nathan Horton (owned 82 percent of leagues), Stephen Weiss (owned 22 percent of leagues) and Brett McLean (owned 3 percent of leagues).

Jaromir Jagr, RW, N.Y. Rangers
The Rangers came into the season as heavy favorites to contend for the Stanley Cup, but find themselves struggling for a playoff berth. A lot has to do with a lack of offense, which starts on the top line with Jagr. He hasn't really clicked with new acquisitions Scott Gomez or Chris Drury. He hasn't brought a lot of success to New York and a change of scenery might be good for both parties. Jagr is on pace for just 64 points this season. That would be his lowest total since his rookie season with Pittsburgh back in 1990, when he netted 57 points.
Players who might benefit from a trade: Petr Prucha (owned 13 percent of leagues) and Ryan Callahan (owned four percent of leagues).

Add 'Em

Jere Lehtinen, RW, Dallas
Owned: 41 percent of leagues
Analysis: Lehtinen sat idle for a couple of months and missed 23 games because of an abdominal injury before returning to the lineup Feb. 1. In six games, he has two goals and three assists. For the season, he has 24 points in 27 games. He also has a plus-7 rating and four goals on the power play. It might be only a matter of time before he gets bumped up to the top line with Mike Ribeiro and Brenden Morrow. Also, his power-play numbers should also increase once Sergei Zubov and Philippe Boucher return from injured reserve.

Sami Salo, D, Vancouver
Owned: 42 percent of leagues
Analysis: Injuries have depleted the Canucks' defense, and Salo was a casualty three times. He first missed the start of the season with a fractured wrist. Then, he sat out eight games with a broken nose, and finally topped it off by missing a few games with a groin injury. He has seen action in 38 games and finally appears to be at 100 percent. He has one goal and five assists in his last six games. Nine of his 12 points this season have come in the last 11 contests. He has been elevated to the top defensive pairing with Mattias Ohlund and continues to see time on the power play. He is starting to look like the player who tallied a career-high 37 points and a plus-21 rating in 2006-07.

Drop 'Em

Martin Straka, LW, N.Y. Rangers
Owned: 67 percent of leagues
Analysis: Perhaps Straka deserves a pass because injuries have also limited him to 42 games this season. However, a lot was expected from a player that managed 70-plus points the previous two seasons. He has 10 goals and 13 assists through Tuesday. Much like Jaromir Jagr, he has had a hard time finding success with Scott Gomez and Chris Drury. These are two world class centers and Straka should be lighting up the scoreboard. Who knows if he can turn it around down the stretch, but you are missing out on some key waiver wire additions by holding onto Straka.

Jeff Carter, C, Philadelphia
Owned: 51 percent of leagues
Analysis: A few weeks back we warned Fantasy owners to avoid Carter because we felt his hot streak in January wouldn't last. And it didn't. After opening with five goals and six assists in 11 January games, Carter has just three assists in his last eight games and hasn't scored in nine contests. Carter is a very streaky player and is best used as a stopgap Fantasy option. The well has run dry for the time being.

Avoid 'Em

Tyler Arnason, C, Colorado
Owned: 18 percent of leagues
Analysis: It took Arnason pretty much all season to produce, but he has finally hit his stride. He has at least one point in six of the last eight games. He has three goals and nine assists in that span. Here comes the bad news. Paul Stastny (appendix) is on the verge of returning and will bump T.J. Hensick off the top line. Arnason will likely remain centering Wojtek Wolski and Marek Svatos on the second line, but for how long? Joe Sakic has begun to skate after undergoing hernia surgery and might be back in the lineup before March. Either way, he will eventually bump Arnason down a line once he returns.

Watch 'Em

Valtteri Filppula, C, Detroit
Owned: 30 percent of leagues
Analysis: Detroit might be very active on the trade market in the coming weeks after learning Daniel Cleary will likely miss the remainder of the regular season with a broken jaw. The Red Wings are hoping to fill his spot on the second line in-house, and the best bet is Filppula. He is already working on a career-high 15 goals, 12 assists and plus-18 rating. He might not be playing on the most potent line in Detroit, but might see an increase on the power play and can learn from Henrik Zetterberg.

Kris Letang, D, Pittsburgh
Owned: 30 percent of leagues
Analysis: The Penguins seemed to have found another offensive-minded defenseman in Letang. He has four goals through 38 games, but half of those have come in the last three contests. He also has three of his nine assists in the last four games. The 20-year-old defenseman has been bumped to the second defensive pairing with Darryl Sydor, but would need an injury to Sergei Gonchar or Ryan Whitney to take another step up. He has great long-term projection, but how much of an impact can he make down the stretch?

Tom Gilbert, D, Edmonton
Owned: 22 percent of leagues
Analysis: The Hockey gods are playing some cruel tricks on the Oilers. First, they lose their best offensive weapon in Shawn Horcoff for the season, and then Edmonton found out a week later they would be playing the rest of the season without their top defenseman in Sheldon Souray. His absence opens the door for Gilbert to pick up the slack. Gilbert continues to add onto his career-high 20 points (eight goals). The only downside is he has just 69 NHL games under his belt. He is still a raw talent.

E Y E   O N   T H E   W A L K I N G   W O U N D E D

The NHL has seen its fair share of serious injuries in 2007-08 and the trickle down effect has put a burden on Fantasy owners. Here is a list of players that are worth keeping tabs on in the coming weeks as a quick snag on the waiver wire could mean a Fantasy championship (dates are subject to change).

Phillippe Boucher (DAL): Expected to return from a shoulder injury in early March
Sidney Crosby (PIT): Expected to return from an ankle injury in early March
Braydon Coburn (PHI): Expected to return from a buttocks injury in late February
Marc-Andre Fleury (PIT): Expected to return from an ankle injury in late February
Peter Forsberg (FA): Expected to come out of semi-retirement (foot injury) in February
Niklas Kronwall (DET): Expected to return from a shoulder injury in mid-February
Fredrik Modin (CLB): Expected to return from a hamstring injury in mid-to-late February
Ladislav Nagy (LA): Expected to return from a neck injury in mid-to-late February
Joe Sakic (COL): Expected to return from hernia surgery in late February-early March
Ryan Smyth (COL): Expected to return from an ankle injury in mid-to-late February
Jason Williams (CHI): Expected to return from a groin injury in mid-to-late February
Sergei Zubov (DAL): Expected to return from a groin injury in mid-to-late February

Do you have a trade you'd like reviewed by our experts or do you have a Fantasy Hockey querstion? You can e-mail us at DMFantasyPucks@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Fantasy Pucks in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware we do not guarantee personal responses to all questions.