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Alphabetical Listing
Position Listing
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Fantasy Updates
 Meszaros traded to Tampa Bay
Andrej Meszaros, D OTT
News: The Ottawa Senators traded defenseman Andrej Meszaros to Tampa Bayon Friday for defensemen Filip Kuba and Alexandre Picard and a first-round pick in 2009.
Analysis: The Senators were hoping to sign the restricted free agent Meszaros, but when the two sides couldn't come to terms, a trade was imminent. Meszaros had nine goals, 27 assists and 50 penalty minutes in 82 regular-season games for the Senators last season, his third in the NHL. The 22-year-old Slovak was a first-round pick in 2004. Meszaros now heads to Tampa and likely becomes the Lightning's top defenseman. Consider him a decent No. 2 or No. 3 Fantasy defenseman heading into 2008-09.
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Brent inks one-year deal
Tim Brent, C CHI
News: The Blackhawks signed center Tim Brent to a one-year contract Thursday. Brent, 24, was acquired by the Blackhawks from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenseman Danny Richmond on July 17.
Analysis: The Penguins acquired Brent in June 2007 in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks. He played one game for Pittsburgh and scored 18 goals and 43 assists in 74 games for the AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins last season. Brent is nothing more than organizational depth and can be ignored in Fantasy.
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Picard traded to Ottawa
Alexandre Picard, D TB
News: The Ottawa Senators traded defenseman Andrej Meszaros to Tampa Bayon Friday for defensemen Filip Kuba and Alexandre Picard and a first-round pick in 2009.
Analysis: Picard had three goals, three assists and 10 penalty minutes in 24 games with the Philadelphia Flyers and the Lightning last season. He might get lost in the shuffle in Ottawa and should be considered nothing more than a low-end Fantasy defenseman to open the season.
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Kuba shipped north to Ottawa
Filip Kuba, D TB
News: The Ottawa Senators traded defenseman Andrej Meszaros to Tampa Bayon Friday for defensemen Filip Kuba and Alexandre Picard and a first-round pick in 2009.
Analysis: Kuba, from the Czech Republic, had six goals, 25 assists and 40 penalty minutes in 75 games last season. He likely takes over Meszaros' role as a top defenseman with the Senators, and Kuba could be in line for a career season with the offensive potent Senators. View him as a No. 3 or No. 4 Fantasy defenseman with room to improve.
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Barnes retires, will coach instead
Stu Barnes, C DAL
News: Dallas Stars C Stu Barnes is retiring after 16 years in the NHL. The Stars said Thursday that the 37-year-old Barnes has agreed to a two-year contract to join Dave Tippett's coaching staff as an assistant. The Stars also announced two-year contract extensions for associate coach Rick Wilson and assistant coach Mark Lamb to take them through the 2010-11 season.
Analysis: Barnes had 261 goals and 336 assists for 597 points in his 1,136-game NHL career. He played 329 of those games with the Stars. He also played in 116 Stanley Cup playoff games in 12 postseasons. Barnes was drafted by Winnipeg in 1989 and also played with the Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres before being traded to the Stars in March 2003.
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Sakic re-ups for one more year
Joe Sakic, C COL
News: Joe Sakic has decided to play in 2008-09, signing a one-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche after spending months pondering retirement. Sakic took longer than normal to decide whether to return for a 20th season with the only franchise he has played for. He came to the conclusion that "I still enjoy playing and competing," he said in a statement released by the team Wednesday. Because the Democratic National Convention is taking place this week at the Pepsi Center, the Avs' home, the team said it wouldn't hold a news conference until next week.
Analysis: Sakic missed 38 games after hernia surgery last season and it was quite obvious he wasn't going to end his career only playing half a season. He still managed to be quite productive with 40 points (13 goals) in 44 games. He can be a No. 1 forward when healthy, but his age and health has to be a concern.
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Spaling inks entry-level deal
Nick Spaling, C NSH
News: The Predators signed C Nick Spaling signed to an entry-level deal Tuesday. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. The 6-1, 185-pound center was Nashville's second-round choice, 58th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
Analysis: Spaling will be present at Nashville's training camp when it opens Sept. 19, but is expected to spend the 2008-09 season with Milwaukee (AHL). Spaling had 38 goals and 72 points in 56 games last season for Kitchener (OHL). He then had 30 points in the playoffs. Spaling is nothing more than a long-term Fantasy keeper.
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Vlasic lands four-year extension
Marc-Edouard Vlasic, D SJ
News: Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic agreed to a four-year contract extension with the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, keeping one of the club's best young players with the Sharks through the 2012-13 season. "Marc-Edouard is one of the top young defenseman in the game, and we are excited to have him in the fold for the next several years," Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said. "He has a tremendous future with this franchise, and we look forward to watching his continued development."
Analysis: Vlasic, who made the NHL's all-rookie team after the 2006-07 season, will be a key part of the Sharks' revamped defense under new coach Todd McLellan. San Jose acquired veteran defensemen Rob Blake, Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich while jettisoning Craig Rivet and Matt Carle after the club lost in the second round of the playoffs for the third straight season. Vlasic had two goals and 12 assists while playing in all 82 regular-season games for the Sharks last season, just his second full NHL campaign. He was third on the Sharks with 85 blocked shots while playing more than 21 minutes per game. Vlasic is nothing more than a low-end Fantasy defenseman and potential sleeper for 2008-09. His numbers have to improve before he becomes a must-have Fantasy option.
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Berard invited to Flyers camp
Bryan Berard, D NYI
News: Veteran NHL defenseman Bryan Berard will attempt to make an NHL club on a tryout contract, after being invited to training camp with the Philadelphia Flyers. "Bryan has been around a number of years now (and) he has been a good defenseman for quite some time," said Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren. "I'm excited about Bryan's willingness to come here on a tryout. It will certainly pick up the competition level of what is going to take place in training camp."
Analysis: The 31-year-old Berard was the No. 1 overall draft pick of the Ottawa Senators in 1995, but refused to sign and was traded to the New York Islanders. In 619 career games covering 12 years with the Islanders, Toronto, New York Rangers, Boston, Chicago and Columbus, Berard has 76 goals and 247 assists. Last season with the Islanders, he had five goals and 17 assists in 54 games during an injury-plagued season. Injuries have hurt Berard's career as of late, and if he does make it out of camp with Philadelphia, he will be nothing more than a low-end Fantasy defenseman.
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Aliu signs entry-level deal
Akim Aliu, C CHI
News: The Blackhawks announced Monday the signing of right wing Akim Aliu to a three-year, entry-level deal. He was Chicago's third-round pick (56th overall) in 2007.
Analysis: The 19-year-old forward had a career-high 61 points (28 goals) for the London Knights (OHL) in 2007-08. Aliu notched 58 goals, 123 points and 316 penalty minutes in 160 career regular-season OHL games dating back to 2005. He made his debut in the AHL late in 2008, appearing in two games. He will likely start the season with the Chicago Wolves and is nothing more than a long-term Fantasy keeper.
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Budaj to open camp as No. 1 goalie
Peter Budaj, G COL
News: The Sports Xchange reports G Peter Budaj, 25, will begin training camp as the Avalanche's No. 1 goalie following the departure of free agent Jose Theodore to Washington. Budaj was dethroned by Theodore last year as the top goalie on the Avalanche, which signed Andrew Raycroft in July to give him some veteran competition.
Analysis: Despite a record of 61-36-16 in his first three NHL seasons, Budaj is still considered a work in progress. This could be a make-or-break season for Budaj, who will make $800,000 in the final year of his contract and will be eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer. Fantasy owners need to keep a close eye on the Avalanche's training camp as Raycroft could pass Budaj on the depth chart with a stronger showing. Consider Budaj a low-end No. 2 Fantasy goalie until further notice. He did win 31 games in 2006-07, so there is potential here.
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Selanne still remains unsigned
Teemu Selanne, RW ANA
News: The Sports Xchange reports Ducks RW Teemu Selanne, an unrestricted free agent, has yet to announce whether he plans to return for a 16th NHL season in 2008-09. After finishing third in the NHL with 48 goals and leading the Ducks with 94 points in their Stanley Cup-winning season of 2006-07, Selanne sat out most of last season while contemplating retirement. He wound up appearing in 26 regular-season games and totaled 23 points, including 12 goals.
Analysis: Everyone thought as soon as Selanne's buddy Scott Niedermayer said he was returning in 2008-09 that he would follow suit and be a top-six forward for the Ducks. That hasn't been the case. Rumors are running rampant that Selanne is waiting to see where some of the top remaining free agents, including Mats Sundin, decide to do before he signs a deal. The Ducks are already having cap trouble, so they might have to unload a player like Mathieu Schneider before signing Selanne. The veteran forward still has point-per-game potential and would be a must-have in Fantasy, if he returns.
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 Nylander mentioned as trade bait
Michael Nylander, C WAS
News: The Sports Xchange reports a player that might be making too much for his team is Washington center Michael Nylander, who still has three years left on a deal with an annual salary cap hit of $5-million. After missing the second half of last season because of a shoulder injury, Nylander's name is being bandied about as trade bait because the Capitals have two other centers ahead of him and are over the cap.
Analysis: It's not like the Capitals don't want Nylander, who had 37 points in 40 games last season. He is still a solid offensive player, but he is getting top line money and that job now belongs to Nicklas Backstrom. Nylander will play in the NHL next season, but where and in what condition remains to be seen. View Nylander as bit of an injury-risk No. 3 Fantasy forward.
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Flames on the fence about Backlund
Mikael Backlund, C CGY
News: The Sports Xchange reports among the myriad tales that came out of the Flames summer prospect camp came a major observation: Mikael Backlund is the club's most talented prospect. What remains to be seen is how long the 2007 first-round draft choice remains in that category before becoming a full-time NHL player. Bank on it taking at least another year. Backlund, 19, is probably capable of taking a roster spot right now and will do his best when training camp opens in mid-September, but the reality is the center isn't quite ready to jump to the top two lines and the Flames don't need to force the issue.
Analysis: Backlund would be well served to return to one more year in the pro ranks in Sweden -- his club team, Vasteras, plays in the second best men's division -- as well as compete at another World Juniors tournament. Granted, should Backlund perform so well in training camp and in the preseason, the Flames could make room by dealing away a veteran or two, but they would only do that if they truly believe Backlund is ready for regular, full-time duty and considerable ice time. Backlund is an elite young talent worth owning in most long-term keeper leagues. However, he is nothing more than a potential Fantasy sleeper if he breaks camp with Calgary.
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Boll breaks finger in pickup game
Jared Boll, RW CLB
News: The Sports Xchange reports right winger Jared Boll, the Blue Jackets' firestarter who was second in the NHL in penalty minutes last season (226), suffered a broken middle finger on his right hand during a pickup hockey game in late July in Toronto. Doctors expect Boll to be ready for training camp, but he'll likely be prevented from fighting until the regular season. "The doctor said it was a clean break," Boll told The Columbus Dispatch. "It didn't even require surgery."
Analysis: Boll was injured when a slap shot struck him in the glove. The Blue Jackets, according to general manager Scott Howson, do not have a problem with Boll playing pickup games. "It's an acceptable part of a player's training in participation for training camp," Howson said. The injury is not serious, so Fantasy owners in leagues that reward heavily for PIM don't have to worry. Boll is primarily on the ice to start trouble and protect his teammates, so he has very little Fantasy value in most standard leagues.
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Vermette eyes 35-40 goals
Antoine Vermette, LW OTT
News: The Sports Xchange reports for Antoine Vermette, he hopes his new contract is a stepping stone to bigger and better things. He'll either use it to where he wants to go, or he'll slip and fall. The 26-year-old forward avoided an arbitration hearing less than 12 hours before it was scheduled when he signed a two-year, $5.525 million deal on July 31. With what appears to be a lock on either a first- or second-line job and an increase in power-play time awaiting him, Vermette will look to reach the 35-40 goal plateau that will translate into a contract significantly more than the $2.525 million he'll get in 2008-09 or the $3 million he'll earn in 2009-10. "I think he has the potential to be more than he has been (as a goal-scorer) to this point in time," Ottawa general manager Bryan Murray said. "He believes that sincerely and I think that was a stumbling block as much as anything in doing a longer-term deal."
Analysis: Vermette is coming off a 24-goal, 29-assist season, the best of his four in the NHL. The team's fastest skater and a wizard with the puck, Vermette has pleaded for a larger offensive role than he's usually given. The self-confidence that he can handle it comes from his final full season of junior hockey, when Vermette scored 57 goals and had 62 assists in 71 games for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Victoriaville Tigres, and the 34 goals he had in 80 games for Binghamton of the American Hockey League his first season as a pro. "We see a certain player at the moment," Murray said. "We have to recognize that he projects a little higher than that, which I'm very happy to hear. But that became a little bit of an issue going through it. I believe that within three years, you'll see a little better offensive player than he is (right now)." Vermette will likely see a majority of time on the team's second line since Dany Heatley, Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza man Ottawa's top line. There is no denying Vermette is an explosive scorer, but to believe he is ready for 35-40 goals in 2008-09 is lofty expectations. Consider him more of a No. 5 or No. 6 Fantasy forward with room to improve.
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