The NHL trade deadline is only a day away and there's an eerie disquiet enveloping the entire league. Waiting for that proverbial second shoe to drop (or shoes, really) is an uncomfortable exercise, especially for a fantasy player in contention. But there's little point in dissecting rumor. Analyzing where Ryan Smyth might land should he be moved (unlikely), or the fantasy ramifications that could trail Chris Pronger's exit from Anaheim (more likely, but only slightly) is wasted effort. Especially when there's one hard fact we can sink our teeth into: The Dallas Stars are losing more than they're winning these days and Marty Turco is taking a severe fantasy hit by repercussion.
It's no coincidence the already injury-riddled Stars are 1-5 since Brad Richards broke his wrist on Feb. 16; or that the team has averaged less than two goals per game during that period. With Brenden Morrow and Sergei Zubov hurt and missing from the lineup, the loss of Richards -- arguably Dallas' best player next to Morrow -- was essentially the last straw. The Stars are facing a tough road in their quest to make the playoffs, and for Turco owners, the next few weeks may not be pretty. Every goaltender needs a strong corps of players in front of him for success, fantasy and otherwise. And that Texas team is a tired, emotionally-depleted bunch.
On the flip side, even though they may be last in the Eastern Conference, the New York Islanders are winning these days (3-1-1). Goaltender Yann Danis deserves much of the credit, but there's also something to be said for the success that stems from playing in the easygoing atmosphere that accompanies being out of contention. A team rife with youth, players like Sean Bergenheim, Kyle Okposo, Blake Comeau and Josh Bailey are simply having fun. With the pressure off, the young lads are playing hard, fast-paced hockey. That loose play, combined with Danis' sharp confidence between the pipes, makes the netminder a worthy asset. Just consider: Danis is 3-1 with a 0.75 goals-against-average and .968 save percentage in is last four starts. And he wasn't that bad before that stint either.
Now, considering Turco likely has one more solid hot streak in him before the end of the season --he's still an exceptionally good goaltender -- the best case scenario involves keeping the Stars' No.1 on the bench, for now, and activating Danis in his stead. Especially for the next week or so, when the Islanders have three more games at home.
If you can swing this move, it could pay off massive fantasy dividends.
Ice Chips
As for one of the Isles' veterans alluded to above, Bill Guerin sat out his second game as a healthy scratch on Monday night, presumably to pack his bags. GM Garth Snow is said to be real close to sealing a deal with Washington. Sergei Fedorov's fantasy owners should keep an eye on how their man's ice-time and opportunities are affected if, and when, the Capitals acquire Guerin. ... Sean Avery is officially back with the Rangers after claiming him off on re-entry waivers from the Stars. In a related move, they sent Mark Bell down to their AHL affiliate in Hartford, where Avery had been spent the past month. ... Steve Ott was suspended for one game by the league for a so-called eye-gouging incident Saturday involving Anaheim forward Travis Moen. Ott served the suspension on Sunday and will be back in the Stars' lineup for their game against the Sharks on Tuesday. ... Atlanta traded defenseman Niclas Havelid to New Jersey, along with a minor-leaguer, for blueliner Anssi Salmela. Before you snort: "Who cares about Niclas Havelid?" keep in mind the Devils made the move to get more production out of their back end. The 35-year-old will be expected to contribute to the scoring sheet. ... That muted weeping you hear may be coming from Scott Clemmensen's direction. Martin Brodeur is a perfect 3-0 with two shutouts since returning from injury. Brodeur is really going to have to stink up the joint to lose the starting job before the postseason. ... Fortunately, Ethan Moreau won't need surgery after taking a stick to the eye during Saturday's game against Minnesota. However, he still needs time to recover and will remain out of Edmonton's lineup for at least a week, if not longer. ... Jason Chimera was placed on IR, retroactive to Feb, 24, with a groin injury. Although it's not good news for the Blue Jackets, realistically, Chimera isn't making or breaking anyone's fant
