ASK SLAM!
By CHRIS NICHOLS -- SLAM! Sports
The daily emails are just ahead, but I absolutely had to give a shout out to Colin Campbell, who is the NHL's Director of Operations. He delivered what has to be one of the best lines of the season so far. Toronto backup Trevor Kidd showed the media that minor league goalie pads are 11 inches wide and that the proposed NHL changes would mean a 10-inch width for pads, which is obviously smaller than the kiddie pads.
Campbell responded by saying, "Trevor Kidd can say that, but if I were him I'd work on my game."
I just about fell out of my chair laughing when I read that quote. I didn't realize league officials were allowed to run smack like that. Anyway, onto your questions.
Chris I need your help, you're a genius. I have Bertuzzi, and I was thinking which players are worth getting in return for Bert? Also, the same question as above for R.Nash??
If you have both Bertuzzi and Nash, my answer is simple: Don't trade them for anyone.
Chris....quick question...What player(s) would be a fair value trade to get Brian Boucher? I for one don't think he'll be that good just by looking at his last 5 games he's stunk and I don't think Phoenix will win much the rest of the way but regardless what would be equal value for the guy?
Eric
As always, value is in the eye of the beholder. Boucher is now firmly entrenched as the starter in Phoenix and I think he has a good chance to post decent numbers. Wins are a different story, but his GAA and SA% should be pretty decent. I don't think Boucher is in the top third of goalies, but I also think he's above the bottom third.
Hey Chris, as it seems with most people I too have jumped a few places in all my pools. I have been more aggressive in trades and signing rent a players since reading your column. Looking for your opinion on this proposed deal. It's a standard Yahoo, head to head. Everything counts. My offer... I give up Alfie, DiPietro, and Bondra for his Bertuzzi, Burke, and Kozlov. My other RW's are Heatley, Nolan; my goalies are Kipper and Cechmanek. If it happens I'd be stocked at LW with Naslund, Bertuzzi and Bell. RW Heatley, Nolan and Kozlov.
Did I offer too much? Cheers
I'd go for that deal. Bertuzzi is the prize and Alfie is the only solid player you gave up. I'd take that swap any day of the week.
Hi Chris: I have Gonchar on IR. He is coming back this week, and I need to dump one of these defensemen to make room - Slegr, Johnsson, Berard, and Pronger. I think Slegr is the odd man out. What do you think? Should I dump a guy named Kim instead? I am not holding much hope, but I am trying to work a trade, so I don't give a player up for nothing. Slegr and Handzus for Modano. I am thinking Modano is going to light it up coming down the stretch. Is this a fair trade?
Thanks! Brad
I think you're on the right track Brad. Each of those defensemen is quality and should not be dropped. Slegr and Handzus are both hot now, but they're not money in the bank like Modano.
Quick one for ya - in a league that counts all major stats including PIM's - would you rather have Tkachuk or Forsberg? Thanks for the great column!
Despite the injury concerns, I'll pick Forsberg every time. His point-per-game ratio is simply mind-blowing.
Hey Chris: Do you think we can expect a good productive final stretch from T. Selanne?
Thanks, Danik Mtl Quebec
Selanne has been an enigma wrapped inside a riddle... or something like that. I really thought his production would have picked up by now, but it hasn't. He's being shuffled between the third line and the Sakic/ Kariya line and he's still not doing too much. I'd keep him on the bench and hope for a breakout.
Thanks for all your help and replies this season. I'm lucky enough to have some good guys on waivers... I have Mogilny, Fedorov, and Sopel I can drop. Available are Richards, Lecavalier, Nolan, Morrison, and Roenick. Do you think I should drop any of my guys for these guys, and who among them has the best upside for the 2nd half?
Thanks, Chris
Man, that has to be a small league. I'd drop the two forwards and add St. Louis and Lecavalier. Sopel is decent, depending on your current defensive needs.
Chris, help me! Would you do this trade: My M. Schneider for his K. Johnsson and Slava Kozlov? My other D's are Boynton, Aucoin, and Berard. Yahoo league, no PIM's.
Thanks again! Joe.
Absolutely not. Schneider is one of the most valuable fantasy defensemen this season. Kozlov is ok, but he's not even close to Schneider's class.
Have a fantasy hockey question? Drop me a line at
chris_nichols@canoemail.com. I do my best to answer all questions within 24 hours, depending on the volume of emails. Please keep the questions short. Your fantasy questions may be answered in our Ask Slam! section.
