ASK SLAM!
By CHRIS NICHOLS -- SLAM! Sports
Hi Chris: I would like to congratulate you for the great articles that you are publishing all over the internet. Since Palffy went down I have tried several replacements (Boguniecki, Radivojevic, and Sjostrom - in that order) without much luck. Now I have a chance to pick up Langenbrunner, Audette or Carter. Do you recommend dropping Sjostrom for any of these available RW's? Also, Andrei Markov just became available in my league. Do you think he will do any scoring in the second half?
I'm looking forward to your response and keep up the good work.
Thanks. I would think Langenbrunner is the safest bet of the bunch, assuming his health holds up. Audette has certainly had some good games since joining Florida and Carter has a real opportunity in Washington, but I still like Langenbrunner better as an all around stat guy.
Markov: I really like him, but I can't recommend him at this time. It's the Sheldon Souray show in Montreal right now.
Chris, great advice. I treasure your views and points and advice on fantasy hockey and they have helped me through out the year. I have a few questions about NHL trades. Obviously, the CBA runs out this season. Will that lessen the trade activity in the NHL come early March? That being said, the middle of March also brings the fantasy playoff season for most leagues. Two hot trade items of late have been Jeff O'Neill and Peter Bondra. Has their time run out on their respective teams and where will they go? Lastly, I am participating in a rather deep pool (15 offense, 2 goalies, 5 bench; 12 teams). I have been offered Langkow and Handzus for Andreychuk, McCauley and Smolinski. What do I do there? I apologize for the lengthy message and hope you have a great day. Thanks again!!!
Brian Flynn -- Holbrook, NY USA
Trade rumors seem to still be hot and heavy. While most teams don't want to take on big contracts, there are still contenders that are looking to add a Bondra or O'Neill type of player to give them that extra depth at playoff time. Look at the Senators, for example. They have a lot of offense, but are still looking to Bondra to run their second power play unit.
In terms of that trade from a points perspective, it's pretty close. I'm guessing you could add a player from free agency that would equal what one of the three players you are giving up will do... so the deal probably shouldn't hurt you.
Hey Chris thanks for the great tips, is there any word on Ozolinsh at all? Any idea if and when he'll be back and how he's progressing? Also I need a depth d-man in a pool where d-man goals/assists/PM's count, who's a better bet for the rest of the year Boucher (Dal) or Brewer? Lastly I've picked up Krajicek for my keeper pool at a low salary, what's your take on how good he'll be? Thanks a lot.
I wouldn't expect Oz until sometime in March... I'd take Boucher over Brewer... Krajicek has some good offensive upside, for sure. He'll be fighting with Bouwmeester and Van Ryn in the coming years for quality ice time though.
Hi Chris: Quick one but a tough one. H2H Pool. Is Philly going to trade for a goalie or is Esche #1 from here on out? Currently I have 3 strong goalies plus Hasek on the IR. With Hasek's return hopefully soon I may have trade bait. (Assuming you agree that 3 goalies is enough?) Who would you deal, Esche or Raycroft if you had to choose? I've offered Raycroft/Satan for Kovalchuk/Gerber. I have no intention of keeping Gerber. Thanks for the advice! Your column is top notch. Keep it up.
Roster: C-Modano,Thornton LW-Tkachuk, M.Bell, Satan RW-Iginla, G.Murray, Heatley, Mogilny D-Zubov, Modry, McCabe, Sydor G- Dom, Raycroft, Esche, Turco
Bowcat
I can't say for sure, but it seems like Philly would just want a backup for Esche if Hackett can't shake the vertigo. If I were you, I'd deal Hasek and Satan for Kovalchuk and someone good. Hasek is still an injury risk and I wouldn't count on him to be your goalie. Turco is fine, but if Esche someone loses out via trade and Hasek can't come back... you've hurt your team by dealing Raycroft.
Just something to think about.
Hey: I was offered the following trade, what do you think of it? I'm getting: Mara, Guerin, Ryan Smyth, and Vokoun I'm giving: Langkow, St Louis, and Rafalski. Rafalski hasn't really done much this season, and although St Louis is hot right now, I expect he will slow down. I'm kind of questioning Guerin and Smyth; they both haven't been very productive recently.
I wouldn't be so sure that St. Louis will slow down too much. Vokoun is a solid goalie and Guerin should still score some more goals (I'm assuming your league counts PIM's too). If you just need goaltending help, you may want to offer up Langkow and Rafalski for Vokoun.
Chris: In a points only keeper league (w/ 9 teams), I have been offered Tanguay for Paul Kariya and a first round pick. Is Tanguay just having a hot year, are his points the virtue of playing w/ Sakic and Forsberg, or is he the real deal?
Thanks! Hale
You'd have to give up Kariya AND a first-round pick to get Tanguay? I wouldn't necessarily do that. Keep some of these factors in mind when you make a deal here: 1) Tanguay really is talented, 2) Tanguay's name always comes up in trade rumors, 3) Kariya could leave the Avs after this season and that may be likely given how much money he should really be making, 4) Kariya's numbers don't look as good as they should because he's missed so many games with injuries, 5) If you have any shot at getting the first overall pick in this summer's draft, do not trade him for anyone. Ovechkin is a special player.
My Hejduk and Gaborik for his Shanahan and Nash. What do you think?
Hejduk and Nash will be close in goals, but Hejduk's +/- will be much better. Shanny is more valuable in PIM leagues with Gaborik not doing much of anything and is now battling a hip flexor. If I were you, I'd target Nash in a deal where you didn't have to give up Hejduk at all.
Hi Chris: I have Mogilny sitting on my bench right now because there is no IR slot in my league. Should I hang onto him, any idea when he will be playing again?
Thanks, Greg
He'll be re-evaluated after the All Star break. Without knowing your roster, he's probably still worth hanging onto.
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.
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