With the All Star Game now in the rearview mirror, attention turns to the most exciting day of the year for the overwhelming majority of hockey fans.
Trade Deadline Day.
In just a few short weeks, many big names could be leaving their respective teams, which may be a bust or a boon for your fantasy team, depending on where their outbound plane ends up landing.
This week's Fantasy Focus takes a look at ten upper-end players who may be pulling on a different jersey come late February, and where they may end up:
10. MAREK MALIK, NY Rangers
Dissing your coach in the media epicenter that is Manhattan is probably not the best way to stay in the good graces with the Rangers. Coach Tom Renney stressed that he and Malik have kissed and made up after their little spat last week but if you believe that, let me tell you about some farmland for sale at 42nd and Broadway. Oh, and did we mention Malik is an unrestricted free agent this summer? The Rangers will try to unload Malik to anyone willing to part with a pick.
GUT FEELING: There are more than a few teams who could be looking for defensive help, including Carolina, the Islanders, Calgary, Washington and, should they stay in the playoff hunt, Edmonton. Ted Leonsis is looking to shed salary, so the Capitals don't seem to be an ideal trading partner for the Blueshirts. Take your pick as to where Malik may go.
9. LADISLAV NAGY, Los Angeles
By the time you read this, the Kings should be looking to begin their fire sale. With a $3.75 million price tag, Nagy, with 26 points in 38 games so far, hasn't exactly lit it up this season. He will also be a rental for any potential buyer as Nagy hits the open market this summer. Expect the Kings to take whatever they can get for him. The lineup on their door may not be as long as one would think.
GUT FEELING: You would think someone would roll the dice with Nagy, who may flourish in a late-season run with another team, probably from the East. I wouldn't be surprised in the least if Lou Lamoriello, who has pulled trades out of his hat at the deadline before, makes a push.
8. J.P. DUMONT, Nashville
With the deadline just a few weeks away, the Predators remain in the thick of the playoff race. Depending on where they are a week or so before D-day, David Poile may or may not be looking to move Dumont, who will also test the free agent waters July 1st. Should he go on the block, plenty of teams will be calling Poile about Dumont, who is pretty close to a PPG player in Music City this season.
GUT FEELING: Bit of a wildcard here. It's no secret that Bryan Murray would love to land another top-six forward, but as you will see below, I think he'll be looking to land a bigger name in one final push to clear that Stanley Cup hurdle. The Blues, who are in dire need of some offensive spark, or Sharks may become players should the Predators fall out of the playoff picture by the third week of February.
7. VACLAV PROSPAL, Tampa Bay
Ho hum, another pending unrestricted free agent. You can bet Jay Feaster will be listening, not talking, if a serious pitch is made for one of Brad Richards or Martin St. Louis. Both have no trade clauses, but Feaster, in a need to clear some cap space, may be able to sweet talk one of them into accepting a move. Prospal, with 46 points in 50 games prior to Tuesday, would also attract plenty of attention.
GUT FEELING: Again, one has to wonder if the Senators would be interested in Prospal, who has a bargain-basement salary of $1.9 million this year. The Blues and Sharks will take a long look if they cannot get Dumont, while the Canucks and Rangers could also have some serious interest.
6. ALEX TANGUAY, Calgary
Fans in Cowtown are relishing the prospect of the Flames actually being a star away from being a legitimate Cup contender, so moving Tanguay might seem counter-productive. If you listen to the angry rants of Darryl Sutter and Tanguay himself, he does not want to leave Calgary and has not waived his no-trade clause. But the Flames also have to think about next year, where they currently have a cap hit of close to $40 million tied up in 13 players. Freeing up Tanguay's contract would give them some much-needed breathing room.
GUT FEELING: Tough call. Deep down, I think Sutter will hold on to Tanguay and make a serious run at Mats Sundin. If Tanguay is moved, the Blues, Panthers, Sharks and Canucks should be interested, but Sutter would be reluctant dealing him to division rival Vancouver. If someone offers the right price, Tanguay will be gone.
5. OLLI JOKINEN, Florida
Why the Panthers would be looking to trade Jokinen is an enigma in itself, considering they are just five points out of a playoff spot as of Tuesday. But sure enough, whispers of Jokinen being moved out of Florida continue to surface. There was talk of Jokinen being shipped to San Jose early in the season, while discussion of a potential trade to the Flames for Tanguay almost makes too much sense. A certain oft-maligned rumor blogger also had a headline on Tuesday that said "Jokinen to Buffalo Possible But Close To Happening?" Whatever the hell that means.
GUT FEELING: I'd be surprised if Jokinen was dealt to the Sabres, but stranger things have happened. If he ends up in Buffalo, one would think Brian Campbell would have to be going to the Sunshine State. Should Jokinen be moved and Campbell isn't the other trading piece, possible destinations include New Jersey, Calgary and yes, even Manhattan if the Rangers can free up some space under the cap.
4. ROB BLAKE, Los Angeles
So, who is in the market for a 38-year-old defenseman in the final year of his contract? Given his playoff experience and Hall of Fame credentials, you may be surprised. Expect Blake to waive his no trade clause if he can be moved to a contender. The Kings are cleaning house and will be sure to accommodate Blake.
GUT FEELING: There will be more than a few teams looking to add Blake to their defensive corps in the hopes of one final piece to a Stanley Cup celebration puzzle. If he wants a chance at one more ring, San Jose or Detroit could be the destination.
3. BRIAN CAMPBELL, Buffalo
Chances are the Sabres, less than a year after losing Daniel Briere and Chris Drury to free agency, aren't about to let it happen again. Talks are now on hold until after the season, or so Campbell says, and if there isn't a deal in place on the morning of the 26th, Campbell will be catching a flight out of Buffalo later in the day.
GUT FEELING: While a Jokinen-Campbell deal makes a lot of sense for both teams, Campbell will also attract plenty of suitors from legitimate Cup contenders if he is still in Western New York a few weeks from now. The Red Wings, who have allowed the fewest goals in the league but will want to make one more statement before the games start to count for real, Sharks and Hurricanes could place a call to Darcy Regier, and it may be Carolina, desperate for some defensive help, who may overpay for this rental.
2. MARIAN HOSSA, Atlanta
Put an asterisk beside this one. Reports suggest Thrashers' GM Don Waddell may have already submitted an offer to keep Hossa in Atlanta, while others maintain he will look to get the pending free agent signed on the dotted line in the next two weeks. If he isn't signed, Hossa will be dealt and will be a hot commodity. Whispers indicate Hossa wants to play for a winner, which may be all the writing on the wall Waddell needs.
GUT FEELING: Heck, you can put any 10 or 12 potential suitors here and still make a case, but expect the Canucks, Red Wings, Rangers and Senators to make the most noise. Ottawa figures to make a hard push. Not only are they looking for another top-six forward, but they would also recoup their loss in the Dany Heatley trade.
1. MATS SUNDIN, Toronto
And now we reach perhaps the most lucrative trade-deadline prize in recent memory. Should Sundin waive his no-trade clause, which is THE question in Toronto, interim GM Cliff Fletcher may want to hire a few bouncers to stand guard outside his door. There are going to be plenty of visitors. Mats Sundin could put any number of teams over the top. Someone could very well be enjoying another Christmas morning in late February.
GUT FEELING: Scratch Anaheim off the list, if they were ever on it, after Teemu Selanne re-upped with the defending champions. Other Western Conference heavyweights such as San Jose and Detroit are sure to get in the bidding in an attempt to keep pace with the Ducks, while Calgary and Vancouver will also seriously kick some tires with Fletcher. In the East, expect the Senators to place a call if they miss out on Hossa, while the Flyers have also shown interest but will be out of the running if Peter Forsberg comes back. In the end, I'm thinking it may come down to a bidding war between the Canucks and Red Wings, with Vancouver winning out.