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A little more activity on the trade front this week as the Kings and
Sabres exchanged centremen. Less high profile UFAs are now beginning to find
employment. We breakdown the latest:
The Trade: Kings acquire
Erik Rasmussen from the Buffalo Sabres for
Adam Mair and a 5th round draft pick.
In a deal that seeks to give both
these players a change of venue to try and reach their potential, we like
the return for the Kings more so than the Sabres. It’s likely that the move
was also motivated somewhat by salary, as the cash strapped Sabres are in no
position to be taking on more salary. Mair is a big center with good
offensive skills, but has been unable to translate them to the NHL. Buffalo
is the third NHL team to give him a look see. Rasmussen joins a Kings
line-up already blessed with size and rough and tumble forwards. Rasmussen
has grown into a solid third or fourth line contributor that shows flashes
of his college scoring touch and drive to the net.
Fantasy Impact: Rasmussen
likely assumes a fourth line winger spot on the Kings and will dutifully
perform any function that Coach Murray needs. Its time for him to assume the
expectation of a first round draft pick, seventh overall in 1996 – or
forever be a poor man’s
Mike Grier. 10 goals and 27 points is our expectation. Mair is destined
for the farm, unless he has an incredible camp. Still only 23, his
opportunities to shine are dwindling as well. Playing behind
Curtis Brown,
Tim Connolly and
Chris Gratton it’s all uphill for Mair. 3 goals and 10 points in limited
games.
The Signings:
Aaron Gavey (rw/lw/c) signs with Toronto: In a move to add depth to the
team, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed the versatile
Aaron Gavey to a multi-year contract. Gavey brings the Leafs yet another
forward long on hustle and work in a big body, but short on scoring ability.
Gavey can fit on the third or fourth lines, and is an effective penalty
killer. Scores most of his goals off the rebound – 10’ range and in.
Fantasy Impact: He’ll struggle for ice time on the Leafs, but should likely bag 6
goals and 16 points in 50 games.
Derek King (rw/c) signs with Detroit: Similar to the Gavey move for the
Leafs, King’s signing is to add depth to the Stanley Cup Champs. Once a 40
goal scorer, King scored 19 goals in 60 games playing in Germany last year.
He’s likely headed to the minors to ply his trade and begin the transition
to assistant coach.
Fantasy Impact: Team bus will have to crash in order for
King to get ice time to make him draftable. Just walk on by.
Michel Picard (lw) signs with Detroit: Another depth addition. A decent
NHL player, just never found his niche.
Fantasy Impact: Not likely to see
enough ice time to make him draftable.
Shaun Van Allen (c/w) signs with Ottawa: Depth again, this time by new
GM
John Muckler. Van Allen brings a veteran presence and flexibility to
play any forward position. Under-rated shot, but over-rated skater. Van
Allen joins the Sens for the 2nd time. Becoming a depth guy and a PK
specialist.
Fantasy Impact: 7 goals and 19 points.
Alexandre Daigle (c/rw) signs with
Pittsburgh: Could be potentially bigger
bust than
Brian Lawton or
Doug Wickenheiser ever thought of being. Scored 20 goals three times for
the Sens before they couldn’t deal with his +/-. A bit ironic given his
outlook from a radio interview in January where Daigle said he knew from the
age of 16 that he didn’t want to play hockey, and only did it for the money.
Wonder if he ever told the Sens that? Our theory – Daigle’s career began to
dive right after he did that ridiculous advertisement dressed in a nurses’
uni'!
Fantasy Impact: He could be the next
John Cullen - a guy who could benefit greatly from being
around Mario - his childhood idol. That said, we thought it was absurd when
he signed with Sharks. It' s only less so now. He needs to make the team, or he’ll retire again.
Someone’s gonna draft him if he does stick…let it not be you.
Denis Pederson (c/lw) signs with Nashville: More depth, but Pederson may
actually see a little more ice time than the 4th line, press box duty he saw
in both Vancouver and Phoenix last year. A junior scorer, has lost his
confidence and never found that touch in the NHL.
Fantasy Impact: 4 goals
and 10 points.
Dominic Pittis (c/w) signs with Nashville: see above. Pittis has good
wheels and tries hard, but is just not able to stick for prolonged periods
of time.
Fantasy Impact: 6 goals and 14 points in 40 games.
Rumor Mill
Kyle McLaren has stated that he wants out of Beantown. He is an
attractive package for all NHL GMs, and the latest has the Avalanche trying
hard to land him and dangling
Martin Skoula in return…with McLaren’s impending departure, the Bruins
are said to be talking to UFA
Bryan Berard. The Canucks, Kings and Blues are also said to be making
offers….
Ulf Dahlen remains unsigned after putting up impressive numbers for a 35
year old: 23 goals and 52 points in 69 games. He played on the first or
second line all season before getting hurt, and that’s always been the knock
against him. That said, the Leafs and Bruins are showing some interested as
well as the Preds and the Sens…. The Leafs are reportedly interested in
re-signing
Tom Barrasso to back-up Eddie the Psycho between the pipes. Barrasso was
a big surprise last year, pushing
Arturs Irbe in Carolina before a decline in the 2nd half….
Andrew Cassels remains unsigned at this point, and that’s good news for
the Canucks. Don’t envision that lasting for too long. If the Leafs are able
to part with
Robert Reichel, Cassels arrival in Toronto will be announced shortly
thereafter…. Is
Dmitri Khristich really that bad as to not find another chance – short
answer is yes!…
Martin Rucinsky is still too good a player not to find a home on some
team’s left wing. Rumors have the Sens, Leafs and Bruins looking at the
talented and at times, indifferent, Rucinksy.
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