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Monday, July 21, 2008

Fantasy Frenzy - Part III

Atlanta Thrashers -

Adds or Resigns: D - Ron Hainsey, F - Jason Williams, F - Eric Boulton, F - Marty Reasnor

Subtractions: Alexei Zhitnik, Bobby Holik

Fantasy Imapct:
As a poolie looks at the depth of talent for the Thrashers, one has to be left with there is very little help for the Thrashers. Jason Williams will be an under-rated winger for the Thrashers, but he won’t make anyone forget about Marian Hossa. Williams will likely be on the top-line for the Thrashers – almost via default. Hainsey gives the Thrashers their best overall defenceman, in the team’s franchise history. Hainsey isn’t the best offensive defenceman, but he will log a lot of minutes. Reasoner is a 3rd liner at best, and Eric Boulton will out up lots of PIMS but little else.

Boston Bruins -

Adds or Resigns: F-Michael Ryder.

Subtractions: no one of fantasy impact

Fantasy Impact:
It’s been a pretty lean UFA signing period for the Bruins. Management of the team is banking on the return to health of Patrice Bergeron and the continued development of young players like: Kessel and Lucic. In Ryder, the Bruins shucked out a lot of dollars for a guy who is as streaky as they come and at times, so poor defensively that the offensive starved Habs couldn’t have him in the line-up. Come draft time, he might be a worth a flyer, particularly if the Bruins move Murray prior to the start of training camp.

Buffalo Sabres -

Adds or Resigns: D-Craig Rivet, G-Patrick Lalime, F-Paul Gaustad (resign), F-Dan Paille (resign), G-Ryan Miller (resign).

Subtractions: Steve Bernier

Fantasy Impact:
For the low budget Sabres, being able to keep the core of the team still in tack year to date has been pretty good. Rivet should help for the loss of Bernier - but he's not Brian Campbell. The team has got to move some your talent, and the stock pile of draft picks they now have, for proven scoring or they'll likely be on the outside looking in come playoff time.

Carolina Hurricanes -

Adds or Resigns: D-Joni Pitkanen, G-Michael Leighton, D-Tim Gleason (resign), F-Tuomo Ruutu (resign), D-Josef Melichar, D-Dennis Seidenberg, F-Chad Larose.

Subtractions: D-Bret Hedican, D-David Tanabe, F-Jeff Hamilton, F-Erik Hamilton.

Fantasy Impact:
The Hurricanes traded for and then signed enigmatic Joni Pitkanen to play a critical role for the ‘Canes and in particular, their power play. The issue is that Pitkanen hasn’t been that type of consistent defencemen since 2002. He’s a risky selection to be sure. Resigning Ruutu and Gleason are solid depth moves for the club. Losing Erik Cole to Edmonton means Andrew Ladd get a serious chance at a top 6 forward position.


Florida Panthers -

Adds or Resigns: F-Cory Stillman, F-Rostislav Olesz (resign), F-Gregory Campbell, D-Keith Ballard, D-Nick Boynton.

Subtractions: F-Olli Jokinen

Fantasy Impact:
There is no denying that losing the teams captain and main offensive threat in Jokinen is going to be a tough hole to fill. Stillman still has some offensive clout, and he’ll see top 6 forward action for sure. Ballard and Boynton were traded together and are very likely to be paired together and log a huge amount of minutes for the offensively starved Panthers. Olesz’s resigning will help but he’ll be challenged to be better than what he’s been to date. Nathan Horton and Stephen Weiss are going to have to grow mightily for the Panthers to get better.

Montreal Canadiens

Adds or Resigns: F-Alex Tanguay, F-Georges Laraque, Maxim Lapierre (resign), G-Jaroslav Halak, D-Shawn Belle.

Subtractions: Bryan Smolinski, Patrice Brisebois., Michael Ryder

Fantasy Impact:
After failing to land any of the big higher profile free agents in Hossa or Campbell, the Habs finally swung a deal for long sought after Alex Tanguay. Tanguay is a pass first winger with soft hands, starts slow and does have confidence issues. In Montreal the spotlight will be firmly shining upon him to produce and he’ll see top 6 forward time for sure. Locking up Halak gives the Habs excellent young net-minding when paired with Carey Price. Laraque will supply the much needed muscle for the smurf like Habs.

New Jersey Devils –

Adds or Resigns: F-Brian Rolston, F-Bobby Holik, F-Bryce Salvador (resign), F-Jay Pandolfo (resign), F-David Clarkson (resign), D-Bryce Salvador (resign).

Subtractions: none of fantasy value

Fantasy Impact:
The signings of Holik and Rolston actually brings the Devils full-circle as they re-sign two players that they originally drafted. Rolston will likely be the premiere center for the team while Holik will anchor the teams 3rd line. Without losing Elias, Parise or Zajac the most recent signings should help them on the offensive side of the game.

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