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With a week to go the trade rumours are hot and heavy, so without further adieu, here we go.

PHOENIX: Hockey-wired’s Damian Cristodero reports Nikolai Khabibulin's agent, Jay Grossman, believes the Tampa Bay Lightning have "a good shot" at obtaining the holdout goalie from the Phoenix Coyotes. Grossman spoke on Saturday with Lightning GM Rick Dudley for nearly an hour, and plans to contact Coyotes GM Cliff Fletcher on Sunday. Fletcher denies any trade is imminent, saying he wants to evaluate all his options. The only Lightning player consistently mentioned in rumours is defenseman Paul Mara. Cristodero notes the NY Rangers are believed to be offering up prospects Pavel Brendl and Jamie Lundmark, as well as possibly center Mike York. Meanwhile, Lightning netminder Kevin Weekes said the rumours of Khabibulin coming to Tampa Bay don't worry him. 

Fantasy Impact: We have to tell you for the life of us why Dudley would make this deal. Although the old adage that you build a good hockey team from the net out is always a good one to follow – we can’t imagine the ‘Yotes wanting just Paul Mara. So far, he has been a bust – actually sent down to the minors, which may be more of a sign of being rushed on a bad hockey team then it is of his skills – remember how long it took Chris Pronger to develop. The ‘Ning have a good nucleus to work from in Mara, Richards, Modin, and Lecavalier. Moving one of them could begin the re-building process, for the billionth time in Tampa.

As far as the Rangers go, Sather is just too smart of a hockey guy to give up a combination of Brendl, Lundmark or York for Khabibulin. Maybe one of those guys, but it won’t be two. We think the strong possibility is that the Bhulin wall goes Broadway – but don’t rule out Sean Burke moving either – now that he has signed a three year contract extension.

We’d also keep an eye on the Red Wings and Penguins. As the Bowman/Holland team may not think the Osgood has the goods, while Mario knows that Garth Snow is not the playoff goalie he needs.

PHILADELPHIA: Latest rumour has the Flyers willing to part with last year’s rookie sensation Brian Boucher in the hopes of landing another top 6 forward. Interested parties have included Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and an interesting suitor – the Atlanta Thrashers. Thrashers are said to be dangling top scorer and off-season free agent, Donald Audette for the young Boucher.

Fantasy Impact: We definitely think teat the Thrashers deal has potential. Boucher is desperate for a change of scenery – having lost all confidence and Bobby Clarke all confidence in him. Audette would be a nice fit on the second line in Philly, although he brings only goal scoring to the table. And the playoffs are an entirely different game than the regular season. Still – if this did happen, expect that Audette’s number would fall just a bit, as the checking gets closer as teams prep for the NHL’s second season.

ST LOUIS: GM Larry Pleau’s team looks like a hospital ward with all their injuries. With three impact players out in Pronger, McInnis and Demitra, Pleau has got to be burning up the phone lines looking for help via the trade route. With Sean O’Donnell gone from the Wild to the Devils, Pleau is rumoured to now have turned his attention to the Islander’s Zdeno Chara, Florida's Robert Svehla, Anaheim's Oleg Tverdovsky, Carolina's Sandis Ozolinsh, and Pittsburgh's Darius Kasparaitis.

Fantasy Impact: Any of those defensemen are impact type players - all bringing different skills to the table. The big question is, are their respective teams willing to part with them. Pittsburgh needs a goalie; so trading their one "tough" defensemen without a goalie coming back is not likely. Svehla could be had, as he has had a horrible year, but the fact the Cats are for sale makes it difficult for them to deal impact type players – although a salary dump be attractive to potential Panthers' owners. Tverdovsky may be gotten as Gauthier begs upper management to give him the green light to blow up the Ducks – and the players know it. Albeit – giving up on a young quarterback for your power play is hard, Anaheim would have to be getting a lot back in return. Tverdovsky would be a great fit for the Blues though. If Chara gets dealt to St. Louis – and this would be a nice fit – look for his plus/minus go through the roof as he learns from two of the very best d-men in the league.

VANCOUVER: Latest reports have the Canucks interested in Michael Peca. Some reports had the Canucks offering Markus Naslund or Ed Jovanovski, (which we would question Brian Burke’s sanity), good money has the Canucks dangling the likes of Matt Cooke or Peter Schaefer and some prospects or picks.

Fantasy Impact: If Peca came to the West coast, Burke would be very happy. The only problem is that he would throw his entire pay structure out of whack. Burke has gone on record indicating that he wouldn’t be surprised if it were the NHLPA that is convincing Peca to hold-put for more money. Why?, Peca’s numbers would likely get him a contract in the $2-3 million dollar range. However, he is seeking $4 million plus per season. All the GMs around the league are hoping that the Sabres do not cave and sign him for more than market value, because that then changes the market. If Peca becomes a Canuck, it's only because the Sabres agreed to eat some salary – after he signs. His impact wouldn’t be great right away – as he’d have to try and play himself into shape before the playoffs. And there is always the risk of injury after long contract disputes - especially considering he hasn't played competitively for nearly a year. We think Peca stays right where he is, unless the Sabres get an amazing deal for the guy. Look for the Canucks to pursue ex-Canucks Trevor Linden (if the Habs eat some salary) , Darby Hendrickson from the Wild or Mike Sillinger out of Florida.

EDMONTON: Rumour has NY beat writer Stan Fischler indicating that the Edmonton Oilers are looking to trade Doug Weight to the Buffalo Sabres for Michael Peca.

Fantasy Impact: We put this one in here just to give you an indication, that some rumours really are … ridiculous. Weight for Peca? Only if Oilers’ GM Kevin Lowe wanted to lose his job.

SAN JOSE: We mentioned Mike Sillinger earlier, and reports out of San Jose have the Sharks looking around to provide a boost to their team prior to the playoffs, and Sillinger could very well be that guy. Another rumour has the Sharks looking at C-bus forward Steve Heize to add a little pop to the Shark Attack.

Fantasy Impact: Sillinger is just one of the guys that no matter where he goes, he’ll contribute when he gets there. This deal is a possibility and would benefit Sillinger. Heinze is having a career year- playing on a team where he is on the top line and getting oodles of playing time. If he goes to the San Jose, expect his production to go down as he will have to share ice time with the like of Nolan, Friesen and Marleau. Rumour had the Sharks trying to showcase Steve Shields as trade bait – but neither Shields nor Nabokov have inspired lately, so that may not happen. And neither would be involved in a deal for Sillinger or Heinze unless there were other players accompanying them. 

CAROLINA: Latest buzz in from the Canes has Sami Kapenen and/or Bates Battaglia being shopped for a solid rear-guard.

Fantasy Impact: This has not been a great year for either player. A change of scenery would be a welcome sight (and a boost in numbers)– particularly if they go to the Western Conference – although a Flyers Brian Boucher for Hurricanes Kapanen swap could be a reality soon.

NASHVILLE: Preds GM David Poile is rumoured to being getting calls from Pittsburgh GM Craig Patrick - asking for Mike Dunham. Going the other way would be youngsters Milan Kraft and Aleksy Morozov.

Fantasy Impact: This could be one of those "robbed you blind" deals two years down the road. Morozov is a flake – no matter where he’ll play. But Kraft – he is the real deal, and the Preds are starved for offense. Watch for this one to happen and for Kraft to change zip codes. Iif he does hang on to him - you won’t be sorry.