We are the fantasy hockey specialists!

Fantasy Impact: If you own Rob Blake, our advice to you is to put him on the block and see what you can get for him. Blake is playing as well as he has in his career and the Kings success this year has been one of the pleasant surprises so far this NHL season. You won’t get anything more for Blake than his value now – and remember, he is not exactly Mr. Reliable when it comes to avoiding visits to Injured Reserve. We think Blake will sign with Kings soon rather than get dealt, but if he does get moved, expect him to maintain his current production, but not exceed it.

Florida: Probably the only thing that was surprising about Thursday's firings of the Murray brothers - general manager Bryan and coach Terry - was that it took so long. When president Bill Torrey named himself interim general manager, he brought Duane Sutter off the scouting staff to be the new coach. Hottest rumor has the Panthers placing superstar Pavel Bure on the block and seeing if there is any interest from other teams. A more realistic potential is to see team captain Scott Mellanby sent packing closer to the trade deadline.

Fantasy Impact: The appointment of Duane Sutter won’t exactly open the offensive floodgates for the Panthers. Sutter is a firm believer in defense, and that won’t come as great news for Bure and company. Expect a brief honeymoon period of success, but the Panthers won’t make the playoffs this season no matter how good the team becomes under their new coach. As far as the Bure rumor goes, we’d be amazed if Bure is dealt. Panther’s owner, Wayne Huizenga has been trying to sell the Panthers and Colorado ski resort owner George Gillett Jr. is among those interested. Gillett's group, which included John Elway, came up short in the attempt to purchase the Nuggets, Avs and the Pepsi Center earlier this year. The moving of Larionov back to Detroit is likely the only deal, short of Mellanby being moved to a playoff team closer to the trade deadline, that will be made before the team is sold. Moving Mellanby will save the team some money, and benefit another club in terms of character and toughness come the playoff push. As far as fantasy value - Mr. Mellanby will likely be playing in the post-season.

New York: The Ranger’s most recent slide in the standings has seen the rumor mill in full gear in the Big Apple. Theo Fleury remains the most talked about name on the move and potential suitors include the Phoenix Coyotes and San Jose Sharks.

Fantast Impact: Unless the Rangers’ fall well out of playoff contention, expect Theoren Fleury to remain with the blue shirts for the remainder of the season. If not, the most likely landing spot for Fleury is San Jose, where the asking price for Fleury would likely be an under-achieving Jeff Friesen. We think Sather would like to move Fleury to give some more ice time to his talented younger offensive players: Hlavac, Nedved, Dvorak, York, Lundmark and Brendl, but that is only going to happen if the Rangers fall out of contention.

Phoenix: With the apparent stalled sale of the ‘Yotes, the rumors are rampant in Phoenix that when the sale is finalized, that Ellman and Co. will be under pressure to reduce payroll. Names being floated out there have been Tkachuk, Roenick, Keith Carney and Travis Green.

Fantasy Impact: Until the sale is either finalized or abandoned, the circus that is the current Coyotes situation will remain. Tkachuk has been rumored to been dealt to the Rangers so many times that we often think that he plays for them already. If the Rangers are close to a playoff spot, we think they will make a play for him, but not at the expense of parting with either Brendl or Lundemark. Expect Travis Green to find a different zip code soon, as Roenick clone without the attitude, Trevor Letowski, is buried as the team’s third line center.

Montreal: Latest buzz out of Montreal has been the need to quickly make changes to this team, and the dumping of Trevor Linden and his $4 million per year seems imminent.

Fantasy Impact: Linden is not the player he once was, but he could be a solid pick-up for a team headed for the playoffs. His lacidasical play however, will make him difficult to move. Linden is never going to resume his career 60-point average, but he is a serviceable guy down the middle and in the face-off circle. Someone will always remember Linden’s career years now almost ten years ago back in Vancouver. If you find such an owner, dump Linden as quickly as you can.

Anaheim: Frightening as this sounds, it would appear as though Disney is ready to part with Teemu Selanne. The price tag would be expensive, as would his salary. Possible suitors have included the Leafs, the Rangers and the Red Wings.

Fantasy Impact: Selanne seems to have plateaued with the Mighty Ducks. This is not to say that he is playing badly, he is just not the familiar "Flash" that we have grown to love. The fans' fancy with the ice-skating fowl has flown the coup so to speak, and management may think that it is time to start over in Anaheim. If Selanne does depart, expect his production to rise significantly – particularly if he goes to Toronto. Watch carefully, if Selanne picks up his play, his trade value will increase as well. A change of scenery would really benefit Teemu – and if you own him, you as well.

The Bruins' goaltending situation is a turn-style to say the least. Byron Dafoe is out and troubled by a sore and swollen right knee, and was scheduled to get a second opinion - outside of the team doctors - this week. John Grahame is trying to recover from the broken ankle he suffered in a fall outside a Boston night spot during the exhibition season. Fantasy Impact: The Bruins look brutal. It wouldn’t matter is it were Terry Sawchuk between the pipes. Dafoe is the answer for Keenan when he gets healthy. Skudra is doing a good job in his absence, but its just best to stay away from Bruins goalies altogether.

Calgary

With a whopping three goals in 31 games, playing a goal starved team, Valeri Bure trade rumours are rampant. Reported suitors are Dallas, Buffalo, Florida, Montreal and Detroit. Fantasy Impact: Bure is underachieving like no one we have ever seen. He is squeezing his hickey stick so hard, that carbon-graphite shavings are shooting out of the end of the shaft. Rookie GM Craig Button and first-year coach Don Hay would love to get bigger and stronger up front and down the middle, but so would everyone in the NHL. Our best guess is that Bure will be moved soon, but he needs to start playing better in order to command the best price for the flames. If he does that, then the urgency to move him dwindles – the traditional catch 22. We think a change of scenery would benefit Bure, but that is not likely to happen until the trading deadline or the Flames fall way out of the playoff picture.

Derek Morris, fresh from an eight-day conditioning stint at Saint John, N.B, is expected to be in uniform for the first time this season as the Flames take on the Canadiens this week. Fantasy Impact: Morris will take at least a couple of weeks to get into NHL game shape. Leave him on the your reserve until he shows steady stats of playing regular.

Todd Bertuzzi with 9 goals in 33 games, is not performing to Canucks management’s expectations. Latest rumour has Vancouver GM Brian Burke pursuing the available B.C. native Rod Brind’ Amour for the underachieving Bertuzzi. Fantasy Impact: We’d be real surprised if this deal happens. While Bertuzzi’s consistency is a concern for coach Marc Crawford, Bertuzzi has played well enough to warrant hanging with. His potential is vast, but the Canucks may be wondering if 20 goals is what they will forever get from Bertuzzi. Carolina would be wanting more than just Bertuzzi for Brind’Amour, but…the Canucks do have a serious surplus of defencemen. How about a Bertuzzi Adrian Aucoin for Brind’Amour? Scary!

Florida

The "Fire Murray" chant abounds and at the Panthers home the National Car Rental Center. But which Murray…the coach, the GM, or both? The Panthers have five victories in 28 games; GM Murray says everybody will be evaluated after the next four games. Fantasy Impact: We think it’s just a matter of time before ownership of the Panthers give both the Murray brothers their walking papers. If that happens, expect a change to bring in a very offensive minded coach to utilize the talents that populate the Panthers roster. Until then, you’ll just have to grin and bear it if you have Panthers on your team.

There is nothing new to report on the Mike Peca front in terms of movement. He and the Sabres are about a million dollars apart on what he should earn in a contract.

Seven weeks ago he requested that the Sabres trade him and he is not backing off of those trade demands.  "I just think the best thing for all sides would be a trade," Peca told the Ottawa Sun on Tuesday. "I just don't think that this would be a great place for me to continuing playing again. If I put on that sweater again, I don't see myself playing the same way I have in the past because of everything that's gone on here in the past few months."

Fantasy impact: For owners of Mike Peca, be prepared for a long tussle. Twelve teams have supposedly called the Sabres to try and shake Peca loose.  But so far GM Darcy Regier has not received an offer that he is satisfied with. You’ll remember that Peca did the same thing a few years back and did not return until about half way through the season. Our bet, is this is what will happen again. When Peca does come back he’ll be fresh and more than anxious to prove place as the Sabres spiritual leader. If he does sign, we’d trade him. The hype will be great and his potential impact never bigger. You’ll get a lot for Peca – way more than if he was actually playing.

Hogtown

Eric Lindros got the go ahead from doctor’s to resume his hockey playing career. Rumors abound that he wants to go an play in TO, and there is a lot of media pressure to send him there. Word has it that L.A. and also the New York Rangers having an interest in acquiring the big ‘E" - dangling If top prospect Jamie Lundmark and cash for the opportunity.

Fantasy Impact: We think the likelihood of Eric winding up in the Big Apple is next to zero. Clarke would be stapled to a torture rack if he were to trade Lindros to a team that the Flyers would have to compete with for a playoff spot. Toronto is a better choice, but we think the smart money is on L.A. or San Jose. Nothing will happen right away – unless Philly begins to fall out of contention for a playoff spot. Look for Eric to pack his bags and be on the move just before the trading deadline.

Maple Leafs' forward Dmitri Khristich was not in the lineup for the third straight game last week. And with Nik Antropov returning the chance of Khristich returning is not increasing any time soon.

Fantasy Impact: Hard for us to admit, but maybe Harry Sinden had something here in not giving into to Khristich’s demands two years ago. Quinn made the mistake of picking up Khristich and letting go Stevie Sullivan – who simply had played way larger than his 5’9’ frame would dictate. If you have Khristich, our advice is sit him on your reserve and ride it out. He’ll be moved at the deadline at the very least, but that won’t help you now. Regrettably, you won’t be able to get more than a bag of pucks for the guy right now.

After getting the call-up from his junior team, reports out of Long Island have New York Islanders head coach Butch Goring contemplating starting Rick Dipietro soon.

Fantasy Impact: The Isles number one 'keeper John Vanbiesbrouck injured his back on Monday forcing the team to call up the number one overall pick in this year's NHL entry draft.

 It is more than likely that Wade Flaherty will get the call though. The Beezer needs to [play himself out of a job – and so far this season, he has played pretty well.

Beantown

 Apparently injured goalie Byron Dafoe is getting close to returning as he skated for the first time since getting hurt early last week.

Fantasy Impact: Dafoe would be a welcome sight for a beleaguered Bruins squad. Petr Skudra has filled in admirably for Dafoe, but Sir Byron is the Bruins #1 netminder. Watch this close and wait to see how Dafoe plays when he gets back. Starting him right away could kill your goalie stats. The Bruins are brutal – with or without Dafoe. He’s good, but he is not in the Dominek Hasek category of being able to carry an entire team on is back.

Florida

The return of Ray Whitney, Viktor Kozlov and Igor Larionov is a welcome sight for Florida management. However the teams’ new adaptation of a defensive system has some players voicing displeasure. When his team started off the season with just one win in their first 15 games Florida coach Terry Murray switched to a more defensive system in order to compensate for a rash of injuries. The Panthers are now shooting the puck over the blue line rather than trying to carry the puck into the other team's end.

 "When you control the puck, you can make plays," Larionov told Sports reporters. "You have to take chances to have success. Then if you've got no play, that's when you chip it in.

Fantasy Impact: Florida is getting healthy and this team was designed to be a more offensive minded hockey team. The return of Whitney, Kovlov and Larionov is significant as the Panthers have been brutal since their departure. However, Pavel Bure, Whitney, Kozlov, Larionov and Robert Svhela are not going to buy into a defense first system. This one isn’t over yet gang. Look for the offense on Florida to continue to sputter as long as Murray keeps the reigns drawn on his thoroughbreds.
 
L.A.

The Los Angeles kings may soon be getting their top goaltender back.  Stephane Fiset who won 20 games for the Kings last season was activated off of the injured list and sent to the minors for conditioning stint.

Fantasy Impact: As soon as Fiset is back (our guess about a week to ten days), Storr becomes a solid back-up. Adjust your goalie outlook accordingly.