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Searching for diamonds in the rough

Friday, 09.04.2009 / 10:00 AM / Fantasy Games
By Rocky Bonanno  - NHL.com Staff Writer
Overtime: Rookies, Sleepers, etc.

Welcome to the fourth and final part of your preseason fantasy preparation class. I highly doubt that any of the players below are going to singlehandedly win you a fantasy championship, but some possess the skill to give your squad that little something extra that could be the difference between third and first place.

Funny how in my 2008 preview, Jaromir Jagr was listed among the players who signed to play in Europe last season, but this year I'm calling him a sleeper to gamble on late in your fantasy draft. Jagr is only the ninth-leading scorer in NHL history!

Of course, the list below is probably more miss than hit. Last season even highly experienced fantasy players expected little of or knew even less about goaltender Steve Mason, but he came out of nowhere to win the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year.

Want to dispute these rankings? Have a fantasy question you want answered? Want advice on a trade proposal, or have a hot tip you want to share with the NHL.com fantasy community? Write to fantasy@nhl.com and your question may be answered in the Fantasy Forecast.

IMPACT ROOKIES (Here are some first-year players who could provide a boost for your team. Not all are guaranteed to starting the season in the NHL, so continue to follow their training camp progress.)

Artem Anisimov, C, NY Rangers: The 21-year-old from Yaroslavl, Russia, placed fifth in the AHL in scoring last season, and 16 of his goals came on the power play. Anisimov (6-3, 187) recorded 21 multi-point games for Hartford. The No. 54 pick in the 2006 Entry Draft also appeared in one regular season and one playoff game with the Rangers.
2008-09, Hartford (AHL): 80 games, 37-44-81

Tyler Bozak, C, Toronto: The 23-year-old from Regina, Saskatchewan, played two seasons at the University of Denver. In 2008-09, Bozak (6-1, 180) missed half of the season recovering from a knee injury. In 60 career games with the Pioneers, he scored 26-31-57 with 32 penalty minutes. As a freshman in 2007-08, Bozak led Denver with 34 points. Before playing college hockey, he led the British Columbia Hockey League in scoring with 128 points in 2006-07 while playing for the Victoria Grizzlies.
2008-09, Denver (WCHA): 19 games, 8-15-23

John Carlson, D, Washington: The 19-year-old from Natick, Mass., was Washington's first-round pick, No. 27, in the 2008 Entry Draft. As a rookie with London of the OHL last season, he added 7-15-22 in 14 playoff contests. After the Knights were eliminated from the postseason, Carlson (6-3, 210) joined Hershey of the AHL and won a Calder Cup championship, scoring 2 goals in 16 playoff games. All indications are Capitals GM George McPhee will want Carlson to spend a full season in the AHL. However, at their July development camp, Caps coach Bruce Boudreau called Carlson "easily" the most NHL-ready of the organizations prospects. "You notice him out here right away," Boudreau told the Washington Post. "With his size and his strength, he's got the physical stature of an NHL player."
2008-09, London (OHL): 59 games, 16-60-76

Matt Duchene, C, Colorado: The 18-year-old from Haliburton, Ontario, was the No. 3 pick in the 2009 Entry Draft. In his second year with Brampton of the OHL, Duchene (5-11, 200) was third on the team in scoring, and he has 129 points in 121 career games. His 2008-09 season was highlighted by the OHL All-Star Classic, the CHL Top Prospects Game and a gold medal as captain of Team Canada at the Under-18 Ivan Hlinka tournament.
2008-09, Brampton (OHL): 59 games, 31-48-79

Angelo Esposito, C, Atlanta: The 20-year-old from Montreal was the No. 20 pick in the 2007 Entry Draft by Pittsburgh and was dealt to the Thrashers in the Marian Hossa trade. In four seasons in the QMJHL, Esposito (6-1, 180) totaled 120-168-288 in 208 games. He helped Canada win a gold medal at the 2009 World Junior Championships with 3 goals and 4 points in six games. "We have strong beliefs that he's going to play for our hockey club in the very near future and that's why we signed him in July," Atlanta GM Don Waddell told NHL.com.
2008-09, Montreal (QMJHL): 35 games, 24-18-42

Nikita Filatov, LW, Columbus: The 19-year-old from Moscow was the No. 6 pick in the 2008 Entry Draft. He began his North American pro career with Syracuse of the AHL last season but earned several call-ups to the Blue Jackets. With Syracuse, Filatov (6-0, 172) scored 16 goals and 32 points in 39 games but was also slowed by a leg injury. He scored a goal in his NHL debut and netted a hat trick in his sixth game with Columbus.
2008-09, Columbus: 8 games, 4-0-4

Matt Gilroy, D, NY Rangers: The 25-year-old from North Bellmore, N.Y., signed as an undrafted free agent after winning the 2009 Hobey Baker Award as the top collegiate player in the United States. Gilroy (6-2, 205) also captained Boston University to the NCAA championship and was named a First Team All-American. In 160 career games, he scored 25 goals and 92 points.
2008-09, Boston U. (Hockey East): 45 games, 8-29-37

Christian Hanson, C, Toronto: The 23-year-old from Vanetia, Penn., joined the Maple Leafs after completing his four-year career at the University of Notre Dame. In 2008-09, Hanson (6-4, 228) scored a career-high 31 points (16 goals, 15 assists) with 28 penalty minutes in 37 games. In 140 career games with the Fighting Irish, Hanson recorded 64 points (36 goals, 28 assists) and 123 penalty minutes.
2008-09, Toronto: 5 games, 1-1-2

Cody Hodgson, C, Vancouver: The 19-year-old from Toronto was the No. 10 pick in the 2008 Entry Draft. He earned a slew of honors last season, including Most Outstanding Player and Most Gentlemanly Player in the Ontario Hockey League, and Canadian Major Junior Player of the Year. Hodgson (6-0, 185) was also a member of Canada's gold medal-winning squad in the World Junior Championships, leading the tournament in scoring with 16 points (5 goals, 11 assists) in six games. He completed the season by appearing in 11 playoff games for AHL Manitoba, scoring 2 goals and 6 points. A back issue may limit Hodgson during training camp, so follow reports on his health.
2008-09, Brampton (OHL): 53 games, 43-49-92

Evander Kane, C, Atlanta: The 18-year-old from Vancouver was the No. 4 pick in the 2009 Entry Draft. Playing for Vancouver, Kane (6-1, 176) was second in the WHL in scoring last season, and he added 7-8-15 in 17 playoff games. He also appeared in the 2009 CHL Top Prospects game and scored 2 goals and 6 points in six games to help Canada win the World Junior Championships.
2008-09, Vancouver (WHL): 61 games, 48-48-96

Erik Karlsson, D, Ottawa: The 19-year-old from Landsbro, Sweden, was the No. 15 pick in the 2008 Entry Draft. Karlsson (5-11, 165) played the last two seasons with Frolunda HC of the Swedish Elite League, totaling 6-5-11 in 52 games. In 2008-09, he was voted the top defenseman at the World Junior Championships with 2 goals and 9 points in six games for Sweden.
2008-09, Frolunda HC Goteborg (Sweden): 45 games, 5-5-10

Tyler Myers, D, Buffalo: The 19-year-old from Houston was the No. 12 pick in the 2008 Entry Draft. In four seasons with Kelowna of the WHL, Myers (6-8, 220) scored 17 goals and 77 points in 191 games. In 2008-09, he scored a career-high in points and was a plus-31. Myers was named MVP of the WHL playoffs. He also won a gold medal with Canada at the World Junior Championships. "I'm going to come into camp this year working for a spot on the team," Myers said during Buffalo's summer development camp. "I'm going to do everything I can on and off the ice."
2008-09, Kelowna (WHL): 58 games, 9-33-42

Bobby Sanguinetti, D, NY Rangers: The 21-year-old from Trenton, N.J., was the No. 21 pick in the 2006 Entry Draft. Last season, Sanguinetti (6-3, 190) was second among all AHL rookie defensemen in scoring. He led the Wolf Pack in postseason scoring with 1-4-5 in six games.
2008-09, Hartford (AHL): 78 games, 6-26-42

Sergei Shirokov, RW, Vancouver: The 23-year-old from Moscow signed with the Canucks last month after being suspended for year from the Russian KHL. Shirokov (5-10, 176) was selected No. 163 in the 2006 Entry Draft and is said to have the skill of a top-six forward, but has never played regularly in North America and may first head to the American Hockey League for experience. Last season he was second on CSKA Moscow in scoring.
2008-09, CSKA Moscow (Russia): 56 games, 17-23-40

P.K. Subban, D, Montreal: The 20-year-old from Toronto was the No. 43 pick in the 2007 Entry Draft. Last season, Subban (6-0, 202) was tied for second in points among OHL defensemen and had the league's fifth best plus/minus differential with a plus-47. He was runner-up for the Max Kaminsky Award as OHL's Most Outstanding Defenseman. Subban added 15 points in 17 playoff games, and he scored 3 goals and 9 points in six games to help Canada win gold at the 2009 World Junior Championships.
2008-09, Belleville (OHL): 56 games, 14-62-76

Eric Tangradi, LW, Pittsburgh: The 20-year-old from Philadelphia was acquired last February in Ryan Whitney-Chris Kunitz trade. Tangradi (6-4, 221) finished eighth in the Ontario Hockey League in regular season scoring, and added 8 goals and 21 points in 16 playoff games before suffering a hand injury. In 176 career games in the OHL, he has 67 goals, 168 points, and 130 penalty minutes. Tangradi also represented the U.S. at the 2009 World Junior Championships in Ottawa, scoring a goal and 3 points in six games.
2008-09, Belleville (OHL): 55 games, 38-50-88

James van Riemsdyk, LW, Philadelphia: The 20-year-old from Middletown, N.J., was the No. 2 pick of the 2007 Entry Draft. Van Riemsdyk (6-3, 205) played the past two seasons as the University of New Hampshire, totaling 28-46-74 in 67 games. Following his 2008-09 college season, he played seven games in the AHL, scoring a goal and 2 points. A product of the United States Under-18 Development Program, van Riemsdyk has also participated in three World Junior Championships.
2008-09, New Hampshire (Hockey East): 36 games, 17-23-40

Ivan Vishnevskiy, D, Dallas: The 21-year-old from Barnaul, Russia, is on the bubble to make the Stars out of training camp, but Vishnevskiy could be an in season call-up, as he was twice last season. The No. 27 pick in the 2006 Entry Draft went 6-13-19 in 67 games with Peoria last season. Previously, Vishnevskiy (5-11, 176) scored 44-100-144 in three seasons with Rouyn-Noranda of the QMJHL.
2008-09, Dallas: 3 games, 0-2-2

Yannick Weber, D, Montreal: The Morges, Switzerland, native turns 21 on Sept. 23 and is projected as a power play specialist. In a late-season game on April 9, Weber, making his second career NHL appearance, recorded his first career point with an assist and received 15:35 of ice time from GM/coach Bob Gainey, with some of the playing time coming as a forward on the power play in overtime, suggesting he has a bright future with the Canadiens.
2008-09, Montreal: 3 games, 0-1-1

Colin Wilson, C, Nashville: The 19-year-old from Greenwich, Connecticut was the No. 7 pick in the 2008 Entry Draft and is the son of former NHLer Carey Wilson. He helped Boston University win the 2008-09 NCAA Championship as a sophomore. Wilson (6-1, 213) finished second in the nation in assists and points, was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, and was presented with USA Hockey's College Player of the Year award.
2008-09, Boston U. (Hockey East): 43 games, 17-38-55

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SLEEPERS (Players to target late in your fantasy draft that could surprise)

  KARL ALZNER
  D - WASHINGTON


G-A-P: 1-4-5
+/-: -1 | PIM: 2 | PP: 0

WATCH ›
Karl Alzner, D, Washington: The No. 5 selection in the 2007 Entry Draft will turn 21 during training camp. Last season, he made the jump from juniors to the AHL and even earned a handful of call-ups to the Caps. Alzner went 4-16-20 in 48 games for Hershey. Previously, the former Canadian Major Junior Defenseman of the Year totaled 19-98-117 in 260 games for Calgary of the WHL.
2008-09, Washington: 30 games, 1-4-5

Johan Backlund, G, Philadelphia: The 28-year-old free agent signee from Skelleftea, Sweden, will be playing in North America for the first time. In five career seasons in the Swedish Elite League with Timra and Leksands IF, Backlund (6-2, 198) has a career 2.54 goals against average, .908 save percentage and 19 shutouts in 287 games. "Johan is a player we've watched over the last couple years and we really like," Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said. "Our guys really like Backlund," said Chris Pryor, director of hockey operations for the Flyers on May 20 to Comcast SportsNet.com. "We don't see it any different than a couple years ago when Minnesota signed [Niklas] Backstrom. Backstrom came over here and look where he is now."
2008-09, Timra IK (Sweden): 49 games, 4 SO, 2.56 GAA, .907 SV%

  BRIAN BOYLE
  C - NY RANGERS


G-A-P: 4-1-5
+/-: -9 | PIM: 42 | PP: 0

WATCH ›
Brian Boyle, C, NY Rangers: The 24-year-old from Hingham, Mass., was a former hometown star at Boston College and the No. 26 pick in the 2003 Entry Draft. After scoring twice in only 11:11 and playing a physical game on April 4 against Phoenix, coach Terry Murray told the Los Angeles Times, "Boyle needs to show the kind of game he showed tonight. Take away the two goals: Show the intensity, show the board play, show the pursuit. Make plays. He needs to be that player, play with an attitude. Then the talent comes out." In 114 career AHL games, Boyle (6-7, 252) scored 41 goals and 83 points. His NHL career consists of 8-2-10 in 36 games. Boyle was acquired by the Rangers in a trade on June 27 in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft.
2008-09, Los Angeles: 28 games, 4-1-5

David Clarkson, RW, New Jersey: The 25-year-old from Toronto plays with a chip on his shoulder and his rough and tumble feistiness makes him a Prudential Center fan favorite. Last season, Clarkson (6-1, 200) displayed a scoring touch that made him a third line mainstay and may earn him some more playing time. Once upon a time in the OHL, Clarkson scored 33 goals in 51 games with Kitchener, but his grit is what keeps him in the NHL. Last season he was 10th in the NHL with 164 penalty minutes, and was one of seven players to record 20 or more major penalties.
2008-09, New Jersey: 82 games, 17-15-32

  PATRICK EAVES
  RW - DETROIT


G-A-P: 6-8-14
+/-: 7 | PIM: 31 | PP: 1

WATCH ›
Patrick Eaves, RW, Detroit: The 25-year-old from Calgary was once a first-round pick of Ottawa in 2003 who netted 20 goals in only 58 games in his rookie season of 2005-06. Since then, Eaves has added only 25 more goals to his ledger in 184 games. A concussion and a shoulder injury limited Eaves to only 37 games in his third season, which included a trade to Carolina. "His first two years in the League he was great and then he got injured, and he's never really reached his potential," assistant GM Jim Nill told the Detroit Free Press. "We want to get him in a structured environment. He plays hard. He scored 20 goals as a rookie. We look at him as a Dan Cleary."
2008-09, Carolina: 74 games, 6-8-14

Eric Fehr, RW, Washington: The 24-year-old from Winkler, Manitoba, was the No. 18 pick in the 2003 Entry Draft. In 2008-09 he posted NHL career-highs in games and all offensive categories thanks to a big month of February when Fehr went 7-4-11 in 13 games. Fehr (6-4, 212) had five multiple-point games, and the Caps were 10-1-1 when he scored a goal and 16-3-1 when Fehr recorded a point.
2008-09, Washington: 61 games, 12-13-25

Jaromir Jagr, RW, Free Agent: Hey, you never know. The 37-year-old former Hart and Art Ross Trophy winner played in Russia last season and scored 25 goals and 53 points in 55 games for Avangard Omsk. At the end of the season he joined the Czech Republic in the World Championships and went 3-6-9 in seven games. During the tournament, Jagr, who has one more season remaining on his Russian contract, told reporters that if he returned to the NHL, his first choice would be to join Edmonton. Last season, the Oilers attempted to work a deal to acquire Jagr from Avangard Omsk, but could not secure his release.
2008-09, Avangard Omsk (Russia): 55 games, 25-28-53

Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup Champs GearMikael Johansson, C, Montreal: The 24-year-old free agent signee from Arvika, Sweden, will be playing in North America for the first time on a two-way contract. Last season, Johansson (5-10, 176) helped Farjestads BK Karlstad win the Swedish Elite League title, scoring 1-3-4 in 11 playoff games. In four seasons with Farjestads, he went 29-66-95 in 203 games. Johansson was originally drafted No. 289 by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2003 Entry Draft, but did not sign.
2008-09, Farjestads BK Karlstad (Sweden): 49 games, 6-28-34

Ryan Keller, C, Ottawa: The 25-year-old free agent signee from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, signed a one-year, two-way contract to return to North America for the first time since 2006-07. Keller (5-10, 186) spent the last two seasons with the Espoo Blues of the Finnish SM-Liiga. He led the team in goals, assists and points last season. Keller's two-year totals are 43-56-99 in 101 games. Prior playing in Finland, he spent parts of two seasons in the American Hockey League, totaling 15-17-32 in 70 games with Grand Rapids and Syracuse. Keller played his junior hockey with Saskatoon of the WHL (2001-2005).
2008-09, Espoo Blues (Finland): 54 games, 21-34-55

Guillaume Latendresse, RW, Montreal: The 22-year-old from the Montreal suburb of Sainte-Catherine is already a three-year veteran and a promising power forward that brings grit to Montreal's lineup. Latendresse (6-2, 230) has been used from the first to the fourth line and isn't afraid to dig for goals in front of the net or spark his teammates with a big hit, so he'll get you penalty minutes as well. He has averaged 15 goals and 27 points since 2006-07.
2008-09, Montreal: 56 games, 14-12-26

  VILLE LEINO
  LW - DETROIT


G-A-P: 5-4-9
+/-: 5 | PIM: 6 | PP: 0

WATCH ›
Ville Leino, LW, Detroit: The 25-year-old Finn spent his first pro season in North America in 2008-09. Playing mostly with Grand Rapids of the AHL, he scored 15 goals and 46 points in 57 games. "Leino just has a knack to score," coach Mike Babcock told the Detroit Free Press. "It doesn't appear to matter who we play Leino with, he's going to score." Leino (6-0, 182) was the 2007-08 Finnish League MVP for scoring 28-49-77 in 55 games with Jokerit Helsinki. In six Finnish League seasons, he scored 69 goals and 136 assists for 205 points in 294 career games.
2008-09, Detroit: 13 games, 5-4-9

Juraj Mikus, C, Los Angeles: The 22-year-old was signed in July after he finished second in scoring in the Slovakian Extraliga last season while playing on a line with former NHL player Zigmund Palffy. Mikus, who has played five seasons in Slovakia's top league, was selected by Montreal in the fourth round, No. 121, of the 2005 Entry Draft but did not sign. He previously spent one season in North America with Chicoutimi of the QMJHL, scoring 29 goals and 71 points in 60 games in 2006-07. Mikus (6-1, 200) participated in the Kings annual development camp. Note: when searching for Mikus on your draft board, don't confuse him with the Toronto defense prospect by the same name.
2008-09, HK 36 Skalica (Slovakia): 56 games, 31-59-90

  TORREY MITCHELL
  C - SAN JOSE


G-A-P: 0-0-0 (playoffs)

WATCH ›
Torrey Mitchell, C, San Jose: The 24-year-old from Greenfield Park, Quebec, missed the entire regular season with a broken leg after being named San Jose's 2007-08 rookie of the year (82 games, 10-10-20). Mitchell (5-11, 190) did appear in two rehab games with AHL Worcester and scored a goal, and he appeared in the postseason with the Sharks. He is projected to center the third line and brings energy to a team infamous for its lackluster play. The former University of Vermont star is also a tenacious penalty killer.
2008-09, San Jose (playoffs): 4 games, 0-0-0

Teddy Purcell, RW, Los Angeles: The 24-year-old from St. John's, Newfoundland, was the 2007-08 AHL Rookie of the Year with 25-58-83 in 67 games. He split last season between Los Angeles and Manchester (38 games, 16-22-38), and should win a full-time role with the Kings in his third pro season. Purcell (6-3, 202) was at his best late in the season, scoring 3-6-9 in his final 20 games with Los Angeles.
2008-09, Los Angeles: 40 games, 4-12-16

  ANSSI SALMELA
  D - ATLANTA


G-A-P: 1-5-6
+/-: 1 | PIM: 8 | PP: 1

WATCH ›
Anssi Salmela, D, Atlanta: The 25-year-old from Nokia, Finland, came to North America last season as an undrafted free agent with New Jersey and was traded to Atlanta for veteran Niclas Havelid on March 2. "He is a guy we wanted to get, and he showed us exactly what we wanted to see," Thrashers GM Don Waddell said. "He's a high-end skill player, and we wanted to move forward with him." In nine games with Atlanta, Salmela (6-1, 200) scored a goal and 2 assists. Salmela also played 40 games in the AHL last season, scoring 8 goals and 24 points.
2008-09, New Jersey and Atlanta: 26 games, 1-5-6

Jiri Tlusty, LW, Toronto: The 21-year-old from Slany, Czech Republic, has been in the Maple Leafs' system for three seasons and is over a point a game for his AHL career, scoring 35-53-88 in 86 games. Last season he was second on the Toronto Marlies in scoring with 25-41-66 in 66 games. The Maple Leafs are a rugged team and not deep in creative offensive types, so Tlusty has a great opportunity at hand, or at least figures to be a frequent call-up.
2008-09, Toronto: 14 games, 0-4-4

Radim Vrbata, RW, Phoenix: The 28-year-old Czech returns to the NHL for his second stint with the Coyotes, whom he played for in 2007-08 and recorded career-highs across the board with 27-29-56 in 76 games. Vrbata (6-1, 190) then signed as a free agent with Tampa Bay and performed poorly, leading to his reassignment with a Czech League team. Phoenix reacquired Vrbata in July.
2008-09, Tampa Bay: 18 games, 3-4-6; 2008-09, Mlada Boleslav & Liberec (Czech Republic): 18 games, 12-5-17

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LOOKING FOR WORK (These fantasy-useful veteran players were not on an active roster at the start of training camp)

Maxim Afinogenov, RW; Marc-Andre Bergeron, D; Kyle Calder, LW; Marc Denis, G; Manny Fernandez, G; Curtis Joseph, G; Olaf Kolzig, G; Robert Lang, C; Manny Legace, G; Manny Malhotra, C; Dominic Moore, C; Rob Niedermayer, C; Michael Peca, C; Miroslav Satan, RW; Mats Sundin, C; Kevin Weekes, G.

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EUROPEAN IMPORTS (Former draft picks and undrafted free agents who played in Europe last season and have signed with NHL teams)

Andres Ambuhl (F), HC Davos (Switzerland) to NY Rangers
Johan Backlund (G), Timra IK (Sweden) to Philadelphia
Jonathan Carlsson (D), Brynas IF Gavle (Sweden) to Chicago
Evgeni Dadonov (RW), Traktor Chelyabinsk (Russia) to Florida
Ben Eaves (C), Espoo Blues (Finland) to Nashville
Andreas Engqvist (C), Djurgardens IF Stockholm (Sweden) to Montreal
Robin Figren (LW), Djurgardens IF Stockholm (Sweden) to NY Islanders
Carl Gunnarsson (D), Linkopings HC (Sweden) to Toronto
Anton Gustafsson (F), Frolunda HC Goteborg (Sweden) to Washington
Jonas Gustavsson (G), Farjestads BK Karlstad (Sweden) to Toronto
Victor Hedman (D), MODO Hockey Ornskoldsvik (Sweden) to Tampa Bay
Ilkka Heikkinen (D), HIFK Helsinki (Finland) to NY Rangers
Mikael Johansson (F), Farjestads BK Karlstad (Sweden) to Montreal
Erik Karlsson (D), Frolunda HC Goteborg (Sweden) to Ottawa
Henrik Karlsson (G), Farjestads BK Karlstad (Sweden) to San Jose
Ryan Keller (F), Espoo Blues (Finland) to Ottawa
Mikko Koskinen (G), Espoo Blues (Finland) to NY Islanders
Milan Kytnar (C), Topolcany (Slovakia) to Saskatoon (WHL) to Edmonton
Philip Larsen (D), Frolunda HC Goteborg (Sweden) to Dallas
Juraj Mikus (D), Dukla Trencin (Slovakia) to Toronto
Juraj Mikus (F), HK 36 Skalica (Slovakia) to Los Angeles
Johan Motin (D), Farjestads BK Karlstad (Sweden) to Edmonton
Ilkka Pikkarainen (F), HIFK Helsinki (Finland) to New Jersey
Toni Rajala (RW), Ilves Tampere (Finland) to Edmonton
Alexander Salak (G), TPS Turku (Finland) to Florida
Sergei Shirokov (RW/LW), CSKA Moscow (Russia) to Vancouver
Viktor Stalberg (F), Frolunda (Sweden) to Vermont (Hockey East) to Toronto
Mikhail Stefanovich (F), Gomel (Belarus) to Quebec (QMJHL) to Toronto

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BACK FROM EUROPE (These former NHLers are back after a sabbatical in Europe)

Drew Bannister (D), Kassel Huskies (Germany) to Ottawa
Andy Chiodo (G), Dynamo Minsk (Russia) to Ottawa
Andy Delmore (D), Hamburg Freezers (Germany) to Detroit
Joe DiPenta (D), Frolunda HC Goteborg (Sweden) to Buffalo
Ray Emery (G), Atlant Mytishchi (Russia) to Philadelphia
Bryce Lampman (D), Amur Khabarovsk (Russia) to St. Louis Blues
Steve McCarthy (D), Salavat Yulaev Ufa (Russia) to Anaheim
Duncan Milroy (RW), ERC Ingolstadt (Germany) to Minnesota
Hannu Toivonen (G), Ilves Tampere (Finland) to St. Louis
Lauri Tukonen (RW), Lukko Rauma (Finland) to Tampa Bay
Rickard Wallin (C), Farjestads BK Karlstad (Sweden) to Toronto

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OFF TO EUROPE (These players have bid the NHL farewell for the time being)

Jean-Sebastien Aubin (G), Philadelphia to Dusseldorfer EG Metro Stars (Germany)
P.J Axelsson (LW), Boston to Frolunda HC Goteborg (Sweden)
Radek Bonk (C), Nashville to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (Russia)
Jeremy Colliton (C), NY Islanders to Rogle BK (Sweden)
Sergei Fedorov (C), Washington to Metallurg Magnitogorsk (Russia)
Martin Gerber (G), Toronto to Atlant Mytischy (Russia)
Jeff Hamilton (C), Toronto to HC Lugano (Switzerland)
Niclas Havelid (D), New Jersey to Linkopings HC (Sweden)
Jiri Hudler (C), Detroit to Dynamo Moscow (Russia)
Mike Iggulden (C), NY Islanders to Dynamo Riga (Russia)
Connor James (LW), Pittsburgh to Augsburger Panther (Germany)
Frantisek Kaberle (D), Carolina to HC Kladno (Czech Republic)
Dmitri Kalinin (D), Phoenix to Salavat Yulayev Ufa (Russia)
Viktor Kozlov (C), Washington to Salavat Yulayev Ufa (Russia)
Per Ledin (LW), Colorado to HV 71 Jonkoping (Sweden)
Joakim Lindstrom (C), Phoenix to Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (Russia)
Joel Lundqvist (D), Dallas to Frolunda HC Goteborg (Sweden)
Lasse Kukkonen (D), Philadelphia to Avangard Omsk (Russia)
Craig MacDonald (C), Columbus to Dusseldorfer EG Metro Stars (Germany)
Kurtis McLean (RW), NY Islanders to Lukko Rauma (Finland)
Josef Melichar (D), Tampa Bay to HC Mountfield Ceske Budejovice (Czech Republic)
Tomas Mojzis (D), Minnesota to MODO Ornskoldsvik (Sweden)
Joe Motzko (RW), Atlanta to HC MVD Moscow (Russia)
Alexander Nikulin (F), Phoenix to CSKA Moscow (Russia)
Jiri Novotny (C), Columbus to Atlant Mytischy (Russia)
Ville Peltonen (LW), Florida to Dynamo Minsk (Russia)
Eric Perrin (C), Atlanta to Avangard Omsk (Russia)
Janne Pesonen (LW), Pittsburgh to Ak Bars Kazan (Russia)
Jakub Petruzalek (C), Carolina to Lukko Rauma (Finland)
Antti Pihlstrom (LW), Nashville to Farjestads BK Karlstad (Sweden)
Tomas Plihal (C), San Jose to TPS Turku (Finland)
Thomas Pock (D), NY Islanders to Rapperswill-Jona Lakers (Switzerland)
Karri Ramo (G), Tampa Bay to Avangard Omsk (Russia)
Steve Regier (LW), St. Louis to Salzburg (Austria)
Erik Reitz (D), to Toronto Sibir Novosibirsk (Russia)
Radek Smolenak (LW), Tampa Bay to Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk (Russia)
Janis Sprukts (C), Florida to Dynamo Riga (Russia)
Tobias Stephan (G), Dallas to HC Geneve-Servette (Switzerland)
Mikael Tellqvist (G), Buffalo to Ak Bars Kazan (Russia)
Daniel Tjarnqvist (D), Colorado to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (Russia)
Ossi Vaananen (D), Vancouver to HC Dynamo Minsk (Russia)
Petr Vrana (LW), New Jersey to HC Vitkovice (Czech Republic)
Marek Zagrapan (C), Buffalo to Severstal Cherepovets (Russia)
Richard Zednik (RW), Florida to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (Russia)
Nikolai Zherdev (RW), NY Rangers to Atlant Mytischy (Russia)
Sergei Zubov (D), Dallas to SKA St. Petersburg (Russia)

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TRAINING CAMP INVITES (These players are in training camp with no contract and no guarantees.)

Maxim Afinogenov, RW, by Atlanta; Jason Allison, C, by Toronto; Christian Backman, D, by Florida; Shawn Bates, C, by Colorado; Ryan Bayda, LW, by St. Louis; Mark Bell, LW, by Philadelphia; Blair Betts, C, by Philadelphia; Kyle Calder, LW, by Anaheim; Dan Cloutier, G, by Detroit; Jassen Cullimore, D, by Anaheim; Mathieu Dandenault, RW, by San Jose; Theoren Fleury, RW, by Calgary; Dan Fritsche, C, by Atlanta; Andy Hilbert, C, by Minnesota; Dan Hinote, RW, by San Jose; Robert Lang, C, by Montreal; Manny Legace, G, by Atlanta; Manny Malhotra, C, by San Jose; Mike McKenna, G, by New Jersey; Kyle McLaren, D, by NY Rangers; Mark Parrish, RW, by Vancouver; Andrew Peters, LW, by New Jersey; Dave Scatchard, C, by Vancouver; Martin Skoula, D, by Florida; Darryl Sydor, D, by St. Louis; Petr Sykora, RW, by Minnesota.

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HANGING UP THEIR SKATES (Players who have retired since the end of last season. Wish them well and cross them out on your draft lists.)

Philippe Boucher, D, Pittsburgh; Patrice Brisebois, D, Montreal; Derian Hatcher, D, Philadelphia; Brett Hedican, D, Anaheim; Bobby Holik, C, New Jersey; Chad Kilger, LW, Florida; Olaf Kolzig, G, Toronto; Claude Lemieux, RW, San Jose; Markus Naslund, LW, NY Rangers; Teppo Numminen, D, Buffalo; Scott Parker, RW, Colorado; Jeremy Roenick, C, San Jose; Joe Sakic, C, Colorado, Mike Sillinger, C, NY Islanders; Jason Smith, D, Ottawa.

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COACHING CHANGES (Moves behind the bench since the end of the 2008-09 regular season. Will these men influence your draft-day selections?)

Calgary Flames: Mike Keenan replaced by Brent Sutter
Colorado Avalanche: Tony Granato replaced by Joe Sacco
Dallas Stars: Dave Tippett replaced by Marc Crawford
Edmonton Oilers: Craig MacTavish replaced by Pat Quinn
Minnesota Wild: Jacques Lemaire replaced by Todd Richards
Montreal Canadiens: Bob Gainey (interim) replaced by Jacques Martin
New Jersey Devils: Brent Sutter replaced by Jacques Lemaire








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