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Fantasy Updates
  Timonen's ankle could keep him out a while
Kimmo Timonen, D PHI
News: Flyers D Kimmo Timonen has a blood clot in his ankle says he isn't certain when he can play again, but has been told he shouldn't expect to come back the rest of the playoffs. "They said it might be two weeks, it might be two months, it might be five months," Timonen said. "It's really individual how the blood thinners are working, and we'll see. We're going to do the checkup every week and see how if it's any smaller or is it any better, and then we'll go from there."
Analysis: Timonen had a bit of a disappointing season, offensively, but he scored over 50 points in his previous two campaigns and has the skills to be a No. 1 Fantasy defenseman in all all formats. Track his progress during the offseason and heading into your 2008-09 draft.
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Halpern suffers serious knee injury
Jeff Halpern, C TB
News: Tampa Bay Lightning C Jeff Halpern ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the World Championships on Tuesday and is expected to be sidelined until late December or early January. Halpern also sprained the medial collateral ligament and suffered a small tear to the lateral meniscus during the United States' 5-4 loss to Canada in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Lightning GM Jay Feaster said doctors recommended Halpern wait 4 to 6 weeks to allow the MCL to heal before undergoing reconstructive surgery on the ACL. The operation will require an additional 5 to 6 months recovery time. Halpern flew from Halifax to Washington, D.C., where he was examined Wednesday by Dr. Benjamin Shaffer, who also performed surgery on Halpern's left knee to repair a torn ACL in 2002.
Analysis: Ouch. Not only is Halpern out for at least the first three months of next season, he has to hobble around on a torn ACL for 4-6 weeks until he can have surgery on it. The center had 20 goals and 22 assists for 42 points last season, totals that make him a low-end Fantasy forward in deeper formats. He wasn't likely to be drafted anyway heading into the 2008-09 season, so ignore him until probably the new year.
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Jagr says Rangers are 'No. 1 option'
Jaromir Jagr, RW NYR
News: Jaromir Jagr entered his season-ending exit interview not knowing if it would be his last act with the New York Rangers. Two days after the Rangers were eliminated with an overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round of the playoffs, Jagr stood in front of his stall Tuesday and did his best to explain what the future holds. Nearly a half-hour later, there were still no concrete answers from the free-agent-to-be. I don't have 30 teams to choose from," the New York captain said. "First, I am going to talk to the Rangers. That's the number one option for me. They gave me a chance to show everybody I still can play hockey. Everybody doubted me when I was playing in Washington for whatever reason."
Analysis: There has been speculation Jagr might return to Russia to play, as he did during the 2004-05 lockout, but he has never suggested he willingly wants to end an NHL career that began with Pittsburgh in 1990. The only question is how long Jagr will continue to put in the nearly year-around conditioning work that is important in a league where an increasing number of top players are far younger than him? While Jagr's regular season was up and down -- his 71 points in 82 games were the fewest he's had since getting 70 in 48 games with Pittsburgh during the labor dispute-shortened 1994-95 season -- he appeared to redeem himself with Rangers fans with his strong postseason. That will certainly jack his Fantasy value up on Draft Day 2008 as well. Jagr is still a high-end Fantasy forward, just not a must-have anymore.
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Avery should make full recovery
Sean Avery, LW NYR
News: Rangers LW Sean Avery, who is expected to make a full recovery, was released from St. Vincent's on Sunday. He'll report for the Rangers' break-up meetings today in the wake of the second-round five-game elimination by Pittsburgh that was sealed by Marian Hossa's offside-enabled OT goal Sunday afternoon."I was writing my will that first night," Avery told The Post by phone Monday. "I was in bad shape. I was nervous. I was trying not to think about it. "I thought I was done. I feel 1,000 times better now; I feel great," said Avery. "I was checked today, there are no infections, my blood is good and I'm due for another exam on Thursday. I feel like I could play tonight, but unfortunately there's no game."
Analysis: Avery, set to be an unrestricted free agent after this season, is known for pushing the envelope on the ice and off it. While with the Red Wings, Kings and Rangers, he has made an art form of riling opponents. Avery, who had a 154 penalty minutes this season, also managed 30-plus points for a third straight season. He is a solid two-way player, but will be a low-end Fantasy forward come Draft Day 2008.
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Gaborik has successful hip surgery
Marian Gaborik, RW MIN
News: Minnesota Wild star winger Marian Gaborik had minor arthroscopic surgery on his right hip on Friday to relieve "irritation" that bothered him for most of the season. The surgery was performed at Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colo., and the team expects Gaborik to be ready for training camp. The surgery was to repair a torn labrum and relieve some pressure on Gaborik's hip. The injury will keep him from playing for Slovakia in this month's hockey world championships. Gaborik, who is entering the final year of his contract, will spend 10 days to two weeks in Colorado and then return to the Twin Cities to continue his rehabilitation, Wild general manager Doug Risebrough said.
Analysis: Risebrough said Gaborik felt "irritation" nearly all of last season, when he scored a career-high 42 goals, including five in one game against the New York Rangers. But Gaborik decided to play through it and said it didn't affect him in the playoffs, when he was held without a goal in a six-game loss to Colorado in the opening round. "It was just more of an irritation," Risebrough said. "It wasn't affecting his skating, and he skated well in the series." Gaborik's desire and work ethic has sometimes been called into question, but never has his talent. He is one of the best skaters in the NHL and is coming off a career-best 83-point season. Injuries have been a problem at times for Gaborik over his career, but he should be able to go by training camp. He will be an elite Fantasy forward come Draft Day 2008.
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Ott signs new deal with Stars
Steve Ott, C DAL
News: The Dallas Stars signed center Steve Ott to a two-year contract worth $2.85 million on Tuesday night. The 25-year-old Ott's contract was set to expire after the season. He is signed through the 2009-10 season. The new deal was announced during Dallas' playoff game against the San Jose Sharks.
Analysis: Ott scored a career-high 11 goals this season and equaled a career-best with 22 points. Ott, who has 67 points in 273 career games, has two goals in Dallas' playoff run. Ott is a low-end Fantasy flier and someone to consider in leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
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Ovechkin in the mix for MVP
Alex Ovechkin, LW WAS
News: Calgary Flames right wing Jarome Iginla, Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin and Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin are the three finalists for the Hart Trophy that is awarded to the NHL's most valuable player. The finalists were announced Tuesday by the NHL. The winner will be announced June 12 at the NHL awards ceremony in Toronto.
Analysis: Ovechkin won the scoring title with 112 points and also led the league with 65 goals. He has to be the clear-cut favorite for the Hart Trophy since he shattered the left wing record for goals in a season. The Capitals have Ovechkin signed for the next 13 seasons and he could be a start in this league for that long. He will be a top Fantasy selection on Draft Day 2008.
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Malkin in final three for Hart
Evgeni Malkin, C PIT
News: Calgary Flames right wing Jarome Iginla, Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin and Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin are the three finalists for the Hart Trophy that is awarded to the NHL's most valuable player. The finalists were announced Tuesday by the NHL. The winner will be announced June 12 at the NHL awards ceremony in Toronto.
Analysis: Malkin was second in scoring with 106 points. He really came on in January when Sidney Crosby went down with an ankle injury and was a huge catalyst in getting Pittsburgh the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Malkin is going to be a start in the NHL for years to come and will be a must-have Fantasy option on Draft Day 2008.
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Iginla up for MVP award
Jarome Iginla, RW CGY
News: Calgary Flames right wing Jarome Iginla, Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin and Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin are the three finalists for the Hart Trophy that is awarded to the NHL's most valuable player. The finalists were announced Tuesday by the NHL. The winner will be announced June 12 at the NHL awards ceremony in Toronto.
Analysis: Iginla, a Hart Trophy finalist for the third time, had 50 goals and 48 assists to rank third in the NHL in both categories. It was the second time he had reached the 50-goal mark, and the 98 points were a career best. Iginla fell two points shy of his first 100-point season, but now has 90-plus points in two straight campaigns and three times in his career. It's hard to believe that Iginla has been in the league for 11 seasons, and some might believe he could be on the down swing of his career, but that's not necessarily true. Mats Sundin continues to play at a high level after many years in the NHL, so it is possible for a player like Iginla to sustain his torrid pace. We like Iginla as a top Fantasy forward heading into the 2008-09 season.
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Smyth out with foot injury
Ryan Smyth, LW COL
News: The Colorado Avalanche expect to have center Peter Forsberg and defenseman Scott Hannan back for Game 3 against the Detroit Red Wings, but forward Ryan Smyth is out with a foot injury. Quenneville said Smyth might have been injured when he blocked a shot in Game 2. His absence is another serious blow to the banged-up Avalanche, who have been without winger Wojtek Wolski since he suffered what appeared to be a shoulder injury that knocked him out of Game 1.
Analysis: Smyth was limited to 55 games in his first season with the Avs thanks to an ankle injury that sidelined him for a few months. He finished with 37 points -- his lowest total since 1998-98 (31). Smyth should be in for a better 2008-09 season in Colorado as long as he can stay healthy. Look to him as a No. 4 or No. 5 Fantasy forward on Draft Day.
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Ducks keep Carter in the fold
Ryan Carter, C ANA
News: Center Ryan Carter, who appeared in 34 games for Anaheim as a rookie this past season, signed a three-year contract with the Ducks. The Ducks originally signed Carter as a free agent out of Minnesota State University in the summer of 2006. Terms of his new contract were not disclosed Tuesday.
Analysis: The 24-year-old Carter had four goals and four assists, with 36 penalty minutes. He scored his first NHL goals on Feb. 8 against New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur, with his goals less than 8 minutes apart leading Anaheim to a 2-1 win. He could be a key contributor in 2008-09, but were not sure in what capacity. He is more of a long-term Fantasy keeper at this time.
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Forsberg scratched from playoff game
Peter Forsberg, C COL
News: The Colorado Avalanche were without center Peter Forsberg against the Detroit Red Wings in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series. Colorado scratched Forsberg from the lineup Thursday night because of a groin injury. Forsberg had five points -- trailing only teammate Joe Sakic in scoring -- against the third-seeded Minnesota Wild in the first round.
Analysis: The Avs brought Forsberg back by re-signing him on Feb. 25, and he had 14 points in nine games as they rallied for a spot in the playoffs. The former Hart Trophy winner has 171 points in 150 playoff games and helped Colorado win the Stanley Cup in 2001 and 1996. There is no telling at this juncture if he will return in 2008-09, but if he does, he will be a big-time injury-risk sleeper on Draft Day 2008.
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Vezina could be Nabokov's
Evgeni Nabokov, G SJ
News: New Jersey's Martin Brodeur, Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers and San Jose's Evgeni Nabokov are finalists for the Vezina Trophy given to the NHL's top goaltender. Brodeur won the trophy for the third time last year. It is the eighth time he is a finalist. Lundqvist and Nabokov have never won the award. Lundqvist is a finalist for the third straight season. He was third in 2006 and 2007. The winner will be named at the league's awards show on June 12 in Toronto.
Analysis: Nabokov led the NHL with 46 wins and was pretty spectacular down the stretch. His best stretch of games came from late Febuary-late March when he won 12 of 13 games in one span. The Sharks dumped Vesa Toskala prior to the season and that really set Nabokov at ease in net. There is no denying he will be a top, if not the No. 1, Fantasy goaltender on Draft Day 2008.
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Lundqvist finishes with 10 shutouts
Henrik Lundqvist, G NYR
News: New Jersey's Martin Brodeur, Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers and San Jose's Evgeni Nabokov are finalists for the Vezina Trophy given to the NHL's top goaltender. Brodeur won the trophy for the third time last year. It is the eighth time he is a finalist. Lundqvist and Nabokov have never won the award. Lundqvist is a finalist for the third straight season. He was third in 2006 and 2007. The winner will be named at the league's awards show on June 12 in Toronto.
Analysis: Lundqvist was a big reason the Rangers made the playoffs in 2007-08. New York struggled on offense for most of the season, but Lundqvist played so stellar in goal, he kept them in many games. He might have only won 37 games, but had a .912 save percentage, 10 shutouts and a 2.23 GAA. Lundqvist is a star in net and 2008-09 could be an even better season. He will be an elite Fantasy goaltender on Draft Day 2008.
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Brodeur hopes for fourth Vezina
Martin Brodeur, G NJ
News: New Jersey's Martin Brodeur, Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers and San Jose's Evgeni Nabokov are finalists for the Vezina Trophy given to the NHL's top goaltender. Brodeur won the trophy for the third time last year. It is the eighth time he is a finalist. Lundqvist and Nabokov have never won the award. Lundqvist is a finalist for the third straight season. He was third in 2006 and 2007. The winner will be named at the league's awards show on June 12 in Toronto.
Analysis: It doesn't matter how old Brodeur is, he can still play with the best in the NHL. It's not if he is going to make the Hall of Fame, it's when. Brodeur won 40-plus games in 2007-08 for the fourth time in five seasons and the seventh time in his career. It doesn't appear retirement is on Brodeur's mind and he should be one of the top selections off Fantasy draft boards in 2008.
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Lidstrom eyeing sixth Norris Trophy
Nicklas Lidstrom, D DET
News: Only Zdeno Chara and Dion Phaneuf stand in the way of Nicklas Lidstrom winning a sixth Norris Trophy. The three finalists for the award that goes to the NHL's top defenseman were announced Tuesday. Lidstrom has won the honor five of the past six seasons.
Analysis: The Detroit Red Wings captain, who earned his ninth career nomination, is tied with Ray Bourque with five Norris Trophies. A sixth would leave him alone in third place behind arguably the two greatest blue-liners ever -- Doug Harvey (seven Norris Trophies) and Bobby Orr (eight). Lidstrom, who turns 38 Monday, led all NHL blue-liners with 70 points (10-60) in 76 games and a sensational plus-40 rating. He also led the Wings to the stingiest defensive record in the NHL this season. There is no denying he is still an elite Fantasy defenseman and will be a popular pick come Draft Day 2008.
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