Chris Nichols

­Chris Nichols is Sportsnet.ca's fantasy hockey writer.

Twitter: @Nichols_NHLPool/ Email: chris.nichols@sportsnet.rogers.com

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According to The Vancouver Province, anyone keeping close tabs on Sami Salo's return from his blown Achilles tendon circled his performance Sunday against Anaheim.

He had no points, no shots and took an interference penalty. And it was his best defensive game of the year. Quietly gaining speed and strength, Salo has emerged from the awkward player we saw in his return in February into an encouraging shutdown defenceman in March.

Without Alex Edler and Kevin Bieksa, Salo excelled on the weekend, especially so throttling the Anaheim Ducks' top line, which includes Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf.

The Ducks were held off the scoreboard and although Getzlaf had 11 shots on net, he was held mostly to the perimeter and in check, failing to get many real scoring chances or opportunities at rebounds.

"I've started to feel more like myself the past few games and I'm pretty happy," Salo said. "My body has been feeling good and I haven't had any trouble with the minutes they have given me.

"Especially when you play in games like we've played in this road trip, you want to see where you're at. When matched up against a tough line like the Ducks have and you keep them off the score sheet, it's very promising."

The Province points out that considered washed up by some, Salo is showing there's lots left in his tank, when he's healthy and intact. He's also starting to make the Sedins look good. It was the twins who kept saying they believed Salo is the Canucks' best defenceman as he made his long road back.

Big words and they touched Salo.

"For sure, it meant something to me," Salo said. "I just have to get my game to where they know I can be so I can respond to those words."

There is no reason to doubt the Sedins believe it. But saying it publicly is different, especially on a team with so many good blueliners. They may not have meant it as a motivator but it's worked that way, picking up Salo's confidence. It was a nice bit of nuanced leadership.

Feeling good about his defensive game, Salo's next obstacle will be to kick-start his offence. He's got to start getting some shots on net.

"The only way is up, I just have to be a little more offensive," Salo said. "I'm pretty close to where I need to be.

"There are always ways to improve and right now that's being more offensive. That's what our team right now needs with Kevin and Alex being out of the lineup. We have to get some offence from our D's."

To the Flames' good fortune, The Calgary Herald believes that Anton Babchuk has made the transformation from six-foot-five curiosity to everyday contributor.

First 24 games - eight points, 43 blocked shots, even. Next 27 games - 16 points, 58 blocked shots, plus-14.

"Over the last couple months . . . his responsibilities defensively have certainly improved," says coach Brent Sutter. "It's allowed him to have the puck more. He is one of the those guys who wants the puck on his stick, especially along the offensive blueline. And he's been a very dependable guy for us defensively. Babs has worked extremely hard."

When he - and winger Tom Kostopoulos - arrived in Calgary in the Nov. 17 trade with the Carolina Hurricanes (part of Ian White's ongoing tour of the National Hockey League), no one knew what to expect from the Ukrainian defender.

Big guy, obviously.

Booming shot, they say.

For weeks, though, there had been little evidence of either.

Suddenly, things clicked, although Babchuk's version of events doesn't square up.

"I think it's been like that all season," protests the 26-year-old.

"I don't see any difference. I don't think it's just the last month. It's been that way all season."

The Herald notes he'd certainly grabbed everyone's attention when, back to back, he registered blocked-shot totals of six and five.

"Six and six," says Babchuk, referring to early-February dates against Chicago and Ottawa. "But, like I said, I don't think that's happened just in the last month, it's been all season. In previous seasons, too, I had a lot of blocked shots.

''Maybe people have just started paying more attention, but it's been (like that) always. If I have to block a shot, I always block it because that's what I have to do to protect the net."

Pressed later in the conversation about the mid-season's upgrade, he relents. A bit.

"When you come to a new team, you have to realize what kind of hockey the team plays," explains Babchuk. "Who's on the ice, what you have to expect from your partner, from forwards, from your goaltender, how he handles his rebounds, when you can jump into the rush with the forwards, when you'd better stay back because that guy is a high risk - all those kinds of things.

"So it takes me, like, 10 or 12 games to figure out. Then I started feeling way more comfortable . . . because then I knew what kind of game every player plays."

On the subject of defending, he offered more to The Herald:

"For me, it's not a question of doing it or not. If I see any opportunity to break up the play, I do it. Block the shot. Hold the stick - I mean, the right way, not a penalty."

Asked if this is the best he's ever played in the NHL, Babchuk, like most players, claims to not get caught up in statistics.

"I don't know," he says. "I'm not paying attention. I know how many points I have . . . but if (points) happen, they happen. I think I'm a complete player. I can play both ends of the ice."

Will he stay in Calgary past this summer, when he'll be a UFA?

"Big hockey market - I enjoy it," says Babchuk. "Here, people watch closely. It's Canada. Every step you're under the microscope. Here, if you do things right, people see it - appreciate it more."

Sam Gagner is in the backstretch of his fourth NHL season and The Edmonton Journal points out that he’s never seen the playoffs, except on TV, if he can even stomach watching.

“Yeah, it definitely bugs me ... that’s why you play hockey,” said the Edmonton Oilers forward, who has eight points in his last eight games for the suddenly red-hot club.

He will undoubtedly lead the Oilers in scoring at season’s end for the first time and probably reach 50 points, something he hasn’t done, either.

“It it happens, maybe there should be an asterisk beside it,” said Gagner, well aware the two guys tied with him in points at 42 — Taylor Hall and Ales Hemsky — aren’t around.

Hall has a walking cast on his badly sprained left ankle, his rookie season over after 65 games, and Hemsky is gone for a while longer with a sore rotator cuff — his third different injury after a torn groin and concussion.

Gagner told The Journal that despite the attention garnered by by his teammates he doesn’t feel like “a forgotten man.”

“When guys are hurt like they are and guys get traded, it’s a good opportunity for people to step up, though,” he said. “I still feel I have a lot of room to improve. I’ve taken major steps in my four years here, although it might not always show statistics-wise, but I know I’m a way better player (than he was at 18 in 2007).”

Of Gagner’s 42 points, only nine have come on the power play. Five-on-five, he’s manufactured stuff. He seems to play better every year late in the season, when the Oilers are fighting to get into the playoffs (’07-08 and ’08-09), or the last two years when they’ve been a bottom-feeder.

“The stretch run has always been my best hockey. I think that’s a good thing,” Gagner said.

“Sam’s had some pretty good success as a young player,” said Oilers coach Tom Renney. “What I like about Sam now is how his game is rounding out. He’s one of those guys who understands how to play with and without the puck, what transition looks like. He has his head around that.”

Gagner added, “Getting 50 points (in a season) ... I used to care about that, but it’s about growing together now. If I can be a leader and continue to grow my game, it’ll pay huge dividends going forward for next year so we get into the playoffs."

“There’s so many factors that go into having a successful individual season, but I just want to be out there creating and at the end of games. I want to feel I prepared well, had the right attitude and did the best to get results, not be worrying about them,” he continued.

Gagner would trade away one 50-point season for just one playoff game.

“Four years now and no playoffs. It’s something I’m always thinking about. I take it into the summers,” he said. “I think we’re taking huge steps the way we’re playing now (7-3 in the last 10). We want this to be the last year it’s like this (29th place).”

Fire & Ice writes that Jacob Josefson’s stat line doesn’t jump out at you. The Devils rookie centre has no goals and one assist in 11 NHL games this season. The 20-year-old Swede finally registered his first NHL point with an assist on Ilya Kovalchuk’s goal Sunday against the Islanders.

Still, Devils coach Jacques Lemaire sees the makings of a skilled player in Josefson and believes the points will come eventually.

“This kid has it, there’s no doubt,” Lemaire said. “He just turned 20 a couple of days ago and he’s a good player right now. If you look at his stats, his stats are not that great, but as a hockey player, you want him on your team.”

What impresses Lemaire most about Josefson?

“I think how he understands the game, where he goes on the ice, when he plays when he doesn’t have the puck, what is he going to do? When he has the puck, what he’s doing with the puck. He’s quick. He’s strong. He’s got good hands. Sees the ice well. So, he’s got a lot of qualities.

“As soon as he’ll get that scoring quality, he’ll be a player.”

That, Lemaire said, will come with time and more games.

“A kid like this needs to get some chances,” he said. “You know, go in a game and get three, four chances. Then, go to the next game and get two, three chances. Then, go and keep getting these chances. And then goals will come.”

Josefson, for his part, also believes he’ll get more points eventually and he’s willing to be patient with the team on a 20-2-2 roll.

“As (long) as the team is winning, I don’t really care,” he said. “But you always want to get some points.”

The Raleigh News & Observer writes that Jeff Skinner, whose strong play has been vital for the Carolina Hurricanes, doesn't like thinking about the Calder Trophy but can't avoid it with media attention. He's one of several strong candidates.

"You can't really get away from it," Skinner said Monday. "I'm not going to go looking for it, though. It's not hard to put out of your mind when every day you come to the rink and it's a big game. To be in the hunt, to be in the playoff mix, that's what you're really want."

Skinner, 18, is the NHL's top rookie scorer with 49 points. He's five points ahead of Couture, who has eight game-winning goals for the San Jose Sharks, and seven points ahead of the injured Taylor Hall of the Edmonton Oilers. Michael Grabner leads all rookies with 26 goals and was named the NHL's rookie of the month for February after scoring 10 goals to go with six assists. Corey Crawford is another who is making the most of his chance. The Chicago Blackhawks goaltender has gone 15-6-2 since January and is among the NHL leaders in goals-against average (2.19).

What would it mean to win the Calder? Defenceman Tyler Myers of the Buffalo Sabres did it last season. Like Skinner, he made the jump from junior hockey to the NHL and quickly impressed with his maturity and play.

The News & Observer notes that winning the Calder, Myers said, can be a blessing and something of a curse -- as goaltender Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets, the 2009 winner, also can attest. Being named the best rookie in the league means even more is expected of you the next season, and Myers said it wore on him.

Early this season, he said, was anything but a good time. He struggled with consistency. He had a minus-12 rating after the first 13 games and later went 24 games without a goal while having what Sabres coach Lindy Ruff called defensive "hiccups."

"Coming into this year I was feeling a lot of pressure," Myers said. "I think that played a big factor in me trying to do too much at the start.

"I put a lot on my shoulders coming into this year, and I think that ultimately ended up hurting me. It took me a little bit to figure out less is more and how to get back to my game. Once I did, I felt more comfortable, and right now I feel very comfortable with my game."

The way Skinner sees it, the more the Canes win, the better his chances for the Calder - and in that order.

"I think it's always easier to have individual success after the team's done well," he said. "I think that's the most important thing now."

The Calder, and Vegas, can wait.

According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Thrashers face an uphill battle to make the playoffs. That is their simple reality.

However, coach and players who have been in this position before say the journey is not impossible.

The Thrashers (27-28-11, 65 points) are 11th in the Eastern Conference and seven points behind Buffalo, the team that currently sits in the eighth and final playoff spot. With 16 games remaining, including Wednesday’s game against ninth place Carolina, there is little margin for error.

“We’ve lost so many games, we’re lucky to still be within reach,” goaltender Chris Mason said. “We need to be desperate. Every night should have a playoff mentality. If we don’t, we are going to be out. We need that desperation.”

Two seasons ago, Mason and St. Louis were 15th in the Western Conference at one point. Mason started the final 38 games, compiling a 24-8-6 record including five shutouts, and the Blues earned a playoff spot.

“Bottom line is we have to win,” said Mason, who also fought for his playoff life while in Nashville. “Every team has good players. … If you get outworked, you are not going to win.”

The Journal-Constitution points out that newly acquired Radek Dvorak, a veteran of 15 NHL seasons, played for Edmonton in 2005-06 when the Oilers needed a win, and some help, in their final two games to make the playoffs as the eighth seed. Two months later the Oilers were playing in the Stanley Cup finals.

“Every game is on the edge for us,” Dvorak said. “There is pressure to win. It’s good for the playoffs because you know how to play under the pressure.

“Here, we have to believe in each other. We have a great team, a lot of skill and character on this team. We have to focus on our game, every one of us, and go game by game, period by period, shift by shift. We are doing a lot of good things. If we continue, it will pay off.”

The article notes that several times this season, coach Craig Ramsay related the story of when he was an assistant in Ottawa in 1996-97. The Senators had to win their final three games, including one in Detroit, to make the playoffs. They finished as the seventh seed and took Buffalo to seven games. Ramsay said he also was in a similar situation down the stretch as an assistant in Boston.

There are similarities between those teams and his current squad, the coach said.

“We had a lot of players that put their hand up and said ‘I want to be that guy. I’ll take that shot,’” Ramsay said. “We had goaltenders that said ‘I’ll make that big save.’ We had people that were really committed to it.

“I can’t say that we haven’t had anything but that kind of commitment from our team. … They are trying and that’s what it takes to do it. Every player has to realize it’s not up to the other guy, it’s up to me. They have to continue to trust that what they are doing is correct. You don’t get 46 shots in one game without trying. The effort is there, but they have to understand each game that it isn’t up to the other guy.”

The Chicago Tribune says the shock of being traded from the Panthers to the Blackhawks is wearing off for Michael Frolik.

After scoring 21 goals in each of his first two seasons, the winger was thought by many to be part of the core of the Panthers. Instead, he was sent to the Hawks for Jack Skille in a Feb. 9 deal.

"It feels a little bit like they gave up on me, but I don't know what's in their mind and what's going on upstairs," said Frolik, who will face his former teammates Tuesday night. "I want to play the best hockey against every team, but it's a little bit weird that you played here a few weeks ago."

Frolik has two goals and two assists in 12 games with the Hawks after scoring eight times with 21 assists in 52 games with the Panthers.

"The first few games (with the Hawks) I was kind of running around," Frolik said. "Right now, I feel much better.

The Denver Post observes that if the Avalanche didn't perform as poorly as it did in the final weeks of the 2008-09 season, Matt Duchene would not have been standing by a locker stall at the Family Sports Center on Monday.

A 28th overall finish gave the Avs the third pick in the 2009 NHL draft, which they used to take the player who led all rookies in scoring his first season.

If the season had ended Monday, the Avs would have chosen fourth in the upcoming draft. While many fans might wish the Avs would move even higher in the draft when the final 17 games are finished, Duchene wants to disappoint them.

"We're not trying to tank to get a top-five pick," Duchene said. "We already have a lot of great prospects in the system. We'll obviously get a good one this year, and last year we got a great one (Joey Hishon) at 17. Wherever we pick we're going to get a good player, but that's not on our mind right now. We just want to win."

The Post notes that has only happened once in the past 16 games for the Avs entering tonight's contest with the Minnesota Wild at St. Paul, Minn. Duchene's drop-off in point production since the all-star break (one goal, three assists in 13 games) has been a contributing factor.

Asked what it has been like for him personally through the long losing stretch, Duchene said: "It absolutely (stinks). It's the hardest thing I've ever been through. You don't really know where to go from here. It's something that's a new experience for me. I've played on bad teams before that have lost, but this is a good team that's just losing a lot of games right now. We were fourth in the conference not too long ago. It's unbelievable what's happened. We just want to go into the summer on a good note, and you want to get team chemistry to come in so you can have a great season next year."

Everyone in the organization has taken their share of media blame, including coach Joe Sacco — who, the team said, will return next season. Asked what he would say to those who wonder if perhaps Sacco's message isn't getting through to the team anymore, Duchene said: "I'm not going to comment on anything about that. It starts and ends in the locker room, so that's the bottom line."

After Saturday's dismal 5-1 loss to last-place Edmonton at home, Sacco spoke of some of his younger players lacking in confidence on the ice. Sacco said Monday that Duchene is one of them.

"He's a guy that has to play with confidence," Sacco said. "I say this all the time: Any player — it doesn't matter if you're 22 or 32 or 42 — you have to play this game with confidence. Because when you do, you make things happen and you take charge. Confidence is fleeting, there's no question."

The article notes that Duchene has not scored a goal since missing a few games with a hand injury he suffered Feb. 14.

"But I'm not going to use that as an excuse," he said.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that if the Blue Jackets can keep themselves alive in the playoff race a week or so longer, help is on the way.

Centre Derick Brassard, who has been out of the lineup because of a hand injury since Feb.16, is expected to join the Blue Jackets for practice today.

"X-rays (over the weekend) turned out good," coach Scott Arniel said. "Now it's about pain and how much he can tolerate, how much he can do with his hands.

"It's good news. He's not back yet. He's going to have to battle his way through it to get his time and his strength back."

Brassard missed his eighth straight game last night when the Blue Jackets played St. Louis.

The Blue Jackets have become quite secretive about injuries in recent weeks, so it's hard to say how serious Brassard's injury may be. It's unusual to have so many X-rays on a hand that's simply bruised. Brassard was struck by a Jan Hejda slap shot against Los Angeles.

The Dispatch also notes that LW Kristian Huselius, who missed his seventh straight game because of a lower body injury last night, could return to practice this week, Arniel said.

Michigan Live believes that after stumbling near the end of their road trip last week, the Detroit Red Wings are set up to succeed over the final five weeks of the season.

They should be fresher, with three days off before their next game -- Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings at Joe Louis Arena -- and a rare two-day break from practice. They have a favorable schedule, with 10 of their final 16 games at home and no long road trips. And they are close to being as healthy as they have been all season.

Now, it’s up to them to take advantage.

The Red Wings are winless in three games (0-1-2) and coming off a third-period collapse Saturday in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Phoenix Coyotes that left coach Mike Babcock lamenting his team’s inability to play “the right way.”

“There’s areas of our game that Mike and I know need to be a lot better,” general manager Ken Holland said. “We know we got to be a lot better defensively, protect leads, compete every shift. You can’t play 40 minutes of hockey and think you can go anywhere in the playoffs.”

The Red Wings also faltered late in a 7-4 win against the Kings on Feb. 28, allowing three goals in the final eight minutes.

“From our perspective, it’s a bit of a theme,” Holland said. “We need to get it corrected.”

Still, Michigan Live notes that Holland said the team is in a great spot at third overall in the NHL and seven points behind the Western Conference-leading Vancouver Canucks. The Red Wings (86 points) can’t afford to falter, with two of the hottest teams in the league, San Jose (82 points) and Chicago (80), closing the gap.

“We put ourselves in a good position, but we also got teams breathing down our backs,” Holland said. “We got a great schedule, we’re starting to get healthy. We need to put something together now.

“A lot of the guys have been here for a while. They’ve taken us on (playoff) runs in 2008 and ’09 and a 16-2-3 run last season (following the Olympic break). We know they can do it. It’s been done numerous times.”

Babcock said it is important to get freshened up so they can play the way they want to play.

“You can’t play the game without (energy),” Babcock said. “Teams are too good and too structured right now, so you got to get second and third chances. And the only way to do that is by having battle and determination and you need to be fresh enough to do that.”

For several years, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette observes that the Penguins were in the market for a young winger who plays a power game and could produce a steady supply of goals.

The search ultimately led them to James Neal, a 23-year-old with a rugged style and a scoring touch.

A terrific fit, on almost every level. Except for one thing: Even though Neal's resume says he's a goal-scorer, his recent history doesn't.

He scored 24 for Dallas as a rookie in 2008-09, and 27 last season. Neal then put up 20 in his first 42 games with the Stars this season.

But the touch that had been so reliable has betrayed him lately. Neal scored in his final game with Dallas before being traded to the Penguins for Alex Goligoski 15 days ago, but had been shut out in 10 before that. And he is 0 for 6 with the Penguins going into their game against Buffalo tonight at Consol Energy Center. Doesn't even have an assist in those games, for that matter.

It's not an issue of generating shots or scoring opportunities; Neal has had plenty of both. He just isn't getting anything tangible to show for them.

"It's tough," Neal said. "You always want to score, but, when you're getting chances and doing the right things, it will come."

Not soon enough to suit him, of course. Getting one on his first shift in a Penguins sweater would have been more like it.

Still, The Post-Gazette believes that the guys who decided Neal was the perfect choice to fill the void on their depth chart insist his inability to get a goal so far is not a cause for concern.

"I'd like to see him score one and I'm sure he would like to see him score, because you don't quite feel like you fit in, or justify the trade, until you bring what your game is," coach Dan Bylsma said. "But he fits right in with the way we're playing."

That was particularly true in the Penguins' 3-2 victory Saturday in Boston, when Neal was a presence all over the ice. He played a punishing physical game -- late in the first period, he felled toppled Zdeno Chara, the Bruins' monstrous defenseman, by driving a shoulder into him -- and forechecked ferociously.

"The last game was his best game, by far," Bylsma said.

Struggling players often try to compensate by contributing more than usual in other facets of the game, and that can be counterproductive.

"When you don't score, you get caught doing too much," Neal said. "You try to force stuff, so you just have to stay patient. Be physical, do the little things and try to find those open spots to get shots off."

Dan Boyle has been sidelined for two weeks and nowhere, The San Jose Mercury News believes, has his absence been more noticeable than when the Sharks have had the man advantage.

San Jose has stayed on a roll, winning three of four games since the defenceman who logs more ice time than any other NHL player suffered an upper body injury against Pittsburgh on Feb. 23. But in those games, San Jose is 1-for-12 on the power play that he usually quarterbacks, a success rate well under half of the 22.8 percent the team averaged before he was hurt.

With Boyle likely unavailable again Tuesday night when the Sharks face the Nashville Predators at HP Pavilion, coach Todd McLellan is coming up with a new look when an opponent is in the penalty box.

Jason Demers had been taking Boyle's spot on the top power-play unit, but Ian White had that role at Monday's practice. McLellan shuffled his forwards as well, moving Devin Setoguchi to the first unit with Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau, and shifting Dany Heatley to the second with Logan Couture and Ryane Clowe.

The possible changes, McLellan said, were "not necessarily because Dan is out of the lineup. The power play as a whole, I think it can be sharper."

The Mercury News writes that White has played only seven games with San Jose, earning two assists since being acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes on Feb. 19. But while recognizing White's inexperience with the Sharks, McLellan still considers him capable of handling the expanded duties.

"That's one of the reasons he was brought in -- he has the ability to run a power play," the coach said. "But he's also feeling his way through. He's not sure about some of those players' tendencies. He's still learning the power play system, some of the terminology."

White will be the only true defenceman on the top power-play unit, as Joe Pavelski occupies the other point.

White said he is ready to take on the challenge, but doesn't feel any pressure to be the new Dan Boyle while Boyle recuperates.

"I'm not here to play anyone else's game other than mine," White said. "I've played long enough that they know what they can expect out of me and what my attributes are."

Demers and Justin Braun -- the heralded rookie who is filling Boyle's spot on the blue line alongside Douglas Murray -- will share defense duties on the second power-play unit.

Tim: "Hey Chris,

Just a quick question here... standard H2H yahoo league and it's the last week before playoffs. I'm currently sitting in 5th place with the top 6 making it into the playoffs. I'm holding onto Varlamov, is there a time frame or update on his injury? Or should I drop Varly and add Holtby? Other goalies are Brodeur and Howard. Thanks and much appreciated!"

Chris: I can't give you anything definitive right now Tim, but here's what I know...

Four days ago the Caps said that Varlamov was slated to miss another 7-10 days and I haven't seen anything new since then. Last night, as you may have read, Neuvirth was pulled from the game after taking a shot to his mask in the first period. It turns out there was some sort of metal debris that got into Neuvirth's eye, but he should be fine. That would seem to indicate he won't miss a start. Holtby was the only goalie at today's optional practice.

The Caps don't even have a B2B until mid-week next week, so Varlamov may be ready by then. Or the injury, believed to be his knee, could linger. He seems to be hurt pretty frequently.

As long as Neuvirth is ok to go next game, I think it'll be safer to hang onto Varlamov because Holtby wouldn't be likely to get much action. Like I said though, injuries in general are unpredictable and a minor setback could mean Holtby's the better play. Your playoffs, when they start next week, will be all about winning or going home. No time to wait for injured guys.

Hopefully we'll get a better update this week. In the meantime, everything I've read to this moment would have me tell you to hold off on adding Holtby. Roto owners could use a bench slot to take a gamble on Holtby, but H2H owners are in less of a position to do so.

Darren in St. Louis: "Hey Chris,

I've been putting off making a decision on who to drop to activate brodeur but its time to make something happen. nobody has been moved to ir as i was waiting for that to possibly happen. as a result, i will have to drop one of the following in my h2h non-keeper. hemsky(dtd but i would hate to drop him and then have him come back and produce in the h2h playoffs), neal, hejduk, steen, olli, green(dtd), corvo, kaberle. im leaning towards one of the last three as its an h2h and going one dman short is no biggie. your thoughts sir? thanks."

Chris: I'm surprised you've waited this long Darren, since Jersey has been playing so well and Brodeur had extra practice time to get ready with Hedberg playing so well in his absence.

As much as going a D short in H2H is not an issue, I still think you're better off dumping Hemsky Nation. He's slated to miss three weeks, which means you'd be better off having the extra slot to someone who can produce now and help you advance in each round of your playoffs.