****    ( TOP TEN 2010 DRAFT RESULTS:                    1. Boston - Taylor Hall          2. New Jersey - Tyler Seguin          3. Boston - Erik Gudbranson         4. Los Angeles - Nino Niederreiter          5. Phoenix - Ryan Johansen          6. Montreal - Mikael Granlund          7. Phoenix - Brett Connoly         8. New York Rangers - Alexander Burmistrov          9. Columbus - Jeffrey Skinner          10. Philadelphia - Cam Fowler   )  ****                                                                                                                                                     ****  ( VHA TEAM SITE NOTES:                
 
 

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Feb 23, 2009 Sami Lepisto and Jared Boll                             Dainius Zubrus









Steve:Ok Ottawa wins the award for facelifting their team the most. Although I like Boll in this deal, Zubrus is the real guy that will step into Carolina's already potentent team
Walter:What it gives OTT: After multiple attempts to move Zubrus to non-playoff teams for futures, the “right” deal is finally made – OTT moves him to the juggernaut ‘Canes for two young players, one on each side of the ice and both with some NHL experience. Neither are blue-chippers, but hey … it’s Zubrus we’re talking about here.

What it gives CAR: They win almost every game despite the same studs-and-scrubs strategy that SJ employs. To hedge their bets, they rent Zubrus, who has borderline 2nd liner capabilities.


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Feb 23, 2009 Daniel Sedin and Thomas Greiss                             Jason Smith, Ian Cole
LA's 1st RD DP in 09 and MTL's 5th RD DP in 09









Steve:Ottawa get a Twin Sister who can easily get any team 70 plus points a year, and a young up and coming goalie. They give up some depth at D and 2 first rounders. Seems about right. Very even trade
Walter:What it gives OTT: This trade proves the FP/TT program has elevated UFA’s to a zenith in terms of trade value. Sedin would perhaps fetch a first rounder at the deadline otherwise; now, he’s worth essentially TWO first rounders (Cole being the other, a good-sized defensive prospect for the real-life Blues) plus a 5th. Greiss is yet another in a steady stream of young goalies that Ottawa management is trying to get into the showers together. Too much time in the military, Keith. What it gives PHI: Who wouldn’t want a first rounder and a first-round prospect?


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Feb 23, 2009 Zdeno Chara and Kyle Wellwood                             Riku Helenius, Cam Barker
BOS 4th round pick in 2009









Steve:When you have Chara on your blueline anything can happen. 1. The guy can shoot, 2. the Guy is tough as a bag of pennies. 3. Did I mention he can shoot ?.. Some may say that Chara is past his prime, I say that he is just settling into a rythm that he will be alot of successful in. Chara is the kind of Defence that is a Difference maker, well done Boston. Too bad you tarred the trade with Wellwood. Hey Wellwood !! .. Dennys called and they want their Hamburgers back.
Walter:What it gives BOS: Speaking of Chara, one of the game’s best defensemen goes to the Bruins, who are not going to make the playoffs this year absent a miracle. Wellwood NEVER passes the puck, but he can score.

What it gives OTT: The Senators are trying to corner the market on prospect goaltenders by picking up Helenius. Cam Barker is an instant top-four defenseman. The pick makes Keith feel extra comfy.


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Feb 23, 2009 Eric Nystrom and VAN's 5th round pick in 2009                             Brad Winchester









Steve:Scraps, scraps and more scraps. Winchester is notable, but deep down on the list maybe.
Walter:What it gives BOS: Nystrom never has evolved into what his 10th overall selection in the NHL would imply. Who knows, though – he may be a late bloomer. The 5th is, well, a 5th.

What it gives MIN: Winchester can almost look Zdeno Chara in the eye. This is another piece of MIN’s puzzle in terms of depth for a playoff run.


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Feb 23, 2009 Joe Pavelski and NSH 2009 1st round pick                             Mike Cammalleri









Steve:I have mixed emotions here. Because arguablly Pavelski is one of the top kids in the game that have a huge upside to him. I mean this guy can win faceoffs and score goals. And he looks like Beaver Cleaver, that refrence was for you Walter, cause you are old. Cammalleri is also a proven scorer a little bit older, but wiser some would say. I am giving this one to TB only because I have a man crush on Pavelski .. don't tell my wife.
Walter:What it gives TB: Pavelski is already 2nd line material at the very least (on pace for 60+ points), and the first, though probably mid-to-low in the round, ensures that they will benefit for years to come, regardless.

What it gives NSH: The Preds are finally buyers! Cammalleri is a 40+ goal scorer and will no doubt play the top line for a Nashville team that has cooled off recently and could use the scoring. There are conditions to this deal that would make a NASA engineer scratch his head and perform infinitesimal calculus to track, so we’ll not worry about them here.


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Feb 17, 2009 Andy McDonald and CBJ 6th round pick in 2009                             B.J. Crombeen and Boyd Gordon









Steve:I've always liked Andy McDonald, and thought he never did get the credit he deserved. And Calgary used the Bluejackets as a dumping ground in this one. Gordon and Crombeen are well past their chance of making it past the "Water Boy" role. Well done Calgary.
Walter:What it gives CGY: Scrubs, meet a rental semi-stud. MacDonald can (and has) play top line center. The 6th adds a body that will fog the mirror on the farm.

What it gives CBJ: The Jackets need to rebuild in the worst way, and why not pick up a young, double-digit goal scorer in Crombeen and a former 1st round pick from 2002 in Gordon, both currently in the NHL. If either can evolve into a 2nd liner someday, it’s a home run for the BJ’s.


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Feb 17, 2009 Andy Hilbert, Roman Hamrlik
Brendan Morrison		                             T.J. Hensick, Dale Mitchell
Andrew Murray, Boris Valabik
Steve Wagner
COL 2nd and DET 4th rnd picks in 09









Steve:Holy Hell Batman, Morrison is on the move again. This guy bounces around more than Britney Spears with her un supported bra. Chicago gets players like Hensick, Mitchell, Murray, Wagner and a guy named Boris... his name is Boris. Chicago wins this deal just because his name is Boris.
Walter:What it gives MIN: What are those footsteps the 7 teams ahead of MIN hear? Why, it’s Rob Young, aggressively loading up to make the playoffs. Hamrlik and Morrison are UFA rentals, but what the hell – making noise in the playoffs and possibly winning it all would make everything worth it.

What it gives CHI: The perfect remedy for a farm system utterly bereft of talent. Hensick and Mitchell are former 3rd round picks, Murray a depth defenseman, but Valabik (#10 overall in 2004) is the main prize, as he’s in the NHL now and holding his own. The 2nd and the 4th will just add to the possibilities down the line.


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Feb 17, 2009 Radek Dvorak                             Derek Peltier and LA 2nd round pick in 2009








Steve:Dvorak can skate, he can play, but can he score? Because we all know that's what Montreal needs. Dishing a 2nd round pick and Peltier ... WHO ?? is worth the risk I think.
Walter:What it gives MIN: Honestly, this seems like a bit much to pay for a streaky UFA forward on the wrong side of 30, but MIN has become very aggressive in an effort to cement a playoff spot. Dvorak can still score about a point every other game.

What it gives STL: Peltier is merely a depth defensive prospect. LA’s 2nd is the real returns in this transaction. STL isn’t going anywhere, so getting the 2nd is solid returns here.


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Feb 17, 2009 Tim Gleason, Ryan O'Byrne
Justin Azevedo and BOS 3rd round pick in 09		                             Stephane Robidas, Ruslan Fedotenko
NYR 5th round pick in 09








Steve:Is it me or do the Rangers seem to have a revolving door below the 2nd line on this team. Some guys in, then out. Imagine the Housing problems the players would have. I mean you finally get traded to a team, and get settled, and BAM !! you find out the next day in the papers you are traded to Long Island. I heard it stinks on that side ?? Fedotenko is the playmaker in this bunch, but packaged together with Robidas and a draft pick he doesn't really look that impressive.
Walter:What it gives NYI: Lots of younger talent. Gleason has never reached the heights some thought he would, but is considered a shutdown defender when he’s on his game. If his shot is on net, it’s only because he went to church the previous Sunday and curried God’s favor.

What it gives NYR: The Rangers wanted some “now” talent to help stem a recent 5-11 stretch. Robidas helps on one side of the ice, Fedotenko the other. Neither are difference-makers, but both add depth.


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Feb 17, 2009 Clarke MacArthur and Kurtis Foster                             Rostislav Klesla








Steve:Klesla is by far the superior player in the deal. The guy is raw and I heard he has connections to the Russian Moffia. Sweet .
Walter:What it gives PHI: MacArthur seems destined to play on a third line most of his career, but he’s young with 2nd line potential if he develops further. Foster might disintegrate if he’s hit by someone like Adam Foote, but if could ever play a full season, he could fit as a PP QB. What it gives BUF: See the description of Foster, with a little more polish in the other aspects of the game. Buffalo is clearly readying themselves for the playoffs with someone a little more useful right now.


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Feb 17, 2009 Pierre-Marc Bouchard                             Eric Tangradi and SJ 1st round pick in 2009








Steve:Bouchard is good, very good. And with the right linemates I can see him beeing a 40-50 goal scorer. But is he worth a 1st round draft pick. I don't know where they have been hiding but I have been searching for 1st rounders. Hello.... Hello first rounders .. I have something for you ... Hello..
Walter:What it gives SJ: P-M Bouchard is a young, playmaking winger who at first glance doesn’t seem to fit SJ’s general pattern of scrubs that have five career NHL goals, yet manage to net 15 for the Sharks. He has a librarian’s aggressiveness, as evidenced by barely averaging a shot a game in the NHL, but there is upside, and he’s a decent 2nd liner.

What it gives PHI: Now in full-fledged rebuild, the Flyers have thrown in the towel for this season. As such, they pick up a likely low first rounder and a decent real-life Ducks prospect. Bouchard’s salary seems excessive for what he brings to the table.


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Feb 14, 2009 Corey Crawford and MTL 4th round pick in 09                             DET 2nd round pick in 09








Steve:Nice move here for Chicago. Crawford will be a NHLer sooner than later, as long as Nemi doesn't steal his spotlight. It looks like Walter is getting back some of the draft picks he traded away for the Ruutu/Doan debockale..
Walter:What it gives CHI: The Hawks lacked, well, anything in net from a prospect perspective. Crawford has posted good overall numbers for Rockford in the AHL and is certainly ready to at least back up Huet in Chicago next season with the impending contractual death of Khabibulin. MON’s 4th is including because Sergio was pretending to be Dean Lombardi.

What it gives LA: The Kings couldn’t send Crawford down or else he’d be subject to waivers and probably nabbed by one of our prospect-whore GMs. They settled for a 2nd rounder and cleared room for the Messiah, the Holy One, Stevie Franchise #2 – Steve Mason.


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Feb 14, 2009 Jason Pominville, Toni Lydman
Matt Cooke and VAN 4th in 09		                             Andrei Markov and CAR 3rd in 09








Steve:Markov is overrated in my books. And Pominville is a pure talent, Chicago makes out like a bandit on this one.
Walter:What it gives CHI: The Blackhawks’ makeover continues. Pominville is a legitimate 60-70 point scoring forward, though he shoots the puck about as frequently as Halley’s comet comes to visit. Lydman and Cooke are salary dumps that might net deadline picks. VAN’s 4th will produce something that can fog a mirror.

What it gives VAN: Markov is one of the league’s elite offensive defensemen, and CAR’s 3rd can kick the VAN 4th’s ass.


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Feb 14, 2009 Nick Boynton                             Brandon Witt and Danny Irmen








Steve:Seems pretty even here, giving the slight advantage to Ottawa in getting Boynton who wants to be a top D. The jury is still out on that.
Walter:What it gives OTT: Boynton is a top-four defenseman wannabe, who sounds more like one than he’s really played to this point in his career. If this were Silent Running, he’d be dead now.

What it gives STL: The Blues pick up an adequate replacement in Witt and a grinding forward prospect in Irmen. He seems to like to break his wrist.


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Feb 14, 2009 Torrey Mitchell                             Andrew Peters








Steve:A swap of 3rd or 4th liners. Nothing really to say here.
Walter:What it gives CBJ: Mitchell probably won’t ascend past 3rd line center, but he has very good checking skills can kill penalties.

What it gives STL: Peters probably won’t ascend past 4th line LW, but he has very good fighting skills and can kill opponents.


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Feb 12, 2009 Kyle Beach, Dainius Zubrus
Brad Lukowich and DAL 3rd pick in 09		                             Wojtek Wolski and Erik Christensen








Steve:Wolski on the move again. I am not really sure what Ottawa is doing here. Christensen is a valid 3rd liner with postental to fit into a higher role, and we all know Wolski. So Dallas come out on top here.
Walter:What it gives OTT: Beach is a solid, bruising all-around power forward in the Juniors, who isn’t afraid to drop the gloves and is arguably the real-life Blackhawks’ top prospect. An 11th overall pick, he has top-line forward written all over him someday, though his path to the NHL seems fairly long. Zubrus and Lukowich are useful only for a playoff drive or for trade fodder, which we suspect the latter here. DAL’s 3rd could do something for someone, someday.

What it gives DAL: Not to be left behind in bolstering their offense, Dallas pulls off their own 2nd liner deal, nabbing the young 50-point producing Wolski (Polish for “wool”) along with third-liner Christensen. Scoring depth was a problem in Dallas after Crosby, Vanek and Parise, which was solved with this trade.


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Feb 12, 2009 Marco Sturm
TB 6th rd pick in 09		                             Kevin Bieksa
BOS 3rd rd pick in 09








Steve:I like this deal for both squads. Giving the slight advantage to Philly with Bieksa. The guy is golden Jerry ...gold
Walter:What it gives PHI: Philadelphia will be losing Ponikarovsky and Sedin to free agency, so they get a solid second line LW in Sturm, who is also one of the faster players in the league. The 6th rounder makes LA’s “Taveres … Taveres!” dreams look realistic by comparison.

What it gives NYR: The Rangers tried forever to pick up an offensive defenseman, and finally did so in this deal. Since zero Rangers trades can ever be consummated without futures being acquired, they also pick up Boston’s 3rd rounder.


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Feb 12, 2009 Bryan Little                             David Perron, Patric Hornqvist
MIN 3rd round pick in 2009 and NYR 3rd round pick in 2010








Steve:I think Perron is the steal in this one. He's got all the skills to be a top 6 forward. Little is coming into his own, but the jackets need help like Now!
Walter:What it gives NYR: The Rangers are the virtual-pedophiles of VHA, always looking for good young boys. They’ve found yet another here, as Little has great vision and playmaking skills and is on pace to notch 32 goals. A former #12 overall pick, Little has rocketed quickly to the NHL after being drafted in 2006.

What it gives CBJ: A system more barren than Marie Antoinette, the BJ’s picked up four assets, including the former first-rounder Perron (on pace for 52 points), Hornqvist (possible 2nd liner someday) and the two third rounders.


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Feb 12, 2009 Steve Eminger, STL 3rd round pick in 09
MTL 4th round pick in 09		                             Willie Mitchell








Steve:Willie is the man, how could you deal him. I may be bias because I love the Canucks. But seriously Mitchell will help St Louis with the leadership. Walter gets some draft picks back, but I am still calling him insane for dealing away the one man wrecking ball.
Walter:What it gives LA: Steve Eminger has very good size and speed and, as a former #12 overall pick, may just now be reaching his potential. The 3rd and 4th aren’t going to make anyone close their eyes, cross their fingers and whisper “Taveres … Taveres!” during the lottery, but they’ll help replenish futures lost in the Doan deal.

What it gives STL: Mitchell may have a wide receiver’s name, but he has the body of a #2 defenseman and, just as importantly, a great contract. Like Buffalo’s deal for Moreau, St. Louis also picked up a personal favorite.


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Feb 12, 2009 Tuomo Ruutu, Ron Hainsey
LA's 2nd and COL's 2nd picks in 09		                             Shane Doan








Steve:Ok Walter I am offically calling you insane. You gave up your 1st rounder for Ruutu in the ottawa deal and now you turn around and deal him to Min, with more DP's and a hot D Hainsey. ok .. wait .. it's for something large right .. You are going to suprise me and say it's for a proven top 3 in the league forward who scores like he's on prom night... Shane Doan ...hummmm
Walter:What it gives MIN: Ruutu can throw the body, shoot the puck and has more than a little nasty in him, which the Wild could use. He’ll fit like a glove on the 2nd line. Hainsey is a puck-moving defenseman that will stick around while guys like Kalinin and Spacek exit either via trades or to free agency. The two picks add to Minnesota’s upcoming draft riches. VHA 09 draft – doggy style.

What it gives LA: The Kings have spent two months looking for someone else with 30 goal potential to compliment Dustin Brown and Olli Jokinen. They found it in Shane Doan, who has a great contract and a pair of elbows to match.


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Feb 12, 2009 Mike Sillinger
LA 1st pick in 2009		                             Tuomo Ruutu








Steve:A first round pick and filler for Ruutu ?? I don't know. I know for sure that I couldn't get that out of Walter when I was waving around Iginla. Whatever Meade did to convince you that Ruutu still had top 6 forward in him ? Good luck. I give this one to Ottawa again.. this is getting sad
Walter:What it gives OTT: Sillinger can win a faceoff or two between huffs of the oxygen tank. LA’s 1st is the reason behind this deal.

What it gives LA: The Kings have been looking for additional top-six scoring, and we’d be tempted to say they found it in this gritty, all-around player, but we’ll say this instead: don’t unpack your bags, Tuomo.


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Feb 12, 2009 Wojtek Wolski
MIN 4th round DP in 09		                             Brian Sutherby
Joni Pitkanen








Steve:Meade made a great deal here in aquiring Wolski a guy that will be around for a long time. And just giving up a rental and Pitkanen seems like it was a no brainer. Ottawa may be out of the playoffs this year, I can see Wolski on top line status and scoring like a mad man to push Ottawa into the playoffs next year.
Walter:What it gives Ottawa: What happens when you give a punk kid a rifle and send him off to some God-forsaken outpost for a tour of duty? You get Keith Meade, who’s back now and just as furtively obsessive as he was before he left. With this trade, Ottawa gets a very solid, young second liner and a crapshoot draft pick, both things that former GM Rob Burke seemed to have a fetish against. Don’t unpack your bags, Tuomo.

What it gives MIN: You don’t spell “Minnesota” without “O”. Since they certainly have enough as it is, they pick up defensive help in Pitakanen, who is built to be a top-pairing defenseman if he can just stop breaking his nail out on the ice. Sutherby is a rental to help with the playoff push.


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Feb 8, 2009 Bryan McCabe, Michal Handzus
Brett McLean, Mark Bell		                             Martin St. Louis, Martin Karsums
Michel Ouellet and CAR 3rd in 09








Steve:Holy Hell, Martin St Louis went from being a top 3 forward to being a package deal. I still think St. Louis has something left in the tank, so Chicago although gave up Handzus and McCabe for him, will see more short term benifit.
Walter:What it gives STL: The makeover continues. The Blues just constructed next year’s third line with their last two deals. Bell will only ring for half a season before becoming a UFA.

What it gives CHI: A team can only have so many scrubs, unless you’re San Jose or Calgary. St. Louis gives Chicago one of the most explosive scorers in the league, signed long-term. Karsums, Ouellet and the third help to replenish the league’s Sahara Desert of farm systems.


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Feb 8, 2009 Barret Jackman
Mike Fisher		                             Hal Gill, Jim Vandermeer
Cory Schnieder
FLA 2nd Round pick in 2009








Steve:Columbus gives up some serious talent in Jackman and Fisher, but obviously in rebuilding mode. Getting Schnieder will build towards the future in nets for the Bluejackets. That 2nd round pick is a nice addition too.
Walter:What it gives FLA: Jackman is a big, tough, dumb stay-at-home defenseman with decent wheels and a bit of a mean streak in him, and Fisher is the Wikipedia.com definition of “third line center”. Florida is on the edge of the playoffs and looks for an upgrade on both sides of the ice with this deal.

What it gives CBJ: Gill is even bigger, tougher and dumber than Jackman without wheels of any kind. Vandermeer is a serviceable #6 defenseman. However, it’s Schneider and the 2nd which make this trade for the Blue Jackets, who are huddled in exile in Borrow, Alaska, wondering how the hell to spell “playoffs”.


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Feb 8, 2009 Marc-Andre Bourdon
DET 2nd round pick in 2009 		                            Ethan Moreau







Steve:Moreau is the key to this deal. Will he fit into the already deep Buffalo team. Or will he just cause more trouble ?
Walter:What it gives CHI: The bone-dry Blackhawks eagerly gobble up a defensive prospect who won the Emil “Butch” Bouchard Trophy in 07-08 (better than being the “femme”) and a 2nd round pick for another UFA-to-be.

What it gives BUF: The Sabres bolster their PK and third line, bringing a favorite son home. Moreau isn’t great at any one thing, but will eagerly do anything and everything. Sounds like Finkel on a date.


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Feb 8, 2009 Matthew Lombardi                             PHI 3rd Round Pick in 2009







Steve: Seems like St Louis walked away with this one with a Steal. No matter what way you look at it 29 other teams in the VHA would take Lombardi for a 3rd rounder. Lombardi will step into the St Louis line up and make a difference right away. I am still shaking my head at Minnesota for dealing him away for so little.
Walter: What it gives STL: Lombardi is a very solid two-way center, signed through next year at a reasonable price. Can play 2nd or 3rd lines and is accomplished on the PK. Someone forgot to tell the Blues that they’ve got five teams to leap-frog over if they want to make the playoffs this year. Improbable as that may be, Lombardi is signed through next year as well.

What it gives MIN: When you’ve got Arnott and Backstrom as your 1-2 centermen, plus offense coming out your ears with Malkin, Mueller, Backes, Booth and Ruutu, you can afford to move a guy like Lombardi for futures. As of this writing, Minnesota is the new Montreal – ten picks in the upcoming draft, and counting.


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Feb 8, 2009 Michal Rozsival                             James Sheppard







Steve:Rozisival is a work horse, and the Habs could use him down the stretch. Dealing away Sheppard who still has yet to hit his full potential is probably a good move. I like what Chicago is doing here, build young.
Walter:What it gives MTL: The Habs needed a right-handed shot and a top-pairing defenseman for the stretch drive and the playoffs. Montreal came oh, so close to winning it all last season; adding a few extra pieces might just put them over the top. Viva le Republique du Czech!

What it gives CHI: Chicago ain’t going anywhere this season, so selling a UFA-to-be for a former #9 overall pick that has 2nd line potential makes a lot of sense. Sheppard has good size, decent speed and is defensively responsible. Chicago’s first real prospect since Jeremy Roenick’s nose hadn’t been broken yet.


 
   
 

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