Fantasy Watch: Scouring the Waiver Wire

F Jeff Halpern, Tampa Bay Lightining
Since being dealt to Tampa, Halpern has been on fire scoring seven points in his last four games. This recent scoring outburst is new territory for Halpern, who has never been much of a scorer, failing to exceed the 50 point plateau in his entire NHL career. Receiving time on the power-play, Halpern has notched five pp points in his short stay with Tampa, giving him a surprising 10 points in 11 games with his new club. Unfortunately, Halpern recently went down with a sore back and is currently day-to-day. Hopefully this is just a minor setback for the forward, who is looking to rejuvenate his career in Tampa.
Fantasy Take: Although these words may sound strange, Halpern makes out to be a decent fantasy option upon return. The forward has meshed very well with his new team and his current stats make him a good lower end option. Monitor his status before inserting him into your lineup.

F Colby Armstrong, Atlanta Thrashers
Unable to find success in Pittsburgh, Armstrong seems to have found a new home in Atlanta registering three goals and seven points in his first nine games with the club. Once considered a fantasy bust, Armstrong has proven he can produce without Crosby and has given Atlanta another scoring threat. Enjoying a fantastic rookie season, Armstrong had trouble regaining his early success and found himself dealt on deadline day in part of the Marian Hossa deal. Hopefully for Atlanta all Armstrong needed was a change of scenery to get his career back on track.
Fantasy Take: Armstrong has been a reliable forward with the Thrashers, scoring six points in eight games this month. Teams looking for help down the stretch should consider Armstrong, who is enjoying success in Atlanta.

F Andrew Ladd, Chicago Blackhawks
After failing to live up to expectations in Carolina, Ladd finds himself in Chicago after being dealt for Tuomo Ruutu. Drafted fourth overall by Carolina, Ladd never found his rhythm with the Canes, exceeding the 20 point mark only once in his three year stay with the club. Looking to prove that he belongs in the NHL, Ladd has come out on fire with Chicago, scoring eight points in his first ten games. Ladd has been given time on the power-play, as well as more minutes in Chicago which has translated into success for the young forward. Although Ladd may not help your fantasy team this year, he has certainly improved his stock come next year's draft.
Fantasy Take: Ladd has tremendous talent but never seemed to get it going in Carolina. Fortunately for Ladd, it seems as if he has found a home in Chicago, but has been too inconsistent to warrant a starting spot on your roster.

F Samuel Pahlsson, Anaheim Ducks
Pahlsson has been relatively quiet all season long, but finds himself on four game point streak, scoring five points over that span. Receiving plenty of minutes over his past few games, Pahlsson has rewarded the club with his strong play and excellent passing skills. Currently the forward has six goals and 15 points on the year.
Fantasy Take: Although a four game point streak is impressive, Pahlsson has failed to produce all year and shouldn't be starting on any fantasy rosters.


For Illegal Curve I'm Jonny Remis

Morning Musings: Randy Jones got off easy

We could talk about this ad nauseam, but the suspension to Randy Jones has been deemed fair by most people in hockey circles. I have to say, I wholeheartedly disagree. I do not particularly care that Jones is not a dirty player. Furthermore, I don't exactly understand how Colin Campbell can decipher whether someone "intended" to hurt someone or not. I saw the hit, and Jones drove Patrice Bergeron's head straight through the end boards. There was no let-up, no backing off; instead, he clearly followed through with a punishing hit from behind. As well, Bergeron did not turn at the last second as some have suggested; rather, he was standing with his back to Jones the entire time. A suspension of two games sends little if any message to the rest of the NHL players. I have just one question: Would Jones have only received a two game suspension if Bergeron had been paralyzed?

Here are the the Eastern Conference mornings papers:

• The Capitals were having trouble getting on the scoresheet until Monday night's game versus the Leafs in which they scored four goals in the first period; the Caps won the contest by a final score of 7-1.
• Penguins' coach Michel Therrien think this is the right time for the Pens to go on the road and come together as a team writes Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pens' forward Gary Roberts, who has been out of the team's lineup with a respiratory infection, is close to returning to the lineup.
• Flyers' GM Paul Holmgren was disappointed that Randy Jones was suspended at all writes Tim Panaccio of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Here are some notes about the Flyers from this morning's Inquirer.
• The Leafs' next four games are thankfully on the road writes Paul Hunter of the Toronto Star. Damien Cox of the Star believes the Leafs are a "terribly vulnerable" team . In some positive Leafs' news, both Darcy Tucker and Kyle Wellwood appear to be making progress in their respective attempts to return from injury.
• Not even the return of Dan Boyle to the lineup could spark the Lightning to their first road victory, as they were defeated 3-1 by the Rangers at MSG.
• If Dean McAmmond is ready to return to the lineup on Thursday versus Atlanta, youngster Nick Foligno would most likely find himself demoted to the AHL. Meanwhile, it looks like Jason Spezza is looking for a similar contract to the one his teammate Dany Heatley received from the Senators writes Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. Garrioch also tells readers that Peter Forsberg will be using his time at the Karjala Cup in Finland to gauge his ability to play at a high level.
• Jaromir Jagr demonstrated his leadership skills last night against the Lightning as he lost all his front teeth and stayed in the game to score the game winning goal. Jagr sure earned his "C" last night writes Larry Brooks of the NY Post.
• Habs' rookie goaltender Carey Price will be starting his second consecutive game tonight, but more importantly, it is Price's first home game for the Canadiens.
• Panthers' defenseman Mike Van Ryn says his team needs to demonstrate "a sense of urgency." Florida coach Jacques Martin says you will continue to see different line combinations until one of the team's lines can demonstrate some good chemistry.
• Hurricanes' forward Andrew Ladd could be sidelined another week with his lingering ankle injury.
• Patrice Bergeron has been released from hospital but he is still experiencing headaches and substantial neck pain writes Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald. Apparently the youngster is expected to be out of the lineup for a month or more.
• Over in Atlanta, it looks like Thrashers' general manager Don Waddell is in no rush to hand-over his interim coaching duties.

Here are the Western Conference morning papers:

• Steve Macfarlane of the Calgary Sun has all the details surrounding the Miikka Kiprusoff contract extension. With Kiprusoff done, it didn't take long for the Calgary media to start discussing the other Flames' players coming up on free agency. In other Flames' news, defenseman Dion Phaneuf has no problems with his increased workload this season under new coach Mike Keenan.
• Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune reports that the Blackhawks are finally going to show a regular season home game on television in Chicago.
• The line of Chimera-Malhotra-Fritsche has been terrific for the Blue Jackets since being reunited by coach Ken Hitchcock a few games ago. Meanwhile, it looks like Fredrik Modin is ready to return to action tomorrow night, however, his teammate Duvie Westcott is not.
• The Stars gave away their 2-1 third period lead to the Sharks last night and were defeated 4-2. Stars' legend Mike Modano is now one point away from becoming the all-time leading United States born NHL scorer.
• The Oilers' trade of Tommy Salo for Tom Gilbert is sure looking like a winner now writes Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal. With Gilbert and his fellow youngsters playing well along the Oilers' blueline, it looks like Dick Tarnstrom is the odd man out. The Oilers face quite the challenge tonight, as the powerhouse Red Wings are in town.
• Wings' forward Johan Franzen is expected to return to the lineup tonight in Edmonton after injuring his knee in the team's first game of the year. Wings' netminder Dominik Hasek hopes to be back on the ice in the next few days.
• Jason LaBarbera of the Kings gives the NHL just another reason to get rid of these awful new jerseys.
• With the Penguins in town, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune profiles Sidney Crosby in this morning's paper. The Wild will be without all three of Demitra, Gaborik and Backstrom for tonight's game versus the Pens.
• Predators' forward Martin Gelinas is expected to miss the team's next three games with a shoulder injury.
• It looks like Blues' defenseman Erik Johnson will be back in the lineup for the Blues' game versus the Wild on Thursday.
• Radim Vrbata is doing his best to stay positive during his early season offensive struggles writes Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic.
• Sharks' rookie Devon Setoguchi was the star of the night for San Jose, scoring two goals to lead his team to a 4-2 comeback victory over Dallas.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.