Players on the Move (Down)

Briere - Probably the most significant move in the off-season, as far as fantasy points is concerned, was Daniel Briere. Briere enjoyed tremendous success with Buffalo, but he was also surrounded by other players who did the same. Now in Philly, Briere will have a much tougher time. Timonen and Hartnell will not be nearly as productive and helpful to Breire as Drury, Zubrus, Afenagenov, and Vanek. While he will still be valuable, I wouldn't take this center in the first few rounds. In my fantasy draft Briere was taken last in the 3rd round, which I believe is reasonable, maybe even a little high. Taking Briere in the the 3rd round means that you already have your top goaltender, top forward, and using this pick on a hopeful. No third round player should be a hope draft. You should be focused on landing another consistant high production forward or a top defenseman. Even focusing on another goaltender would be a great pick.

Vokoun - Tomas Vokoun has been a very consistant goaltender with a high save percentage and relatively low GAA for the past several seasons. This year, however, will be a very different situation and will be in net for a team that, year after year, allows more shots than most other teams: Florida. Against southeastern opponents such as Tampa Bay, Carolina, and Washington Vokoun and the Panthers will be facing some of the best offensive players in the league night after night while having to stop more shots than he is used to. A goaltender is always a hot commodity in fantasy drafts, but Vokoun's value should drop this year. Last year he might have been chosen early to mid 2nd round. This year he should go in the 3rd round to managers who wait until then to pick up their 1st goaltender. In my league he was chosen last in the 5th round, showing how much his value as a possible #1 goaltender has dropped.