Playing the Waiver Wire: Price check

For years, Carey Price has been called a phenom. Now, it's time to call him a professional.

Price burst onto the scene in 2003 as a 16-year-old prodigy for the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League (juniors). Two years later, the Canadiens drafted him with the fifth pick of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Shortly after, the countdown toward Price's NHL debut began.

Montreal let Price head back to the WHL for a little more seasoning. He struggled in 2005-06 to the tune of a 21-25-6 record and 2.87 GAA. However, he then hit his stride in 2006-07. He dominated the WHL on his way to 30-13-1 record, 2.45 GAA and .917 save percentage. He was named Canadian Hockey League Goaltender of the Year. His outstanding run wouldn't stop there.

Price became the starting goaltender for Team Canada at the 2007 World Junior Championships. He started all six games as Canada won the gold medal. Price earned tournament MVP honors thanks to a 1.14 GAA and .961 save percentage. His rise to stardom gained momentum.

He signed with the Canadiens after Tri-City was eliminated in the playoffs. Montreal wouldn't let Price rest on his laurels. He was immediately assigned to Hamilton of the AHL. He made a few regular season starts before becoming the starting goalie in the playoffs. How did Price respond? By leading Hamilton to the Calder Cup. He went 15-6-0 with a 2.06 GAA and two shutouts in the playoffs. He was the easy choice for MVP.

The wheels were set in motion. Price quickly became the future for Montreal after being the first ever goalie to win CHL Goaltender of the Year, MVP of the World Junior Championships and the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy (MVP for AHL playoffs).

The Vancouver native comes from some solid stock. His dad, Jerry (also a goalie), was drafted by the Flyers in 1978. It is also well-known in hockey circles that Price's cousin is none other than Coyotes captain Shane Doan. After his outstanding 2006-07 campaign, it was time for the second generation goalie to get his crack at the NHL.

Price was facing an uphill battle heading into training camp. Montreal had Cristobal Huet firmly implanted as the No. 1 goalie and it was expected Jaroslav Halak would serve as the backup after his 2006-07 debut (10-6-2, 2.89 GAA). However, Canadiens GM Bob Gainey decided Price was ready for the pros and tabbed him as the backup to Huet.

Price had a modest start to his NHL career. He went 9-7-3 with a 2.90 GAA and .907 save percentage in 19 games. His season was then flipped upside down when Montreal demoted Price to Hamilton in January. The questions began to surface on whether or not Gainey made the right call out of training camp. Did he somehow damage Price's future by bringing him up too early?

However, the wake-up call is exactly what Price needed. Working on his technique with goaltending coach Rollie Melanson, Price was able to restore his confidence in the minors. He returned to Montreal on Feb. 4 and has quickly regained the spotlight.

Price was named the NHL's third star of the week for Feb. 11-17. The 20-year-old went 3-0-0 in that span and stopped 103 of 107 shots. He posted a 1.32 GAA, .963 save percentage and even earned his first career shutout Saturday against the Flyers. Price stared adversity in the face and battled back like a true professional. He has shown poise beyond his years.

His recent run has many thinking that Montreal is ready to trade Huet, who is a free agent after the season. It would seem a little odd for Montreal to trust a rookie in the thick of a playoff race, but that is how much faith they have in a kid who hasn't even reached the legal drinking age (at least in the United States).

The "Price" was right for Montreal back in 2005 when they drafted a burgeoning Canadian teenager. Now, Fantasy owners can start cashing in on the Canadiens' fortunes.

In case you haven't noticed ... Penguins C Jordan Staal has answered the call with Sidney Crosby (ankle) out of the lineup. The second-year center has been manning the second line for Pittsburgh since late January. He has a point in seven of his last 13 games (three goals, four assists). He doesn't have great numbers, but it is a definite improvement over his previous production: five goals and eight assists in the first 47 games.

Add 'Em

Sam Gagner, C, Edmonton
Owned: 24 percent of leagues
Analysis: Marty Reasoner might have been the guy to officially replace Shawn Horcoff (out for season, shoulder) at center on the top line in Edmonton, but Gagner has been the player to fill the offensive void. The rookie has really stepped up his game in February. He has a seven-game points streak, in which he has two goals and at least one assist in each contest (eight total). Edmonton wasn't sure if they could rely on the 18-year-old at this point in his career. He is 5-10, 191 pounds, but he fits the mold of today's small, quick forward. The removal of the red line and the allowance of two-line passes enable Gagner to use his speed to hustle up ice.

Jay Pandolfo, LW, New Jersey
Owned: 6 percent of leagues
Analysis: It's about time for people to start jumping on the Pandolfo bandwagon. His early season performance in which he managed nine points (six goals) in 11 October games was a bit shocking. He slumped in November (four points in 13 games) before a pelvic injury put him on the shelf for 28 games. He returned to the lineup Feb. 4 and has been pretty spectacular. He has three goals and three assists in eight games. He is at 19 points (11 goals) in 32 games. His career high in points is 27. But the number that really jumps out is how well Pandolfo plays in Devils' wins. He has nine goals, 15 points and a plus-11 rating in 17 Devils' wins. New Jersey will be one of the better teams down the stretch and Pandolfo could be a nice addition as a No. 5 Fantasy forward.

Matt Cullen, C, Carolina
Owned: 47 percent of leagues
Analysis: Cullen was having a career season before a concussion knocked him on his rear in December. Cullen produced 10-plus points in each of the first three months and had 37 points (eight goals) in his first 39 games. He had never been this productive in his career. Unfortunately, Cullen was dealt a cruel fate when he caught a Colton Orr elbow in late December. He broke his nose and suffered a concussion. He sat idle for a few weeks before returning in mid-January. He played for a few games before post-concussion syndromes appeared. He was placed on IR and finally returned to the lineup Feb. 16. His return comes at an ideal time. The Hurricanes just lost Rob Brind'Amour for the rest of the season with a knee injury. Cullen was seeing limited time on the fourth line in his first two games back before being bumped to the second line Tuesday against the Bruins. He played for 23:35 and finished at plus-2. Cullen could be in for a very nice run down the stretch.

Drop 'Em

Eric Belanger, C, Minnesota
Owned: 47 percent of leagues
Analysis: The return of Mikko Koivu from a knee injury in January was good for the Wild, but bad for Belanger. He was bumped off the second line with Pierre-Marc Bouchard and is now centering the third line with Stephane Veilleux and Branko Radivojevic. The two are primarily known for their checking prowess and have combined for 21 points (nine goals). Belanger has just one goal and two assists in his last 15 games.

Avoid 'Em

Eric Brewer, D, St. Louis
Owned: 16 percent of leagues
Analysis: Brewer got everyone's pulse pumping when he put four assists on the board during Sunday's game against the Blue Jackets. Too bad he had as many assists in his previous 13 games. The fact he has one goal and hasn't scored since Oct. 27 is not very appealing. Brewer plays more than 24 minutes per game and appears on his way to 20-plus assists for the third time in his career. However, he doesn't produce consistently and will likely finish in the red in plus/minus for the eighth time in his career.

Claude Giroux, RW, Philadelphia
Owned: 7 percent of leagues
Analysis: Due to a rash of injuries, the Flyers were forced Monday to recall heralded prospect Giroux from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He had 33 goals and 88 points for Gatineau Olympiques. He is just 5-11, 172 pounds, but like we said with Gagner, he is perfect for today's NHL. He has great vision and hands, and is a flat out playmaker. Giroux has a bright future ahead, but his stay in the NHL might be very short. The Flyers can play Giroux for nine games before they have to decide on keeping him or sending him back to his junior team. We caution Fantasy owners because unless Giroux explodes for a gazillion points in nine games, the Flyers will likely opt to send the 20-year-old back to Gatineau.

Watch 'Em

Darcy Tucker, LW, Toronto
Owned: 36 percent of leagues
Analysis: Tucker has been mired in a season-long slump, but is finally starting to emerge. He has scored in four of the last six games and has six goals total. The power forward has scored 20-plus goals in the three previous seasons. It didn't appear as though he will reach that mark in 2007-08 before his recent surge. He has found a home on the second line with Jason Blake and Matt Stajan. Injuries have been a problem for Tucker the last two seasons, but he finally seems at 100 percent and that's great news. If he can sustain his recent scoring trend, consider adding him in Fantasy leagues.

Johan Franzen, C, Detroit
Owned: 16 percent of leagues
Analysis: The Red Wings have struggled offensively and felt a change was needed. So they took Henrik Zetterberg off the top line Sunday against the Stars and replaced him with Franzen. The third-year forward had a lot of success in the preseason playing alongside Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom. Head coach Mike Babcock figured it was about time to use that combo in the regular season. Franzen doesn't have a goal in two games on the top line, but he has an assist and plus-1 rating. Don't expect Zetterberg like numbers from Franzen, but if he can stay on the top line, there might be some Fantasy value down the road.

The NHL has seen its fair share of serious injuries in 2007-08 and the trickle down effect has put a burden on Fantasy owners. Here is a list of players that are worth keeping tabs on in the coming weeks as a quick snag on the waiver wire could mean a Fantasy championship (dates are subject to change).

Kevin Bieksa (VAN): Expected to return from a leg injury in late February-early March
Rob Blake (LA): Expected to return from an ankle injury in late February-early March
Phillippe Boucher (DAL): Expected to return from a shoulder injury in March
Sidney Crosby (PIT): Expected to return from an ankle injury in late February-early March
Marc-Andre Fleury (PIT): Expected to return from an ankle injury in late February-early March
Peter Forsberg (FA): Might come out of semi-retirement (foot injury) in March
Simon Gagne (PHI): Might return from third concussion in March
Dominik Hasek (DET): Expected to return from a hip injury in late February-early March
Niklas Kronwall (DET): Expected to return from a shoulder injury in late February-early March
Nicklas Lidstrom (DET): Expected to return from a knee injury in early March
Joffrey Lupul (PHI): Expected to return from an ankle injury in early March
Patrick Marleau (SJ): Expected to return from a groin injury in late February-early March
Ladislav Nagy (LA): Expected to return from a neck injury in late February-early March
Joe Sakic (COL): Expected to return from hernia surgery in late February-early March
Paul Stastny (COL): Expected to return from an appendix and groin injury in late February-early March
Jason Williams (CHI): Expected to return from a groin injury in late February
Sergei Zubov (DAL): Expected to return from a groin injury in late February-early March

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