For my second and tragically final "Trade 'Em" entry of the 2007-08 season, I will once again turn to the financial world for wisdom.  Women and men who deal with trillions of dollars, guided not so swiftly by some invisible hand on a daily basis have a few insights on how to win a deal (morality aside, obviously) for the home team.

Ryan Whitney | D
Pittsburgh Penguins

The 5th overall choice of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft may be 7th amongst all defenseman in goals, but in sports and life the only question that matters is, what you have done for me lately? 

And since January 1st, Whitney's been even less productive than I've been (and that's saying something) at my day job.  Though not quite as bad as this fellow - although the former Wall Street faux - justice crusader might've had more fun. 

In the 18 Penguins games he's played since then his stats are quite sub-par: 3 goals, 8 assists, and a -6 +/-.  If you take out the two games where he had three points each night, that's only 5 points in 16 games. 

Somehow, even in the Penguins 7 - 3 romp of Buffalo on Wednesday night; he even managed to get a -1. 

It's time to market Whitney on the his overall production, and get more value for him than he's really worth while you still can.  I'm sure you can find someone desperate for offensive production from the blue line at the trade deadline.

Peter Forsberg | F
Colorado Avalanche

Call me crazy and you'll be correct in doing so.  Yet, sane men are often wrong, while even the crazies get one right once in a while. 

After coming out of a Michael Jordan version of retirement, Forsberg had two assists in three games, before going down with a groin injury.  He missed their 5-2 win over the Thrashers on Tuesday and is projected to miss their Thursday night tilt with the Oilers.

Even if he does return, the Avalanche figure to keep his ice time down for the remainder of the regular season.  Currently in the 6th spot, the Avalanche have enough horses to stay in the playoffs and save Forsberg for the only season that matters in real hockey.  Hint: it's not the 82 game long one.

While that is good for the Colorado fans on the ice, it's bad for fantasy owners who picked up Forsberg hoping for a late season diamond in the rough.  Your best bet at this point is to trade him to someone else, mentioning how in three of his last four seasons he's put up more than a point per game. 

His perceived value is unquestionably higher than his real value at this stage.  And remember, perceived talent doesn't mean squat.

Tomas Vokun | G
Florida Panthers

Over the past nine plus seasons, Tomas Vokun has been one of the NHL's most consistent and reliable goaltenders.  In 444 NHL games, he's put up 25 shutouts, a .913 save percentage and a 2.58 GAA.

That's what you'll tell the guy you're about to rip off.

I'm almost as good a salesman as these guys.

For, even with Vokun's impressive career as a whole, over his past seven games, he simply has not been getting it done.  His save percentage is a below average .89, and his GAA is an embarrassing for someone who I'm sure thinks of himself at good at his job: 3.6.

Trade Vokun for any forward or defenseman who can help you.  Surely you'll be able to find a goalie on the waiver wire playing better at the moment.

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Écrit près Charlie Danoff -- Homepage