Frozen Fantasy: With or without him

One of the greats retired this week. And the game may be better for it.

Hear me out.

Forty-year-old Brendan Shanahan(notes) has spent more time in the NHL than he has out. After 21 seasons, his résumé reads like a Hall of Fame who’s who. Eight all-star selections. Six 40-goal seasons and 656 on his career – that’s 11th all-time. Three turns with Lord Stanley and one with Olympic gold. And he’s the only player to score at least 600 goals and register 2,000 penalty minutes.

One word – wow!

But I maintain the game will be better with him off the ice than on it. And that’s because he’s the perfect guy to assume the reins at the NHLPA.

The union is in shambles. The janitor might as well be running the day-to-day operations, what with all the resignations they’ve seen over the last few months. And Shanny has already proven to be a leader off the ice – his summit during the lockout resulted in rule changes that have made the game better.

He’s thoughtful and smart, and he genuinely cares about the game. And if you’re not genuine, you’re merely an actor for 8-9 hours a day.

And genuine is exactly what the NHLPA needs.

Now let’s see who caught my eye this week.

Maxim Afinogenov(notes), RW, Atlanta (41-percent owned) – The tease has finally grown up. His talent is undeniable but his finish has long been suspect. But he sure seems to like playing with countryman Ilya Kovalchuk(notes) – quite frankly, who wouldn’t? He has points (13) in eight of his last nine and now has 19 points in 18 games. His ownership is climbing – he jumped from 33 percent owned on Tuesday to 41 Thursday. But an 85-point right winger should be owned in all leagues in every format. Get him now.

Keith Ballard(notes), D, Florida (16-percent owned) – Ballard’s skating is utterly sublime and his shot is a rocket. His overall numbers aren’t great but four of his seven points this season have come in the last two games. His decision making still needs some work but a defender with 40-point, 100-PIM potential is fantasy gold. Watch him.

Marc-Andre Bergeron(notes), D, Montreal (8-percent owned) – I’ve talked about this guy before but he’s worth mentioning again. He was the fourth-best defender on the Yahoo! list over the past week and he’s starting to show off his quarterbacking skills. You can do far worse than a goal, three assists and a plus-3 rating in three games since last Thursday. I’ve already nabbed him in the Friends and Family League.

Danny Cleary(notes), RW, Detroit (29-percent owned) – The first Newf to bring home the Cup has gone from a simmer to a boil in his last five games. He has three goals and six points, and a plus-7 rating in that span and has even chipped in a couple minor penalties. He’s been skating with Henrik Zetterberg(notes) and that’s a recipe for offensive success.

Trent Hunter(notes), RW, NY Islanders (2-percent owned) – There’s something special happening on the Island of Misfit Toys and Hunter is right in the middle of things. He may have one of the most awkward skating strides you’ve ever seen. But he has soft hands and doesn’t mind getting dirty. He’s only been back for six games and has points in five of them. He’s the kind of guy who’ll get them in streaks. Get on board now.

David Legwand(notes), C, Nashville (6-percent owned) – Legwand has sucked this season. Then again, he has sucked most seasons. He’s not the worst second-overall pick ever but he’s pretty darn close. Tuesday, he had a three-point night to give him five in his last six games. Trouble is, he only has eight in 19 overall. Maybe he’s heating up. Or maybe he’s just lucky. Watch him – he may prove us all wrong and become a late bloomer. C’mon, it happens ever decade or so.

Todd Marchant(notes), C, Anaheim (0-percent owned) – I swear Marchant must have taken a little blue pill at the beginning of November. After 13 games with no points, he has five in his last seven. I guess it just takes some old guys a little while to get warmed up before they find their groove. Five in seven isn’t star power but it’s enough to keep a girl happy for at least a little while, particularly when her squad has been hit with injury.

Tuomo Ruutu(notes), LW, Carolina (44-percent owned) – Like Bergeron, Ruutu has been in my sights before. He had four helpers Thursday and has eight points in his last four games. The Canes may be brutal but there’s real value in that flushing bowl.

Brandon Sutter(notes), C, Carolina (2-percent owned) – Sutter was one of the Canes’ best players Thursday against the Leafs. It’s hardly surprising – he entered the contest with a three-game, five-point streak on the go and his DNA screams success. He’s more efficient than flashy – you probably don’t really even notice him out there most games. But his potential is very intriguing.

Radim Vrbata(notes), RW, Phoenix (19-percent owned) – I expected more from this guy – he excelled the last time he played in the desert. But he got off to a slow start and pretty much sucked until last week. He’s now back on my radar with five points in his last five games. Distant radar right now but radar nonetheless.

Back to genuine.

The game is better for having had Shanny in it. And it’s going to be far, far better with him applying his leadership skills as executive director of the union. Sometimes, the glove just fits.

Before I sign off, I want to acknowledge the passing of a young woman who personified the concept of genuine. We occasionally skated together on the same hockey team and last Saturday, she fell to her death while on an adventure trip in Mendocino, California.

Suds, the world is worse off without you. Enjoy the waves up there.

Until next week.