Frolik

Fantasy Impact: Chicago has acquired skilled winger Michal Frolik from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Jack Skille. There are other moving parts in the deal, but it essentially breaks down to Frolik for Skille swap. I guess Dale Tallon doesn't subscribe to the "don't sell low" theory.

The Blackhawks get:

In Frolik, a skilled but inconsistent winger currently in his third full NHL season. I suspect that Tallon (and coach Pete DeBoer, for that matter) have never been big Frolik supporters. Chicago also receives minor league goaltender Alexander Salak, who will see a slight bump in his value because he is no longer stuck behind Jacob Markstrom and Tomas Vokoun. Frolik has a ton of upside – he is versatile, big, and skilled. Like many young skilled forwards, he has struggled with effort and intensity on a game-to-game basis. Still, this is a questionable move by Florida to get rid of him while his value is so low.

Frolik had posted back-to-back 21 goal campaigns in Florida, but he only lit the red lamp eight times through 52 games before the trade. Look for him to have a strong 2010-11 season with an immensely improved supporting cast.

Salak is having a very strong season over in Sweden (among the league leaders in almost every goalie category in the SEL) and should contend for a roster spot at training camp this fall.

The Panthers get:

Jack Skille has been an offensive flop ever since being picked in the 2005 Entry Draft (Chicago is among those foolish teams who passed on Anze Kopitar). He is big and fast, but to date has shown a lack of hockey sense required to be a productive forward at the NHL level. Skille had seven goals and 17 points in 49 games with the Blackhawks before the trade. He has a lot of natural talent but doesn't have the ability to seamlessly combine it all together on the ice. At best he'll develop into a 15-20-goal energy winger.

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He could see a short-term spike because of a lack of talent on Florida’s right side – Evgeni Dadonov is currently injured, leaving Steve Bernier, Bill Thomas, and Radek Dvorak as the three RW.

Florida also acquired a pair of minor league forwards – Hugh Jessiman and David Pacan.

Players this helps, in order:

1. Frolik

2. Skille

3. Salak

4. Michael Repik

Players this hurts, in order:

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1. Viktor Stalberg

2. Troy Brouwer

3. Tomas Kopecky