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There has been a flurry of activity, to say the least, these past few days and it has resulted in a number of players being shaken from their doldrums. 

In virtually every case, a hockey player's offense has improved and will continue to improve as a result of his team's transaction. Owners of Joe Thornton, Marco Sturm, Kristian Huselius, Brad Stuart, Alexei Zhamnov, Brad Boyes and Jarome Iginla (I could go on and on) are seeing some nice numbers being put up on the board nowadays.

Let's begin with the Joe Thornton deal, since it was the biggest and by extension had the biggest impact on the most players owned on many fantasy squads. 

Thornton was already having a fine offensive season, so ironically out of all the affected players in this trade, his numbers are the least impacted. However, Boyes was toiling on the third line in Boston and Zhamnov's play was stagnant, and suddenly they are counted on to supply Boston's offense. 

The Bruins received Sturm, Stuart and Wayne Primeau for Thornton, and Sturm was immediately placed on a line with Zhamnov and Sergei Samsonov. The three of them clicked, while Boyes is enjoying more powerplay time. Stuart's change of scenery has resulted in some early returns, as well. Counted on to be an offensive defenseman, Stuart was faltering in San Jose. He picked up two assists in his Boston debut and I am certain there is more to come. 

Finally, Patrick Marleau and Jonathon Cheechoo are scoring early and often now. Cheechoo is doing it because he has Big Joe on his line. Marleau is doing it because he is no longer in the spotlight, and will content to be the league's finest number two center that will see him put up a career high 90 points this year. He has six points in two games since the trade.

The Calgary Flames picked up Kristian Huselius for a song. Huselius owners are rejoicing, as the highly talented 27-year-old is ready to flourish. All he needs is a top- five winger to click with and he's on his way to career numbers. 

Enter Jarome Iginla. 

While Iginla was not the beneficiary of any of Huselius' three assists in his Flames' debut on Saturday, he will be. The two are currently playing on a line together with Marcus Nilson. Watch for Daymond Langkow to soon take Nilson's spot and form a dominant line.

Simon Gamache's career was being slowed by his small stature. Smallish players generally need to work harder to catch their breaks and Gamache's skill was being wasted in Nashville. His being waived and picked up the Blues was the greatest thing that could have happened to him. He needed a situation where a team was all but forced to throw him out there time and again as a result of their weak forward lines, and that's exactly where he is. He scored in his first game in St. Louis, and his arrival also sparked Keith Tkachuk, who was in a bit of a slump after his return from a rib injury. This is a huge break for Gamache owners, and I know that there are few of them out there. This longshot prospect could really pay off.

Meanwhile...

...The two Browns of the NHL – Dustin and Curtis – have a combined zero points in their last 24 combined games. 

...This one's gotta be under your radar: Alyn McCauley has seven points in his last four games, and is perfect in the number three center role. Another beneficiary of Thornton's arrival, for sure. He's a solid 50 to 55 point player, and just needed to be counted on as a third liner, and not a second.

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Dobber's Fantasy Tips exclusively appear Monday's at TheFourthPeriod.com.
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