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12/16/2010   FA    G-Phil's Flyers    drop: D Cam Barker (MIN)    add: D Kevin Shattenkirk (COL)

Analysis: In going after Shattenkirk, Greg has a made a move I wondered why nobody else had made yet. Normally, adding a free agent under 20 is strictly prohibited. However, rule 10(d) states, "if a player is dropped, notwithstanding subsection a), the dropped player becomes an eligible free agent, regardless of age." Shattenkirk was shrewdly drafted by the Moilers, but dropped October 29 - five days before he played his first NHL game.  (In the Moilers' defence, there was no way to see it coming. Moreover, Mo dropped him to facilitate a trade that, bizarrely, has worked out in her favour.)

Since then, Shattenkirk has been absolutely tearing it up for the Avs: 17 points in 20 games. That ranks the 2007 first-round pick third among NHL defencemen in points per game (just ahead of teammate John-Michael Liles). Barker, meanwhile, has underwhelmed with just four points in 26 games this year.

Shatty will have to add at least six points to Barker's four before he'll crack Greg's scoring roster. Barring injuries, there is no doubt that will happen, and I'd venture that come next September, Greg will be giving the Shatster serious consideration for the protected roster.

Is this the move that puts G-Phil's Flyers over the top?