Thin Blue Line: Cutting your losses

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Health and fitness take center stage in these waning weeks of the regular season. While an absence of two, three or even four weeks in December or January is certainly a nuisance, it's enough reason to sever ties completely in late March. Regardless of fantasy reputation or history.

So why is Chris Pronger is still owned in nearly 80 percent of ESPN.com leagues? If yours expires at the conclusion of the regular season, and most do, Pronger has no place on any roster. He should be removed immediately -- as in yesterday. Recovering from hand surgery, the 36-year-old is expected to miss 3-4 weeks. Best-case scenario, Pronger skates in a game or two before April 10. That's not a valid enough reason to hang on to him. And you can wager your bottom buck the playoff-bound Philadelphia Flyers won't rush their veteran blueliner back ahead of schedule. Not when they plan to continue competing into June.

As for the Flyers' Pronger-less blue line, there's not much to report in terms of fluctuating fantasy values of those still skating. Kimmo Timonen continues to play the point in a four forward/one defenseman formation on the top power-play unit. Matt Carle remains a regular presence on the secondary squad, joined by Andrej Meszaros.

What may be a mild surprise is the lack of contribution from Meszaros in the last couple of months. Pronger or no Pronger, the 25-year-old Slovakian has been nearly stone cold, and not in the semi-sexy Steve Austin sense. Four points since Jan. 20 is not terribly heartening. Therefore, even considering his regular minutes with the man advantage, our endorsement of Meszaros is tepid at best.

Meanwhile, Pronger isn't the only significant fantasy asset toiling away uselessly in the infirmary. The Carolina Hurricanes took a big hit to their blue when Jamie McBain was ruled out for (essentially) the rest of the regular season with a shoulder injury. The Hurricanes' power play simply isn't the same without McBain, but they have to adjust. As it stands, Joni Pitkanen and Joe Corvo are skating with the top unit, while Tim Gleason and Derek Joslin are members of the secondary assembly.

Although Joslin doesn't deserve a second thought, Gleason could serve as a warm fantasy body with benefits down the stretch. The 28-year-old tallied an assist with the man advantage in the latest 3-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Gleason won't knock your socks off, but a helper here and there is well within the realm of reasonable expectation. Plus Gleason is available in over 99 percent of ESPN.com leagues.

As for Pitkanen and Corvo, they simply have to be better. The Canes' top power-play unit has been horribly impotent of late, but that won't last. It can't. Expect a mild resurgence in special teams play as the squad battles for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. And look to Pitkanen, in particular, to lead the charge.

Rising and Falling

Dion Phaneuf, Maple Leafs (up six spots): Pinky-swear: Even before he scored two monstrous goals against the Hurricanes on Wednesday, the Toronto captain had already earned himself a positive mention in this space. In fact, we've been pretty sweet on Phaneuf since he vowed to do better by the blue and white faithful on his one-year anniversary with the squad. With 15 points in 21 games (plus-five) since the start of February -- including three goals and three assists in his last four contests -- and playing like a man inspired, the intense 25-year-old has clearly kept his word.

Brian Rafalski, Red Wings (up nine spots): After missing eight games with a back issue, Rafalski reasserted his worth with a bang Wednesday night, fantasy and otherwise. Rafalski logged over 19 minutes of ice time and earned three assists in the Wings' 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals. The 37-year-old veteran may not feel 100 percent, but he doesn't appear too far off. There should be enough gas in the tank to get him through the final few games of the regular season.

Marc Staal, Rangers (down three spots): With one assist in his past seven contests, Staal hasn't been the same player, from a fantasy perspective, since the New York Rangers acquired Bryan McCabe before the trade deadline. Just as we expected. Although Staal is a precious component of the Rangers' blue line, his fantasy value is nearly negligible at this stage.

Key injury notes:

Kevin Bieksa may return for the Vancouver Canucks as early as Friday. Before he was sidelined in mid-February with a busted foot, the blueliner had been having a better season than many anticipated. If you still have Bieksa on your roster, get ready to activate him in the next few days.

An unreliable fantasy asset since he returned from a serious shoulder injury Feb. 18, Marek Zidlicky of the Minnesota Wild is again listed as day-to-day with lower-body injury. From now until season's end, Zidlicky's status should be checked on a daily basis.

Nursing a leg injury, Brian Campbell is expected to miss Thursday's contest against the Stars. He also sat out last Monday's game against the Sharks. He could return for the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.

Power Play Performers

Dan Hamhuis has had a nice run of it with the Canucks in recent days, notching four points in his past five games. And there's little to find fault with that shiny plus-27 of his. But take heed: If Bieksa returns as anticipated in the next few days, Hamhuis won't be relied upon as much to contribute offensively.

As a new member of the Blackhawks, Chris Campoli is getting some minutes alongside Brent Seabrook with the man-advantage. Virtually unowned in ESPN.com leagues, Campoli could serve as decent plug if you have a gaping hole on your roster  especially if Campbell is out for any length of time.

Victoria Matiash is a fantasy hockey analyst and contributor to Rumor Central for ESPN.com.

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