RIBEIRO-NIINIMAA SWAP
The Montreal Canadiens acquired defensemen Janne Niinimaa and a fifth-round draft pick in 2007 from the Dallas Stars for center Mike Ribeiro and a sixth-round draft pick in 2008.
What does it give the Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens continue to seek upgrades on defense, but in Niinimaa they have to settle for another depth defenseman. The 31-year-old Finn has struggled since leaving Edmonton in 2003, and was terrible with both the New York Islanders and Stars last season. He'll play a top-six role for as long as Francis Bouillon is out of the Habs lineup, but will eventually become an expensive ($2.5 million) seventh defenseman.
What does it give the Dallas Stars
While Niinimaa's situation improves slightly in his new surroundings, Ribeiro is in much worse shape in Big D. While he was considered Montreal's second-line center, the 26-year-old Ribeiro may start out as the No. 5 center on the Stars--behind NHL vets Mike Modano, Eric Lindros, Jeff Halpern and Patrik Stefan. Or, Ribeiro's arrival could lead to another move. In the end, the Stars save $600,000 in salary-cap space, which was probably the most important aspect of this trade.
Fantasy impact
