MALAKHOV FOR KOROLYUK
The San Jose Sharks acquired defenseman Vladimir Malakhov and a conditional first-round draft pick from the New Jersey Devils for winger Alexander Korolyuk and defenseman Jim Fahey.
What does it give the San Jose Sharks
If ever there was a paper trade, this is it! Korolyuk owed the Sharks one more season of service time, but instead opted to remain in the Russian Superleague this season. Fahey was down to No. 9 on San Jose's depth chart, so he was more than expendable. Malakhov, who is technically retired, isn't expected to report to the Sharks. Therefore, the Sharks traded in a little salary-cap space for a future first-round pick. Not bad at all.
What does it give the New Jersey Devils
The Devils were in salary-cap hell, pardon the pun, but this move gets them virtually off the hook. Korolyuk is an asset they can monitor from afar this season, while Fahey's $450,000 minimum salary helps the Devils out immensely, since Malakhov's cap hit for 2006-07 was $3.5 million. Fahey will probably spend 2006-07 with the AHL's Lowell Devils. It cost GM Lou Lamoriello a future first rounder, but this move should enable him to re-sign restricted free agents Brian Gionta, Paul Martin and David Hale.
Fantasy impact
