Advancers & Decliners: Week 1

ADVANCERS

Travis Moen (Anaheim)

Although not noted for his offensive skills, Moen finds himself on the Ducks' top line with Ryan Getzlaf and Coery Perry. Nice work if you can get it.

Duncan Keith (Chicago)

Many thought with the demotion of Cam Barker to Norfolk, Brent Seabrook would inherit extra minutes on the Hawks' power play. However, it is Keith who is benefiting from the roster move.

Stephane Robidas (Dallas) With Sergei Zubov on the shelf until November, and Philippe Boucher still working on his conditioning, Robidas is getting the lion's share of playing time, especially on the Stars' power play. He certainly took advantage on Friday with three assists.

Brandon Dubinsky (Rangers) The 22-year-old has registered four points in the Rangers' first four games, and has simply been the team's best player. Many in the Big Apple believe he is a budding superstar.

Miiko Koivu (Minnesota)

His stature in Minnesota keeps growing. Wild management believe he is the heart and soul of the franchise and awarded him with the captaincy this month, Look for Koivu to blossom into a 70-point player this season, health permitting, of course.

Christian Backman (Columbus) If Friday night's game was any indication, Backman will quarterback the Jackets' first power-play unit alongside Kris Russell, not Fedor Tyutin.

Matt Moulson (Los Angeles) The 24-year-old winger, who starred at Cornell University, has impressed the Kings' coaching staff with his creativity and as a result, he has been rewarded with a spot on the team's top unit.

Devin Setoguchi (San Jose)

With a season under his belt, and a gig on the Sharks' top line alongside MVP candidate Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau, the 21-year-old former junior scoring star seems ready to soar. Setoguchi certainly served notice that he has arrived with two points in San Jose's opening contest.

DECLINERS

Eric Christensen (Atlanta)

He held the position of the Thrashers' number one pivot for exactly one week before he was demoted to the team's second unit. His re-assignment means he will skate alongside Slava Kozlov, who, although talented, is no Ilya Kovalchuk.

Chuck Kobasew (Boston)

Leave it to the health-challenged Kobasew to get injured in the the first game of the season. With a fractured bone in his right ankle, the fragile winger will miss a minimum of three weeks.

Petr Sykora (Pittsburgh)

As is often the case, groin injuries have a way of lingering. Sykora is learning that first hand, as he has missed the Pens' first three games, and may miss a few more before he returns to action.

Bryan McCabe (Florida)

So much for a fresh start in the Sunshnie State. McCabe injured his back in his very first game as a Panther and will be out of action for a few games at least.

Fabian Brunstromm (Dallas)

The Brunstromm era in Dallas will have to wait. After an off-season of much hype, the Swedish Elite League star will have to learn the NHL game from the press box on occasion.

Martin Gerber (Ottawa)

It doesn't matter who the Sens bring in to back up the much-maligned netminder, he is always going to be second-guessed. This year Alexander Auld will push Gerber for playing time.

Vaclav Prospal (Tampa)

Due to the strong play of Ryan Malone, Prospal was demoted to the Bolts' second unit and as a result will no longer skate alongside Vincent Lecavalier and Matrin St. Louis in five-on-five situations.

Tim Connolly (Buffalo)

Don't you just love how NHL teams conceal injuries. The Sabres must have known about Connolly's fractured vertebrae but chose to keep it a secret until now. The shifty center will miss a minimum of a week.

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