L.A. starts rebuilding, the Caps' key, and more Versus

	The Flames hope the return of former captain Conroy (right) will add some experience and leadership for the stretch run. Ian Tomlinson/Getty Images
	MAILBAG Submit a comment or question for Allan. Your name: Your e-mail address: Your home town: Enter your question:

Dean Lombardi promised he'd be a seller by the trade deadline, and on Monday the Los Angeles Kings GM was as good as his word, dealing center Craig Conroy to his previous team, the Calgary Flames.

In return, Lombardi nabbed disappointing but affordable depth center Jamie Lundmark, a fourth-round draft choice this summer and a second-rounder in 2008.

That's a decent bounty for a 35-year-old player who is struggling through his least productive season -- 5-11-16 and minus-13 -- since 1996-97. But forget about the assets: just removing Conroy's salary -- he's signed through 2007-08 at $2.4 million per -- makes this trade a winner for the rebuilding Kings.

The other side of the ledger is equally sunny. This was the perfect time for the Flames to deal, with the team on a 10-4 roll. Conroy adds dependable depth and experience with limited offensive expectations. Odds are he won't be asked to center Jarome Iginla, as he did when the winger captured a share of the Richard Trophy in 2004. That slot is ably filled by Daymond Langkow, who is enjoying his own career season, while Matthew Lombardi has a hold on the second-line job.

Instead, Conroy should slip onto the third or fourth line and provide some depth, experience on the penalty kill and leadership. If he offers any kind of offense, it's a bonus.

Don't be surprised if Flames GM Darryl Sutter isn't finished dealing. Although the cap's not an issue, it's a good bet he'll try to move a roster player -- Andrei Zyuzin or Jeff Friesen perhaps -- to regain one or more of those picks.

What's most intriguing about this deal is whether it sets the market leading up to the Feb. 27 trade deadline. The Flames gave up three assets to obtain an aging depth center who has been largely ineffective this year. It suggests that fans who are hoping to see their team pick up an impact player like Peter Forsberg, Brad Stuart or Bill Guerin can forget about stealing them for some practice pucks and an industrial-sized bag of popcorn.

The floating gun

Interesting talk out of Washington, home of the NHL's hottest sniper: Alexander Semin. After tickling the twine with a pair of highlight reel goals against Carolina on Saturday, the 22-year-old has 12 goals in his last 10 games. He also has 29 on the season, good for seventh in the league, and just two off the pace set by teammate Alexander Ovechkin.

But even with all those red lights on his resume, Semin appears to be running out of rope. Despite a growing rep as one of the game's most gifted stickhandlers and explosive shooters, the left winger has frustrated both his coach and his teammates with his lack of commitment on a nightly basis.

A playoff spot remains within reach for the Caps, so the team can't afford to lose his offensive touch to a benching or a reduction in playing time. At the same time, they can't carry him when he's not scoring, as was the case during a 12-game drought earlier this season.

The fine work that Glen Hanlon has done behind the Washington bench this season has gone largely unnoticed, and that's a shame. But he'll have a chance to prove his value in a very public way over the stretch drive. If he can get Semin's oar in the water -- and pulling in the same direction as the rest of the team -- the Caps have a legitimate shot at the postseason.