The season is half way complete, but with the trade deadline a couple weeks away and fantasy playoffs quickly approaching, you are running out of time to fix your lineup in time for it to matter. 

WHO'S HOT

The obvious entry in this slot in Crosby's line.  Kunitz and Dupuis are working magic with the best player in the world.  Let's move on to the less obvious…

Chris Stewart (STL)

After a slow start (ok, a slow couple of years), Stewart is showing flashes of the brilliance that had his name in the conversation for "top power forward".  Since the calendar flipped to March, he can certainly make a case for that title.  Stewart has piled up 6 goals and 7 assists through 8 games this month.  The PIMs and +/- are coming along as well, making him once again an all-around good guy for your fantasy lineup.

Michael Ryder (MON)

Ryder has been one of the most under-rated fantasy forwards over the past decade.  He continues to quietly put up goals year after year without fanfare as he moves from town to town.  Since arriving in Montreal, he has picked up his assist totals, amassing 9 points in 8 games.  He has 3 multi-point contests in the past 5 outings.

Sergei Bobrovsky (G-COB)

No goaltender is as hot as the man in Columbus.  He hasn't lost a game in regulation since February, going 5-0-2 in the process, while averaging less than 1 GAA.  It's probably too late for you to cash in on this mad streak, but he deserves a nod in this space.

Jonas Hiller (G-ANA)

Apparently, Hiller wasn't willing to just step aside and allow Fasth to claim his job after all.  He has reclaimed the crease with an amazing run, going 7-0-1 over this last 8 starts.

Shea Weber (D-NAS)

Weber got off to a tragic start, waiting until Valentine's Day to wake up and contribute.  Since then, he's back to being an offensive beast for Nashville.  His last couple of weeks have been particularly productive, with 6 points in his last 5 games.  He's back.

Ryan Suter (D-MIN)

Speaking of Weber and defensive beasts, his former partner has been exploding on offensive over the same timeframe.  In his last 16 games, he has piled up 17 points.  Doesn't get much better than that.

WHO'S COLD / TIME TO DROP?

If you're going to make room for a new edition, you obviously need to let someone go.  Though it's tough to part company, here are some guys that it may be time to cut ties with...

Joe Pavelski (F-SJ)

Just 1 goal and 1 assist over the past 10 games.  He's even seen his ice time dive down to the 16 minute range as of late.  I'm a big believer in Pavelski and expect him to wake up at some point, but it's hard to keep the faith with these numbers in a short season.

David Clarkson (F-NJ)

Clarkson was a monster at the start of the season, even leading the league in goal scoring through the first month.  Since then, he has disappeared completely.  He has zero goals and just 2 assists through his last 13 games.

Dany Briere (F-PHI)

After a hot streak through February, Briere has disappeared offensively.  He hasn't put up a point in 5 games, with a -8 rating during that stretch.  His ice time is in the 4th liner territory.  Drop him and don't look back.

WHO'S HURT

• Viktor Fasth (G-ANA) - upper body, day-to-day
• Patrick Sharp (F-CHI) - upper body, IR
• Jamie Benn (F-DAL) - wrist, day-to-day
• Entire Florida Panthers lineup
• Raphael Diaz (D-MON) - concussion, IR
• Evgeni Malkin (F-PIT) -upper body, day-to-day

WAIVER WATCH

Brent Burns (D-SJ)

Burns just returned from a series of injuries.  Before this week, he had no points and sat at a -5 on the year.  In his two games since returning, he has been utilized as a forward, which has resulted in 2 goals and 1 assist, while maintaining the valuable "D" designation on the roster.  Take advantage now!

Ryan Whitney (D-EDM)

After a dark period of healthy scratches, Whitney apparently got the message.  In his last 8 games, he's put up 3 goals and 2 assists.

Slava Voynov (D-LA)

Last year, Voynov hit a stretch where he took off as a top fantasy option.  He seems to be back there again as of late.  9 points in his last 8 games for the Kings.

Jake Allen (G-STL)

It may be a short-term situation, but Jake Allen has kicked Halak and Elliot to the curb, as he's gotten the Blues back to winning.  He has gone 7-1 on the season and has gotten the nod in 4 of the last 5 starts for the Blues (all wins), including a shutout last night.

Derek Stepan (F-NYR)

Stepan has been developing into a feature role with the Rangers for a couple of years now.  It seems from a fantasy perspective he has arrived.  He has totaled up 9 points in his last 8 games.