“It’s not personal, it’s business” –World Famous General Manager

These words may ring true for you over the past few weeks as you make the roster adjustments to keep your fantasy hockey team competitive. Your heart may have you convinced that one of your under-producing players is ripe for a comeback, but your brain is watching your team sink down the standings.

You have to pull the trigger on these marginal players. Reputation alone doesn’t always merit a roster spot. This season is an odd one due to the lockout and some players may not hit their stride with the compressed schedule.

Here are my top ten players you need to issue the pink slip. Some might have marginal trade value, but your best bet is to just cut them loose.

10. Dustin Byfuglien, D, Winnipeg Jets-Big Byfuglien was enormous last summer and losing all that girth may have taken its toll on the husky Winnipeg defenseman.

9. Ryan Miller, G,  Buffalo Sabres-The “Pride of America” goalie could rebound, but what exactly is he waiting for. A coaching change with the Sabres could make you hold on to Miller a bit longer. I would get him on your trade block ASAP.

8. Nail Yakupov, RW, Edmonton Oilers-The rookie right wing started fast but has slumped lately. He’ll be an All-Star eventually, just not this year.

7. Mark Giordano, D, Calgary Flames-Giordano has been disappointing this season for fantasy owners and real owners. The upcoming trade deadline might make him expendable in Calgary.

6. Brian Elliott, G, St. Louis Blues-At some point in the past year Brian Elliott realized that he is actually Brian Elliott and not Jonathan Quick. If you are waiting for him to rebound, kiss your season good bye.

5.  Braden Holtby, G, Washington Capitals-With last season’s impressive playoffs showing apparently a mirage, the Capitals need to rekindle their interest in a goalie acquisition. If Holtby is still on your roster, you need to do the same.

4. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, Edmonton Oilers-I know it may seem like I’m picking on RNH, but I keep waiting for him to prove his worth. He just scored his first goal, but that’s about it from the second year center.

3. Mark Streit, D, New York Islanders-Everyone loves a defenseman who can move and shoot the puck, but Mark Streit is a plus/minus nightmare. Drop him if you haven’t already.

2.Dany Heatley, RW/LW, Minnesota Wild-The honeymoon appears to be over in Minnesota for Heatley and the two big free agent signings Ryan Suter and Zach Parise. Heatley’s value has nose-dived and he needs to be dropped or traded.

1.Jimmy Howard, G, Detroit Red Wings-He might have some trade value, but how much better will Jimmy Howard’s numbers get? Nicklas Lidstrom’s value to the Detroit defense has never been more obvious until you look at his numbers out of the Red Wing’s lineup in the last two years.