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Trading Ovechkin in a Keeper League

Kory — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 12:46:45 +0000

If you have Ovechkin, you probably should hold onto him. He does not have the current injury woes that someone like Crosby has. There will be vultures circling, if they’re sharp, trying to grab AO from you since had had an off-season. You know how valuable a player is when an off-season is 85 points and still easily top 10 in scoring in the entire league. The entire Caps team had an anomalous season in terms of offense. They implemented a new, more defensively responsible play-style last season and it helped them turn around their season after their mid-season slump going into the new calendar year. Be sure to watch HBO’s 24/7 Pens-Caps Road to the Winter Classic series on that from last year, if you have yet to see it. It was pretty good.

Still, even with the change up in systems for the Caps, there is a good reason even Yahoo! ranks Ovechkin 2nd overall pre-draft. It is highly likely that they will increase their offensive production this season and that will be lead by AO.

Also, if your league differentiates between forward positions, such as left wing vs. center vs. right wing, then Ovechkin becomes even more valuable since high quality left wingers tend to be much fewer in number, especially compared to quality centers. Aside from Daniel Sedin nowadays and Heatley and Kovalchuk when they were much better a couple years back, there are not that many truly premier LWs out there, especially when you take into account guys that stay healthy for pretty much the entire season. Ovechkin is a tank like that: he does not miss that many games.

If you do decide to trade Ovechkin, depending on your league’s scoring settings, you should be expecting a top 5 goalie coming back and also another first-line player as well at a minimum. If your particular league does not value goalies that much (some leagues don’t even use goalies) then you’re going to be looking at at least two 2nd round type players coming your way. Since we’re talking keeper league here, they’ll need to be young players. Some would even argue that this is not even close to enough. Ok, there’s definitely rationale for that. I happen to have Ovechkin in one of my leagues and there is pretty much no chance of me ever trading him in the near future. So there’s that.

Factors to consider:
Age: Still Young and In Prime
PPG Pace: Top 3
Injuries: Minimal
Return Value: Huge

Perhaps you are interested in acquiring Ovechkin for your own team. A good time to strike is probably early this season. If AO starts off a bit slow, try and convince your opposing manager that Ovechkin is clearly never going to be the same in the new Caps defensive-minded system and that you would be glad to take him at his inevitably lower status from then on. Hopefully the other manager is quick on the trigger and is a bit more short-term oriented in thinking. If Ovechkin starts off hot, it will be a much tougher sell, clearly. You may have to bite the bullet and try to grab him whenever the opportunity arises, though, since guys like him are just that valuable. Giving up an extra pick or good player may still be worth it in the long run.

There is still an actual possibly that Ovechkin (and perhaps the rest of Washington) will slow down a bit offensively for the foreseeable future. That would be good for the team’s actual playoff hopes in terms of playing more solid defense but not so good for the fantasy hockey fans out there.

Still, trading for or trading away Ovechkin is probably going to be a very polarized decision which should make it a bit easier. Either you get a monster offer for him, if you have him already, or you’ll have to put together a monster offer to get him. Do not take any small offers for him, you have to take into account future production and he’s a known top producer already. He is easily top 3 in a keeper league in terms of short-term and long-term production.

Trading Crosby in a Keeper League

Kory — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:10:59 +0000

Sidney Crosby. Sid the Kid. Whatever you want to call him, he’s the top fantasy hockey points performer out there when he’s healthy. Last season, he was on a 132 point pace before his injury with 66 points in only 41 games. He’s surpassed the 100 point mark in 4 out of his 6 total seasons played in the NHL. The other two, he was well over a point-per-game pace but missed many games due to injury.

If you’re looking to trade Crosby in a keeper league, you had better be getting a huge return. Guys like Ovechkin and Stamkos should be coming back to you at a minimum–that is, when he’s healthy.

The only issue now is Crosby’s health. This is no small issue, though, because concussions are notoriously hard to shake for certain players and it could have career-ending impact. Not that this is the case for Crosby necessarily but it is something to keep in the very back of your mind when considering whether or not to hold on to him.

There have been huge point producers in the recent past that had major injury worries, from Crosby’s boss, Super Mario, to Forsberg. An injured player cannot help your team no matter what his PPG average is.

A couple years ago, trading Crosby would have been unthinkable. Times have changed. Depending on how he does this year, it would not be the end of the world if you traded him while he’s still at his peak in name value and also production, but only if you think he won’t be able to shake this recent injury bug. Otherwise, hold onto Crosby for dear life because when he’s healthy there is no one more productive at the moment.

Factors to consider:
Age: Still Young and In Prime
PPG Pace: Top 2 (when healthy)
Injuries: Significant Risk
Return Value: Huge (when healthy)

Lately, there has been discussion about Crosby possibly even retiring. This seems premature but is something that current Crosby owners should be keeping an eye on for the future if he take another big hit. He’s slated to return this season but concussions are no joke, especially if he goes down for an extended period again, which is not out of the question. That really could be career-ending and is something to take into account when deciding whether or not to trade him (or trade FOR him).

It becomes a matter of subjectivity with respect to the level of risk you’re willing to handle. Some managers are extremely risk averse and thus will probably want to trade Crosby as soon as he comes back, which would be understandable. Other managers will actually want to gamble and try to acquire him at his lowest value, which is right now, injured. If you currently hold Crosby as a keeper, you have to make the risk assessment and if you honestly believe he will be the go-to guy he was consistently when healthy. This concussion thing has really thrown a wrench into the plans where Crosby was supposed to cruise into the Hall of Fame with a really good career. It could still happen obviously but there is a greater chance now with him not starting the season that there could be problems down the line.

To re-iterate, if you have Crosby and think he will return some time during the season, it would be best to hold him until then. If you honestly do not believe he’ll be the same ever again and might even retire, as some of the more extreme viewpoints out there have suggested, then you’ll have to cut your losses and try to get as much for him as possible while you still can. I think the better bet is to stick it out for at least a few months and see if he comes back some time this season, then if you still want to trade him, let him go on a nice hot streak first, which he’s bound to do if he’s healthy. Don’t get over-anxious and try to trade him the day he gets back as he’ll be at his lowest level in terms of up-front trade value.

The injury factor really screws up any sort of projections people will try to make. However, going off his past stats, if you were to trade him, you should be getting at least two first-line type players from other teams and maybe a very high draft pick too. Just because he’s injured does not mean you should be giving him away for free. There is the concern that if your level of patience is too low and you end up trading him for less than what he’s worth that if he comes back good and healthy you have taken a massive loss. Some might even argue that trading him at all is a risky proposition because he is so talented. It could really come back to haunt you.

Finding Valuable Players in the Yahoo! Rankings for the 2011-2012 Fantasy Hockey Season

Schrembs — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 02:37:59 +0000

With Yahoo opening their fantasy service recently, it’s always beneficial to look for players buried deep in the rankings prior to your draft to make you the most prepared as possible. We’ll take the legwork out of that task for you as the list below should prove to be valuable come draft day. These rankings reflect the value of players from standard fantasy leagues to the deepest of fantasy leagues:

Potentially Valuable Players Ranked from 800-899

880. Zack Kassian – RW – Buffalo Sabres
879. Brendan Smith – D – Detroit Red Wings
866. Dmitry Orlov – D – Washington Capitals

Potentially Valuable Players Ranked from 700-799

773. Jonathan Cheechoo – RW – St. Louis Blues
757. Luke Adam – C – Buffalo Sabres
724. Blake Geoffrion – C – Nashville Predators

Potentially Valuable Players Ranked from 600-699

644. Chuck Kobasew – RW – Colorado Avalanche
624. Chris Butler – D – Calgary Flames

Potentially Valuable Players Ranked from 500-599

536. Oliver Ekman-Larsson – D – Phoenix Coyotes
530. Jiri Hudler – RW – Detroit Red Wings
518. Braydon Coburn – D – Philadelphia Flyers
516. Evgeny Dadonov – RW – Florida Panthers
503. Cody Hodgson – C – Vancouver Canucks

Potentially Valuable Players Ranked from 400-499

472. Mattias Tedenby – LW – New Jersey Devils
465. Zac Dalpe – C – Carolina Hurricanes
456. Gabriel Landeskog – LW – Colorado Avalanche
453. Dustin Jeffrey – C – Pittsburgh Penguins
447. Nikita Filatov – LW – Ottawa Senators
444. Nino Niederreiter – RW – New York Islanders
441. Nick Palmieri – RW – New Jersey Devils
433. Eric Fehr – RW – Winnipeg Jets
414. Mikael Backlund – C – Calgary Flames
412. Daymond Langkow – C – Phoenix Coyotes
403. Tomas Fleischmann – LW – Florida Panthers

Potentially Valuable Players Ranked from 300-399

399. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – C – Edmonton Oilers
397. Jonathon Blum – D – Nashville Predators
396. Jamie Langenbrunner – RW – St. Louis Blues
385. Pierre-Marc Bouchard – LW – Minnesota Wild
373. Ville Leino – LW – Buffalo Sabres
370. Ryan Johansen – C – Columbus Blue Jackets
363. Andrew Brunette – LW – Chicago Blackhawks
355. Steve Sullivan – LW – Pittsburgh Penguins
347. Vinny Prospal – LW – Columbus Blue Jackets
346. Jason Arnott – C – St. Louis Blues
345. Brayden Schenn – C – Philidephia Flyers
344. Wojtek Wolski – LW – New York Rangers
331. Marco Sturm – LW – Vancouver Canucks
326. Nazem Kadri – C – Toronto Maple Leafs
321. Peter Mueller – C,LW – Colorado Avalanche
314. Ales Hemsky – RW – Edmonton Oilers
307. Tomas Holmstrom – RW – Vancouver Canucks

Potentially Valuable Players Ranked from 200-299

295. Scott Gomez – C – Montreal Canadiens
290. Andrej Meszaros – D – Philadelphia Flyers
288. Mats Zuccarello – LW – New York Rangers
283. Matt Taormina – D – New Jersey Devils
249. Ray Whitney – LW – Phoenix Coyotes
248. Marc-Andre Bergeron – D – Tampa Bay Lightning
242 – Andy McDonald – C – St. Louis Blues
220. Tim Connolly – C – Toronto Maple Leafs

Potentially Valuable Players Ranked from 150-199

183. Teemu Selanne – RW – Anaheim Ducks
168. David Booth – LW – Florida Panthers
165. Nathan Horton – RW – Boston Bruins

2011-2012 Fantasy Hockey Sleepers: Pacific Division

Schrembs — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:36:07 +0000

With the summer wrapping up and pre-season right around the corner, major fantasy hockey services will be opening their games in August to managers chomping at the bit to draft, trade and make fun of each other for seasons past.

This article looks at sleepers over a variety of different league depths to help managers get one step ahead of the competition in their drafts this upcoming fall.

Lastly, the Pacific Division

Player: Jonas Hiller
Team: Anaheim Ducks
Position: Goaltender
Impact Depth: Standard Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: While it may come to a surprise to some having Hiller on this list, his condition to finish out last season may have some fantasy managers a little wary of his durability in 2011-2012. Several early offline mock drafts that I have taken part in had Hiller falling to 12th, 16th and even 20th in goalies drafted. If other managers are passing on Hiller in favor of more durable talent, be the savvy one to snatch him up as he has declared himself over vertigo and ready to lead a rock solid Anaheim Duck team to another playoff run.

Player: Teemu Selanne
Team: Anaheim Ducks
Position: Right Wing
Impact Depth: Standard Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: The Selanne Saga is becoming a little more clear as we progress through August. He stated that he is optimistic about playing with Anaheim this season and once he commits, is a viable option for fantasy managers as a first or second option at right wing. What’s nice about this situation is that in most formats, Selanne will carry a “not eligible” or “n/a” status with him. This may deter managers from drafting him which leaves him available for you to make a smart move in the early middle rounds. Don’t draft him as your number one option, but certainly slide him in as a number two while his official status is still up in the air. If he decides to hang ‘em up, it shouldn’t be too difficult to jump to the waiver wire in the beginning of the year to snag a replacement. If you’re drafting early and Selanne isn’t an option for you in your service at all, make sure you understand your league’s waiver system and try to be the first to cash in on him.

Player: Kurtis Foster
Team: Anaheim Ducks
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Kurtis Foster has been one of those under-the-radar type players in fantasy hockey. Nobody ever talked him up as being the next big thing, but he could quietly put up 30-40 points a season in the right setting and provide a team with some much needed offensive help from the blue line. If he gets a shot to start the season with the Ducks, he should be able to lock up some power play time on the 2nd unit and could help contribute from the back end. A nice late round depth option or waiver wire acquisition in case of an injury.

Player: Kyle Palmieri/Brandon McMillan
Team: Anaheim Ducks
Position: Wing
Impact Depth: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Assuming that Teemu Selanne returns to the NHL for one more season, Anaheim is going to be looking to fill a void at the 2nd line left wing position. Two players could fill that void and skate with Koivu and Selanne this season. Brandon McMillan is the first choice in our eyes since left wing is his natural position. He played well for the Kelowna Rockets but doesn’t have enough experience at the AHL/NHL level for us to say whether or not he could fit that scoring mold. Kyle Palmieri is a little more highly touted of a prospect who, if given the chance to jump to left wing, could make an excellent sleeper candidate for managers in deeper fantasy leagues. He proved himself as a youngster in Syracuse and could fill that scoring void a little better than McMillan. We like Palmieri a little more for fantasy purposes, so monitor his progress in camp and see if he can snag some decent minutes once the season begins.

Player: Sheldon Souray
Team: Dallas Stars
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Sheldon Souray’s value this fantasy season is going to be a complete shot in the dark. We all remember the lackluster defense, offensive potential, high salary and injuries that became synonymous with his name. Dallas has taken a chance on Souray as they are a team in desperate need of a true offensive presence from the blue line. He’ll more than likely crack the line-up and should be a true sleeper this season in terms of his rankings in most services. Don’t rely on him as a number one, two or three option this season. His history has shown us that a number four option at defense in deeper fantasy leagues may fit his personality more for fantasy managers. Put him in a position where it would be easy to cut ties with at some point in case of injury or slump. A very high-risk, high-reward player.

Player: Scott Glennie
Team: Dallas Stars
Position: Right Wing
Impact Depth: Keeper Leagues
Analysis: Glennie is one of Dallas’ top prospects and should be battling for a position with the big club this season. Talent is no question with Glennie as he has more than proven his value as a potential top-6 forward in the WHL. While he hasn’t seen much time in the AHL, he could very well make the jump to the bigs this season in hopes of logging some decent ice team. If he begins the season with Dallas, expect him to work his way up the line-up as he is certainly top-6 material. Managers in keeper leagues should make a play for Glennie in their draft this season. It may be slow going at first, but he’ll certainly be worth the growing pains.

Player: Jack Campbell
Team: Dallas Stars
Position: Goaltender
Impact Depth: Keeper/Dynasty Leagues
Analysis: The next big thing in goaltending could be coming down the pipeline for the Dallas Stars. With Kari Lehtonen due for a contract at the end of next season, it may be high time to get Jack Campbell into the mix to get some experience at the NHL level. While he’s still a couple of years away from making a splash in the big leagues, it may be wise to snatch him up in dynasty leagues as he continues to impress across the board. Perhaps Lehtonen re-ups for a few more years to allow Campbell to work under him a bit. Add the tutelage of goaltending coach Mike Valley and perhaps a freshly retired Marty Turco to help get him ready for the big show. It may be wishful thinking, but for starters, snatch him up this season and sit on him for the next couple of seasons. Certainly a worthwhile investment.

Player: Jonathan Bernier
Team: Los Angeles Kings
Position: Goaltender
Impact Depth: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Jonathan Bernier is our most consistent sleeper since we started doing this segment 3 years ago. We’ve projected him as a starter, back-up and trade bait over the course of the past several years, and his fantasy value appears to be in limbo once again this season. Los Angeles has a rock solid core of goaltending prospects, so moving Bernier at some point remains a very real possibility. For right now, he’s a King and should be viewed as a nice stash option behind one or two solid starters.

Player: Brandon Kozun/Linden Vey/Tyler Toffoli
Team: Los Angeles Kings
Position: Wing
Impact Depth: Long Term Dynasty Leagues
Analysis: These three players still have some time to go in the Kings’ system, but given their scoring prowess, could have a huge impact on the Los Angeles roster in the next several years. If you’re going prospecting at the end of your dynasty draft this season, Tyler Toffoli may be first to see action in a year or two, followed by Kozun then Vey. Just something to keep an eye on.

Player: Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Team: Phoenix Coyotes
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: We listed Ekman-Larsson as a super deep sleeper last season and while he didn’t quite put up the numbers we projected, he did get valuable time in the NHL to understand the way we do it in North America. Ekman-Larsson should be a permanent fixture on the Coyote back end this season and should be able to snag some power play time on the 2nd unit. He could be a nice pick at the tail end of a deeper draft as a 4th or 5th option at defense.

Player: Brett MacLean
Team: Phoenix Coyotes
Position: Wing
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: There isn’t much offensive firepower behind Ray Whitney on the left side, so we anticipate some line shuffling to find out who can fit the mold the best. Lauri Korpikoski, Taylor Pyatt, Raffi Torres and Patrick O’Sullivan are candidates to fill that role, but we like Brett MacLean sneaking up the depth chart and playing a top-6 role this season. He got some NHL experience last season and has proven at the AHL level that he is ready to make the final push to the big leagues. If he’s given the opportunity, he could prove to be a great late round addition to fantasy squads in the deepest of leagues.

Player: Kyle Turris
Team: Phoenix Coyotes
Position: Center
Impact Depth: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: It appears that Turris could be ready for an increased role this season as he has more offensive intuitiveness than Martin Hanzal and should get top-6 time with power play privileges. It’s unclear as to whether or not he’ll be on the top line with Whitney and Doan, but he’ll still be valuable to the team, and he’s a nice option as a 3rd or 4th center in deeper fantasy leagues.

Player: Torrey Mitchell
Team: San Jose Sharks
Position: Wing
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Most of the players worth owning in San Jose have already been uncovered as viable scoring threats for the purpose of fantasy hockey. On both offense and defense, the Sharks possess reliable, well known scorers that are fantasy hockey mainstays through any league depth. One player that we are pegging as a possible sleeper this season is Torrey Mitchell. There will be opportunities for players to crack an already somewhat solidified top-6 lineup, and if you had to choose one player to make the jump, Mitchell might be your guy. He has shown an ability to put the puck in the net but needs to show a little more consistency if he wants to make a push up the depth charts, especially if a vacancy occurs due to injury. I’m an advocate of drafting players who are in their contract year, and Mitchell is due for one at the end of this season. Perhaps it’s extra incentive to kick it up a notch and hit that 40-45 point plateau this season.

2011-2012 Fantasy Hockey Sleepers: Northwest Division

Schrembs — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:57:00 +0000

This article looks at sleepers over a variety of different league depths to help managers get one step ahead of the competition in their drafts this upcoming fall.

Fifth up, the Northwest Division…

Player: Mikael Backlund
Team: Calgary Flames
Position: Center
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues/Keeper Leagues
Analysis: While it’s sometimes difficult to gauge where Backlund will wind up in the line-up night in and night out, he may be a worthwhile add to managers in keeper leagues as he could see top line duty within a year. The funny thing about Calgary’s center situation this year is that next season, all centers (except Matt Stajan) will be due for contracts. So that means Backlund, Morrison, Jokinen and Langkow will could be spending their last year with the Flames. This is good news for Backlund as the Flames will likely retain him and try and get him top line minutes. As for this year, he may find himself in a 3rd line role with Langkow healthy, but could have some power play privileges. For year-to-year managers, he’s best suited for the deepest of fantasy leagues.

Player: David Moss
Team: Calgary Flames
Position: Right Wing
Impact Depth: Deep Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: With Calgary’s right side relatively thin when it comes to scoring talent, David Moss could benefit on the team’s 2nd line. He’s a streaky player, so you’ll have to put up with his inconsistencies a bit. However, as a 3rd or 4th wing option in deeper fantasy leagues, he could very well rack up 50 points this season. Certainly a worthwhile add in the latter stages of a draft.

Player: Mark Giordano/Chris Butler
Team: Calgary Flames
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Moderately Deep Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: It’s time to come to terms with the fact that Jay Bouwmeester my not be the offensive juggernaut that those in Calgary would have hoped he could have been. The Flames will be looking for other defenders to step up and chip in points from the blue line, and that’s where Mark Giordano and Chris Butler could become valuable commodities in the latter stages of moderately deep fantasy drafts. Both have decent offensive mindsets, but rankings will probably have Giordano a little higher in the rankings. Still, they will be down there far enough to merit a sleeper tag and wouldn’t be bad options as 4th or 5th defensive options.

Player: Peter Mueller/Chuck Kobasew
Team: Colorado Avalanche
Position: Right Wing
Impact Depth: Dependent Upon Injury Status
Analysis: There is little doubt in Peter Mueller’s offensive ability as he can easily maintain a top-6 role in Colorado when healthy. That healthy clause is the kicker, though. Mueller suffered a severe concussion 2 seasons ago and his status for the upcoming season is still up in the air. He is currently skating, but may not be ready for the start of the season. If he is unable to go, Chuck Kobasew could find himself on the 2nd line as a right winger. If given top-6 minutes, Kobasew could have a good start to the season and is valuable to managers who are rewarded for goal scoring as he has a knack for finding the back of the net.

Player: Gabriel Landeskog
Team: Colorado Avalanche
Position: Wing
Impact Depth: Deeper Fantasy Leagues/Keeper Leagues
Analysis: Certainly a Calder Candidate for the season, Landeskog may jump right in to help out Colorado’s offense this season. He may have to jump to the left side as it is relatively thin, but expect decent power play time and top-6 minutes.

Player: Teemu Hartikainen
Team: Edmonton Oilers
Position: Wing
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Adding to the youth movement in Edmonton, Hartikainen could provide some nice offensive depth for the Oilers this season. While he’s no guarantee to make the roster, he could very provide some nice scoring depth for Edmonton if he is fortunate to find a spot on the roster. Furthermore, he would be an excellent substitute for an injured winger, and when Ales Hemsky is in your line-up, there’s a good chance you see an increased role at some point in the season. Keep an eye on him to see what his role is if he makes the team.

Player: Tom Gilbert
Team: Edmonton Oilers
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Gilbert should offer fantasy managers a nice 3rd or 4th option at defense in the upcoming season. There is a lack of offensive prowess on the Oiler blue line, and with Gilbert flashing some offensive ability over the past couple of seasons, he could be called upon to take on a bigger offensive role, especially on the power play.

Player: Pierre-Marc Bouchard
Team: Minnesota Wild
Position: Wing/Center
Impact Depth: Moderately Deep Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: While oft-injured winger Pierre-Marc Bouchard can be a fantasy liability, he’ll provide managers patient enough to stick him out rock solid under-the-radar scoring. Bouchard is a lock for power play time in the upcoming season and should get a nice offensive boost from Dany Heatley on his opposite side. Bouchard could be a great steal in the latter rounds of a moderately deep fantasy leagues.

Player: Marek Zidlicky
Team: Minnesota Wild
Position: Defender
Impact Depth: Standard Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: An injury plagued season may have Marek Zidlicky ranked a little lower than some anticipate this upcoming season. If he’s buried a bit, he could be a great steal in the middle to late rounds of a standard draft as he’ll be Minnesota’s power play quarterback once again this season. Could be a top option for managers whose strategy is to wait on defenders, or a solid number 2 or 3 for savvy managers playing their cards right.

Player: Cody Hodgson
Team: Vancouver Canucks
Position: Center
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues/Keeper Leagues
Analysis: This should be the year that Hodgson gets an entire season at the NHL level under his belt. He could very well center the 2nd line while Kesler recovers from hip surgery, but will be relegated to 3rd line duty once Ryan is healthy enough to return. He’s a helluva prospect, but given depth, Vancouver may maximize his potential value and fill holes elsewhere by trading him. Watch how they use him to start the season.

Player: Marco Sturm
Team: Vancouver Canucks
Position: Left Wing
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Sturm is a pain in the neck when it comes to reliability as he has some injury issues, but if he can remain healthy, he could work his way into a top-6 role throughout the season. He’s been a goal scorer in the past and could benefit from being in an offensive minded market. As a 3rd or 4th option at left wing, Sturm could be valuable to managers in the deepest of fantasy leagues given he pulls down decent ice time throughout the year.

Player: Owen Nolan
Team: Vancouver Canucks
Position: Right Wing
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Nolan has been offered the opportunity to tryout with the Cancuks and if he is able to crack the line-up, he’ll probably be relegated to 3rd line duties. Still, he’s still got some game left in the tank and could provide decent scoring depth for an injury riddled fantasy team. Again, his value is obviously dependent upon him making the team, so best leave him on the waiver wire until services are needed.

Player: Mark Mancari
Team: Vancouver Canucks
Position: Right Wing
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Depending on how the Canucks use Mancari, he could be a super sleeper this upcoming season. Buffalo opted not to retain the former AHL stud, and Mancari is looking to show he is capable of putting up solid numbers at the NHL level. If Mancari could work his way into a consistent top-6 role this season, he has the skill to finish the year with 50-60 points. He will be buried in the ranks for sure, so managers could find a real gem with their last pick this season if Mancari is given big minutes. Draft him but don’t be afraid to cut ties with him if he’s stuck on the 4th line.

2011-2012 Fantasy Hockey Sleepers: Central Division

Schrembs — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:34:27 +0000

This article looks at sleepers over a variety of different league depths to help managers get one step ahead of the competition in their drafts this upcoming fall.

Fourth up, the Central Division…

Player: Andrew Brunette
Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Position: Left Wing
Impact Depth: Standard Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: For some reason, managers (even in non-keeper leagues) will shy away from veteran players as if players over a certain age all of a sudden lose all limb functionality and become completely useless to the sport of hockey. The bottom line is, Andrew Brunette has been, and will continue to be, a solid source of points for managers savvy enough to snag him in a draft. Left wing is an ultra-thin position, so using Brunette as a 2nd or 3rd option should benefit owners to the tune of 50-60 points this season.

Player: Marcus Kruger/Jeremy Morin
Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Position: Center and Wing Respectively
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: There should be room to sneak Kruger or Morin (or both if there is an injury) into the lineup to start the season. Both players have a nice offensive upside but may be relegated to 4th line duties if they begin the season with the Blackhawks. Morin played a bit with Chicago last season and found some offensive success, so if you’re a gambling manager, maybe take Morin to fill a void in the deepest of fantasy leagues.

Player: Alexander Salak
Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Position: Goaltender
Impact Depth: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Corey Crawford better be looking in his blind spot this season because if he gets into a funk, Alexander Salak may very well relieve him of his starting duties. Salak had an impressive stint with Rochester a few years ago and an absolutely ridiculous season with Farjestad last year. Crawford is by no means proven, so keep an open mind when drafting in the latter stages of your draft and maybe pluck Salak with a final pick to shore up your goaltending depth.

Player: Michael Frolik
Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Position: Right Wing
Impact Depth: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: While the right hand side is shored up in Chicago with Kane and Hossa, Frolik may still be a decent option to fill a void for managers in deeper fantasy leagues. He was a quiet producer in Florida and still has room to grow in a more offensive market. He’ll start the season on the 3rd line but could certainly snag some power play time with the 2nd unit. Perhaps he’ll find some chemistry with his projected linemates Dave Bolland and Victor Stalberg.

Player: Vaclav Prospal
Team: Columbus Blue Jackets
Position: Left Wing
Impact Depth: Standard Leagues
Analysis: Prospal will be filling in for Kristian Huselius to start the season and should be anchoring the left side on the top line. He’ll be a power play contributor and should fit nicely to any roster as a 3rd option at left wing.

Player: John Moore/David Savard/Cody Goloubef
Team: Columbus Blue Jackets
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: While we probably won’t see any of these players starting the season with Columbus, there is a good chance that one (or more) will be called up due to an injury on the back end. John Moore and David Savard will probably be brought up ahead of Goloubef, but all three offer something that has been somewhat lacking on the blue line for the Jackets over the past several seasons: offensive firepower. While James Wisniewski was a smart addition this off-season, there is always room for additional help in that respect. Leave these guys alone during a draft but flag them and monitor any injury situation that takes place on Columbus’ back end.

Player: Ryan Johansen
Team: Columbus Blue Jackets
Position: Center
Impact Depth: Deepest Fantasy leagues and Keeper Leagues
Analysis: Ryan Johansen is in a unique position in Columbus. The Jackets are overloaded at center, so sliding him in to his natural position as a starter for upcoming season may be difficult. Couple that with the fact that Johansen is not eligibile to play in the AHL quite yet because of his age and that leaves the team in a precarious spot. While centers playing the wing has proven to be a difficult task in the past, it may be the only option Columbus has with Johansen this season. His offensive ability is not the question in this circumstance; it’s where to put him. Perhaps you snag him with the last pick of your draft and wait to see where he fits in this season.

Player: Jiri Hudler
Team: Detroit Red Wings
Position: Wing
Impact Depth: Standard Leagues
Analysis: So he didn’t live up to expectations last season. All the more reason to snag him with one of the last picks in your standard draft this season. He was over-hyped as a sleeper least season, and when he didn’t perform up to par for a lot of people, he was written off in the fantasy world. Don’t go into this season with that mentality. He may be able to snag to-6 time this season, so expect 50-60 points if he regains his NHL form.

Player: Brendan Smith
Team: Detroit Red Wings
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Keeper/Dynasty Leagues
Analysis: While it may be hard for Smith to make the opening night roster, it may be best to flag him or even make a play for him in keeper leagues as he seems to be next in line to take the offensive reigns from Nik Lidstrom. Yes, we know Kronwall is still there too, but Smith is a nice, young investment for any keeper manager in need of offense from the blue line. If you see him on the ice early on in the season, it may be wise to snatch him up in deeper fantasy leagues. Otherwise, flag him and wait until an injury occurs on the back end before you make a move. With retirements and one year contracts, Smith will most likely be a permanent fixture on the back end next season.

Player: Tomas Tatar/Jan Mursak
Team: Detroit Red Wings
Position: Center/Wing
Impact Depth: Keeper/Dynasty Leagues
Analysis: Believe it or not, there will be a youth movement taking place in Detroit in the next several years. Known for having more veteran leadership than anything, the Red Wings have several players coming up through their system who are highly touted prospects that could compliment Datsyuk and Zetterberg quite well. Both Tomas Tatar and Jan Mursak will be battling for positions this fall, and while they may not make the squad, it may be wise to make a play in keeper and dynasty leagues. They could be injury call-ups, but more probable, will be part of a huge talented youth movement over the next three seasons.

Player: Jonathon Blum
Team: Nashville Predators
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Those managers in deeper fantasy leagues may enjoy the services of Blum as a depth defender with offensive upside. While Weber and Suter will still be the primary beneficiaries of the top power play unit, Blum will certainly be able to sneak in on the 2nd unit and snag some special teams points. If an injury occurs to either Weber or Suter, Blum will be the top candidate to pick up the slack from the offensive standpoint.

Player: Blake Geoffrion
Team: Nashville Predators
Position: Center/Wing
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Blake Geoffrion was a nice addition to the Preds late last season and managers that were savvy enough to snag him enjoyed 6 goals and 2 assists in his end of the season stint. While his value to the fantasy world won’t be determined until the start of the season, managers in the deepest of fantasy leagues should flag him to see if he makes the team, and if so, what kind of ice time he’s getting. He could be a great addition to managers in leagues who are rewarded heavily for goal scoring.

Player: Taylor Beck/Ryan Ellis
Team: Nashville Predators
Position: Wing/Defense Respectively
Impact Depth: Keeper/Dynasty Leagues
Analysis: Nashville has some rock solid talent coming through the system. Two players that could make an impact in the next season or two Taylor Beck and Ryan Ellis. Ellis is the most intriguing character on this list as he may very well be a stud fantasy defender in Nashville next season. As for this season, it’s going to take an injury on the back end to get him to the NHL. As for next year, however, Weber, Suter, Bouillon, Blum AND Hillen are due for contracts. Something tells me they won’t retain every defender giving Ellis a legit shot at a roster spot. He has tremendous offensive upside, so you if you see him at any point this season, snatch him up and stash him for next year. Beck will also be vying for a position on the team but may have to endure 3rd or 4th line minutes in any NHL stint this season.

Player: Anders Lindback
Team: Nashville Predators
Position: Goaltender
Impact Depth: Potential Standard League Starter
Analysis: Try this one for size: the goaltender turnover ratio in Nashville is EXTREMELY high. Several years ago, Tomas Vokoun goes down with a serious condition that keeps him sidelined for months. Chris Mason is asked to take over and plays stellar in relief. Nashville then trades Vokoun to Florida and names Mason their starter. The next season starts and Mason struggles. Dan Ellis comes in to provide a shake up and steals the show. The result is Mason being traded to St. Louis and Ellis being named the starter. The year following, Ellis plays some awful puck and Rinne jumps in to steal the show. Now, Rinne is coming off of a dynamite season, but if history has shown us anything, his job isn’t safe. Just keep Anders Lindback in the back of your mind during drafts this season. He is a great young goaltender who could very well take over the starting position in Nashville at any moment.

Player: Vladimir Tarasenko
Team: St. Louis Blues
Position: Right Wing
Impact Depth: Deeper Fantasy Leagues/Keeper Leagues/Dynasty Leagues
Analysis: If all falls into place this season, Tarasenko could have a shot at making the opening day squad. He is one of the best prospects in the league and with David Perron’s season contingent upon his concussion symptoms, he could wind up playing top 6 minutes by the end of the season. Some line shuffling will be required, but he’s got star quality and could contribute huge numbers if given the chance over the next several seasons. Keeper and Dynasty managers must take note.

Player: Jason Arnott/Jamie Langenbrunner
Team: St. Louis Blues
Position: Center/Wing Respectively
Impact Depth: Moderately Deep Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Something the Blues have lacked in recent years is some solid veteran leadership for their young squad. Paul Kariya was a nice source of leadership, but his ship has recently sailed, so management made some nice acquisitions in the off-season by snatching up Jamie Langenbrunner and Jason Arnott. Arnott may be the more valuable of the two as he’ll likely see time on the power play this season working with the youngsters out on the ice. He did well in his brief stint in Washington and should provide fantasy owners a nice depth option at center. Langenbrunner’s value to start the season is purely based on his position at the wing. He didn’t quite catch on in Dallas and New Jersey like people had hoped, so perhaps another change of scenery is order to kick start his production again.

2011-2012 Fantasy Hockey Sleepers: Southeast Division

Schrembs — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 03:22:03 +0000

This article looks at sleepers over a variety of different league depths to help managers get one step ahead of the competition in their drafts this upcoming fall.

Third on tap, the Southeast Division…

Player: Eric Fehr
Team: Winnipeg Jets
Position: Right Wing
Impact Depth: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Managers in deep fantasy leagues usually end up deep down in the rankings at some point in the draft trying to shore up depth at either the left or right wing spot. Eric Fehr may be a decent option for scoring in the 2011-2012 season and could be available with one of the last picks of your draft. Looking at the roster for Winnipeg as it stands, Fehr is an option to be a top-6 forward for the Jets with solid of power play time in his future if that’s the case. He could toggle with Blake Wheeler for that top spot on the right hand side, and if the 2009-2010 season was any indication of his ability, he could very well put up 50-60 points this season. Could be a great late round bargain if you play your cards right.

Player: Alexander Burmistrov
Team: Winnipeg Jets
Position: Center
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues/Stop Gap Player
Analysis: With Bryan Little able to play both center and wing, Alexander Burmistrov’s value this season is completely dependent upon where Claude Noel uses his flexible center. If Little is used at center this season, Burmistrov will likely be used as a 3rd line center, not offering much fantasy value. If Little is used as a winger, however, Burmistrov could very well be used behind Nik Antropov as a 2nd line option for the Jets. This would in turn drop Eric Fehr down to a 3rd liner, so take note if you’re a believer in his ability this upcoming season. Burmistrov is a shifty, super talented player that could very well offer us a glimpse of his true ability with a full time role. Since center is the deepest position in fantasy hockey, it may be best to flag him and monitor how he is used in the first couple of weeks and potentially snag him as a stop gap option in case an injury occurs on your team.

Player: Troy Brouwer/Joel Ward
Team: Washington Capitals
Position: Wing
Impact Depth: Moderately Deep Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: While the roles of Brouwer and Ward in the Washington lineup are still up in the air, we may be able to offer some fantasy advice for managers looking for wingers towards the end of a moderately deep draft. Both players have a great two-way sense for the game and have had similar production over the course of the past three NHL seasons. Brouwer has been more offensively successful during his short NHL stint, but one could argue that his offensive prowess was a product of being in one of the more offensive markets in the league prior to Washington. Joel Ward came alive in the playoffs last season finally gaining the recognition that he may deserve. Both of these players have the ability to play on the top line this season as Ovechkin, Backstrom and Semin rarely skate on the same line outside of a power play situation. Don’t invest too heavily in Brouwer or Ward in your draft as how they will be used is still up in the air. The good thing is they are both wingers, so adding much needed depth in the latter stages of a draft could make them valuable as they are in an offensive minded market. Good as 3rd or 4th options at the wing position.

Player: Mike Knuble
Team: Washington Capitals
Position: Right Wing
Impact Depth: Standard Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: You would be surprised at how many managers opt not to draft veteran players for their fantasy teams. While Mike Knuble has never been a scoring title contender, he has been able to leech off the talent around him to gain fantasy value throughout his career. As a 3rd or 4th option at right wing in the upcoming season, Knuble should offer fantasy managers 50-60 points with significant time on one of the power play units.

Player: Dmitri Orlov
Team: Washington Capitals
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Keeper/Dynasty Leagues
Analysis: While Washington’s defense is fairly deep, injuries could push Dmitri Orlov to the NHL at some point this season. He is a dynamite prospect that could prove to be a top pairing defender in the next several years. It would be in Washington’s best financial interest if Tom Poti sticks to injured reserve to start the season. Couple that with another injury on the back end and the Caps could use Orlov’s services. He’s certainly worth keeping an eye on.

Player: Evgeny Kuznetsov
Team: Washington Capitals
Position: Wing
Impact Depth: Keeper/Dynasty Leagues
Analysis: There’s a good chance Alexander Semin is playing for a new team in the 2012-2013 season. Possibly even sooner. If that’s the case, Evgeny Kuznetsov will be his replacement. This is the year to make your move.

Player: Braden Holtby
Team: Washington Capitals
Position: Goaltender
Impact Depth: Keeper Leagues
Analysis: Bruce Boudreau made it clear that Braden Holtby will continue to develop his craft down in Hersey this season now that Tomas Vokoun is their starter; Neuvirth will back him up. Word around town, however, has Holtby as the better starting option for the 2012-2013 season, so if you’re a manager in a keeper league, it may be savvy of you to stash Holtby for the year so you have the benefit of him as a potential starter in a great market next season.

Player: Marc-Andre Bergeron
Team: Tampa Bay Lightning
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Moderately Deep Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: While Bergeron won’t win you any +/- titles, he can certainly be a viable depth option in deeper fantasy league as he will be used as a power play quarterback for the Lightning this season. He offered some offensive help to the Bolts down the stretch last season and will be called upon to fill that offensive defenseman role full time this season. If you’re looking for a depth defender with offensive upside in your draft this season, give him a shot.

Player: Teddy Purcell
Team: Tampa Bay Lightning
Position: Right Wing
Impact Depth: Moderately Deep Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Teddy Purcell had his breakout season with the Lightning in 2010-2011, and while his name won’t stand out too much to most on the draft board this season, he could be a good source of points as a 3rd or 4th option at right wing. Winger depth is a difficult thing to come by, so if Purcell is kicking around in the latter stages of the middle round, scoop him up. Just understand that one of his major flaws is his inconsistencies, so you may have to be willing to part ways if he gets into a funk.

Player: Dustin Tokarski
Team: Tampa Bay Lightning
Position: Goaltender
Impact Depth: Keeper Leagues
Analysis: With Dwayne Roloson only locked in for one more year, the Tampa Bay Lightning are going to be in the market for a starting goaltender next season. While we respect Mathieu Garon as a goaltender, he is best suited as a backup in the NHL. With that being said, Dustin Tokarski may find himself battling for a starting job next year in camp. He has put in his time in the WHL and had a decent enough showing in the AHL last season to merit a tryout with the big club next season. For those managers prospecting long term tender options, Tokarsi may be a worthwhile add this season.

Player: Jacob Markstrom
Team: Florida Panthers
Position: Goaltender
Impact Depth: Keeper Leagues
Analysis: Much like Chris Griffin questioning how Kevin Costner keeps getting work, I too continue to question how Jose Theodore still has a starting job in the NHL. Sure, many will argue that he had a great run in Washington a few years ago, but not for nothing, I could have had a great run in Washington too with that offense in front of me. Furthermore, much like me, he peaked 10 years ago and fantasy managers have had to deal with his inconsistencies for 10 years. Now that I’ve got that out of my system, it’s time to talk up Jacob Markstrom and his impact at the NHL level. With Scott Clemmensen only locked in for one more year as a backup goaltender, the Panthers will be looking to get their top prospect an opportunity at the NHL level, possibly as soon as the end of the upcoming season. Markstrom has the potential to be a dynamite goaltender and could challenge for the starting job next season. He’ll have to continue to hone his craft in the AHL this season, but his presence will be felt at some point in the 2011-2012 campaign. For managers looking for a stud goaltender of the future, it may be high time to snag Markstrom this season and stash him until he has the potential to be a full time option in 2012-2013.

Player: David Booth
Team: Florida Panthers
Position: Left Wing
Impact Depth: Moderately Deep Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Trying to figure out David Booth’s production value is like trying to get dressed in the dark: you feel accomplished in the beginning but look like an idiot in the end. Therefore, the best way to project how to use him this season is as a 3rd line option on teams in moderately deep fantasy leagues. The makeup of the team around him has changed and perhaps that provides a spark in his game to get him producing at the clip he should be producing at. He’ll be buried in the rankings this season and with left wing being as shallow as it is, he’ll be a nice addition in the middle stages of a draft.

Player: Tomas Fleischmann
Team: Florida Panthers
Position: Wing/Center
Impact Depth: Moderately Deep Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: With a good chunk of his 2010-2011 season put on hold due to a blood clot in his lung, Tomas Fleischmann should be a great option for fantasy managers towards the end of their drafts this season. He has shown he has the ability to put points on the board (even in Colorado) and could be a great value, depending on what position eligibility he has in your fantasy service. For sleeper purposes, it would be ideal to see him listed as a center. Managers end up with too many centers too early on in their drafts, so they tend to shy away from them in the middle rounds. Flash should be there for a savvy manager and could have a great season in south Florida as the Panthers have put together an exciting team for the upcoming season.

Player: Evgeny Dadonov
Team: Florida Panthers
Position: Right Wing
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Dadonov was a nice surprise last season for the Panthers as he tallied 17 points in 36 games. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues who pounced all over him right off the bat received nice production at a relatively thin right wing position. This season, it seems like there could be a lot of line shuffling taking place which could play into the hands of Dadonov. Managers in deeper leagues may want to scoop him up in one of the last few rounds to be used as a depth winger or a utility player. Monitor his ice time and linemates over the course of the first couple of weeks and then adjust from there.

Player: Dmitry Kulikov
Team: Florida Panthers
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: His numbers won’t jump off that stat sheet at you, which is good for sleeper purposes. Kulikov will be in good offensive company on the blue line this season and should see a decent chunk of power play time. Perhaps a couple seasons with Jovocop will help push his production value up a little bit. Only meant as a defensive depth option for managers in the deepest of leagues to start the season.

Player: Zac Dalpe
Team: Carolina Hurricanes
Position: Center/Wing
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Dalpe has a pretty good chance of being a full time member of the Hurricanes next season and could maneuver his way up the depth charts if there is an injury to a top-6 forward. Dalpe has a great scoring ability and could benefit managers in deep leagues who are rewarded heavily for goals. There’s a good chance he could sneak onto the power play as well, so it may be wise to snag him with one of your final picks of the draft.

Player: Brian Boucher
Team: Carolina Hurricanes
Position: Goaltender
Impact Depth: Moderately Deep Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Boucher is proving to be a valuable backup goaltender in the NHL and could provide Cam Ward, a known workhorse, with a little room to relax this season. While Boucher won’t take over the starting bid, he can fill in and offer Ward a breather once and a while. For fantasy purposes, he’ll be good for spot starts with a chance to earn a win, so if you’re looking to add some depth to your goaltending core, perhaps Boucher is the way to go.

Player: Bobby Sanguinetti / Justin Faulk
Team: Carolina Hurricanes
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Keeper/Dynasty Leagues
Analysis: While Carolina seems to be stuffed to the gills with offensive minded defensemen, those managers in keeper and dynasty leagues may want to take note of what’s coming down the pipeline. Bobby Sanguinetti and Justin Faulk will certainly be the power play specialists of the future for the Hurricanes. It may be wise to snatch one of them up this season to sit on for a year or two. An injury to an offensive option on the blue line (probably Pitkanen) could open the door for Sanguinetti to get some time at the NHL level. If that happens, he may be worth snatching in the absolute deepest of fantasy leagues to start.

2011-2012 Fantasy Hockey Sleepers: Northeast Division

Schrembs — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 02:49:24 +0000

This article looks at sleepers over a variety of different league depths to help managers get one step ahead of the competition in their drafts this upcoming fall.

Second up, the Northeast Division…

Player: Marc Savard
Team: Boston Bruins
Position: Center
Impact Depth: Standard Leagues
Analysis: While it may surprise some to see Marc Savard on this list, take into consideration that if healthy, you may be able to snag a 70 point player in the middle rounds of a standard draft. While you’re drafting this year, have a look at how other people select their players. Usually, you’ll see managers snatching up centers first and foremost, than addressing their wingers. While we have stressed the importance of solidifying your wingers first because of a serious lack of depth at those positions, people still tend to go for the big names up the gut and find themselves 3 centers deep before even addressing a left or right winger. If Savard is available, there is a good chance he’ll be buried a bit in the rankings because of his injury last season, so snagging him in the middle rounds as a 2nd option could pay dividends to the savvy manager willing to wait on their centers. Again, all this is contingent upon his health, so monitor his progress over the next month and see where he is at right before camp opens up.

Player: Jordan Caron
Team: Boston Bruins
Position: Winger
Impact Depth: Deepest of Leagues/Injury Call-Up
Analysis: Not sure we will see Caron with the Bruins to start the season, but he could be called up due to an injury on the wing. He showcased his talents a bit last season with Boston, tallying 7 points in 23 games. He’s got a scoring upside but comes with a bit of an injury risk. Still, if you’re in a deeper league, fantasy valuable wingers should be hard to come by, so don’t hesitate to make a play for him if he’s going to be joining the Bruins on a long term basis.

Player: Max Pacioretty
Team: Montreal Canadiens
Position: Left Wing
Impact Depth: Deep Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Pacioretty will have a full-time gig with the Habs this season and should be a nice late round depth option at wing for managers in deeper leagues. He had a nice run with Montreal last season, notching 24 points in 37 games with time on the power play mixed in there as well. Depending on Cole and Kostitsyn’s production, Max could jump up into a top-6 role at some point this season, so keep an eye on the players in front of him, as well as how he is used at the start of the season.

Player: Andrei Markov
Team: Montreal Canadiens
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Standard Leagues
Analysis: Again, some may be surprised that Markov is on this list, but his presence is purely based on where he’ll end up in the rankings at the start of the season in major services. He’s a proven power play threat when healthy, so just keep an eye out for him and see if you can snag him in the middle rounds. It’s nice snagging a defender at that point who has the potential to put up 50-60 points.

Player: Yannick Weber
Team: Montreal Canadiens
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Deepest of Leagues/Injury Call-Up
Analysis: It appears Weber will have to wait until an injury occurs on the blue line in order to see NHL time this season. Granted, with Jaro Spacek in the mix, it may not take that long. Still, Montreal made a play for Alexei Yemelin this off-season and given Subban and Markov’s offensive ability, the Habs may be more prone to go with a big, gritty defender rather than Weber to start the year. Toss him on your radar as when he is in the NHL, he can be a nice stop gap defender with offensive upside.

Player: Louis Leblanc
Team: Montreal Canadiens
Position: Center
Impact Depth: Keeper/Dynasty Leagues
Analysis: There’s a good chance Leblanc will end up in Hamilton this season and those managers in keeper and dynasty leagues may want to consider making a play this season. I was in Montreal when this kid got drafted, and the fans at the Belle Center lost it when he was selected. With Scott Gomez being paid through the roof to produce at a 3rd liner clip, fans would certainly welcome a change at center. Montreal doesn’t carry incredible depth at center, so a Gomez trade would certainly open the door for Leblanc to make an impact at the NHL level.

Player: Derek Roy
Team: Buffalo Sabres
Position: Center
Impact Depth: Standard Leagues
Analysis: Because of his injury last season, major services will have Roy ranked lower than where he should be. He exited the season with an injury at the point-per-game mark and should regain form this upcoming season as the Sabres number one center. While other managers in your draft are overloading their roster with centers up front, it may be a wise idea to wait on centers and see if you can snag Roy as a top option in the beginning of the middle rounds.

Player: Brad Boyes
Team: Buffalo Sabres
Position: Center/Winger
Impact Depth: Deeper Leagues
Analysis: Shot in the dark on this one, but if Buffalo can find a way to put Boyes back on the wing where he found most of his success in the NHL, perhaps he can re-ignite his scoring touch and help those owners who play in league that reward a little more for goal scoring. He’s also in a contract year, so that might help fuel the fire as well.

Player: Luke Adam
Team: Buffalo Sabres
Position: Center
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: In recent years, Sabres fans have certainly endured trade deadline frustrations over ongoing rhetoric from management along the lines of “building towards the future.” While it always left fans wondering when this future will arrive, I can assure you the time is now. With Tyler Ennis and Nathan Gerbe making their mark on the team last season, it may be this season that fans and fantasy managers get excited about Luke Adam. He’s got a shot to make the squad and could pay dividends as a depth pick in deeper fantasy leagues. Snatch him up with one of your last picks and see how Lindy Ruff uses him in the first couple of weeks.

Player: Zack Kassian
Team: Buffalo Sabres
Position: Right Wing
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues/Keeper Leagues
Analysis: Barring a trade, Kassian will be the first power winger the Sabres have had since Chris Gratton. Haha, but seriously…it has been a long time. He can put points on the board and should be a candidate for a call-up if an injury occurs during the season, so keep your eyes peeled.

Player: T.J. Brennan/Brayden McNabb
Team: Buffalo Sabres
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Dynasty Leagues
Analysis: The Sabres finally have some good offensive talent from the blue line (Myers, Ehrhoff and potentially Gragnani) but they also have some studs waiting in the shadows as well. Both Brennan and McNabb possess tremendous offensive upside and will one day be a force on the blue line, so best to throw these guys on your radar if you’re participating in dynasty leagues. Brennan will likely be the first of the two in the NHL.

Player: Tim Connolly
Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Position: Center
Impact Depth: Moderately Deep Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Given Connolly’s proven feebleness, structuring a fantasy team around him as a number one center may prove to be a terrible idea. With that said, he enters camp this fall as Toronto’s number one center. Whether he stays there will certainly be determined by his vulnerability. When healthy, Connolly can certainly be a point-per-game player. He has a decent surrounding cast and should be buried in the center rankings this fall. He provides those managers waiting on center depth a nice option.

Player: Matthew Lombardi
Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Position: Center
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: I’ll admit that I was pretty high on Lombardi last season, but a concussion sidelined him for just about the entire season and he lost all of his fantasy appeal. He gained a decent fantasy following in Calgary for several seasons but had his most notable year with Phoenix in 2009-2010 potting 19 goals and 53 points. He’ll be buried wayyyyyy down there in the rankings this season but could provide decent depth for a team in the deepest of fantasy leagues. He should hover around the 2nd/3rd line center spot this season.

Player: Nazem Kadri
Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Position: Center/Left Wing
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Kadri didn’t have a bad showing last year. With the time he was given, he landed himself 12 points in 29 games with the Leafs. With a log jam at center, expect Kadri to covet the wing position this season as it provides the best opportunity for him to become a top-6 option. If he’s listed as a center in your service, you’ll find better options ahead of him. However, if he starts the season with left wing eligibility, he may be worth a stash on your roster. From there, monitor how he is used in the first couple weeks of the season.

Player: Cody Franson
Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Stopgap Defender in the Deepest of Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: I liked this move in the off-season and wanted to make mention of it. I’m not saying Franson is going to come out and dazzle the fans of Toronto with 45 points this season and reward super savvy fantasy managers with a 1st place finish, but if you’re in need of a stopgap defender with some offensive upside due to a ton of injuries on the blue line, Franson should be available in most formats. Just keep an eye on his ice time in the first couple weeks of the season. Perhaps he sneaks on the 2nd power play unit once and a while, too.

Player: Nikita Filatov
Team: Ottawa Senators
Position: Wing
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: A team that is rebuilding might offer Filatov a chance to play more minutes and gain valuable experience at the NHL level. Unfortunately for the highly touted prospect, the 6:27 of ice time Ken Hitchcock gave him in Columbus wasn’t enough for him to prove his skill level early on. While who he will play with this season in Ottawa will probably vary from week to week, there is a chance he could reach top-6 status and is a nice depth option for managers in the deepest of fantasy leagues. Look for him towards the very end of your draft.

Player: David Rundblad
Team: Ottawa Senators
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy League/Injury Call-Up
Analysis: We’ll probably see Rundblad at some point this season and once he is in a Sens uniform, it may be wise to snatch him up in the deepest of leagues as he could provide nice production from the point. He may have +/- issues, but what Senator won’t this season. May be a good stopgap option, too.

Player: Bobby Butler
Team: Ottawa Senators
Position: Right Wing
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy League
Analysis: With very little scoring depth on the right wing, Bobby Butler will be a top-6 player for the Sens this season and should be a valuable option for managers in the deepest of fantasy leagues.

2011-2012 Fantasy Hockey Sleepers: Atlantic Division

Schrembs — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 05:52:57 +0000

This article looks at sleepers over a variety of different league depths to help managers get one step ahead of the competition in their drafts this fall.

First up, the Atlantic Division…

Player: Jaromir Jagr
Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Position: Right Wing
Impact Depth: Standard Sized Leagues
Analysis: While we don’t recommend you pull the trigger on Jagr with your 2nd round pick, certainly keep him in mind in the latter stages of your standard draft. While most managers tend to shy away from guys just around the corner from collecting AARP, the past couple of years have proven that even the seasoned vets can still produce in the new NHL. Just ask Teemu Selanne and Ray Whitney owners. Jagr should be no different. Last season, he was at a point-per-game pace with Omsk and his last stint in the NHL with the Rangers in ’07-’08 saw him tally 71 points in 82 games. While the make-up of the Flyers has changed quite a bit this off-season, they’ll still be a force to be reckoned with in the East and Jagr should definitely have a hand in their successes this season, especially on the power play.

Player: James van Riemsdyk
Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Position: Left Wing
Impact Depth: Standard to Moderately Deep Leagues
Analysis: This may be the year to make a solid investment in JvR. He was a crucial part of the playoff run for Philadelphia last season and showed he can be counted on to pot goals when needed. Given the shake-up in Philly and the relatively thin nature of the left wing position in fantasy hockey, snagging JvR in the middle rounds of your draft may pay pretty dividends.

Player: Brayden Schenn
Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Position: Center
Impact Depth: Deeper Leagues and Keeper/Dynasty Leagues
Analysis: Brayden Schenn is going to have some awfully big shoes to fill as a Flyer this season. It’s a good thing the Philadelphia fan base is an understanding one, and will support Schenn through thick and thin all season long as he learns the ins and outs of playing at the NHL level….or not. The departure of both Mike Richards and Jeff Carter has left serious gaps up the middle of the Flyer offense. While Danny Briere can most certainly count on a return to his natural center position, we may see some serious line shuffling in the first month of the season as Laviolette will have to tinker with combos to find out what works best. There is a good chance that Brayden Schenn will be given a full opportunity to work his way up to the second line center position with power play benefits and in doing so, could be a serious scoring threat for the Flyers this season. We know the offensive ability is there with Schenn as he dominated play at the WHL level, but certainly don’t expect an 85 point performance from him just yet, Philly. If given the opportunity, however, he can become a prime Calder candidate and should benefit those fantasy managers in deeper leagues, especially in the latter stages of the draft. He has a nice keeper upside, too.

Player: Erik Gustafsson
Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Deepest Leagues/Injury Call-Up
Analysis: While Gustafsson won’t be with the Flyers to start the season, flag him as a prime candidate to be called up if a defender goes down at any point this season, especially if that defender is a major offensive contributor. Gustafsson has an excellent offensive hockey sense for a defender and had a successful year with Adirondack in his first full season at the AHL level. Again, he’ll only see action if an injury occurs on the back end for Philadelphia and at that point, will only be valuable to managers in the deepest of fantasy league, but he is certainly worth a look if the opportunity presents itself.

Player: James Neal
Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Position: Left Wing
Impact Depth: Standard Leagues/Keeper Leagues
Analysis: While it seems like somewhat of a no-brainer for those who followed him in Dallas, I think the question of where you can get James Neal this fall will be completely dependent upon his rankings in the major services. What might help his case for being more of a sleeper this fall is that he was somewhat anemic with the Penguins following that fascinating trade last deadline day with the Stars. The way we see it is a healthy Malkin and a healthy Crosby could allow Neal to hit the honeypot and stretch his numbers to the 80 point plateau. We’re not saying Neal has no ability outside of the players he plays with, but if you ask Chris Kunitz, he’ll certainly tell you it’s always good to have talented players around you to help you look good. Neal could really hit his stride in Pittsburgh and show the league he’s a premier talent, so if you’re looking for a good value in the middle rounds of your standard draft and he’s on the board, snatch him up for sure.

Player: Steve Sullivan
Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Position: Left Wing
Impact Depth: Moderately Deep Leagues
Analysis: Personally, my favorite move of UFA day was Steve Sullivan to the Penguins. While drafting Sully should usually come with some sort of extended warranty, managers should look at snagging him in the latter stages of a draft in a league that is slightly deeper than a standard 12-team. He should collect some power play time with the Pens on their second unit, however don’t expect him to play the dynamic role he used to play back in the mid-2000s with Nashville and Chicago where he was seen as one of the most dangerous short handed threats in the league. Those years are behind him now. Still, adding depth to a roster, especially at an ultra-thin left wing position, is ideal towards the end of a draft, and Sullivan could be a nice source of points this season as long as he maintains good health.

Player: Dustin Jeffrey
Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Position: Center/Wing
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Jeffrey has a lot of promise with the Penguins organization and could very well make a significant impact this season. He had two straight dynamite seasons with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and even found scoring success in a brief NHL stint last season, notching 12 points in 25 games. While center may not be in the cards this upcoming season, the Pens could certainly use some help on their right hand side as there could be a lot of shuffling amongst Kennedy, Dupuis and Asham in the first month. Certainly none of those players are locked into a specific line and Jeffrey has proven he has the offensive upside to snag some power play time and hang with the big boys. Snag him in the last couple of rounds in the deepest of leagues to start the season and watch him work his way up in the ranks.

Player: Mats Zuccarello
Team: New York Rangers
Position: Wing
Impact Depth: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: We gave you a heads up about Zuccarello last season and he had a good showing as a rookie with the Rangers putting up 23 points in 42 games. While his size certainly goes against him, he has the skill set to more than make up for it. He will certainly be a candidate to skate with Gaborik and Richards next season, so if he’s still hovering around in the latter stages of your draft, snatch him up and give him a shot.

Player: Chris Kreider
Team: New York Rangers
Position: Left Wing
Impact Depth: Dynasty Leagues
Analysis: This one may be a couple years off as Kreider already told the Rangers he’s going to stay at BC next season, but he may be worth sitting on if you’re in a dynasty league. There’s a chance at some point he could play left wing for Richard and Gaborik (barring him coming into the league at the right moment) and learn from two of the better players in the game, so make a play and sit on him for a couple of years.

Player: Mark Streit
Team: New York Islanders
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Standard Leagues
Analysis: Streit is going to be one of those players that people will overlook in your fantasy league because he won’t pop up on the big board when comes to valuable fantasy defenders as he sat out all of last year following shoulder surgery. He’ll be buried down there so, keep him in mind. While we advocate getting players from good teams whenever possible, Streit should be a good source of special teams points this season, so snag him towards the tail end of your draft.

Player: Nino Niederreiter
Team: New York Islanders
Position: Wing
Impact Depth: Deeper Leagues (Potentially Keeper Leagues)
Analysis: There’s little question surrounding Niederreiter’s ability to produce offensively. He tore up Portland of the WHL where he was averaging over a point-per-game in his two seasons combined with the Winterhawks. Niederreiter should make the squad this fall and should be relied upon for offensive production as a top 6 winger. While power play time is a given for Niederreiter, don’t rely on him as much more than a depth wing option until he can really get going. He’s a developing player on a developing team, so there will be some growing pains, but if you have the capacity to hang onto him throughout the season, you may be surprised as to what he can offer.

Player: Kyle Okposo
Team: New York Islanders
Position: Right Wing
Impact Depth: Standard to Deep Leagues
Analysis: This is more of a reminder that Okposo will be buried in the rankings too and to keep him in mind in the middle to latter stages of your draft. Right wing can get pretty thin pretty quick, so he could be a nice go to option if you’ve concentrated your drafting efforts elsewhere.

Player: Alexei Yashin
Team: New York Islanders
Position: Center
Impact Depth: Deeper Fantasy Leagues (to start)
Analysis: It sounds like the comeback is serious, so if he’s inked somewhere before you draft, he could be worth the risk with one of your last picks. He’s not going to go off this season, but I would call a 40-60 point campaign solid production for a fantasy player that’s drafted as a depth option, especially given his circumstances.

Player: Nick Palmeri/Mattias Tedenby
Team: New Jersey Devils
Position: Wing
Impact Depth: Deeper Fantasy leagues
Analysis: One of these two, if not both, will be top 6 wingers with the Devils this season. They have some flex options as Kovalchuk bounces back and forth between left and right wing, and Elias jumps from center to left, but in order to solidify lines to develop some chemistry, Lamoriello needs to make some decisions regarding his right side. If I were a betting man (and I have already put $40 on the Kings this season to win the Cup going off at 12:1) I would take Tedenby over Palmeri. He has the speed and skill set to be a great compliment to Parise or Kovalchuk. If you’re in a deep league, make a play for Tedenby with one of your last picks and flag Palmeri to see what role he is given in the first month.

Player: Matt Taormina
Team: New Jersey Devils
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues/Call-Up
Analysis: Like many of you last year, I too thought highly of Andy Greene in a fantasy sense based upon his respectable 2009-2010 campaign. I’m pretty sure, however, we collectively began to realize that perhaps we were mistaken about his ability to be the offensive presence from the blue line. With that said, it’s time to look in a different direction. We’re going to have to dig a little deeper in the depth charts to find New Jersey’s best offensive threat from the blue line, but if given the chance, Matt Taormina could prove valuable to the Devils’ power play this season. Taormina may be in competition with Swedish stud defender Adam Larsson for a spot on the roster, but Larsson’s numbers in the Swedish Elite League aren’t indicative of a player that has offensive prowess that may be needed to provide solid production from the back end. Taormina may have that, and if given the opportunity, he should be flagged to see if he can live up to offensive expectations.

Target Weak Roto Categories While There Is Still Time

Kory — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 02:12:41 +0000

All Star break is around the corner and now is the time to start making those brutal assessments of your team. If you’re doing well then keep it up and make some tweaks if need be. If you’re on the bottom, though, it’s time to re-tool. If it’s a rotisserie league then it’s extremely important to start working on the stats that are within reach. Don’t wait until the trade deadline in your league has come or even later to try and salvage your season. Unlike in a head to head league where there are playoffs and even a 6th seed or even lower can win in the end, roto is a much more grind it out game and have a solid team all year long, every single day, simple and steady. You could say it’s more of a long term strategy game as opposed to a more tactical short-term game as in h2h.

Target specific stats. Look at the standings very carefully and see where you can really do some damage. Do not try and go after categories that you honestly have zero chance of catching up in. Again, brutally assess your team and what it’s good at and what it’s bad at. Be honest with yourself.

Goals, Assists, and Points
If your team is weak in any of these three major categories, you will have a tough time making up ground. You may have to scavenge around the free agent list or try to snag a player off the waiver wire to make a difference. It will take a lot of effort here to make any headway up the standings. If you’re doing well in these categories, though, you’re probably set for the rest of the season as long as there are no prolonged slumps or major injuries to key producers. Focus on the other categories.

Power Play Goals, Assists, and Points
This is even tougher to make up ground in than regular points since not every player plays on the power play for his respective team. Making trades would be the most effective way to go about gaining some more power play points. You can sacrifice some overall points in favor of PPP, so for example trade a 60 point player away for a 50 point player because the 60 point scorer has more of their points at even strength while the 50 point player gets more time on the PP. You may think this is not a common occurrence but depending on the depth of a team and how the lines are made up, it’s not an improbable situation to have a player who gets more points overall but doesn’t get that much PP time on their team. If a trade is not possible then it’s all about trying to squeeze out every power play point you can out of available free agents. It’s doable but depending on the gap you need to make up, it may not be as worthwhile as focusing on other categories.

Plus/Minus +/-
This category mainly is about team strength, especially defensively and goalie-wise. A team that does not give up a lot of even strength goals and scores a lot at even strength as well will have a massive plus/minus differential. Scores on the power play do not contribute to plus/minus so don’t focus on attempting to get players who get a lot of PP points. Shorthanded points however do give a + so if you can snag a good SHP player, that’s a plus, though they’re few and far between.

PIMs
By far the easiest category to make up ground in. Goons can be picked up at any time and you should not have trouble grabbing them out of free agency. If you’re really feeling wily, you can even make some minor trades for a decent PIM producer who also scores some points. You can sometimes sacrifice a bigger point producer on your own team for a lesser one who helps out in a category like PIMs, assuming you’re lacking PIMs but not points. The trade-off can be worthwhile unless your league uses a different weighting for categories. Take it on a case by case basis and if it helps your team, it helps your team. Winning by one point in the standings is still winning.

Shots on Goal
After penalty minutes, shots on goal is probably the easiest stat to accumulate. However, like PIMs, it may be to the detriment of other stats. So you have to make the decision where to sacrifice and where to put pressure on. If you’re doing great in say assists but not so great in goals and thus shots on goal, then make the decision whether or not to sacrifice some assists to get some more goals and SOGs as well. If you take a hit in assists but you go up in other categories than you went down in assists, then obviously it was a net positive result. However, there is always going to be some risk there. You can also go the route of chipping away at a category like SOGs, because it’s a simple accumulation rather than an average. Progress can be slow but if done wisely, it can make a difference in the end.

Faceoffs
Not all leagues have faceoffs but those that do seem to end up over-emphasizing centers, who are already plentiful as it is. Nonetheless, faceoff wins is an easy category to make up because it’s cumulative and even players who are not big point producers can still help out big time in this category, so this means useful players can sill be found as free agents even if your league is relatively deep.

Specialty Categories: SHP & GWG
Shorthanded points and game-winning goals are pretty hit and miss and truly require a good bit more luck than any of the other categories. It helps to have players who are either shorthanded specialists (like Mike Richards or Martin St. Louis) or to have players on teams who happen to have very productive penalty-killing units. Very often, the PK specialists who score shorties make their teams’ PK units good, so they are often one in the same. As for GWGs, the way they are scored makes them extremely hard to predict or plan for. Simply try to acquire players who are solid goal scorers and who play on good teams. That’s really the basic strategy you can carry out in terms of actively trying to get GWGs.

Goalie Stats
Easily the hardest statistics to maintain or catch up in are any of the goalie stats. Unless your league uses a stat category like shots faced, it is extremely hard to just grab a goalie off the free agent list and hope to even make a tiny dent in the standings for any of the major stats like GAA or SV%. Due to the nature of how the stats are accrued–averages rather than simple accumulation–it really requires a steady stream of solid stats. These stats are best taken care of at the draft, to be frank.

However, all hope is not lost, not yet, anyway. You can get lucky by scouring the free agent list and grabbing any goalie that gets hot, especially if they are a backup and the main guy is injured. Hoping for injuries isn’t a great strategy but here it is. You really have to be diligent in looking at every team in the league and every game you can, more than you normally would or even most hockey fanatics would. You need to be a real stat-hound and know the situations around the league with respect to how the teams are playing and who may seize a starting stint, even if temporary. Look at all platooning situations, look at slumping starters who could lose their jobs, and look at players returning from injuries.

Even tougher to produce than goals against average and save percentage is number of shutouts. This can sometimes take a lot of luck. In a stats-related game, relying on luck is not a good strategy. Here, you’ll really have to try to trade for a good goalie and it’ll cost you big time because they don’t come cheap; it’s a similar situation for goalies who get a lot of wins.

Max Games
In roto, there is usually a maximum games played per position limitation. Make sure you keep track of this and manage it well, especially when it is near the trade deadline. If you’re way over in a certain position, you can trade a very strong player away for something you need. If you have a really good player whose slot you’ve maxed out, they become worthless to you. Not only that, you won’t want to drop them because that could help your competitors out as well.

Overall, in a rotisserie league where you’re behind in the standings, it will take a really long and drawn out battle with your own team to try and claw your way up, but it is certainly possible. Focus on cumulative stats like SOGs and PIMs that anyone can get and you’ll move up quicker than you think. It’s about balancing your team to do well in the chosen format. Do not try to use head to head or even points league strategies in roto, it’s a whole different game.

Early Trading Strategies to Make The Playoffs

Kory — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 10:40:47 +0000

The new year is here and now it is time to start thinking about making substantial changes to your lineup if you’re on the outside of the playoff outlook looking in. If you’re in a one year head to head league, this is a crucial time. The holidays are over and slowly but surely your competitors will start checking their own teams more often and trying to see what they themselves can change up. Now is the time to decide to make a playoff push or not. Those in roto or points or other format leagues can get some general value, but overall this post is directed towards those in h2h leagues with playoff matchups at the very end to decide the champion.

Although in the majority of leagues out there the trade deadline is still weeks away, as in the NHL itself, sometimes a solid trade a bit earlier can make the difference at the end. You can build momentum with one or two really good trades and then you won’t have to worry about making a panic-stricken deadline move just to make one.

Look At Your Schedule
Check your matchup schedule and see who you will be facing down the line and plan accordingly. Although in a lot of leagues out there the matchups are set automatically and rotate, other leagues can have a more random order. If you have been lucky and have had an easy schedule thus far and it gets tougher then you need to account for this and possibly make some trades you didn’t think you needed to, especially if your record is average so far. If you have a favorable schedule down the stretch, target some of the teams you face the least for a trade opportunity. This way, you can have a doubly positive outcome because you’ll be improving yourself and improving the competition (who will in turn hopefully beat other bubble teams) but minimizing the effects on yourself vis-à-vis a direct matchup.

Look At Other Bubble Teams
If your competition is making trades left and right, you may be forced to as well, depending on if they are truly improving their team. Don’t trade just to trade, though. If your fellow bubble teams are making sound trades, look at their improved team and then look at your current team and estimate who will have a better performance down the stretch if there is no further change. Chances are if your competition is making savvy trades, you will have to respond similarly. A trade by definition should be a positive for both parties, otherwise it would not happen in the first place, but sometimes people do miscalculate. This means that if your competition is just wheeling and dealing out there but not really addressing key issues, you may actually be better off doing nothing at all.

Trade With Teams Who Don’t Hurt You
In continuing with the already mentioned tactics, while keeping an eye on your competition, try to trade with the teams who don’t directly impact your road to the playoffs with regard to your position in the standings. This means not only looking at the schedule and making trades accordingly from a week to week micro-type perspective, but also with a macro-type perspective as well and trading with either the leaders or the bottom feeders, if you’re in the middle of the pack. If you’re busy trading with all your fellow bubble teams and improving them, then your efforts may end up being neutral after all is said and done or even a net negative.

Stay tuned for more trading posts in the coming weeks but with a keeper/dynasty league emphasis to them.

When to Decide to Make a Playoff Push or Not

Kory — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:00:24 +0000

If you’re in the middle of the pack or even perhaps lower, you should already be in preparation for the beginning of your playoff push, assuming you’re capable of one. If you’re in a keeper league, it’s around now that you make your decisions about if you’re capable of making the playoffs and if you are not then you can start to think about next season and build your prospects and trade accordingly. You don’t want to trade off good long term assets for short term boosts if you don’t even make the playoffs or have a legitimate shot at winning your league’s championship.

Make An Honest Assessment of Your Team
Middle of the pack standings-wise is where the tougher decisions will have to be made. Why is your team where it is in the standings? Is it because your roster simply is not that strong? Have you had a lot of injuries? Do you have legitimately underperforming players (Ovechkin owners out there)? Be brutally honest in your assessment of your team. If you had a bad draft and all your players simply are not that good then maybe it’s time to start thinking about future seasons if you’re in a keeper or dynasty league (or focus on other leagues where you can win).

If you’re in a one-year league and you have no other teams/leagues to worry about, then now is the time to start making massive changes, if necessary. Again, make sure you have made a solid assessment of your team. Perhaps get a second opinion or two, maybe even from your fellow league competitors, if you know them well. If you do take the competition’s opinions on your team, be wary of them acting in their own self-interest, as everyone does. When you make the assessment of your roster, it has to be in comparison to the leaders and especially the other teams which you’re hoping to leapfrog in the standings to make the h2h playoffs or get up to the top of your roto standings.

Look at your weak stat categories and focus on ones that you can actually improve with some effort and don’t dwell on ones that are too far gone. Although there is still plenty of time left in the season and you should NOT be writing off categories so easily, you should be brutally realistic in terms of what can be improved and what is not worth the effort. An example of a category that would not be worth attempting to improve on is +/- if you are WAY behind and your best players are traditionally power play scorers but on somewhat weak defensive teams that give up a lot of even-strength goals. If it’s a roto league and you’re in last place by far, then even if you improve significantly, it may only mean a single point or two in the standings, which is not good bang for your buck, time and effort wise.

Picking Up Free Agents
Depending on how deep your league rosters are and the number of teams, decent free agents at this time may be few and far between. However, in smaller leagues like Yahoo! public leagues and such, there are still some hidden gems out there. Look for players who were (or still are) underperforming and were dropped by competitors earlier in the season. Also look for solid players who may have been injured and are returning soon.

Some wild cards are young players such as rookies that may catch fire down the stretch. Many championship teams out there are buttressed by strong pick ups over the course of the season that really pick up the slack when the stars underperform or even get injured. Not only that, young up-and-comers make for excellent trade bait in keeper leagues and those who go on hot streaks can still be dealt in one year leagues for more proven players. Depending on if you feel they will keep it up or cool off, streaky players can be very high risk but garner high rewards whether or not you trade them. If they go ice cold, you can simply drop them back into the free agent pool, no harm, no foul. This simply comes down to timing and is mostly subjective. Just watch the overall trends and keep up with the NHL in general and the opportunities will be there.

In addition to looking at key stat categories, start sorting free agent lists using different time parameters. For example: on Yahoo! you can select from 7, 14, and also 30 day totals as well as averages, not to mention the full season stats thus far. It’s better to look for trends over longer periods of time, otherwise you get suckered into picking up flash in the pan type false-positives. An easy heuristic to follow is to check players’ performances in the past 3-4 games and then compare them to their 30 day totals and averages and also to the full season totals.

For veterans, take a look at their career stats and see where their current stats fall with respect to previous years. Don’t bother picking up really old guys who are not doing well overall, as they may simply be losing their touch. There are obvious exceptions, such as the Teemu Selannes of the world, but usually it will be pretty obvious if an older player is still good or not. Really young players is where the gambling man’s attitude comes into play. You can never be too sure who will have their so-called sophomore slump or who will breakout and live up to their hype. Very dedicated managers will do research into juniors or college stats but even those don’t necessarily mean much when it comes to a player in the pros. Make your decisions here on a case by case basis.