Transplanted Oilers Look Good on the Island
Dobber Sports
2007-03-18
Don’t blame Ryan Smyth for the fact that his new team is just 2-4-2 since he joined them. Smyth has come as advertised – and then some.
The 31-year-old has six goals and 10 points since joining the New York Islanders after he was traded from the Oilers in a shocker of a deadline deal. Ten points in eight games is a little higher than Smyth’s normal production, but is close enough that it’s not coming as a shock to fantasy owners.
What is coming as a shock is the production of another former Oiler, Marc-Andre Bergeron. The 26-year-old was traded just over a week before Smyth was and the rearguard has quickly become successful at something that he failed at in Edmonton – running the power play.
He has an astounding 15 points in just 12 contests with the Islanders, including five goals – three of them on the power play. He is also a plus-5 with his new team, a nice improvement from his minus-9 in Edmonton.
Bergeron was never drafted, however when a defenseman hits triple digits in scoring in the Quebec League, it catches some attention. The Oilers signed him as a 21-year-old with the idea that he would spend a year or two of seasoning in the American League and then follow that up as an apprentice quarterback at the NHL level for another year or two. Everything went as planned until this season. His AHL numbers improved in his second year, as did his NHL numbers. In year number three, with the departure of Chris Pronger, Bergeron was handed the reigns. It didn’t take long for coach Craig MacTavish to give up on him – training camp, in fact.
The only drawback to owning Bergeron in your keeper league is his longevity. Prior to this season, he has yet to play 76 games at any level, be it pro, minor-pro, or junior. That being said, he has yet to be injured this season so even that small blemish in his fantasy appeal is all but gone.
Bergeron is a Ted Nolan favorite. Seeing as he is signed for the next two seasons, you can expect some big numbers – as in 60 points or more – going forward…
Meanwhile…
Tomas Fleischmann still hasn’t garnered big ice time for the Caps, but on Sunday he picked up four-points anyway. The 22-year-old was a presence every time he stepped onto the ice and it will be interesting to see how he does next year when he is given more ice time than the 11:22 that the played on Sunday…
Jamie Heward has 10 points in his last 13 games, including five in the nine games he has played for the Los Angeles Kings. The 35-year-old rearguard holds little fantasy value for next season, but is worth taking a flyer on going forward if you need a depth defenseman that will give you just over a point every two games down the stretch…
Defenseman Kimmo Timonen has 14 points in his last 12 contests for Nashville. This is the fourth-straight season that the 31-year-old has improved upon his numbers from the season before. Fantasy owners love seeing that…
Sean Avery has 13 points in 19 games since joining the New York Rangers. The feisty winger also has 41 minutes in penalties and is a plus-2. He is a restricted free agent this summer, so he will remain a Blueshirt next season. Expect at least 50 points and close to 200 PIM’s – fantasy gold in most roto-style leagues.