More than any other year in recent memory, the goaltending picture from a fantasy standpoint has been cloudier than ever. The usual suspects – Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo and Miikka Kiprusoff – aren’t in the top 10 in any major goaltending category (well, Kipper is tied for ninth in wins, but you catch my drift). This has turned a lot of fantasy leagues upside down.
Suddenly, owners of Pascal Leclaire and Martin Biron hold the bragging rights.
Hockey players can be a superstitious lot. Many players will wear the same T-shirt, socks or even underwear long past their expiry date, all in the name of luck. Others need to put on their equipment in exactly the same order every time. Some guys will find a lucky stick and use it until it literally falls apart.
Ed Jovanovski made a questionable hit on Marian Gaborik Wednesday - that didn't make the headlines - but he was suspended for one game. He will miss tonight's contest. Pascal Leclaire (hammy) did some light skating yesterday but did not face any shots. He will not start any games this weekend. Joe Sakic (groin) will be in [...]
You see it practically every time a coach gets the pink slip. Heck, you saw it six games into the season when Atlanta fired coach Bob Hartley.
The team gets hot and the slumping stars go on a tear.
With the second month of the NHL season just about over it is interesting to see where teams are going, what certain players are doing (and not doing), and whether you can harness this knowledge to make fantasy adjustments. Are you catching any trends? Did you notice anything special?
My thanks again to Pete, who is always on top of this stuff - TJ Hensick has been very hot of late, after starting very slowly in the AHL. The Avs have recalled him and have sent down Brad Richardson. He will be in the lineup tomorrow night and is certainly capable of lighting up [...]
I received a lot of feedback following my 60 thoughts on 30 teams column a couple of weeks ago. Some of you liked the article and some of you really thought it was...well, a piece of crap. But whatever your opinion, don’t hesitate to comment on the articles through the forum . It’s good to hear from you and to debate the opinions we write week in and week out. We’re not always right and it’s up to you, the reader, to decide whether to accept our views or not, but one thing I can guarantee is that we’ll always make you consider the moves to make in your fantasy leagues. You can also post suggestions on topics you’d like us to cover in our respective columns, so go ahead and put in your two cents’ worth.
This week, the Croaks are a 'Questions for the Frog' special, featuring several questions received over the past week.
Sean Avery will be out for 10-14 days after undergoing arthoscopic wrist surgery tomorrow. The Jackets placed Jiri Novotny on injured reserve with his concussion. This allowed them to recall Tomas Popperle, who can now back up Norrena tomorrow. Braydon Coburn has signed a two year extension worth $2.6 million. Sergei Gonchar's groin injury kept him out of [...]
The Calgary Flames are struggling right now, as you may or may not know. If you are a Miikka Kiprusoff fantasy owner, chances are you are well aware of their inconsistent play. Kiprusoff, fresh off signing a huge, long-term deal, has looked very, very average this season. He is getting a lot of minutes, which may be one reason for his poor start. The Flames never really addressed their back-up position this off-season, and it has showed. Kiprusoff is an elite goalie and if you believe in the law of averages, will bounce back. The weak goals he has continually let in are extremely troubling, however.
Edmonton line combos: Gagner, Horcoff, Hemsky. Cogliano with Nilsson and Penner. Reasoner with Brodziak and Sanderson. Stoll with Torres and Stortini. Martin Havlat will be back in the lineup tomorrow for Chicago. The over/under on his return to the IR is December 6. Kane, Ruutu and Toews have combined for just three points in their last six [...]
