February 13, 2009
Dobber Sports
2009-02-13
Just realized that the March 7 Marlies game (BUY NOW ) is at 4PM – so you can go to that game, and still catch the Leafs game afterwards – if that was holding you back.
Oscar Moller played just nine minutes in his return to the LA lineup.
The Coyotes have sent Kyle Turris to the minors for some added ice time. Of course it was right when I graduated him from my Prospects List. If you wonder why I take so long graduating these players, there is your answer. If I remove someone from the list, I hate putting them back on it – so I try to be as close to certain as I can. If he's still there in March, I'll put him back on the list where he will be second. Now is the time to "buy low" on him keeper league owners.
The 'Yotes also made Mikkel Boedker a healthy scratch.
Rod Brind'Amour was back in the CAR lineup last night, but was pointless in 14 minutes. Line combos with both he and Jokinen in the lineup: Staal, with Ruutu and Samsonov as always (gotta love Maurice as one of the rare coaches who sticks with his lines); Larose with Eaves and Jokinen; Cullen with Williams and Whitney; Brind'Amour with Sutter and Bayda.
Further to Angus' point here last night, I do put stock in line combos – just in the short term though, not the long term. If Player X is suddenly put on a line with Player Y, it is not going to influence my prediction for Player X in the 2009-10 season. But if they played together throughout March and April, then I would let it influence that 09-10 prediction. Coaches change lines more than they change their underwear.
Grebeshkov's injury is indeed a high ankle sprain and I wouldn't count on him this season at all – although they say he could be back as early as two or three weeks.
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Toronto's Niklas Hagman has nine points in his last seven games, and three straight two-point contests.
Jason Blake has 36 points in 37 games since his second healthy scratch. He has 18 in his last 12.
Eric Fehr has seven points in his last six games. He's starting to see 12 minutes on a regular basis now, which beats the nine minutes he was getting before.
Robert Nilsson has eight points in his last eight games.
Steve Sullivan played a season high 26:17 last night and scored a point for the second straight game. He has only missed one game since returning, which is much better than anyone figured. His "training camp" seems to be over now, so at this point I would activate him and hope for some Sullivan-like numbers. If you jumped the gun and activated him before this, then shame on you. You should have seen it coming after two years off: five points, 14 games, minus-6. But going forward, he should be an even player who gets four points for every five games.
Bryan Little has gone 10 games without a point.
Dan Fritsche has yet to record a point for the Wild (seven games), but this is his "training camp" – he didn't play much in New York.
Martin Erat has just one point in his last six.
Joe Thornton has just two points in his last six, and he is a minus-4 in that span.
Carlo Colaiacovo has 11 points in his last 12 games for the Blues. If healthy, he could be a top 20 scoring blueliner. But he'll never be healthy.
After a three-point game, MA Bergeron has gone five games without a point. That's the way Bergeron works – hot/cold.
Leino has four points in six games. He saw just 11:35 last night though, but had been seeng upwards of 17 minutes in the three games prior.
With Doug Weight's big injury (six weeks – MCL) this should really open the door for rookie Josh Bailey to get some ice time. Also, Mike Comrie will also become their top center like he was last season.
Plekanec has been suspended for two games, adding to his miserable year.
If you are within driving distance of Toronto, make sure you are a part of the upcoming DobberHockey event on March 7 and mingle with other fantasy hockey fanatics at the Marlies game. For 25 bucks you get center ice tickets to the game against Hershey, plus a 10% chance of having your ticket upgraded FREE to the luxury suite where you will enjoy wings and sodas with myself and Russ Miller. Buy your tickets early and you are eligible to win a pair of Leaf tickets when the play the Caps later in March. MORE INFO HERE.