Fantasy Hockey Ramble – April 19, 2009
Dobber Sports
2009-04-19
Pick up my Playoff Draft List, HERE .
Matt Cullen did not participate in the morning skate, according to Canes Now .
I've heard Tortorella and Hitchcock each complain that the other team is cheating on faceoffs. Is this in style now? Quit whining – just cheat back. In Game 2, the Jackets employed that theory and won half the draws.
With Columbus struggling to score, I wonder if Filatov will get in?
Paul Kariya is expected to practice with the team today, but will not suit up for Game 3. Still, expect him as soon as Game 4.
Be sure to check in tomorrow – I will have exclusive information on various prospects based on observations at the London/Windsor OHL game Friday and a lengthy discussion with an NHL scout.
The Caps went with Simeon Varlamov yesterday and he stopped 23 of 24 shots in taking the loss. As I hinted on an earlier Dobber Nation show, I believe that midway through next season he will steal the No.1 job from Theodore. A year after that, Michal Neuvirth will be his backup.
Old news, but I'm behind on my ramblings – the Preds signed Colin Wilson to a three-year entry level contract. Wilson is fantastic in all aspects of the game, but don't set your hopes too high in terms of his offense. His potential is similar to David Legwand's (about 80 points, tops). And you see the kind of player Legwand wound up being. Legwand was the second overall pick in his draft year and had a 100-point junior season. Wilson will probably make the squad next campaign (which, by the way, hurts Cal O'Rielly) and I see a points progression of 35 points, 35, 45, 60, 60, 75 points. Just a rough guess, but wanted to share my take. Wilson is ranked 36 on my prospects list, but moves up with this news.
Jamie Langenbrunner will miss the next two contests with a lower body injury.
The Hurricanes recalled prospect Drayson Bowman was recalled by the Hurricanes. Bowman is ranked 18th on my prospects list, but barring a key injury we won't see him in this postseason.
NYR line combos with Chris Drury back in the lineup: Gomez, with Avery and Antropov; Drury with Callahan and Naslund; Dubinsky with Korpikoski and Zherdev.
Sergei Kostitsyn was back in the Montreal lineup and played 12 minutes. He and his brother have produced dismal numbers since being the headline of Montreal papers a couple of months back.
Matt Hunwick had a lacerated spleen. The Boston rearguard will be out for the postseason as a result, as doctors have removed the spleen. It will not affect his playing career as of training camp.
The Sabres signed defenseman TJ Brennan to an entry level contract. He has little fantasy value at this time, although he could eventually man the second PP unit. The team also signed d-man Drew Schiestel, who has similar potential.
Boston forward Milan Lucic is suspended until a disciplinary hearing is held. Footage below.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijH7_HC5-ls]