Radim Vrbata Traded Back to Phoenix
The Lightning have acquired forward Todd Fedoruk and defenseman David Hale from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for forward Radim Vrbata
Earmarked for Success Part II
It boils down to optimal playing time. A top-line player will get the best of everything, while a top-six player will receive decent even strength/second unit power-play ice-time. A bottom feeder will most likely receive checking line ice-time and thus less optimal ice-time, which will hamper their scoring ability during the season. Their big break will only come if there are injuries or big slumps from their team’s top-six.
July 21, 2009
Lots of signings from late this afternoon. The Leafs have signed tough guy Andre Deveaux, who I believe was actually a UFA. Will he make the team? No. The Habs have re-signed Plekanec. Will he bounce back? I believe he will. A little bit. As in 50-60 points. I assume he will click with Cammalleri. [...]
Skill vs. Opportunity
Remind me to let Dobber Nation choose the lesson plan more often. All of the requests were quite astute, so rest assured I’ll be doing this more often. Now a few of you posed the same question: who will be this season’s breakout goalie? You thirst for that answer because it could turn your entire season around. But alas, that question is my topic for Dobber’s upcoming fantasy guide, so I chose another question that would act as a perfect prelude to the answer which so many of you seek.
How should a fantasy GM weigh skill level (talent & ability) versus opportunity? This is a great question (WTG, Sentium) and an interesting one because it’s completely unique to all fantasy managers. Every goalie is different and every team has different dynamics when it comes to dishing out the minutes played. So what, exactly, should fantasy managers focus on in order to find the goalie poised to be the next Hiller or Clemmensen? Which one matters more?
July 20, 2009
Evander Kane has signed an ELC with Atlanta. Do I think he will make the team? No, I think he is a year away. But I do believe he will get a nine-game tryout. The Kings also signed Justin Azevedo to his first two-way deal. Prior to this, he was on an AHL deal. [...]
Pittsburgh, Washington, Chicago…and?
At the end of 2005-06, the Pittsburgh Penguins finished with a dismal 58 points. However, with Sidney Crosby about to be joined by Evgeni Malkin it was easy to see that great things were about to happen. Astute poolies had already stocked their teams with Pens and have seen nothing but dividends ever since. In 2006-07, the team that made the biggest strides was Pittsburgh. While they jumped from 58 to 105 points, the Washington Capitals floundered to just 70.
Once again, astute poolies knew that Alex Ovechkin could only be held back for so long and stocked up on his teammates. In 2007-08 they jumped to 94. That same year, the Chicago Blackhawks showed signs of life with 88 points. In 2008-09 they made it 104. Three years, three talented teams, three giant steps. In every case, poolies who saw it coming stocked up on the players for that particular team had it made in the shade – especially if they are in keeper leagues with a postseason component. So who is the team to watch in 2009-10? Here are the nominees…
Caps Camp – July 19, 2009
Angus here - fire away with your fantasy hockey-related questions to me all afternoon! Check it out in my section on the DobberHockey boards! The Flyers signed Jason Ward as a UFA. His presense will not impact the odds of Nodl or JVR making the squad. Maybe Powe, Asham or Kalinski - depth guys [...]
Russian Roulette
Russians are being taken lower and lower in the draft since they peaked at seven first rounders in 2000. Have they fallen too far?
July 18, 2009
Janis Sprukts has signed to play in the KHL next year. Anaheim has signed Nick Deschamps to an entry-level contract. He is still several years away with second-line upside. The Devils signed Patrice Cormier to an ELC, as well as Nathan Perkowich. Cormier is a power forward who several years away from making [...]
2010: Wingin’ It
The 2010 Draft is one hockey season away; while everyone knows about the star forward at the top of the class, how do the other wingers compare?