Fantasy Hockey Quick Shots

Dobber Sports

2009-11-08

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Whenever I struggle for a topic, a nice and easy way out is to just speak of many things. Call it more in-depth ramblings, but I prefer to think of it as "the column about nothing" and capitalize on any lingering Seinfeld popularity…

 

Tomas Fleischmann so far is showing everything that I thought he would. In the Fantasy Guide, I made mention that he always improves his numbers – dating back to his early teens. Be it junior hockey or his days back in the Czech Republic, or the AHL or NHL – every season he tallies more points than the season before in that same league. I noted that either this year or next, Fleischmann would jump by at least 0.25 points per game. This season that would mean 0.76, which works out to about 55 points in the 72 games that he could play. He has seven in six games so far and in Yahoo! he is eligible for either wing…

 

Phil Kessel will be a point-per-game player on the Leafs this season. Going forward, look for 70 to 75 games per campaign and about 80 points. They'll get him a big-name pivot next summer (hello Marc Savard), which will obviously help. But he'll get his 65-70 points this year primarily because the team will throw him out there as often as they can. The Leafs are still trying John Mitchell out as his center and if that continues then Mitchell is a dark horse for 50 to 55…

 

Since returning from a shoulder injury, Dennis Wideman is pointless in nine. He is only down six seconds per game of PP time, despite the presence of Derek Morris. However, the team isn't scoring and that won't last forever. When David Krejci returns and, later, Savard, Wideman will return to a 40-or 45-point pace. I think he overreached at 50 last year…

 

New Jersey's David Clarkson is looking like this year's David Backes. He's on pace for 64 points and close to 150 penalty minutes. I believe he'll reach that PIM total, but I don't see his points going above 50. Not this year, anyway. Long-term he could be a 60-point player…

 

Nik Antropov is a point per game. He has yet to score a goal though. He averaged about three shots per game as a Ranger last season. This year? How about 0.85. If that changes and he starts shooting again, he could be in for an even better campaign…

 

Pascal Leclaire exposed: without a Ken Hitchcock system, his 2.70 and 0.897 numbers are, to be polite, unimpressive. If Brian Elliott didn't get shelled his last start (five goals on 27 shots), he'd be looking like a fantastic option right now…

 

Andrew Raycroft has been a monster for the Canucks. I had my doubts, but Razor has been brilliant in posting a 4-1-0 record and a sparkling SP of 0.936 so far. Since Luongo may have suffered a setback, you may get another week or two out of Raycroft yet…

 

I am getting the feeling that James van Riemsdyk is comparable to Keith Primeau in more ways than just size and potential production. Just a few weeks into his NHL career and he already has a head injury and a broken finger. I won't be going out of my way to land him on any of my teams. If a deal is there, of course I'll take it – I just won't be pushing the deal to make sure I get him…

 

Sell High:

Dustin Penner has been shut out of five of his last six games. The other game, of course, was a four-pointer, which has skewed his stats.  He'll have a career season, no question about it. But his 97-point pace is just silliness. Trade him for a guaranteed 75-point player and you'll come out ahead by April…

 

Vaclav Prospal is in the midst of his "on year" and so a rebound from last year is expected. After all, he bounces from good to bad seemingly every season throughout his career. Still, he'll never get to 70 points again and his current pace of 90 is just crazy talk. You've already seen a slowdown, as he has but four points in six contests…

 

Brooks Laich has 18 points in 17 games and he is taking almost an extra shot per game. That will ensure that he flirts with 35 goals this season, but I don't see him getting to 70 points…

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Ryan Smyth's career high is 70 points and that took place eight years ago. His chemistry with Anze Kopitar is undeniable, but to expect him to top that number would be folly. His pace is currently for 95 points…

 

Rene Bourque is leading the Flames in scoring. Yeah, right. If you believe that's how things will end up, then I have a bridge Brooklyn that's for sale if you're interested. I can see as high as 0.85 points per game (last year was a career high of 0.69) and 70 games. That's 60 points, folks. Still a career season, but not his current 92-point pace. Move him before he gets hurt…

 

Buy Low:

Those in a keeper league who are rebuilding, now is the time to snag some of these stars who are on the shelf. If ever there was a time where Evgeni Malkin or Alex Ovechkin can be had, it is now. You can also get cheap deals on the other hurt stars such as Eric Staal, Marc Savard, Daniel Sedin, etc.

 

Alex Tanguay has eight points in his last eight games. His owner has probably noticed that, though, so the window may have already closed…

 

Paul Kariya is on pace for 41 points. Nope, that ain't gonna happen. In fact, Keith Tkachuk's 52-point pace leads the Blues, which also won't happen. The Blues will have several players clear 60 points this campaign and this is an excellent opportunity to buy low on any number of them – Kariya leads the way…

 

No team has played fewer games than Atlanta (13), which makes their players nice and cheap. You won't sneak up on anyone for Rich Peverley, but Todd White, Bryan Little and even Slava Kozlov could be had at rock-bottom prices…

 

Last year, Steve Sullivan had five points in his first 16 games. This year he has five in his first 15. Had you given up on him last year, you would have missed his run of 27 points in 25 contests…

 

Peter Mueller is, at this point, quite lowly regarded. Last season's sophomore slump, in conjunction with this season's pitiful production has him being given away in all types of fantasy leagues.  I still believe he'll be a star and I'm still penciling him in for 50-plus points this campaign…

 

Mathieu Perreault is a pint-sized forward in Washington who has made great strides over the past year and may be closer than you'd think. During his current recall, he has three points in three games. He won't stick, but next year he will and by 2013 you won't be able to sneak him off of anyone. If you can stash him away in your keeper, do so now…

 

Jonathan Cheechoo…just kidding. He's horrible. Sorry to tease you Cheechoo owners. I have nothing positive to stay about this guy…

 

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UPCOMING GAMES

May 04 - 20:05 BOS vs TOR

Starting Goalies

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PIERRE-LUC DUBOIS L.A
FILIP FORSBERG NSH
WYATT JOHNSTON DAL
CONNOR MCDAVID EDM
AUSTON MATTHEWS TOR

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  Players Team
STUART SKINNER EDM
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22.9 ELIAS LINDHOLM DAKOTA JOSHUA CONOR GARLAND
21.2 PIUS SUTER J.T. MILLER BROCK BOESER
13.9 ELIAS PETTERSSON ILYA MIKHEYEV NILS HOGLANDER

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