Rounding the First Turn
Similar to the last couple of weeks, I’ll walk you through the Western Conference to see what’s been happening and catch you up with the latest trends plus this week’s hot pickups/must drops.
October 27, 2009
Column 500 is up - Top 10 scoring race disappointments. Saturday's THN column was on my Top 10 scoring race surprises. Today the column will feature the Top 10 scoring race disappointments. Today's column will also be my 500th Fantasy Pool Look for The Hockey News. It all started right there for me. [...]
Brush the Bodies Away
Did you see the thread I started last Sunday in the School of Block forums about Roberto Luongo and the main issues surrounding his slow start? If you didn’t, I highly suggest reading it, because over the last week, it has been proven that crease crashing and traffic in front of the net - and subsequently a goalie’s depth in the crease - is a major factor in fantasy goaltending so far this season.
Although it may not directly impact your goalie’s value in every game, the dynamics of overall net presence and depth in the net must be understood in order to make even better fantasy goaltending decisions. Do your goalies challenge shooters effectively? Do they get run into more than once or twice a game? Are they complacent, or do they have a fierce side to them? And how strong are the defensive efforts in front of said goalie?
October 26, 2009
Dobber Nation - postponed until Thursday. I could post the interviews piecewise, but would rather have it put all together in one nice show. It was the perfect storm of technical difficulties (Andrew's computer crashed), sickness (producer is sick) and timing (I'm moving). By the time it all comes back together it will be Thursday. [...]
Prospects Update
My Aunt Betty called me from Long Island and told me to write about Mike Del Zotto because he's so good. If my Aunt Betty knows about Mike Del Zotto then so does everyone in your pool and that is not why I'm here. I'm here to write about prospects that are off the radar and can give you an advantage in your pool. I'm here to tell you about prospects like Jason Demers and to tell you that he's the real deal.
The O’Reilly Factor
I hate missing guys. I’m not talking about the guys who, after a few years you write off and then they explode from out of nowhere (right, Dustin Penner?). Those guys are players who – at one time or another – I have already formed an idea in my head where their potential is at. Even if I have since changed my mind, like with Penner, I can always change it back.
No, it’s the players who I didn’t see coming in the first place that get to me. The examples that come to mind are Milan Hejduk (I was so blinded by Chris Drury’s impending arrival that I didn’t think much of Hejduk’s upside), Patrice Bergeron (was off my radar when he came to camp as an 18-year-old) and Mike Richards. I knew Richards was coming and I knew he would be good – but only 70-point good. Now we have another one. Colorado forward Ryan O’Reilly.
October 25, 2009
Whoops - Ryan Vesce is out as well, according to the Mercury. Couture and McGinn are in. In my ramblings a few months ago, after Bobby Ryan's performance in the playoffs, I said: "Bobby Ryan isn't quite ready to be that star just yet. Flashes of brilliance, but occasional cold spells. No longer think [...]
2010 Report
A couple of familiar faces headline this month's look at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, and as they did even in the early part of the year, one league in particular dominates the top of the class.
Saturday’s NHL Picks – with Marty and Thunder
Terrific start out of the gate last week, much improved over last season’s finish. My 8-5 record is a nose ahead of Thunder’s 7-6 record from last Saturday. The snowy weather seemed to be pivotal in my first week victory, with more snow on the ground this Saturday morning; could I possibly make it two in a row?? Only one way to find out on the best hockey day of the year (which is really any day all 30 teams are in action) as some poolies will cheer and rejoice in their 15th round selection posting a 3 pt. game and we won’t hear the end of it until Christmas, while others will drown their tears with a multitude of beers.
October 24, 2009
Flyers lines for tonight: Richards centering Asham and Hartnell, Carter centering JVR and Briere, and Giroux centering Gagne and Laperriere. Ken Hitchcock does some serious line changing for the game tonight. Chimera with Umberger and Nash, Huselius with Vermette and Voracek, and Torres with Pahlsson and Dorsett. The fourth line is Murray with Brassard [...]