February 10, 2010 (or 02/10/2010)
Dobber Sports
2010-02-10
16 players have a plus/minus of plus-21 or greater – seven of them are Washington Capitals. Amazing – if you’re hurting in that category just drop half your team and scoop up whichever Caps are available! (Thanks Joey for the line)
Cal O’Reilly followed up his three-point game Saturday with a goal last night. He’s heating up just like he did last February. I strongly recommend him in keeper leagues – he’ll be next year’s Hornqvist in terms of points and impact (although assists instead of goals). Horny, by the way, had a goal called back last night.
David Backes was announced as a member of Team USA on January 1. Since then he has 15 points, 25 PIM and plus-2 in 17 games. In fact, remove his brutal start and he has 30 points in 36 games.
Spezza is 8-2-10 in eight games since returning from injury.
Brandon Dubinsky has just two points and is a minus-5 in his last nine games. Jokinen’s arrival has contributed to the tail end of that.
It looks as though Jokinen has taken Ruutu’s job. But what else is Maurice to do? Jokinen has been as hot as anyone lately and it would be silly to remove him from the Staal/Whitney line. So Ruutu, in his return to action after 15 games on the shelf, played with Sutter and Dwyer.
Sergei Samsonov finds ways to not get points. He played with Matt Cullen (three points) and Tom Kostopoulos (a goal) and walked away with nothing. Again. And he somehow managed to be minus-1. It’s a remarkable skill.
Red Wings line combos with Franzen back in the lineup: Datsyuk with Zetts and Bertuzzi; Filppula with Franzen and Cleary. Later they swapped Franzen for Bertuzzi. That actually resulted in a goal from each of those lines so expect those changes to stick to start next game (i.e. Franzen with Dats and Zetts).
Tampa signed Mark Parrish to a two-way contract. He’s persistent, that guy.
Pavol Demitra flew back to Vancouver, missing last night’s contest for a “personal matter”. No word on whether he will be back for any of the games before the Olympics break.
Vancouver fans and Sedin owners didn’t like this article of mine very much, but so far it has proven to be quite true. Henrik Sedin and Alex Burrows are pointless in four road games and Daniel Sedin is pointless in three.
Gaborik suffered a laceration on his leg when a skate cut him in practice. It required stitches. No official word, but I have a feeling he’ll miss the last two games before the Olympics.
Let the Marty Turco watch begin. If he is dealt to Philadelphia, I can’t help but wonder if Briere is part of the package. Also – what are the Stars doing? Lehtonen can’t play a full season to save his life. Missed 35 games in 2005 (groin), missed six games in 2006 (ankle), missed 16 games in 2007 (groin), missed 21 games in 2008 (back), missed 40-odd games in 2009 (back) and missed 15-odd games in 2010 (back). But NOW he’ll be healthy, right Dallas?
The Hagman, Stajan, Iginla line finally produced last night, combining for six points. They had looked fairly good to date, but the numbers weren’t there to back it. Now that they are on the board, perhaps they’ll start to roll.
There is no real damage to Ryan Getzlaf’s ankle. I believe that and under normal circumstances I would be relieved as a Getzlaf owner to know that he will only miss about…oh, let’s say four to six games. But he plans to play for Team Canada (and who could blame him) and be there Monday ready to go. Um, that’s about 3-7 days early. Again, I don’t blame him. But that’s pretty dangerous, returning just a little early like that. I’m concerned about an easy re-injury. It won’t take much.
Despite getting the hook Saturday, Brian Elliott was back between the pipes last night. The Sens are smart to ride him IMO.
FREE Olympics Pool – 1750+ entered already – JOIN HERE. Just a few days left.
24 tickets have sold, sending 24 kids to the Marlies/Amerks game on March 27. I’m 26 away from my goal already. If you want to send a kid to an AHL game (center ice), the cost is just $15, click here. The Children’s Aid Society, and myself, thanks you.
Last plug – the Fantasy Baseball Guide is released – you can buy it here for $8.99
MA Bergeron’s knee injury will keep him out until mid-March.
A long one between Rick Rypien and Zenon Kenopka…