March 6, 2010

Jeff Angus

2010-03-06

Thanks to DobberHockey reader Mike J. for the heads up on Alex Steen. Since December 20th, he has 28 points in 31 games, 84 shots on goal, 20 PIM, and 10 power play points.

 

Those numbers prorate to 74 points, 222 SOG, 52 PIM, and 26 PPP over a full season. He had only four points in his first 19 games. Perhaps this is more than just a blip in the radar? Steen had long been an offensive disappointment at the NHL level, but those days look to be gone. Keep an eye on his production down the stretch, as he may earn himself a scoring line role for next season.

 

Note from Dobber: I have two luxury suites side-by-side at the Marlies game on Sunday March 21. The game is sold out as it will be on CBC. They play Calgary’s farm team. I have sold most of the tickets for the two boxes, but still have six left – if you live in the Toronto area and want to hang with myself, Russ Miller, Brent Lemon and Notch – while eating wings and talking fantasy hockey – get your ticket now. Just $35 for all that. Buy it HERE. Also, just an update – I’m seven tickets shy of my goal of 50 for the charity – Children’s Aid Society.

 

Sidney Crosby is on pace for 54 goals. Over/under of 55? Where would you put your money?

 

The Sedins are slumping right now, but have played much better over the past two games. Henrik has been battling a sore back, and their production on the road has dipped significantly compared to home games all season. The Canucks have three more games on the marathon trip, and then play 10 of their final 15 at Canada Hockey Pl…er… I mean GM Place.

 

If any of you ever want to contribute to the ramblings, don’t hesitate to send me an email! I can’t watch every single game unfortunately, and I am sure that the higlights and stat sheets miss some awesome stuff. Even better if I can get some game reviews from people in attendance.

 

If you aren’t reading Notch’s Saturday picks, something is wrong with you! He has been on fire with his picks this year (just under 70%), and has made himself (and a few others I am sure) a nice return.

 

Kevin Bieksa should be back within the next week for the Canucks. His offensive numbers were down this year, thanks to Christian Ehrhoff stealing most of his PP time away. Expect Bieksa to contribute offensively when he returns, as Ehrhoff has been logging heavy minutes and could use a bit of a break down the stretch.

 

I’ve been starting to gather names for my third annual ‘Prime Cuts of the Year.’ It is far and away the article series I look forward to the most. Here is a bit more info about the article series… “To make the team, a player must show something beyond the stat sheet. Similar to TSN broadcaster Pierre McGuire’s annual "Monsters Team," the Prime Cuts squad is chalk-full of intangibles such as heart, determination, hockey IQ, two-way play, grit, and clutch scoring ability. Most of the players on this squad are also under appreciated (in both fantasy and real hockey circles). There are obviously some big stars on this team – the usual suspects – but there are also some under-the-radar players who you may not have noticed this season for whatever reason. (How’s that for a rhyme?)”

 

Pavol Demitra stretched his post-Olympic point streak to three games. He has seven shots on goal over that span, and has looked much, much better compared to before the break. Leadingthe Olympics in scoring has certainly worked wonders for his confidence and overall effort level.

 

Kim Johnsson had an assist and played over three minutes with the man advantage last night for Chicago.

 

David Clarkson was pointless in his second game back (thanks for the correction, not sure how this one slipped by considering I own him in a few leagues), but he did have 10 PIM (two fights against Jamal Mayers).

 

Derek Boogaard will be facing a lengthy suspension after a delivering a brutal knee-on-knee hit to Edmonton`s Ryan Jones.

 

Tough night for the team Canada goalies – both allowed five in losses.

 

Shea Weber left last night’s game with an apparent wrist injury.

 

Ville Leino played 15 minutes last night for the Flyers. I didn't catch the game, but it sounds like he earned himself another game at the very worst.

 

Raffi Torres had an assist (on an overtime winner scored by Tim Connolly) and played over 17 minutes in his Buffalo debut. Drew Stafford left the game after the first with a lower body injury. His injury definitely opened up more ice time for Torres.

 

Aside from letting in a weak goal to Tomas Vanek, Michael Leighton had a strong game. Philly is really putting the pressure on him to deliver down the stretch.

 

After going scoreless in 19 consecutive games, Darren Helm potted two last night.

 

Not surprisingly, Pavel Datsyuk’s recent four game point streak has coincided with the return of Johan Franzen, Tomas Holmstrom, and Niklas Kronwall to the lineup. He had another two points last night, including a beauty of a goal, which I have posted at the bottom of the ramblings.

 

If I don't hear from the runner up in the Olympic Pool over the next few days, I'll put together some sort of contest down the stretch here, with the top prize being the signed Jaromir Jagr jersey.

 

Make sure to follow me on twitter! Fantasy hockey gems, 24/7, 364. Christmas is a day off, unfortunately. Made it to 500! Thanks gents.

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Sticking with twitter, all of you baseball guys out there, make sure you are following @DobberBaseball. The fantasy guide is out, and the season kicks off in under a month! I was down in Phoenix a few months ago, and really need to make the trek back one of these years to check out spring training – some of those parks are absolutely stunning.

 

Things could potentially go from worse to much worse in Oiler Nation. Ryan Whitney, who underwent a foot procedure in the summer of 2008 to fix some bone issues in his left foot, is having the same problem with the other foot now. Here is what Whitney said, “I’m just kind of battling a little bit with the right one right now. It’s just kind of about figuring out what’s going to work and what’s best for me and how to feel healthy again. That’s half the battle of playing well. I think it’s just something I was kind of born with.” Umm…. doesn't sound too good, now does it?

 

This article may simply be the case of a writer taking a quote and running with it, but it definitely bears watching.

Alex Frolov is moving to the right wing on a line with Jarrett Stoll and Brad Richardson. Why? It will allow him to use his shot more, according to Terry Murray.

 

Good thing the Blackhawks weren't in the Olympics! They lit Luongo up like a Christmas tree last night, pumping five goals past him in the first 20 minutes. It was a vicious cycle for the Canucks, as they were down early, and Chicago is the last team you want to have to take chances against. Odd man rushes against will usually end up with a puck in the back of the net when playing the Blackhawks.

 

Great article debating where Jamie Benn's future is – wing or center? Very relevant to fantasy leagues that use positions for forwards. Since being moved to center, Benn has seven goals in 15 games.

 

Maxim Lapierre has been given a four game suspension for his garbage hit from behind on Scott Nichol. He deserved more, in my estimation. Ben Maxwell has been recalled to fill in for Lapierre. Maxwell has played 15 games with the Habs, split between the past two years. He has yet to record a point.

 

Thinking ahead to 2014 a bit… How does a line of Nash-Crosby-Stamkos sound? Maybe John Tavares mixed in there somewhere?

 

Kari Lehtonen is making his starting debut as a member of the Dallas Stars tonight. He came in the other night to mop up Marty Turco's mess.

 

Marian Gaborik is playing tonight against the Capitals.

 

TJ Oshie has seven points in his past four contents, and is clicking on the top line along with David Backes and Paul Kariya. If the trio can stay together (and Kariya can continue his post-Olympic break scoring binge), Oshie's production stands to benefit in a big way. Oshie has 15 goals and 40 points through 60 games – not spectacular, but very solid numbers for a young player that has been bounced around the lineup on a consistent basis this season.

 

Cal O'Reilly is getting opportunities with the man advantage, but isn't cashing in. He played close to four minutes with the man advantage last night, but was pointless and finished the game minus-2. With Dustin Boyd coming in, the writing may be on the wall for Cal.

 

Jimmy Howard had a great bounce back start after getting shelled against the Canucks on Wednesday. The fact that he started over Osgood, even after getting pulled, says everything. He is Babcock's guy, and his leash will be very long.

 

Latendresse with a beauty of a goal against the Oilers last night:

 

Datsyuk the wizard strikes again:

 

Is that Alex Ovechkin taking stick handling lessons? Say it ain't so!

 

Sean Avery apparently isn’t a fan of Max Talbot’s fighting style:

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