The Frozen Pool section of DobberHockey is one of the main reasons why people visit this site. Jason Arbuthnot has created a wide variety of tools to help you analyze, compare, and evaluate essentially anything relating to the world of hockey. One of the more popular tools has been the line combination chart, which gives the exact breakdown of forward lines and defensive pairings in all situations.

For example, a quick look at Mike Comrie's preseason statistics show that he played almost 50% of the time with Evgeni Malkin and Eric Tangradi (43.79%, to be precise). It is pretty clear to see how this tool can be useful, as quality of linemates is one of the most important factors when evaluating players in all fantasy hockey leagues (especially potential sleeper picks like Comrie).

As The Carpenters put it, we've only just begun. Read on to find out about the latest – and greatest – tool developed by Mr. Arbuthnot.

I am pleased to introduce the Fantasy Team Planner. This tool allows you to see the upcoming schedule for all 30 NHL clubs. Multiple timeframes are available (one day, three days, seven days, 14 days, and so on).

Click on any of the matchups, and you will be taken to an incredibly in-depth matchup preview. I clicked on Vancouver and Los Angeles, and was taken to the 'Tale of the Tape.' You are given team information, player information, and line combination information from both the previous three games the teams have played each other, as well as the previous three games they have played against all teams.

If you are a statistical junkie, this is GOLD. If you aren't, I bet you will become one very, very quickly.

UPDATE:  Since the 2010-2011 NHL season is already underway, here’s a game preview of tomorrow’s Carolina @ Minnesota match-up.

This new tool is going to help all levels of poolies.

1. Casual users – One of the most asked questions: who to play and who to bench? On the fence on who to start? Is your guy off Thornton’s line from the last game? Is he cold as ice? Is he a Sabre killer? Is he nowhere to be found on the PP from last game? This can answer all of these questions.
2. Day traders – What FAs have the best chance to excel versus their opponents in a short amount of time, upside be damned? What teams play weaker teams? This will give you the edge.
3. Weekly Deadline pools – Maximize games played for pickups coupled with advanced scouting reports of opponents to exploit particular excellence versus opponents. Which I think is the most important as there’s no max games and they’re locked in, so people must choose wisely on not only FA pickups but who to start.