September 13, 2011
Dobber Sports
2011-09-13
Fantasy Guide will be updated today … and then the frequency of updates increases dramatically. As in every two days. The news, roster cuts, etc etc will be coming fast and furious and good ol' Dobber will be on them like a fat kid on a Smartie.
Concussion symptoms have prevented Colorado prospect Joey Hishon from making it to camp. Not the most promising news.
Here is a list of the Florida, Tampa Bay and Nashville rookie rosters. Some important keeper-worthy names on these teams.
The New Jersey Devils may be in danger of going bankrupt, according to this. I don't know how they're going to keep Zach Parise beyond this year, even without this news. Naturally, as with anything negative, the NHL disputes the claim.
Still with the Devils, they have invited Petr Sykora and Steve Bernier to camp on a tryout basis. Although the Sykora thing has a dramatic, exciting flair to it – he's pretty much done. The decline started in Anaheim, be it age or injuries. He bought himself some time in Pittsburgh thanks to high-end linemates. Bernier, however, could grab a spot on a depth line – though I think Bernier is about done as well. He's in his prime, but for some reason his play the last two seasons has been barely NHL-worthy.
Ryan Miller got married two weeks ago, for those of you in leagues that count love as a category.
Troy Brouwer, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, hopes to get in an exhibition "game or two" before the season starts.
The top two lines in Minnesota, at least to start: Koivu with Heatley and Setoguchi; Cullen with Bouchard and Latendresse.
FOUR goals for Craig Smith yesterday, plus an assist. Taylor Beck had a goal and three assists. Smith has an outside shot at a roster spot. I don't see it for Beck though. Smith has really come out of nowhere these last five months.
Breaking news: Patrick Sharp underwent an emergency appendectomy last night. He is sidelined for three or four weeks, wiping out his training camp. Game 1 will be touch and go, but if I had to guess I would say that he'll be back in time. Conditioning won't be there though, which is a concern.
Patrick Holland had a strong game for Calgary. As a seventh rounder, he's under everyone's radar and is probably a long shot. But I've added him to my Fantasy Prospects database and we shall see how he moves on that list over the next year or two.
I announced yesterday a new addition to the DobberHockey staff. We brought in a ringer to take on the Ramblings one day per week starting Sunday the 18th, as well as a bi-weekly fantasy mailbag. Welcome to former Canoe Sports and ESPN fantasy hockey columnists and current Sportsnet.ca fantasy hockey guru – Chris Nichols! You can never have enough expertise in the field of fantasy hockey and here is another guy to give you an alternative to my thoughts. You can follow him on Twitter here. You can also send him a question for his fantasy mailbag via email – [email protected] .
Per TSN, Brad Winchester has been invited to San Jose's camp on a tryout.
Hockey Pool Geek continues to make waves in fantasy hockey. Here is Kukla's Korner reviewing their fantastic tools.
Erik Gudbranson vs. Carter Ashton Sunday: