I have been looking forward to publishing this piece for a while. Selecting Canada’s roster for any international hockey competition is never an easy task. There were a number of quality forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders that didn’t make the cut. I made sure to cover the “why” for each selection and omission. There may be a surprise or two as well....
Steve Laidlaw takes a look at the NHL's best rookies.
During the lockout I’d hatched this fantastic scheme – if the season were to be cancelled I would put together the first ever Cage Match Prospects Tournament. There were a ton of fantastic prospects tearing apart their respective leagues. Following a strong 2012 draft class as well as several of the best international prospects having waited a few years before coming to North America there was an absolute glut of talent waiting to break into the league. That tournament would have been bananas but instead we have to suffer through this shortened NHL season and one of the best rookie classes in memory. Thanks a lot, Bettman.
So in lieu of the first ever Cage Match Prospects Tournament and in celebration of this fantastic rookie class we shall instead have the first ever Cage Match Rookie Tournament. For simplicity’s sake and because of my bias towards defensemen (I really hate those fickle bastards) the field has been limited to just forwards. Now before you go and cry yourself to sleep in your Justin Schultz jersey I have to acknowledge that Schultz is my personal favourite to win the Calder this year, which is all the more reason to lock him out of the cage – that’s right, another lockout, suck it defensemen.
* My look at five NHL clubs underperforming in 2013. St. Louis Blues (6-5-1, 18th overall in the NHL) The Blues were tabbed by many as the best team in the Western Conference, but they haven’t played like it through the first quarter of the season. Brian Elliott has struggled mightily [...]
Russ Miller takes a look at the Southeast Division.
After only a dozen or so games, it is clear to this author that there are only two teams that are going to compete for the title of division winner in what has perennially been the worst division in the NHL. The Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes, aka the Natural Disasters, will battle it out all season to see who will snag that third seed in the East. The rest of the teams in this division are simply disasters.
Tampa Bay has lost four in a row and are a single point behind Carolina for first in the division. The Lightning struck early and often in winning six of their first seven games, recording 37 goals for (5.28 per game) and only 15 goals against (2.14 per game).
Unfortunately, in their last four games, Tampa has scored only six goals (1.5 per game) while allowing 14 goals against (3.50 per game). Anders Lindback and Mathieu Garon have combined for a 0.876 save percentage in the last four contests. Clearly, that's not good enough, but it doesn't all fall on the goaltenders. If you can only muster a mere 1.5 goals per contest, you aren't going to win very many games, unless you play airtight defensively.
* An updated look at the Art Ross race: PATRICK KANE Kane has been the best forward in the NHL season, and he has led the Blackhawks to a ridiculous 10-0-2 start. He is known for his ability to make opposing defensemen look foolish, and he is doing so game after game [...]
Rick Roos takes a look at several types of players who are frustrating to own in fantasy hockey leagues.
What’s great about fantasy sports is that even if you don’t win your league, at least you can whine to your competitors - and in the DobberHockey forums - about your misfortune. Fantasy hockey in particular makes it pretty easy to complain, because there are so many ways your team and its players can let you down. For example, DobberHockey readers already are well aware of all too familiar frustrations like Band-Aid boys (players who are great when they’re healthy, but always seem to get hurt) and Windex Wonders (players who are either ice cold or red hot), but there are many other ways players can become sources of frustration.
This week I thought I’d go over the different types of players who can disappoint a fantasy team; and instead of an overall “Final Verdict” like I usually have in this column, I’ll rank each category of player on a “frustration meter” that ranges from one gray hair (a little annoying sometimes, but not a big deal) to five gray hairs (a major source of constant aggravation). One key thing to keep in mind – frustrating doesn’t always mean bad. Even a guy who gets a four or five on the frustration meter usually can still help your team; he just might drive you crazy in the process!
Now onto the list…
February Fantasy Contest
We are running a contest over the next week here at DobberHockey with some sweet giveaway prizes from 2XU. Test your fantasy hockey mettle against the best and most passionate poolies on the net.
Read on for contest details and to find out what you can win!
Taking a look at some interesting line combos across the league...
It felt like a week perfect for Sidney Crosby until the weekend reared its ugly head. Suddenly the stakes rise a bit and Week 3 featured a new cast of line combinations with some familiar faces along the way. As we head into the middle of February, it is time to go “Between The Lines” once again for fantasy goodness.
Forward March……
* Loui Eriksson is off to a slow start this season, but I would expect him to turn things around after a strong performance last Friday. It should help now that Dallas has two legitimate offensive centers back and healthy (Benn and Roy). * Breaking news: Teemu Selanne is good. [...]
This week, I take a look at Alex Killorn, Joe Morrow, Jordan Schroeder's great play in Vancouver, Nazem Kadri's surprising physical presence, and more.
