September 10, 2014

Dobber

2014-09-10

Plenty to say about McBain, Kaberle, MacKinnon’s muscle gain and more …

***

Saku Koivu has announced his retirement. 

Koivu’s best offensive season was in 2006-07 when he had 75 points, 74 PIM. One could argue that his 2002-03 was better (71 points) because he was a plus-5 versus minus-21 in 06-07. I remember drafting Koivu when he was 20, identifying him as one of the best prospects to own in hockey. I was so high on him that I bet a buddy a case of beer that he would get 85 points before 2004. He didn’t make it. A really good fantasy hockey player to own, but an absolutely fantastic prospect – so yes, he didn’t meet the lofty expectations but take that as a lesson in fantasy hockey. Nothing is a sure thing.

Koivu ends his NHL career with 832 points (255 goals) and 809 PIM in 1124 contests. I’m seven months older than Koivu so this makes me feel pretty old!

***

Shhhh. Do you hear that? That’s the calm before the storm.

*

I’ll have one last “bored” update for the Fantasy Guide tomorrow. And by “bored” update, I mean “Bah, I’m bored, let me think of some things to add to this Guide!” Next week…not so bored. The news will start to roll and in two weeks time I’ll furiously adding content as the news flies at us. Buy the Guide here.

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Some training camp invites to report. Well, lots of them actually. Picking up steam…

30

Adam Larsson

66

4

19

26

Peter Harrold

35

0

6

16

Damon Severson

6

0

2

0

So you tell me. Is there room for Kaberle? As a No.7 defenseman and second PP unit specialist, absolutely. And this will be another obstacle for Larsson – and I think it will impact Gelinas as well.

The Devils also invited Ryan Carter to training camp.

*

Jonathan Drouin arrived in “tremendous shape” and fully intends to make the Lightning this year.

You’re hearing a lot about players being in great shape. Don’t let that sway you. But when you hear something about a player putting on 20 pounds of muscle, then you be concerned. In that five- or 10-pound range it’s a positive. So Nathan MacKinnon putting on 12-13 pounds of muscle is just below that borderline of my concern. He weighs 208 pounds with about 6.5% body fat. Just like me. If you move the decimal over one place.

If a player gains too much weight too quickly, even if it’s all muscle, it’s a detriment. Look no further than Luke Schenn. He made the Leafs as an 18 year old and was an absolute stud. But at 19 he sucked? How did that happen? Easy – he bulked up. Too much, too quick. I think MacKinnon will be okay though. But if he regresses, all focus will turn to this reason.

*

Yesterday for Puck Daddy I ran through the training camp player battles for the 16 teams in the Eastern Conference… and how they impact fantasy hockey. Check it out and please maybe comment – I don’t think I’ve ever written a Puck Daddy column with zero comments before and it feels kind of eerie. Usually I get torn a new one. So have at’er.

*

Interesting article on TJ Oshie and how his baby was born in March with her intestines outside of her stomach! Six months later, the baby is fine with only a tiny scar. But apparently the issue was caught earlier because Alex Pietrangelo‘s girlfriend was going to school to be an ultrasound technician and they wanted to find out the sex early so she looked at the ultrasound and saw something there.

I can relate to the ultrasound part – my sister-in-law is an ultrasound tech and we knew our two girls’ sex early, as well as other minor things in our lives and health. Those technicians really know their stuff upside down and inside out.

*

Scott Stevens resigned as assistant coach of the Devils yesterday. Rumor is that not enough of his ideas were being heard.

*

On a sad note, Ryan Suter‘s father, Bob, passed away yesterday from a heart attack. He was one of the members of the Miracle on Ice team. Just 57 years old. Wild beat reporter Michael Russo says that Ryan was pulled aside in practice by his wife who came down to give him the news. Thoughts and prayers to the Suter family.

*

Déjà vu all over again. Max Afinogenov misses the gimme goal, and then the other team marches down the ice and scores.

 

 

 

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EVANDER KANE VAN
JJ PETERKA UTA
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NOAH DOBSON NYI

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25.9 BRYAN RUST VILLE KOIVUNEN SIDNEY CROSBY
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