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.

*

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.

 

 

 

Leave A Comment

UPCOMING GAMES

May 27 - 20:05 EDM vs DAL

Starting Goalies

Top Skater Views

  Players Team
ALEXANDER NIKISHIN CAR
QUINTON BYFIELD L.A
CARTER VERHAEGHE FLA
ALEKSANDER BARKOV FLA
ZACH HYMAN EDM

Top Goalie Profile Views

  Players Team
STUART SKINNER EDM
SERGEI BOBROVSKY FLA
TOMAS SUCHANEK ANA
CONNOR HELLEBUYCK WPG
COLTEN ELLIS STL

LINE COMBOS

  Frequency PIT Players
25.9 BRYAN RUST VILLE KOIVUNEN SIDNEY CROSBY
21.7 RICKARD RAKELL EVGENI MALKIN DANTON HEINEN
21.0 PHILIP TOMASINO JOONA KOPPANEN CONNOR DEWAR

DobberHockey Podcasts

Fantasy Hockey Life: Pittsburgh Penguins with Josh Yohe

Josh Yohe is here to report on the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jesse and Victor interview Josh about returning pros Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, Evgeni Malkin, Tommy Novak, Rutger McGroarty, Ville Koivunen, Erik Karlsson, Matt Grzelcyk, Kris Letang, Owen Pickering, Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic. In Cat’s Instincts, Cat Silverman of InGoal mag breaks down […]

Fantasy Hockey Life: Seattle Kraken with RJ Eskanos

RJ Eskanos of Emerald City Hockey is here to report on the Seattle Kraken. Jesse and Victor interview RJ about returning pros Jared McCann, Chandler Stephenson, Jaden Schwartz, Jordan Eberle, Kaapo Kakko, Shane Wright, Matty Beniers, Andre Burakovsky, Eeli Tolvanen, Jani Nyman, Vince Dunn, Brandon Montour, Ryker Evans, Joey Daccord, and Philipp Grubauer. In Cat’s […]

Keeping Karlsson: KK Leagues Report – 2025 Champs!

Derrick talks to the big winners of the various Keeping Karlsson leagues from this past season. He’s first joined by the new KKUPFL Ultimate Champion Ian and the reigning fast-track winner Alec. Then Derrick is joined by the year 1 KK Dynasty League champions Ian (different Ian), Saqib, and Brett, aka the “Good ol’ Ottawa Boys”.

Fantasy Hockey Life: Anaheim Ducks with Derek Lee

Derek Lee of the Hockey News is here to report on the Anaheim Ducks. Jesse and Victor interview him about returning pros Troy Terry, Mason McTavish, Trevor Zegras, Frank Vatrano, Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Sam Colangelo, Jackson LaCombe, Olen Zellweger, Pavel Mintyukov, Radko Gudas, Jacob Trouba, Lukas Dostal, and John Gibson. In Cat’s Instincts, Cat […]

Fantasy Hockey Life: Fluto Shinzawa Boston Bruins Preview

Fluto Shinzawa of the New York Times joins the show to break down the Boston Bruins. Jesse and Victor ask him about David Pastrnak, Morgan Geekie, Pavel Zacha, Elias Lindholm, Casey Mittelstadt, Matthew Poitras, Fraser Minten, Charlie McAvoy, Mason Lohrei, Hampus Lindholm, Jeremy Swayman, and Joonas Korpisalo. Cat’s instincts covers prospect goalies Brandon Bussi and […]

FIND US ON FACEBOOK