Eastern Conference Buy Low Candidates
steve laidlaw
2014-11-04
This week, the Eastern Edge will look at a half-dozen buy low candidates from Eastern Conference teams.
Now that we are a dozen games into the season, it’s time to look at some players who are currently under-performing. We’ll look at the numbers to see if it’s worth your time to take a shot at them if they are available on the free agent wire or their current owner is tired of rostering a bunch of zeros and you can get them on the cheap.
Matt Moulson, Buffalo Sabres
In 2011-12, Matt Moulson registered a career high 69 points and followed it up with 44 points in 47 games during the lockout season. Last year, he had nine points in 11 games with the Islanders before shuffling off to Buffalo, where he recorded 29 points in 44 games, a 54-point pace. He finished the season in Minnesota with 13 points in 20 games, a 53-point pace. Moulson has only recorded two points in 13 games so far this season. He has spent over 85 per cent of his even-strength ice time with Tyler Ennis and one of Chris Stewart or Drew Stafford. He’s continuing to receive top power play opportunities and as the highest paid forward on the roster, along with four more seasons of $5 million per, there’s definitely pressure to play Moulson.
Alex Semin, Carolina Hurricanes
So by now, most of you probably know that Alex Semin has been a healthy scratch for the last two games. It started after he took an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty four minutes into the third period last Tuesday when the team was down 3-0 to the Canucks. He was benched for the rest of that game and now the following two matches. Semin is the second highest paid Hurricane and has another three seasons remaining on his contract after this year at $7 million per. His career high is 40 goals and 84 points. He had 42 points in 65 games last season (a 53-point pace) and a point per game in 44 matches during the lockout year. This season, he only has two points in six games. Talent isn’t the issue for this 30-year-old who reminds me a lot of Alexei Kovalev. This talented winger will get his chance again and soon. As long as you aren’t worried about dealing with his enormous cap hit, then he is a smart buy low right now. The team is going to try and get their money’s worth out of him or at the very least showcase him for an improbable trade.
Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes
Another Hurricane who should be a buy low player is Jeff Skinner. He has two points in six games this year. In his rookie campaign, the 2010 Calder trophy winner recorded 31 goals and 63 points. Last season, he set a new high in goals with 33, while registering 54 points, his second best total since that rookie season. He gets the second most even-strength ice time per game (15:07) on the team, but plays second string power play minutes. Depending on your league settings, this 22-year-old might be considered a keeper, but with his injury history, especially concussions, I’d proceed with caution. If he can manage to stay healthy, he could still strike for 30 goals and 55 points.
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