Tuesday, July 21

Neil Parker

2015-07-21

 

 

Looking at breakthroughs, busts and Artemi Panarin’s AHL likelihood …

 

 

***

 

 

Crickets …

 

Dobber talked Craig Smith yesterday, and his signing was the biggest chatter of the day. There is some heartfelt news out of St. Louis with Troy Brouwer talking about his move to Missouri and how it has impacted his wife’s pregnancy. Interestingly, this is the type of thing Ian was talking about, sort of, in his real-world analysis in the ramblings Sunday.

 

I’m not into talking Martin St. Louis. His run was touched on earlier when he announced his retirement. I always liked him, sort of, but he was never a cog on any of my fantasy teams.

 

I know I utilized him a few times in daily fantasy, but I have never drafted him in a league or pool. He was either unavailable or off my radar, nonetheless, St. Louis was one of the best scorers of an era and won everything needed to land a permanent home in the National Hockey League Hall of Fame.

 

Here is the story from NHL.com with a clip from St. Louis’ press conference.

 

 

***

 

 

The topic of Artemi Panarin starting in the American Hockey League was brought up by Dobber, and then discussed in the comments section, too.

 

Stan Bowman weighed in Saturday. The key point is that Panarin isn’t needed on the second line or likely even on the roster October 1. Acclimating to North America appears to be priority No. 1. However, and similar to the ascension of Teuvo Teravainen this season, Panarin’s contributions could count most when the stakes are highest.

 

 

Paul Martin, San Jose Sharks – He was hardly fantasy relevant receiving No. 1 power-play time with the Penguins, so moving to the Western Conference isn’t going to help the 34-year-old defenseman. Health has been an issue, and he doesn’t shoot often or take enough penalties to really tilt the scales. He also isn’t going to receive the power-play minutes to make a difference.

 

Jason Zucker, Minnesota Wild – His 21-goal season — over just 51 games — was extremely empty otherwise. He had just five helpers, a minus-9 rating and only 18 penalty minutes. He also went eight games without a point and another nine with just one goal. He’ll need consistent top-six minutes, which is unlikely. You’ll want to aim higher, as Zucker is a streamer for four-game weeks and not a roster mainstay. 16.9 shooting percentage is a warning sign, too.

 

Anton Stralman, Tampa Bay Lightning – He is a far better player in the real game than the fake, and while he was a fantasy darling in 2014-15, what’s next? Expecting another 35-point season could be asking a lot, and if the point total drops, the plus/minus rating isn’t worth Stralman’s likely draft position. A fine No. 4 or lower rearguard, but the lack of penalty minutes and shots isn’t inspiring for further fantasy success.

 

Mike Fisher, Nashville Predators – While the veteran has been a consistent scorer over the past three seasons, he also has virtually no upside. There are going to be five centers on your waiver wire — in most leagues — offering similar production to him. Don’t waste the draft pick late. Instead swing for the fences with a high-risk, high-reward flier. Plus, besides Carrie Underwood, who leaves their draft excited to have Mike Fisher?

 

Tobias Enstrom, Winnipeg Jets – This could depend more on what happens with the development of a few young blue liners and where they fit into the mix. Still, Enstrom should be behind Dustin ByfuglienTyler Myers and Jacob Trouba for offensive minutes. 30-point defenseman are a dime a dozen, especially ones who do little else.

 

 

***

 

 

50 players met the 60-point plateau last season and 127 reached 40 points. The goal should always be finding the players who are going to jump from the 35-50 point range and enter the 65-point conversation.

 

It is often easier said than done, but unless you’re grabbing a stat stuffer — Chris KreiderJustin Abdelkader — there is no point in grabbing Adam HenriqueDrew StaffordFrans Nielsen or Jussi Jokinen late in drafts. You’ll be able to scoop up the same statistics off your waiver wire.

 

There are deeper leagues where it isn’t that easy, but really all that changes is that you’re shifting the point ranges down from 30 to 45 points and aiming to reach 55. Chase upside early and often throughout the season, because the fallback options are endless.

 

 

***

 

 

So, who can make the jump during the 2015-16 season?

 

Here are a few candidates:

 

C/W Anders Lee, New York Islanders – While he may also be a bust candidate, Lee scored 25 goals and didn’t receive the offensive minutes he will this coming season. Oddly, he was also a healthy scratch in the playoffs. His new contract looks to have solved that slip up, though. Lee has 30-goal upside and is a high-volume shooter.

 

C/W Mathieu Perreault, Winnipeg Jets – Health is the only concern, and it has kept him under 50 points in consecutive seasons. The plus with Perreault is his penalty minutes fly under the radar. The injuries are problematic because of his diminutive frame, but when in the lineup the past two seasons, he has scored. And a top-six role with power-play minutes should be a lock.

 

James Neal, Nashville Predators – Mike talked about him recently, and while his 2014-2015 season wasn’t a complete loss, there is more in the tank for Neal. Returning to high-end production is unlikely, but he tips the scales in every fantasy category.

 

C/W Brandon Dubinsky, Columbus Blue Jackets – He was a fantasy — and real-world — difference maker last season, and the Blue Jackets are poised to bounce back in 2015-16. Dubinsky shoots enough, and while he doesn’t pile on the points, flirting with 60 is within his reach. Add a positive rating to the penalty minutes and there is a lot to like, especially if he is available as a winger.

 

Benoit Pouliot, Edmonton Oilers – Ensure he receives a top-six role, which he should, and then target Pouliot late and enjoy. He doesn’t fit the breakout career path, but the situation trumps all in this case. If it doesn’t work out, you can always trade Pouliot in for Stafford or someone similar.

 

 

***

 

 

Here is a recap and another perspective of some offseason moves from Esten McLaren.

 

Enjoy the July lulls.

Leave A Comment

UPCOMING GAMES

Apr 10 - 19:04 CBJ vs BUF
Apr 10 - 19:04 FLA vs DET
Apr 10 - 19:04 BOS vs CHI
Apr 10 - 19:04 NYI vs NYR
Apr 10 - 19:04 WSH vs CAR
Apr 10 - 20:04 DAL vs WPG
Apr 10 - 21:04 UTA vs NSH
Apr 10 - 21:04 COL vs VAN
Apr 10 - 22:04 L.A vs ANA
Apr 10 - 22:04 VGK vs SEA

Starting Goalies

Top Skater Views

  Players Team
PIERRE-LUC DUBOIS WSH
MATVEI MICHKOV PHI
MATT BOLDY MIN
WILL SMITH S.J
IVAN DEMIDOV MTL

Top Goalie Profile Views

  Players Team
IGOR SHESTERKIN NYR
SAM MONTEMBEAULT MTL
DUSTIN WOLF CGY
LUKAS DOSTAL ANA
KAREL VEJMELKA UTA

LINE COMBOS

  Frequency TOR Players
21.9 AUSTON MATTHEWS MITCH MARNER MATTHEW KNIES
16.1 JOHN TAVARES WILLIAM NYLANDER CALLE JARNKROK
15.6 STEVEN LORENTZ SCOTT LAUGHTON PONTUS HOLMBERG

DobberHockey Podcasts

Keeping Karlsson: Gr8 V16es

Elan and Brian celebrate two legends with massive accomplishments today: Alex Ovechkin, the NHL’s new goal scoring record holder, and Ian F, the newly crowned KKUPFL Ultimate Champion and undisputed best fantasy hockey manager in the world. You decide which one matters more.

Fantasy Hockey Life: Tidy Commissioner Roundtable

Our TIDY commish team joins the show for a roundtable to look back on a thrilling season. Have a listen! Our show is part of the Dobber Podcast Network and sponsored by Fantrax.com. Email fantasyhockeylife@gmail.com and ask to join our free discord. Join our Patreon at Patreon.com/fantasyhockeylife for rankings, bonus podcasts, in-depth prospect reports with […]

Keeping Karlsson Short Shifts – Playoff Injury Rundown

Shams is here with special guest Derrick to get you set up for the final stretch run of your fantasy playoffs. They go through the near term schedule covering the teams you should look at for streams and which ones you should consider dropping players from. After that, they cover a long list of injuries […]

FIND US ON FACEBOOK