August 29, 2010
Dobber Sports
2010-08-29
Fantasy Guide is now updated as of TODAY. Including details on the Three-Tiered Invitational, the MacArthur signing, Staal and Kariya injuries, the Lashoff trade – and much more. You can buy it HERE. Draft list update will be 24 to 48 hours.
And those waiting patiently for an alternative to Paypal, hang in there – we’re on the cusp of a new DobberHockey shop…just waiting on one person to do one thing…and then we’re a go. It literally could go down in five minutes, or five days. I hate waiting on one person like that, but my hands are tied.
I feel refreshed. Not so much from a vacation, although I have been taking it easy. But for the first time in a month I haven’t dragged the family anywhere (we’ve hit London, New York and Quebec of late). Lots going on in Toronto though. I think the Leafs acquiring Lashoff hints of another move on the way. Brian Burke has said that he is happy with eight defensemen – but I wonder if he’s happy with nine?
Angus called it in his breakdown – MacArthur has an excellent opportunity in Toronto. He is a one-dimensional streaky player, but he is young and has top six upside. This acquisition also puts the “guaranteed” spot for Luca Caputi at risk. Perhaps a year of seasoning would be best for him, anyway. But now if he gets a spot you know it will be earned and not given. For what it’s worth, I think Tim Kennedy has more upside, is more of a certainty and comes at a cheaper price. So in that regard, I think Burke erred in taking the lesser player. And do you know why he did? Size. Burke wants a tough team and has been having some trouble getting one. But he may have taken his love for that a little too far if size was an issue – after all, we’re only talking two inches and 15 pounds here. And MacArthur certainly doesn’t play tough. But I’m just guessing that those two inches and 15 pounds were the difference for Burke.
The Fantasy Guide will be updated later today. I have most of the changes in, but I’m trying to add all the details about my annual Three-Tiered Rotisserie League. I’m also trying to add a couple of columns to the Draft List – Band-Aid Boys and salary. Whatever I can do to help your league! Though the changes to the Draft List could mean it won’t be ready until Monday or Tuesday. The Guide will be updated today though.
So it looks as though Nikolai Khabibulin will get at least 30 days in prison for his drinking and driving. In other sports, teams have walked away from contracts due to a morality clause so I think the Oilers would have that same right. I think they should find said loophole and pry it open. Their two young goaltenders are underrated and Dubnyk has a lot of upside. But Khabibulin’s injury status could make any suspensions or contract cancelations impossible.
Petteri Nokelainen has signed to play in the Finnish League next season.
Danny Briere is 10 pounds lighter than he has been in the last two training camps. He was at this weight in the playoffs and was obviously happy with the result, so he is going with the lighter weight and hoping for the same magic. Promising news for Briere owners from Philly.com
Timely article yesterday from Van Horne, because a team just joined the keeper league that I run and his expansion picks are due today. I wonder if Van Horne could have held his article back a week? LOL
I wonder why Paul Kariya didn’t retire? Does anyone believe that a potential (now, and at best) 70-point player could return at 36 after missing a season and be effective?
Apparently the Preds and Cody Franson have not been getting along in contract talks, but have finally started speaking again. Franson has high-end potential, but the team is so deep in the position that he is a candidate to be moved. He would flourish elsewhere. He wants a one-way contract at the very least.
So who’s the drunk who thought that the Flyers would trade Scott Hartnell away for Sheldon Souray?
Justin Goldman has an excellent blog on his experiences with the Avalanche and how he got his media credentials with the team. With the NHL discussing the Blogging community seriously, his insight is a timely one.
Nik Antropov on his offseason hip surgery recovery: “slowly but surely”. He hopes to be ready for training camp.
One player who was missed in the Fantasy Prospects Report and given very little chance to make the Oilers this year is Anton Lander. But that was an oversight. I think he could be a solid second liner. I also think he is about three years away, but on this young team a strong training camp could shoot a prospect up or down the charts in a hurry. Just stick him in the back of your mind for now and watch for the name.
According to general manager Rick Dudley, it is a very real possibility that newly acquired Dustin Byfuglien could play defense next season.