October 18, 2010

Dobber Sports

2010-10-18

 

Josh Cooper, Preds beatwriter, says that Matt Lombardi has a concussion. He will miss the next four games. At least. So Mr. O’Reilly, you have four games to make a big impression.

 

The Devils have sent Alex Urborn to the minors.

 

Vincent Lecavalier took a shot off the hand last game, but later returned. X-Rays were negative, however Erik Erlendsson reports that he is doubtful for tonight.

 

Jakub Voracek is still going to have a big year in my books. I stand by my prediction in the guide. He’ll mesh with Brassard and Filatov and the three of them will fly. I think they are each a buy-low opportunity (maybe not the Band-Aid Boy Brassard, so much).

 

So Patrick O’Sullivan got back into the Carolina lineup and scored. He earned his highest ice time of the season (14 minutes) and played with Sutter and Ruutu. I took a chance on him in four of my five pools this summer, due to his value being at zero I was able to get him for a song in keepers – or a late draft pick in one-year leagues. But, per my rant on him last week, I have dialed back my investment in him. I dumped him in one league for extra goaltending help off the wire, and in another league I moved him and a first rounder for Jussi Jokinen. In my other keeper I’m probably stuck with him until the supplemental draft in January, so we’ll see if he shows signs of life (doubtful).

 

Three points for Mason Raymond, but only one of them due to playing with the Sedin twins – the rest he earned on the power play (second unit with Samuelsson and Tambellini) or another line. Samuelsson also had three points and now has five on the year.

 

If you go back to last season and include playoffs, Mikael Samuelsson has 36 points in his last 33 games.

 

Give Ryan Getzlaf eight points in his last three games. Yeah, that line is rolling now.

 

Anthony Stewart has four goals in his last two games, matching his career high of four goals in 108 games. I had attributed this to just hot play on a depth line (as Chris Thorburn is also playing well). However, delving into Frozen Pool I notice he is playing with Andrew Ladd and Bryan Little, and together they make a pretty good mix of strength, shooting and passing. We wrote him off three years ago and I was at the front of that line. And he’ll never be a top-line power forward like we thought he would be when he was drafted (which is exactly what is brother Chris is now). But he could be a Taylor Pyatt type, as the Thrashers seem to be giving him a chance. At 25, he is entering his prime so it makes sense that we see him at his best right now.

 

Stewart’s strong play (not to mention his size and strength) has led to Niclas Bergfors getting scratched Friday. And it will lead to him getting scratched again. Bergfors is a strong candidate for a sophomore slump, as those of you who read my article in THN’s Ultimate Pool Guide would know. Freddie “miss the net” Modin has been another victim of Stewart’s rebirth, as he was scratched Saturday.

 

Prediction: Toronto goes 82-0-0 and Clarke MacArthur scores 100 goals. At least, that’s the prediction from some Leaf fans here in Toronto.

 

I do think that if Kessel plays 75 games, he scores 40 goals. I think MacArthur scores 25 and gets 55 points (I had him at 52 in the guide, I think – and received some criticism for it. I hope those poolies who criticized me thank me later)

 

Carl Gunnarsson was benched for much of last game and played just six minutes in all. He’ll start getting scratched. Sophomore slump for that guy. He looked tremendous last year, but is not the same player right now.

 

Joe Thornton took a discount – and a big one – signing for three years, $21 million the other day. In 2014 (summer), he, Marleau, Heatley and Pavelski all become UFA’s.

 

Because Matty Stajan looked so good between Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay Saturday, you will see the trio together for a little while yet. Stajan makes a great pickup/activation in most fantasy formats as I can see him reeling off 10 or 12 points in a dozen games before the inevitable slowdown. As long as that happens, Olli Jokinen’s numbers will be neck and neck with Craig Conroy’s.

 

I forgot my usual “Ha Ha” (Nelson – The Simpsons) yesterday on some of the recent injuries that you could set your watch to. Pascal Leclaire (Ha Ha) and Marian Gaborik (Ha Ha) – I can laugh, because surely no DobberHockey reader would own those Band-Aid Boys, right?

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Andrei Kostitsyn is another player whom I picked up surprisingly cheap in the offseason. Not quite as cheap as O’Sullivan, but pretty damn close. Unlike Patty O, the AK46 acquisition is paying off nicely – four points in five games.

 

I really like how the coach is sticking with the Kid Line in Columbus (Brassard, Voracek and Filatov). The production hasn’t wowed, but the fact is he is sticking with them as a trio and that helps develop the chemistry. More coaches need to do that.

 

The Canes recalled Jiri Tlusty, but he didnt’ get into the game.

 

For the life of me I can’t figure out why Joe Corvo is getting top PP time on the blue line. Pitkanen and Babchuk are two and three, and pretty much just those three get time out there. Gleason and McBain are almost afterthoughts.

 

McBain saw a season low 14:45 yesterday. I think he’ll still top 40 points, but he won’t top 50 as I had envisioned orgiginally. Not unless he starts producing in minimal minutes.

 

Eric Staal was five of 18 at the dot. That’s a big part of why he isn’t off to a huge start.

 

Chicago has sent down defenseman Nick Leddy.

 

Fabian Brunnstrom clearned waivers and was sent down to Texas of the AHL.

 

Vancouver’s Keith Ballard has a concussion and will be sidelined indefinitely.

 

Cory Schneider stopped 23 of 24 shots. Yes, the Canucks are in good hands between the pipes.

 

Shane Doan hammered Cam Fowler last night and sent the youngster to the dressing room. He did not return.

 

The NHL is looking into this Backstrom hit on Marcel Goc (sorry, this is the only clip I could find, but you can still see it clearly). Suspension?

 

 

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