February 12, 2011
Jeff Angus
2011-02-12
DobberBaseball’s fantasy guide for 2011 is out!
Khabibulin and Elliott are facing off today – they are a combined 0-22-4 in their past 26 starts.
What to say about Teemu Selanne. The ageless wonder had four points against Calgary last night. He has 11 in his last six games. One of my all-time favorites (and I am sure this is the same for many of you) – I can’t see him hanging the blades up this summer if he remains this effective down the stretch.
Corey Perry will break 90 points – pretty impressive considering Getzlaf’s injury and the lack of depth Anaheim has up front and on defense.
In early January, I mentioned how Pat Kane was one of my picks to have a big second half (especially relative to his slow start). He played a ton of hockey last year – a full regular season, the Olympics, and obviously the Cup run as well.
Kane has 12 points in his last nine games and six in his last two. He’s my pick to lead the NHL in scoring in the second half.
Per the comments section below: On the Forecaster, Haley is now on a season pace of 28 goals and 1092 PIM in 28 games. How’s that for fantasy value …
Dobber: see my Saturday THN column here.
I’m also very excited to announce that in this week’s edition of The Hockey News (“Trade’Em!), our own Matt Bugg has a well-written and well-researched article on page 40 called “Dollars and Shame”, about a young star on the rise…but things came crashing down. Nice work Bugg!
Andy McDonald has four points in four games since returning from injury.
Cal Clutterbuck is on pace for close to 25 goals and over 200 shots. If your league counts hits, he suddently becomes a very, very valuable player to own.
Evander Kane had three points last night, and he now has six in his last four games.
Peter Forsberg was pointless in just under 18 minutes of ice time in his season debut. The Avalanche are reeling.
Make sure you check out Brent Lemon's Puck Daddy piece from Thursday here.
Andrew Ladd has two points in his last nine contests.
Jiri Hudler has nine points in his last nine games (to be fair six of those points have come in two of the games).
Dan Cleary had a goal and a helper – he is a notoriously streaky producer, so look for him to take off over the next few weeks. He has been finding his legs over the last week since returning from injury.
Another night, another Ilya Kovalchuk game-winner. The red-hot Devils snuck by San Jose. Kovalchuk and Brian Rolston both continued their strong play with goals – we were expecting/hoping for this from the $100 million man, but Rolston? When will it end?
Travis Zajac has seven points in his last five games. A late season turnaround, perhaps?
The Pittsburgh/Long Island game could probably have a set of ramblings dedicated to it. I'll put it this way – a ton of fights, a few suspensions to come, and a lot of goals (especially from one team).
The Islanders had three pure goons playing – Matt Martin, Trevor Gilles (I am a better skater than he is) and Mike Haley (who?). Haley jumped Max Talbot and then went down the ice to fight Brent Johnson right after. Um… ok.
Gilles knocked out Eric Tangradi with a vicious elbow, and then refused to leave the ice as Tangradi was being attended to by the trainers.
Those who think it is hypocritical to call the Boston-Montreal game “old time hockey” and this game a completete joke, here is why I disagree. The Islanders dressed three goons with a clear purpose in mind. The Boston/Montreal game was emotional and the battles were fought between actual hockey players, not sideshow freaks like Trevor Gilles.
Enough of me ranting!
The fantasy goods:
Michael Grabner's torrid scoring pace continues. He has really found a home on the second line. He scored two more last night (his second straight two-goal game). As I said a few nights ago, he is one of a few players who can purely use his skating and speed to create offense.
Kris Letang had one point in his last 11 before recording a goal and a helper – missing Crosby much?
Travis Hamonic had a goal and two helpers for the Islanders (and 17 PIM). His play has flown far under the radar this season, but he could already be the best defenseman on the team (that doesn't mean a whole lot, but it is something).
Dustin Jeffrey missed the game with a lower-body injury. He was placed in the IR so he will miss at least the next two Pittsburgh contests.
Moulson and Tavares combined for seven points
David Krejci scored his first goal in well over a month for the Bruins last night.
Dan Hamhuis is out indefinitely with a concussion. The Canucks will be leaning heavily on Bieksa, Ehrhoff, and the returning Sami Salo.
Cody Hodgson was sent down to the AHL to get some more playing time. He was pretty good in his NHL debut. Weak on the dot but most rookie centers struggle at faceoffs.
Tyler Seguin was a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game.
Kari Lehtonen with a spectacular save:
Matt Martin should get at least 10 games for this:
Trevor Gilles with a leaping elbow to Tangradi, and then he jumps him – I’d give him 15: