Status Check Part II

Tim Lucarelli

2011-11-28

Subban

 

Last week we looked at some quality players who are either hot or heating up who are worth keeping on your roster. This week we'll take a look at a few Eastern Conference players who might be better off on your opponent's roster. Let's take a look and keep in mind, these comments are for one-year leagues.

 

Marc-Andre Bergeron – Bergeron has always been an offensive defenseman who can heat up at times, but his lack of defensive acumen typically sours his value in the eyes of his organization. That often leads to specialized ice time (power-play minutes and non-critical moments). In short, Bergeron is typically a feast or famine type of player.

 

Bergeron began the 2011-12 season as one of the hottest scoring defensemen and is still putting up points, but at a slower pace than at the start of the year. In his last nine games, Bergeron has four points, all assists. In addition, Bergeron was averaging 22:09 in the first six games of November (lowest ice time 20:59), contrasted by an average of only 17:25 in his last five games (highest total 19:16).

 

Wayne Simmonds – Simmonds is now in his fourth NHL season. His sophomore campaign is what caught the eye of poolies, as he posted 40 points, a plus-22 rating, and 116 PIM. After a trade to Philadelphia, there was hope that Simmonds would develop into a player scoring more points and adding more penalty minutes.

 

Despite skating primarily with Daniel Briere, who Scott Hartnell developed so much chemistry with, Simmonds has only eight points in 22 games. By contrast, rookie Matt Read has stepped up with 14 points in 20 games. While Simmonds might eventually develop into a scoring grinder, he is not there yet.

 

P.K. Subban – After a promising rookie campaign, expectations were high for Subban. While he has performed well at the Junior and AHL levels, Subban appears to need more time before he is dominating the NHL. Most young defensemen take longer to consistently produce than do forwards and it appears Subban is no exception.

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While he does have 10 points in 24 games, his value for this season is in his mufti-category presence. Thus far, Subban also adds 31 PIM, 27 hits, and 37 blocked shots. Unless your league counts all of these, you may be better suited with another defenseman. Additionally, of his 10 points, only two have come on the power play. By contrast, Yannick Weber has five of his eight points on the power-play.

 

Drew Stafford – Stafford was one of my sleepers for this season, mostly because of his 69-point pace that he maintained a year ago, but this year is proving to be much different. Jason Pominville has been electric while wearing the C on his chest and Stafford is struggling to score in the shadow of the top line.

 

Most recently Stafford suffered an undisclosed lower-body injury. At this time it is not believed to be a serious injury, but it doesn't exactly help, considering the slow start Stafford has had. If you've managed to be this patient, as 52% of Yahoo fantasy users are, it may be time to look elsewhere for offense.

 

Originally I had Eric Staal and Alex Semin on this list, but with the coaching changes last night, I would not advise moving either of them. While I do suggest moving the players above, it's important to use discretion and not sell just for the sake of selling. Thoughts? Comments? Let me hear below.

 

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UPCOMING GAMES

Jan 14 - 19:01 DET vs S.J
Jan 14 - 19:01 WSH vs ANA
Jan 14 - 19:01 CBJ vs PHI
Jan 14 - 19:01 TOR vs DAL
Jan 14 - 19:01 PIT vs SEA
Jan 14 - 19:01 BOS vs T.B
Jan 14 - 19:01 NYI vs OTT
Jan 14 - 19:01 N.J vs FLA
Jan 14 - 20:01 NSH vs VGK
Jan 14 - 20:01 STL vs CGY
Jan 14 - 20:01 WPG vs VAN
Jan 14 - 21:01 UTA vs MTL
Jan 14 - 21:01 COL vs NYR

Starting Goalies

Top Skater Views

  Players Team
JACKSON LACOMBE ANA
MARCO KASPER DET
MATT CORONATO CGY
KAAPO KAKKO SEA
JAMIE DRYSDALE PHI

Top Goalie Profile Views

  Players Team
LEEVI MERILAINEN OTT
DUSTIN WOLF CGY
SAMUEL ERSSON PHI
CONNOR HELLEBUYCK WPG
JAKUB DOBES MTL

LINE COMBOS

  Frequency SEA Players
23.6 JADEN SCHWARTZ KAAPO KAKKO MATTY BENIERS
21.4 CHANDLER STEPHENSON ANDRE BURAKOVSKY OLIVER BJORKSTRAND
19.3 SHANE WRIGHT EELI TOLVANEN JARED MCCANN

DobberHockey Podcasts

Keeping Karlsson Short Shifts – Thanks for Vejmelkmories

Elizabeth and Lewis reunite to bring you all the latest fantasy news and strategy, such as how our siblings would fare if called on to fill our roles like Owen Sillinger did for bro Cole. Then it’s onto news including coverage of the postponed CGY/LAK game and defensive injuries piling up in MIN and putting some strain on Gustavsson’s performance. Injuries and outjuries include a pair of goalies returning to their teams in Ingram and Shesterkin, as well as how Monahan’s wrist injury opens the door for big minutes for Fantilli. Finally, the pair touch on Voronkov and PLD’s hot streaks, and discuss John Carlson’s rollercoaster in light of Chychrun’s production.

Keeping Karlsson: Tuch Hunch

On this edition of the Keeping Karlsson Fantasy Hockey Podcast mega-show, Elan and Brian tour every team, ranking a slate of the least bad goalies, noticing the wind in some Red Wings’ and Stars’ sails, dangling snoozer status above a pair of commonly rostered power-play quarterbacks, and rushing or strolling, accordingly, to some skaters on the up and up.

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