Most NHL teams have about nine or ten regular season games left. For those teams fighting for a playoff spot every game is important. Now is the time teams need to dig deep and find the extra strength to pull off a win and make the playoffs. There are several teams competing for the seventh and eighth spot in the Eastern Conference. It is do or die time for these teams.
Given some fans insatiable appetite for potential sleeper free agent picks, which late season call ups, prospects, players with a change of scenery and others might be worth an extra look for next season’s free agency?
Here are some names to consider:
While Detroit was consistently winning, they were paying the physical price for it. Many of their top players have taken a beating throughout the season. The repeated hits have taken its toll on the team. The latest injury was to Tomas Holmstrom, who is reported to be out indefinitely. At the trade deadline, the Red Wings added the infamous power forward Todd Bertuzzi in the hopes that he adds the much needed muscle to fight back.
Peter Forsberg is a great player who has often been injured. The Nashville Predators picked him up thinking he would put them “over the top” to win the Stanley Cup. For Nashville, it was a gamble that they thought was worth it. The addition of Forsberg made many fantasy owners scramble for his new teammates such as Alexander Radulov.
In order to stay ahead of the curve you have to take some risks. While the risks do not always payoff, failure is not necessarily a negative.
Back when I was in school my teachers always said there was a difference between hearing and listening. The same is true in terms of seeing and reading. As a fantasy hockey player you probably look at stats often and try to decide what to do. But in looking at the stats do you really read and see the stats?
With the very strong play of Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier, it is no surprise that Tampa Bay has jumped ahead of Carolina in the standings. Tampa Bay Goalie Johan Holmqvist could be a nice late addition to your team; he has won nine of his last 10 games. Marc Denis is not completely out of the picture, but Holmqvist is making a strong case.
Fantasy owners should pay close attention to the NHL as the trade deadline approaches. Within the next month, you may have an opportunity to pull off a trade or even pick up a player that could make a big difference. There have been all kinds of rumors regarding potential trades. Last seasons big trade involved Joe Thornton going to the Sharks. That trade made a huge impact not only in players’ stats, but also in how the team finished.
