Stuff from former regular columnists such as Chris Burns, Eric Maltais, Jacob Status, Jim Gunther and Jeff Angus, as well as guest columnists such as Gus Katsaros from McKeen‘s, Jon Press from Japer’s Rink and more!
Goalies at the Trade Deadline Part 3
I have been toying with the idea of a retool (I refuse to rebuild) in one of my keeper leagues all year long. My team was built largely around Sidney Crosby, and his injury has really crippled any hopes I had of contending this year. Like the Tampa Bay Lightning, I also held on to Dwayne Roloson for one year too long. In a goalie-dominant league, having a liability as one of my starting goaltenders wasn’t exactly the best strategy. My other goalies include Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider, who have combined to be a very good tandem for me, but I simply haven’t gotten enough quality starts to do much of anything.
As of late February, I was sitting in 8th out of 12 in my league. I have been in negotiations with some of my veteran forwards, and decided to make a move on a few of them.
This week, I take a look at a few prospects likely to crack the NHL next year, the fantastic and underappreciated Miikka Kiprusoff, and more.
Technology has forced poolies to step up the immediacy of their game – especially near the trade deadline.
Mark it. One calendar year has passed since the first Market Buzz Roto Guide was published, and what a journey it has been! Many up-and-coming hockey enthusiasts paid their dues while contributing to this stellar series, essentially paving the way to many more aspiring writers. This edition is no different.
Click here to read the latest Top 100 Roto Players PDF (or click on the link on the left side of the home page).
Last week, Part I of this four-part series identified some teams that were desperate for a goaltending upgrade. It looks as if that list has stayed relatively the same over the past week; Chicago is still on a downward spiral, Toronto just barely broke a four-game losing streak last night in Edmonton, the Lightning are just 1-1-1 over the past week, and the Blue Jackets are like the lame kids at lunch trying to trade that gross bologna sandwich known as Steve Mason.
The fifth best salary cap forward to own is an easy pick. Henrik Sedin is a player who could have been ranked anywhere from the second slot up thanks to incredible consistency and point production. It's only a lack of goal production and shots on goal that keep him from ranking in the top two.
Welcome back to An Expert’s Audit. Every month we’ll take a look at a reader’s keeper league team in the hopes of helping him toward a championship. If you’re interested in getting an audit for your own keeper team you can begin the process by emailing Dobber about it.
I had a great 10 day vacation in Maui. I popped on the internet a few times (mostly to check box scores –thought my internet was loopy when I saw Sam Gagner’s eight point performance), but unplugging from my phone, Twitter, and the various blogs I read and write for was a fantastic break.
In this week’s Prime Cuts, I discuss Sam Gagner, Ilya Kovalchuk, cap space – the forgotten trade asset, the future of Rick Nash (again), and of course some potential deadline deals.
The Dean's List received a special request from a few forum members eager to get the upper hand on 2012 NHL draft eligible players likely to carry some relevant fantasy value in the very near feature. Not surprising, the number one ranked prospect for the upcoming NHL Entry draft also headlines TDL's fantasy-based rankings. Developing ranks for fantasy purpose alone is certainly different than lists distributed by actual scouting services as the importance lies in mainly offensive rewards.
Intangible qualities such as grit and defensive-zone skills are sought after by NHL teams but in the world of fantasy hockey it is important to get your mitts on players with higher upsides even if it comes with more assumed risk or bust potential. Weighing the risk-reward of drafting the forty-point gauranteed NHLer over the riskier potential point-per-game player becomes an internal struggle that fantasy junkies must resolve. Smaller, European players considered by many professional scouts to be "projects" (meaning the player has good raw hockey skills but will likely take time to develop with more bust potential) hold more value in fantasy rankings simply based on their potential offensive upside. The Dean's List has adjusted the following rankings to factor in NHL likelihood and offensive potential to ensure that the rankings remain realistic.
