Black Aces

What are some of the best reasons to play fantasy hockey? What keeps people coming back for more? Read on for some more thoughts on the topic.

An in-depth look at how to better evaluate goalie statistics in your hockey pool

Targeting long term prospects who will be worth the wait.

Some tips on how to prepare for your own rebuild...

Austin Wallace checks in with a comprehensive update on his fantasy hockey offseason

I am two years into a full-on rebuild in a complicated fantasy hockey league, but the end is within sight. Two years ago, I took over a struggling franchise, which you can read about here, and tore it down. I have built from the ground up, after having inherited a team without goalies in a league where goalies are at a premium. I am now ready to make the final transition and set my sights on a championship.

DobberHockey reader Austin Wallace goes in-depth to share his fantasy experiences with us.

Editors note: Many thanks to Cyril (also known as seadawg on the forums) for updating the Windex Wonders (streaky players) and Band-Aid Boys (injury-prone players) lists. Read on for more of his thoughts on both kinds of players.

We often hear people complaining about streaky players (i.e., Windex Wonders) and injury-prone players (i.e., Band-Aid Boys), but this article is going to talk about the value those type of players can bring to your fantasy squad, in some situations.

There is a significant amount of disagreement regarding the value of certain statistical metrics in the game of hockey today. Some fans and analysts hold these metrics in very high esteem, using them as the basis for their arguments about teams and individual players. Others suggest stats like Corsi and Fenwick are less telling, are manipulated to help support flawed arguments and are generally overrated.

Having participated in the same salary cap points-only league for over 12 years, I'm always looking out for the best "bargain" in the NHL. Everyone wants players like Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, or Henrik Lundqvist on their team (and rightly so), but you have to offset those high salaries with players earning considerably less. You want to find a few players who will give you a reasonable point-per-dollar ratio, so that you can afford a Brad Richards or two.

To that end, I have put together a list of 10 bargains.

Every season there are players who bounce back from an off year.  Among the reasons - injuries, weaker linemates, being in a coach's doghouse, or just not a fit with a new team. Whatever the explanation, some players bounce back, some don't. Here are my top five candidates to mount a comeback in 2011-2012.