Although it still needs to be approved by the NHLPA, it looks as though the NHL realignment is just about finalized for the 2012-13 season. My good buddy Rhys Richards from The Hockey Guys posted a great read on how this affects the NHL, in particular the Detroit Red Wings. With the new schedule in mind, I decided to take a look at how the goaltenders of the former Eastern Conference will be affected.
Welcome back! If you’re interested in getting an audit for your own keeper team you can begin the process by emailing Dobber.
This week on Between The Lines, we trudge onward and upward. We will give you the lines heating it up and a quick look ahead to the next week. What will be found this week? Let’s find out.
It happens to virtually every fantasy team in every format. Injury issues. It can force some tough decisions.
After making the Anaheim Ducks out of training camp last season, Kyle Palmieri managed just one goal in 10 games before being returned to the AHL Syracuse Crunch.
The 20-year old American prospect must have found a heck of a Krav Maga instructor back in his home state because after scoring 29 goals in 62 AHL games in 2010-11, he has exploded this seaon, pouring in a near-superhuman 17 goals in 18 games – good enough to be leading the AHL.
Now THAT is what you call a rebound week! ! After experiencing my 1st sub .500 week since last spring, I came back with a vengeance last week nailing EVERY winner! Not only did I sweep the sched, but I decided seriously go on a limb with an EXTREMELY BOLD prediction for an underdog... (I made the gutsy call to select the New York Islanders to defeat the New Jersey Devils in Jersey). Now take a second to let me put this into perspective for you. The Isles had lost 4 in a row, 14 of their previous 16 and hadn’t nailed down a single victory on the road all season, heading into Jersey vs a Devils team, who was hot, winning four of their previous five!! Despite all the odds against them, the Islanders actually came through! Now that is the Gold I provide!
Fantasy Impact: The Montreal Canadiens have traded for defenseman Tomas Kaberle from Carolina. They gave up Jaroslav Spacek in return.
On signing Kaberle to $12.75 million, three-year contract, [Carolina GM Jim] Rutherford said, "I should have known better."
A tough decision can be made easier with these charts showing you the best five and worst five schedules for upcoming seven-day periods. Some of you used them last year but for the benefit of new readers here is a refresher. The number next to the team indicates the 'multiplier' to use on a player's point-per-game pace to give you an idea how many points to expect for that week.
If the Islanders want to take full advantage of their current hot streak (4-0-1 in last five), Jack Capuano needs to label Al Montoya as his starter and be done with it all. Not only is Montoya statistically the team’s best goalie, but he's also the strongest horse to ride if they want to push for the playoffs. He played in all five games during this current run, so the players know it, the coaches know it, and he knows it.
Some of the toughest decisions you need to make when running a salary cap team come in the earliest rounds of your draft. The best players are paid accordingly and it's in these rounds that you are bound to be well over your average in terms of budget. It's tough to pass over one of the big three if you fall into a top-three draft position (yes, that still includes Ovechkin), but there are very few in the NHL who have a cap hit over $8 million. It's fair to question whether or not it's worth it to carry a monster contract despite the production; in some situations that answer is an easy and resounding yes. A lot depends on your pool's cap limit and the statistics it considers. Carrying an albatross of a contract works if you get the production that should come hand-in-hand with getting paid as a top player, but we know that in most cases production fluctuates year-to-year. A minor drop here and there isn't a team killer and is even expected, but can a team overcome a major drop in production when a player is eating up your cap space like Cookie Monster in the Mr. Christie factory?
