Ed. Note: This is the third instalment in a series in which we’ll look at different aspects of the NHL game and how to value them appropriately in your fantasy league scoring, with the objective of creating scoring systems that reflect real life value as closely as possible. Click here for previous entries: The Power Game; A Case for the Defence.
Most teams have played a half dozen games and we're getting close to the nine game limit where teams have to decide whether to keep or cut high picks or risk having their contracts kick in. Aside from newly drafted players, there have been a few surprises both pleasant and not so pleasant.
Short intro this week, as time has become quite valuable these days. Last week started out 2-4, while Thunder cracked .500 at 3-3. I was a few minutes away from getting the Washington-Carolina tie. Damn those PP’s in overtime really hurt! Anyways, it’s another week, we are a few games into the season and hopefully we can start finding some successful trends to run with towards some money. Hope everyone enjoys another night of 28 teams in business. So grab a cold one and let’s get on with it.
In the next edition of The Dean’s List, the focus is turned to two potential first round picks that have been competing against each other for several years now. Previously, TDL examined a few defenders in “2012 Defensemen Draft Class” but now we turn our attention to two WHL defensemen impressing early on in the 2011-12 WHL season and are currently battling each other to earn the top draft position among WHL defenders. There is no shortage of franchise defensemen in the 2012 NHL draft class but it appears that the WHL is breeding some of the best of the 2012 crop and both Morgan Rielly and Derrick Pouliot are among the league’s elite at the defenseman position.
If the season ended today, Kari Lehtonen would probably win the Vezina Trophy. As crazy as that sounds, when you consider just how well he has played for the Stars, all poolies come to the realization that each and every year is totally unpredictable in the realm of goaltending. No matter how much research you do, you almost always end up drafting one fantasy killer and one fantasy gem.
Did you take my advice and watch the Ducks-Sharks games this past week? Admittedly Friday’s game was a snoozer. I felt dumb for having hyped up that game so much. It was as though I was a producer of The Playboy Club or something. I let you down and the game let us all down. Monday’s game more than made up for it though. Anaheim’s stars finally turned it on and brought some excitement to this rivalry. There were scrums, there were fights and most of all there were plenty of scoring chances. That’s all you can really ask for at this stage of the season.
To continue my efforts of informing the public of what a great rivalry this is, Cage Match will feature Part Two in the Ducks-Sharks saga. This time we look to the blue line. It is Dan Boyle vs. Lubomir Visnovsky. Let’s get it on!
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.
As each new hockey season progresses, fantasy hockey poolies are eager to dominate their pool. While the season is still young, everyone wants all of their star players and their sleepers to absolutely dominate. Despite hearing from the masses to be patient and against their better judgment, some folks pull the trigger far too early on the slower starters. Conversely, if a mediocre guy has a couple good games, their fantasy owner wants a king’s ransom. Let’s take a look at some of the slower or hotter performing Eastern Conference players thus far and what we can take from the good and the bad.
Q&A will run every other Sunday. Today we look at the possibility of trading Alex Ovechkin, along with a few FA additions off to fast starts. Send in your question the night before or morning of the Q&A to keep the info fresh. [email protected]
Accompanying the Roto Exclusive this month is a column dedicated to salary. Much like any category you add to a fantasy league, salary completely changes the game. Suddenly you are faced with the challenge of filling out a productive, yet affordable, roster. Some like it and some do not. This edition is catered to those that do.
