Anaheim acquires Andrew Cogliano
Fantasy Impact: The Anaheim Ducks have acquired forward Andrew Cogliano from the Oilers for a second-round draft pick (2013).
Earmarked for Success (West 2011): Part One
For the past couple of seasons, I’ve written a few columns breaking down each of the Western Conference team’s top-six from the bottom-six. So for the next couple of weeks, I’ll go back to the well once again and give you better insight of each of the Western Conference teams for the upcoming season.
Prospects Pulse, Part I
During the first five days of free agency, the goalie storyline centered around new opportunities for Mike Smith, Jose Theodore and Semyon Varlamov. But over the last five days, the storyline has focused on the shifting situations of many top-flight prospects, including some that poolies have been harvesting for months, maybe even years.
Drafting against the grain.
The absolute pinnacle of "drafting against the grain" is General Manager Doug Wilson of the San Jose Sharks. San Jose's strategy since the 2000 draft has been abundantly clear and abundantly strange. In the nine years between 2000 and 2008, San Jose drafted 12 goalies exclusively in the middle rounds or later. The earliest pick was Tyler Sexsmith in 2007 who was drafted early in the fourth round. To make matters even more strange, four of the 12 goalies were Germans playing in the Bundesliga. Thomas Greiss, a German, taken early in the fourth round in 2004, is the only goalie yet to pan out and it appears the Sharks have abandoned the practise and haven't taken a goaltender since 2008. Patterns like this are interesting and fun to follow, but other teams have patterns that have worked out better than San Jose's and it's worth examining what they were up to in the most recent drafts.
Jets Acquire Fehr from Capitals
Fantasy Impact: The Winnipeg Jets have acquired power forward Eric Fehr from the Washington Capitals for Danick Paquette and a fourth-round draft pick.
Zach Parise’s Future in New Jersey
Last season, the New Jersey Devils shocked the hockey world when they opened the season with a 10-28-3 record. This was an organization that had won two Stanley Cups in the last 10 years and qualified for postseason contention each of the last 13 seasons. With the almighty Martin Brodeur in goal, the team seemed like a lock for at least one more playoff berth. But Brodeur struggled early on and the lack of team depth was gloriously magnified. While the team had just locked up superstar Ilya Kovalchuk to a contract Rick DiPietro can smile at, the Devils were really missing another key forward – Zach Parise.
15 Points to Consider – July
Shea Weber's future in Nashville, Erik Cole's fantasy impact in Montreal, a sleeper defenseman for 2011-12, and more.
Blues Sign Jason Arnott and Jamie Langenbrunner
Fantasy Impact: The St. Louis Blues have signed center Jason Arnott and winger Jamie Langenbrunner to one-year deals, each for $2.5 million plus bonuses.
The Florida Panthers – What are they doing?
It's a subtle strategy, but I see right through you Dale Tallon. Yes, you're spending lots of money. Yes, you're bringing in lots of free agents. Yes, the optics are that you have made yourself a competitive team. But I know what you're really doing. And might I say, sir - it's brilliant.
Carolina signs Tomas Kaberle, moves Joe Corvo
Fantasy Impact: The Carolina Hurricanes have signed defenseman Tomas Kaberle to a three-year deal worth $12.75 million. They then traded Joe Corvo to the Bruins for a fourth-round pick.