Time to look ahead to the final 30 games or so and see what might be in store for the balance of the season. I'll pick one player from each Eastern Conference team that should be in for a sweet finish and one whose production over the last stanza may leave a sour taste in their owners mouth. I'll try my very best to avoid being Captain Obvious.
After the WJC triumph, as we already pointed out two weeks ago, Russian juniors' popularity in the KHL is raising. Teams are now more likely to ice young players and some players now get some deserved attention. Let's take a look at some more examples.
In order to be successful in fantasy hockey one key strategy that will help tremendously is being able to identify past historical trends and utilize them to your advantage. This week’s column will showcase 23 players out West that have had either positive or negative career trends during the month of February.
For six elite goaltenders, the All-Star Weekend was a chance for them to showcase their skills to the entire hockey world. For the other 54 NHL goalies, it was a chance to relax for a long weekend, push the proverbial reset button and get refocused in order to play their best hockey of the season down the stretch.
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.
While owner Mike Ilitch made his fortune delivering HOT-N-READY® pizzas, the management of the Detroit Red Wings prefers a far slower approach with its incoming talent.
Take Tomáš Tatar for example. If the 20-year old Slovak was flying under fantasy radars at all prior to this season, you couldn’t have missed him November 30th if you visited any hockey-related website worth its salt. That’s because the night before, Tatar unleashed a staggering seven-point performance for the Grand Rapids Griffins in a 10-8 win over the Chicago Wolves in AHL action.
Heading into last night's match (which of course they lost), the New Jersey Devils were 6-0-1. They look like they have turned it around, but considering how poorly they performed over the first 40 games, the playoffs are only theoretically possible. The Devils obviously had some issues (a mild understatement!) adjusting to a new coach and system. Now that Lemaire is back, the turnaround shouldn't have come as a complete surprise.
Fantasy Hockey Trading Guidelines: For those of you entering a fantasy league for the first time this season, or who are thinking about joining your for league for next campaign, may be a little nervous about how to conduct yourselves in terms of trading and negotiation. Furthermore, there are plenty of new commissioners who could probably use a couple of tips in terms of how to conduct deals while still holding yourself accountable as the "leader" of your league. You set the example, so you have to hold yourself to higher standards. I have taken the time to list not only what should be hardcoded into your rules, but also a few things to keep in mind if you want to maintain friendly relations with your fellow GM's.
The greatest player in the history of fantasy hockey turns 50 today. To celebrate the Great One’s birthday, I have compiled a list of the 11 best fantasy skaters that Wayne Gretzky either made – or made better – just from his presence in the lineup.
Simon Gagne and Vincent Lecavalier have provided their fair share of frustration to fantasy owners. Is Lecavalier merely a 70-point player now? Is Gagne washed up? Short-sighted fantasy managers will say yes on both accounts and only shop for TB players with the last name St. Louis or Stamkos, but if you can get them cheap, you might want to take a consider Gagne and Lecavalier.
