How easy is it to give up on a player anywhere from 21-26 years old? Pretty damn easy. From a fantasy standpoint, if someone doesn't produce quickly enough, they're not welcome on your roster. And once you cut a guy like that, the breakup is for real. You don't ever want him again. At least that's how most of us think.
Based on last week’s article, if ice-time and SOG are any indicators of fantasy success, this week’s column will be a good complement in identifying a few trends moving forward. We’ll take a look seven lucky advancers as well as seven unlucky decliners to help you get through that mid-season lull.
Fantasy Impact: The San Jose Sharks have acquired forward Ben Eager from the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick.
Elliotte Friedman’s weekly 30 Thoughts column on the CBC website is the best read in hockey. Friedman is insightful, articulate, knowledgeable, fair, and most importantly, interesting. He has sources and contacts in the hockey world that most could only dream of. Most importantly, has an ability which is rare in this day and age - providing a balanced and reasonable opinion on the league, the players, and all 30 of the clubs.
Each week I will post my own observations (I couldn’t completely steal Friedman’s idea so I’ll pick a number other than 30) with a heavy emphasis on the fantasy side of hockey, of course. Prospects, goalies, sleepers, busts, it will all be covered each week.
Remember in last week’s School of Block when I mentioned that a legitimate talent rarely struggles for an entire season? From that standpoint, I focused mainly on Martin Brodeur – he was a true workhorse showing the signs needed to reverse his first-half misfortunes. This week’s lesson will again discuss goalies changing their fantasy values, but with a focus on the shifting balance of opportunity and roles.
How quickly things can change. McBain was everyone's (myself included) preseason darling. A rookie defenseman who could defy the odds and put up big points. Why? He had some nice pedigree as a second rounder back in '06 and a two-time member of Team USA at the WJC. He was also the 08/09 WCHA player of the year after recording 37 points in 40 games at the University of Wisconsin. So yeah, he was a great prospect, but it was his cameo at the end of last season (10 points in 14 games) that had us buzzing. So what went wrong? It was simply two oversights:
The picks are coming a little early this week as I’m heading down to watch the Wild – Avs game Friday night, which means I have to drop my dogs off at my in-laws Thursday evening. Thunder (the brown/black mutt) isn’t feeling so well, so her sister Caribou (black lab) has been called up on an emergency one game basis from juniors. The best part about the trip down to St. Paul is making my wife (a beloved Leafs fan) wear my Nordiques jersey! Although the highlight of the weekend for me will be the hockey game, for my wife it’ll probably be a visit to IKEA the following day... Anyways, let’s hope to some fortunate bounces to start 2011 off on the right foot!
Fantasy Impact: The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired Fabian Brunnstrom from the Dallas Stars.
Just like in weeks five and 10, I will be giving an analysis on team’s defensive tendencies at home versus on the road.
Where a player was drafted does not guarantee NHL success. There are many, many factors that determine how well a player performs on hockey's highest stage. First round picks typically have the talent, but don't get a free pass. They still need to put in the effort and show elite hockey sense if they are to be successful at the NHL level.
Many readers like to belittle Scott Gomez for his lack of production, but more so for that grossly bloated compensation package compliments of Glen Sather.
