The Leafs acquire Brunnstrom from Dallas
Fantasy Impact: The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired Fabian Brunnstrom from the Dallas Stars.
Looking Ahead – Week 15
Just like in weeks five and 10, I will be giving an analysis on team’s defensive tendencies at home versus on the road.
Five Former Firsts En Fuego
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.
It’s all in the Numbers
Last week, Brett Lemon wrote an article regarding Bloom’s simple hierarchical system of categorizing cognitive learning and how it related to the process we all need to go through in order to experience success in fantasy hockey. By surfing TSN.ca, the Dobber website, Yahoo! player blurbs or Rotoworld, you’re being exposed to the “remembering” level. By consistently following DobberHockey and reading the mid-season guide you’re introduced to the “understanding” level. (Still love the “Ma’s Laws” by the way)
Rangers Acquire Wolski for Rozsival
Fantasy Impact: The New York Rangers have traded defenseman Michal Rozsival to the Phoenix Coyotes for Wojtek Wolski.
Buy-Low Bargains
Buy-Low Goaltenders
With the weekend acting as the NHL season’s midway point, the time has come for fantasy managers to dissect their teams and make adjustments for the second half. And if you’re one of the many managers looking to improve your goaltending stats, finding a buy-low bargain can set you on a course for late-season surges and playoff success.
15 Points to Consider
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.
Under-17 Championship Recap
The U17 is a great tournament to follow to see who just might make an impact in future World Junior Championships. Team Ontario allowed the fewest goals in the tournament's round robin rounds with 7 GA in 5GP. Clearly, they played a strong team system and had good goaltending from their starter Daniel Altshuller.
Saturday’s Picks – January 8th
Happy New Year Poolies!
Here’s to hoping that the first column of 2011 will enable me to continue to better my record for the fourth straight week (albeit by increments of one pick each time). Last time around I went seven-for-11, and I intend on continuing this upward direction. Without any further greetings, let’s get to it!
Looking Ahead – Week 14
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.
The Sharks find themselves at the top of the Best Bet section for the first three weekly schedules this week; they play Nashville, @Anaheim, Toronto and Edmonton.