Before every NHL regular season comes to an end, I like to reflect on the progression of goaltending from a league wide perspective, as compared to this point last year. It’s a good way to formulate a solid scope of what we might expect in the playoffs, while also taking a snapshot of the goaltending position, one that constantly evolves.
The Buffalo Sabres have been solid when it comes to defense this season, but as the season winds down they seem to have found the other element of the game of hockey – offense. With Ryan Miller’s MVP-type season obviously the main – check that, “only” – reason that the Sabres rule their division, there have been some concerns over their firepower. Another eight games of this new offense and all fears should be washed away.
When you think of the ideal top pairing defenceman, you think of a guy that you can put out in any situation – whether you need a goal or to shutdown the other team. P.K. Subban (the P.K. stands for Pernell Karl, by the way) has the offensive skills that you can’t teach. Luckily, the defensive skills that he lacks are skills that you can learn – with a little effort and good coaching.
The trade deadline has come and gone in the NHL and the same holds true for most fantasy hockey leagues. For those of you in contention for first place, more time is now spent focusing on which categories you need to improve during the final few weeks, and if there are any players available on the waiver wire that can help you in that regard. For those of you who have no shot at winning this year, now is the time to focus on next season (provided you are in a keeper league, of course). Once trading opens back up in the summer, the build for the future will continue. Trading for unproven prospects and young players is always a risk, but there are ways to mitigate that. (Reading DobberHockey is a great start!) There are several young players who are ready to step in and produce next season in the NHL, and you may be able to get a few of them below value this summer.
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.
We filled two suites with fantasy hockey fanatics on March 21, and I'll share the photographic evidence with the rest of Dobber Nation. Hopefully, if you didn't make it out this year, we'll see you next! From left to right - Dobber, Steve "Notch" Johnson, Russ Miller, Matt "Chinny" Chinnick. A.J. [...]
In fantasy hockey, it's really all about the numbers. This week we'll take a look at some key statistical categories over the past month and who is doing well in these areas. All statistics do not include last night's games.
The Fantasy Managers’ hunt for talent in Russia goes on. After Viktor Tikhonov’s return people are waiting for Nikita Filatov, but there are other names. There is a big chance that we will finally see Kirill Petrov, and this might be the year for Montreal fans to see Russians actually report, as Maxim Trunev and Alexander Avtsyn may this summer.
Depending on your league settings you could be heading down a few different paths. Among them: those who are gunning for a money spot in Roto leagues, or those in the playoffs for H2H leagues. If you are in a tight league where every little stat matters, making the smart adds/drops could definitely determine whether you are the league champion or just another one of the nine to 13 disappointed losers in your fantasy pool. .
The current state of Edmonton Oilers goaltending is a somewhat gloomy and shallow affair. There are a few bright spots in the organization, but overall, the depth chart is considered a weak one. This season could even be viewed as a small disaster, as Nikolai Khabibulin’s back problems have kept him out of the lineup for most of the year. That led to him making the news recently for another unfortunate reason – an intoxicated run-in with the Arizona authorities.
