The big moves in goal between Toronto and Anaheim may come as no surprise, but the impact will still send shockwaves through both systems. On the heels of Jonas Hiller’s new four-year deal, the Ducks finally found a way to reunite J-S Giguere with Francois Allaire and Brian Burke. All is well that ends well I guess, as the fan’s favorite scapegoat, Vesa Toskala, was released from Leafs prison and will now probably end up as a free agent this summer.
The Calgary Flames have dealt defenseman Dion Phaneuf, baggage Fredrik Sjostrom, prospect defenseman Keith Aulie to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Matthew Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers and Ian White.
In two of my keeper leagues, the draft pick is pretty important. In one of them, a team has already traded their 2014 first rounder. The 2012 first rounder has been moved in each of them. But there could be an NHL Entry Draft coming very soon that will be so weak that a first round pick in your keeper league will be the equivalent of a late second rounder this past summer.
One of the things many fantasy hockey general managers use to gauge a player’s talent is draft position. For a brief time, that can be helpful, but one thing you have to remember is that a draft position is only a snapshot in time.
Jamaica was incredible!! However going from 32 Celsius to -30 in Thunder Bay in less than 24 hours is quite the shock to your system (that’s a 112 F change in temperature for those of you south of the border). Thunder spent the lasttwo weeks at my mother in laws where there is no hockey, so please forgive her picks for this week, and mine too. Still trying to get all that Appleton and Red Stripe out of my system. 10 games on the schedule.
Bugg isn't the only one moving this weekend; three players are booming onto the draft scene despite less-than-ideal circumstances. Find out who they are in today's Bugg Bytes.
There are a few certainties as we head towards deadline day on March 3rd. Atlanta is going to move Ilya Kovalchuk. The Edmonton Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes are going to be sellers, and as much as Brian Burke says otherwise, the Leafs will be joining them. However, like every over deadline, there will be some surprises and deals that come out of leftfield. In addition to the usual veterans and impending free agents on the move, there are a few younger players who may find new homes on March 3rd.
The new and improved Eric Staal, avec "C."
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.
Earlier this season, I came down pretty hard on the Ottawa Senators franchise, so much so that I was accused of being a Toronto Maple Leaf fan! While I definitely do not bleed blue and white, one has to be impressed by the Senators confidence level and work ethic during their current seven game winning streak. To me, that is directly attributable to the coaching staff led by Cory Clouston.
Brian Burke told reporters over the past weekend that making the playoffs this season is still his priority.
The Leafs have the 28th most wins in the NHL with 17. Their average offence (2.60 goals per game has them sitting in 18th) is completely overshadowed by an abysmal 3.40 goals against. Heading in to the season, the defence that Burke constructed was supposed to be among the stingiest in the league. However, due in large part to a combination of abysmal goaltending and an unfathomably bad penalty kill, the Leafs simply can’t keep the puck out of their own net.
Sure, we believe you Brian.
