It has been over two weeks since I first mentioned an all-new Goalie Guild feature exclusively for those at DobberHockey. Usually I’m very quick to release these things, but for this particular beastly and intimidating service, I had to take my sweet, sweet time. So after some excruciating hours in front of the computer, along with the close tracking of specific struggling goalies, I’m proud to launch the Fantasy Goalie Flow Chart.
Not even one full game. That’s how long Ottawa training camp standout Peter Regin stayed on the second line. It’s a story replayed in every NHL city. You’ve got to love the patience of NHL coaches who need to win if they want to stay employed. They are never far away from being the General Managers scapegoat of convenience.
The team I’m keeping a close eye on this week is Anaheim, in particular Ryan Getzlaf and Scott Niedermayer. Going into this season I expected them to start where they left off. The line of Getzlaf – Perry – Ryan has not established the chemistry to lead this team offensively. Getzlaf is still recovering from off-season surgery but is traditionally a slow starter and it was the end of October last season where he turned his year around. Niedermayer is the leader of this team and when he gets going the team will follow. The Ducks are not this bad and this may be the week they explode. Hiller has been the only positive and if he can earn a few more W’s his fantasy stock will rise.
The Anaheim Ducks, Hockey Canada, and fantasy GMs everywhere are hoping Ryan Getzlaf is going to have a career season, so what’s with the slow start?
Similar to the last couple of weeks, I’ll walk you through the Western Conference to see what’s been happening and catch you up with the latest trends plus this week’s hot pickups/must drops.
Did you see the thread I started last Sunday in the School of Block forums about Roberto Luongo and the main issues surrounding his slow start? If you didn’t, I highly suggest reading it, because over the last week, it has been proven that crease crashing and traffic in front of the net - and subsequently a goalie’s depth in the crease - is a major factor in fantasy goaltending so far this season.
Although it may not directly impact your goalie’s value in every game, the dynamics of overall net presence and depth in the net must be understood in order to make even better fantasy goaltending decisions. Do your goalies challenge shooters effectively? Do they get run into more than once or twice a game? Are they complacent, or do they have a fierce side to them? And how strong are the defensive efforts in front of said goalie?
My Aunt Betty called me from Long Island and told me to write about Mike Del Zotto because he's so good. If my Aunt Betty knows about Mike Del Zotto then so does everyone in your pool and that is not why I'm here. I'm here to write about prospects that are off the radar and can give you an advantage in your pool. I'm here to tell you about prospects like Jason Demers and to tell you that he's the real deal.
I hate missing guys. I’m not talking about the guys who, after a few years you write off and then they explode from out of nowhere (right, Dustin Penner?). Those guys are players who – at one time or another – I have already formed an idea in my head where their potential is at. Even if I have since changed my mind, like with Penner, I can always change it back.
No, it’s the players who I didn’t see coming in the first place that get to me. The examples that come to mind are Milan Hejduk (I was so blinded by Chris Drury’s impending arrival that I didn’t think much of Hejduk’s upside), Patrice Bergeron (was off my radar when he came to camp as an 18-year-old) and Mike Richards. I knew Richards was coming and I knew he would be good – but only 70-point good. Now we have another one. Colorado forward Ryan O’Reilly.
A couple of familiar faces headline this month's look at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, and as they did even in the early part of the year, one league in particular dominates the top of the class.
Terrific start out of the gate last week, much improved over last season’s finish. My 8-5 record is a nose ahead of Thunder’s 7-6 record from last Saturday. The snowy weather seemed to be pivotal in my first week victory, with more snow on the ground this Saturday morning; could I possibly make it two in a row?? Only one way to find out on the best hockey day of the year (which is really any day all 30 teams are in action) as some poolies will cheer and rejoice in their 15th round selection posting a 3 pt. game and we won’t hear the end of it until Christmas, while others will drown their tears with a multitude of beers.
