Ramblings: Training camp notes, James van Riemsdyk, Minny lines and more … (Oct. 3)

Neil Parker

2016-10-03

 

Ramblings: The Wiz gets cut, Panarin/Kane to separate, and more about the latest happenings around the league … 

 

The Fantasy Hockey Guide was last updated late Sunday night, including revised projections, updated preseason scoring and adjusted depth charts. And of course the latest cuts. Pick it up here – instant download.

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Tampa Bay released James Wisniewski from his tryout contract Sunday. This isn't a huge standalone fantasy factor, but it does have plenty of ripples.

Slater Koekkoek again looks like a bottom-pairing option, and Anton Stralman and Victor Hedman shouldn't have any legitimate threats to their power-play looks.

It's minor, but if Wisniewski stuck around, he could have ate into some PP time for both Hedman and Stralman, and challenge for Koekkoek's roster spot.

 

Sticking in Tampa, Brayden Point remains in camp after playing each of the first three games of the preseason — the only Bolt to do so. Don't count on him making the roster for opening night, but Point's long-term stock continues to rise.

 

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Here are a few notes from Chicago.

Tyler Motte is impressing in camp:

“He gives you speed, offense and responsibility defensively. His versatility is something that we’re looking at, and he helped himself tonight,” Quenneville said. “We have a number of guys we’re putting in key roles, and he took advantage of every opportunity he’s had.”

Also included in the above linked article is Motte's strong work on the penalty kill, and that he is going to see time with Jonathan Toews Sunday. Those in deep leagues will want to continue keeping tabs on Motte

 

Jordin Tootoo is expected to crack the roster. Another minor fantasy ripple, but it means there are fewer available spots for youngsters. And Tootoo is always a player to monitor in deep leagues including penalty minutes.

 

Here is a read discussing the potential need to separate Artemi Panarin and Patrick Kane. It also has another reference to Motte playing with Towes and Marian Hossa.

Panarin's fantasy stock would take a hit without Kane, and there is no way around it. He's already a potential decline candidate. Remember, Panarin finished last season with 13 points through five games in April. A 65-point showing should be considered an A+ return from the sophomore in 2016-17.

 

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Marcus Johansson sustained a lower-body injury Saturday. He's an interesting fantasy player because of his role with the Capitals No. 1 power play, but he also is often utilized in a third-line role at even strength. Additionally, Johansson is a low-volume shooter who doesn't take penalties.

Knowing the pros and cons, though, Johansson has hit 40 points in each of the past four full seasons, and he has 37 goals over the past two years with a career 12.8 shooting percentage. Monitor his health over the coming weeks, but he's one of the safer late-round options in deep points-only settings.

 

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Here's the latest Johnny Gaudreau read. In short, he's not going to ask for a trade, there aren't going to be public negotiations, and it seems like BOTH Gaudreau AND his agent are looking to get paid. His agent said the last contract conversation was Sept. 9.

It isn't worth downgrading Gaudreau at this point.

Still, with a new coach in town and likely new systems in place, it would be much more comforting if he was in camp with the team. It isn't out of the question to grab another star winger early and pass on Gaudreau. It isn't like he's a third-round pick.

 

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This is the type of stuff that works, and as a fan, fanalyst and fantasy player I want to see.

Mike Babcock on Auston Matthews at center with William Nylander on the wing:

Here were the projected line combos for Toronto Sunday:

 

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James van Riemsdyk is being drafted outside the top 100, which could present a nice profit opportunity. He scored 57 goals and 117 points with 537 shots and 93 penalty minutes through his previous two full seasons, and there is a legitimate case to be made that this will be the best team he's played for since joining Toronto.

Van Riemsdyk is a viable grab in the later middle rounds because of his cross category production. Last year, he posted a plus-rating and produced at an 82-game pace of 28.7 goals and 59.5 points with a basement dweller, after all. 

 

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Eric Staal was run out with Zach Parise and Charlie Coyle Sunday, and it's a line that could yield two huge returns on investments.

Coyle is a very nice player in his offensive prime, and Staal is a motivated veteran with a little left in the tank. Most importantly, though, they're both free. Coyle is going 164th overall at Yahoo and outside the top 200 at ESPN, whereas Staal is being selected in the same range (164th) at Yahoo and 121 at ESPN.

I'm a believer in Minnesota remaining an above average team with an improved offense because of Bruce Boudreau. Zach Parise is an overrated player in my books, but in this case, it is more about the potential top-line opportunity for Coyle and Staal than the connection to Parise. And Coyle also has RW eligibility at Yahoo, which is always an asset.

 

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I jumped on the FNTSY Network for a quick segment Friday to talk about a few players who I've been pumping and bumping all summer. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I also participated in the Yahoo Friends and Family Auction Sunday, and I'll share all the details in my ramblings tomorrow. Also, it'll be my parting blow, so there will be no-holds-barred.

 

There's the hook for you, Dobberheads. Be well.

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You can get the latest preseason stats right here (simply change the drop box from 'regular season' to 'exhibition'). Not just for basic stats – but for everything: line combos, shot breakdown, time on the ice and more!

 

 

 

 

 

5 Comments

  1. Paul Switzer 2016-10-03 at 05:22

    A couple notes on Panarin.

    1) People like to point to his hot streak at the end of the season and suggest his points totals were slightly inflated. The reality is that he had several stretches throughout the season in which he was receiving grade A scoring chances but the puck wasn’t going in. Hot streaks and cold streaks balance out over the course of the season. If Panarin had his hot streak in February as opposed to the end of the season, no one is talking about it.

    2) I’m not sure how much of a hit Panarin takes if he is paired with Toews. By the middle part of last season, opponents started playing their best defensive pairings against the Hawks #2 line (Kane & Panarin) since the #1 line was not the threat it had been. By spreading out the offense, teams cannot load up their dmen on Kane and Panarin. Plus, Toews is an underrated playmaker. Give him a player of Panarin’s ilk and his game will rebound after playing with the moribund Hossa and the drecks of Andrew Shaw and Richard Panik last season.

    3) Splitting up Kane and Panarin should make Panarin more selfish. Panarin was too deferential to Kane last season and often made an extra pass and tried to be too cute. As the #1 scoring option on a line he can be a pure sniper with a shoot first mentality.

    So when I look at all these factors, I don’t think the dropoff for Panarin if he is moved to the #1 line is that steep. It definitely hurts Kane more than Panarin.

    • Neil Parker 2016-10-03 at 18:30

      Completely disagree that Kane would be worse off without Panarin than vice versa, but that’s why we play the game. It wouldn’t be very fun if we all viewed things the same. Also, I just handed Panarin a 65-point season, which isn’t a slight at all. Thanks for checking in.

      • Paul Switzer 2016-10-03 at 19:08

        Kane’s best season came with Panarin. Everyone wants to say that Kane propped up Panarin’s stats but no one talks about Panarin helping Kane reach his career year. The dropoff of Panarin going going to Toews is not as great as Kane going to….. Schmaltz?? or Motte?? Yeah- I’m not buying what you’re selling.

  2. Mark McAuley 2016-10-03 at 15:22

    What may be good for Malkin this season is that if he does see a reduction in overall icetime but still stays on the top PP unit, his chances of getting injured should drop somewhat due to less wear and tear. The Pens’ depth at forward also means that even if he were to center the 3rd line, his linemates would be far better than his options on almost any other team in the league. Perhaps only the Rangers have a more talented top 9 after adding Vesey and Pirri.

    • Neil Parker 2016-10-03 at 18:28

      Potentially, and I’m not questioning Malkin’s talent, but I disagree that Chris Kunitz and Bryan Rust qualify as good linemates. Solid point about a lightened role helping his health. Thanks.

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