A lot of the talk surrounding this summer’s free agent activity has centered on the loyalty, or lack thereof, shown by players to their long-time employers.
Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils renewed their wedding vows with a 2-year contract that will see Brodeur in a Devils’ sweater through his 42nd birthday.
Please, blog, may I have some more?So the season starts today! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip… Okay sorry I can handle it. We get 3 quality games tonight with Canadians-Leafs, Flyers-Bruins and Canucks-Penguins. I see 4 cup contenders there (try and guess which 2 teams don’t make the cut?). All over the internet pundits are rolling out their “Power Rankings” and who they think will make (and win) the Stanley Cup. I’m not in the business of doing that and besides, the best team right now probably won’t be the best team in 6 months and the best team in 6 months doesn’t always win the Cup. Plus the last time I checked this website is all about the wonderful game of fake hockey. This column is my Top 10 overall teams based on fantasy value. And I’m talking offensive value here, Goalies are not included (which is why you won’t see Boston in the Top 10). Now let’s get after it and please if you feel that I’ve slighted your team in any way let me know in the comments, I love conflict!
Please, blog, may I have some more?
So we had actual live game action tonight, and I have to admit I’ve never really paid attention to NHL preseason games. In fact I don’t pay attention to the preseason in any sport. I go to a couple preseason baseball games in Arizona every year, but that’s just a reason to get drunk during the day. But tonight the NHL Network had the Ottawa/Toronto game and for some reason I couldn’t help but watch some of it. Right off the bat I had to remind myself this is a preaseason game between Ottawa and Toronto, so don’t draw any conclusions. And I won’t. But a couple things jumped out at me and one was that Erik Karlsson appears to be the QB of the Ottawa Power Play. He’s #26 in my Defenseman rankings so this is a good sign.
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Every year a couple-few players come out of nowhere and provide huge production at little to no cost. I’ve come up with a term for these type of players….. now this is all off the top of my head and I’ve never heard anyone use this word before………. wait for it………… SLEEPERS! Pretty clever huh? These are the guys who you take a flier on in one of the last 3 rounds, just in case they blow up. Most of them will just simply blow, but if 1 of the 3 hit their ceiling it could mean the difference between you making the playoffs or missing the playoffs. Now LET’S GET IT ON!!!
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Penalty Minutes are a somewhat controversial category in fantasy hockey, but I love it. In fact I won’t ever play in a league that doesn’t count it. Fighters (tough guys) are the gladiators of the NHL. It’s up to them to protect the franchise player and it’s up to them to light a spark in lopsided games. But unfortunately it can take a toll on their body (and mind). In the last 14 months, 4 of the best fighters in recent memory have passed on. Last July it was one of the all time great heavyweights Bob Probert. This year it was Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien and most recently Wade Belak. As a tribute, go watch some of Belak’s best work. If I were an NHL tough guy I might consider a different profession. Shouldn’t the NHL be looking into this? It’s not like there are thousands of former NHL tough guys out there. We’re talking about just a handful of guys. Unless you’re Vince McMahon, don’t you think such a high mortality rate linked to a single profession should at least be investigated? Gary Bettman your thoughts? “I got more money from NBC and Versus than we would have from ESPN.” No Gary, we’re talking about the recent deaths of NHL tough guys here. “NHL revenues continue to increase and attentance has been at an all time high.”… Okay we’re getting nowhere with Ro-Bottman, he’s been stuck on “Defend the NHL” mode for half a decade now. The point is these guys are awesome and we need to ensure they stay breathing or else risk losing fighting from the game forever. So in honor of these fallen warriors (“You must have the warrior mindset!”) come on VTB, now is not the time. In honor of these guys I’m gonna take a look at some NHL tough guys who can not only fight, but also give you something to chew on in the other categories.
Steve Ott – C/LW (Dal): Supposedly the Stars are going to move Ott out to the wing alongside Jamie Benn and newly acquired Michael Ryder (which actually doesn’t sound too good for Jamie Benn). Ott has a reputation as being a real prick and a trash talker, but at least he tries to back it up with his fists. He had 183 Penalty Minutes last year, which is just awesome. But what makes it even more awesome is that he also had 12 Goals, 20 Assists, 120 Shots and an incredible 10 Power Play Points. He ott to be in my Center rankings, which are coming next week.
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Tuuka Rask (who looks like the love child of Cindy Lou Who and the Grinch) was all the rage going into last year’s draft. He took over for an injured Tim Thomas the previous season and went donkey-kong crazy with a 1.97GAA, .931SV%, 5 Shutouts and a 22-12 record (He won 20 games! He should’ve won the Cy Young!) But then Tim Thomas sold his soul and went on to have one of the greatest seasons in the history of the sport. Rask was relegated to *Mr 1 Start a Week and most everyone who drafted him didn’t realize how worthless he was until it was too late. This year there is no Tuuka Rask, but I guarantee at least 1 or 3 Goalies will emerge from pergatory to become a starter. Often it’s a highly touted rookie who replaces an ineffective veteran (Reimer for Jiggy last year). But it can also be due to injury (Scott Clemmenson for Marty Brodeur 3 years ago) or even trade (I don’t have an example off the top of my head – sue me). The point is, every backup in the league has the potential to become a full time starter and knowing who they are will give you a leg (glove?
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Drafting to me is like the 1st time you have sex with someone you’re interested in having a relationship with. As it’s happening, you feel great and you’re certain you’re pushing all the right buttons and making all the right moves. Then immediately after it’s over, you can’t imagine how perfect everything went. You’re a STUD. She’s liquefied… But 2 hours later, you’re alone in your room and you can’t sleep.
Please, blog, may I have some more?
