Heading into Friday there were a lot of Matt Duchene owners growing anxious about his so-so production so far this year. Then he went all hat-trick on the Stars and now has 5 Points in the Avalanche’ last 2 games. I don’t like many Colorado players in fantasy but if I had to pick one guy it’s Duchene. And at the ripe ol’ age of 20 his ceiling is still a ways off. With perfect conditions (right coach, right linemates, luck, etc.) he could be a 90 point player in today’s NHL. But he ain’t getting’ to that this year so quit drooling you doosh Duchene owners…
Stephane Robidas – D (Dal): 2 Goals and 2 Assists over the weekend puts Robidas right in line to finish the season with his usually craptastic 30 points. Not much to see here folks, his one fantasy relevant season in 2009 (10G/31A/199 SOG) is nothing more than a distant memory..
Jamie Benn – LW (Dal): I predicted Benn would breakout this year and after a 2Goal/3 Assist weekend the numbers through 13 games are studly: 4G/11A/5PPP/+6/37SOG. 80 Points here he comes!!!
Steven Stamkos – RW (TB): Am I the only one who finds it ironic that the first 2 letters in his first and last name also happen to be the first 2 letters in the word STUD? 10 Goals now in 14 games puts him right on target to net 50 and make me look smart.
Marc-Andre Bergeron – D (TB): If you would have told me before the season started I’d be writing about this clown as much as I have I’d have called you a crazy idiot. 15 Points in 14 games?!? Either he took a bunch of talent pills over the summer and got good or he is about to fall off a grand canyon sized cliff.. And as far as I know Talent Pills (that can pass through a drug test anyway) don’t exist.
Marian Hossa – RW (Chi): Is right at a Point per Game (13 in 13) and the last time he had that pace (or better) was in 2006 with the Thrashers. He’s capable of keeping this up all year, but the injury fairy is going to show up at some point. 2006 also happened to be the last time he played in 75 or more games in a season.
Ryan Malone – LW (TB): The king of the nagging injury is currently healthy and skating with Stamkos and St. Louis on the top line. He’s also getting top line Power Play minutes with them. Just enjoy it now while he’s healthy…
David Krejci – C (Bos): Here is a good buy-low candidate in deeper leagues. As a Center he’s not great, but he’s not nearly as bad as he’s played so far. A Goal and 2 Assists on Saturday proves the ability is still there and the minutes are definitely still there (he and Lucic are getting big minutes on the same line).
Tyler Seguin – C (Bos): After the hat trick Saturday I spoke to my wife and made it official: Tyler Seguin is my one “free pass”.
Sergei Gonchar – D (Ott): Ummm, how are you not injured yet?
Nathan Gerbe – LW (Buf): 8 Points in 13 games and Nate-dawg is starting to distinguish himself amongst other Waiver Wire Fodder.. An All Star nod could be in his future!
Adam Larsson – D (NJ): He’s seeing big time minutes (including on the Power Play) but so far it has yet to translate into fantasy success.. Definitely worth cutting bait if you’re still hanging onto him.
Frans Nielsen – C (NYI): Is getting shifted all over the place along with most of the other Islander forwards (Tavares and Moulson are the only 2 that are consistently on the ice together). But Saturday Frans, booby, looked like a white knight Centering a line with Rolston and Parenteau so keep any eye out if you need some short-term Center depth, he might click with those guys.
Rick DiPietro – G (NYI): Has started ALL 4 games since returning. I warned all you Montoya owners about this happening and sure enough here we are. Montoya and Nabakov are droppable and if you’re desperate for Goaltending, and I mean desperate, then go get DiPietro.
Michael Del Zotto – D (NYR): A point in back to back games and I really don’t want to endorse picking him up because the Ranger’s offensively challenged offense stinks. HOWEVA, a former 1st round pick who’s only 21 years old getting crazy Power Play minutes equals a guy you want on your team (if you can get him for nothing).
Jakub Voracek – RW (Phi): There were about 5 other Flyer players I could have talked about but most are guys we know are good.. Voracek was a trendy sleeper pick in many circles but I just wasn’t buying it. (I’m not buying that spelling of Jacob either, wtf?) Yes a Goal and 2 Assists on Saturday is good but it doesn’t happen nearly enough to warrant a spot on your starting roster. In a deep league could he make a decent bench guy? Sure. But that’s it.
Detroit Red Wings – Here is what I said on Thursday: “I refuse to believe they all got old at the same time and will now suck going forward. Buy low on the elite guys – Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Lidstrom.” And that’s me quoting me (and copying Grey!). Well Saturday those 3 combined for 3 Goals and 2 Assists so go try to get them now before the buy-low window officially closes (Add Franzen to that group too).
Josh Harding – G (Min): Will be on the bench tomorrow night in Calgary for the 1st time in 5 games.. If for some reason he’s still available in your league pick him up cuz if Backstrom struggles it’ll further cement his status as the new Top Dog in Minny.
Keith Yandle – D (Phx): An Assist on Saturday night gives him a sleep inducing line of: 1G/7A/-5/36SOG. Not exactly what I envisioned when I ranked him as my preseason #1 Defenseman. The ice time and Power Play minutes are still there though, so I haven’t lost hope in a turnaround yet..
James Neal – LW (Pit): Keeps getting points and I’m gonna keep telling you to sell. He’s not close to a Point-per-game player despite the season he’s had so far.
Simon Gagne – LW (LA): Scored his 1st Goal (and 1st point) since October 18. He missed a couple games in between with some nagging injury so that could be a factor. But unfortunately for Gagne that is always a factor with him which is why he can’t ever fully be trusted.
Danrik Sedin – C/RW (Van): Yeah the Regular Season Twins are pretty good at hockey.. Which is why their playoff ineptitude puzzles me more than anything in sports. (Yes even more than Norv Turner still being a head coach in the National Football League)…
