Reid and I covered the Florida Panthers extensively on Thursday’s podcast, and their heater continued on Thursday night. Roberto Luongo posted a 40 save shutout in the 5-0 win over the Canadiens. Please, blog, may I have some more?
Reid and I record our first podcast since the Trade Deadline and there's plenty to cover. Among the topics are recent injuries, the Florida Panthers playing their way into playoff position, the crazy Rocket Richard race, under-the-radar seasons, and players who are positioned to break out next season. We wrap things up with The Three Point Challenge for Thursday's games. Be sure to make your pick in the comments section below. All of that and more on the latest edition of the Razzball Hockey Podcast!
Bjugstad The Big Stud
March 7, 2018 | 2017-18 Fantasy Hockey, Fantasy Hockey Daily Notes | 5 Commentsby: Viz
It’s at the point of the season where I start off posts with guys who aren’t trivial holds and can make a difference down the stretch run. I’ve always been enamored with Nick Bjugstad‘s potential, especially after his 24 goal season three seasons ago. Please, blog, may I have some more?
Instead of my usual Monday daily notes, I am going to update my list of holds and streams for every NHL team. This should help everyone out quite a bit in companion with my Playoff Schedule Manifesto. I will also add in some notes where I feel like they're necessary, either to explain myself, or some quick thoughts on a player. Let's get right to it!
Krejci Cashes In
March 2, 2018 | 2017-18 Fantasy Hockey, Fantasy Hockey Daily Notes | 10 Commentsby: Viz
I'll be honest, David Krejci has always been a Guy to me. Not a guy, not a GUY, just a guy. I even cut him on Thursday morning to stream a goalie, proof that I am human. Krejci scored a hat trick on Thursday, scoring on all three of his shots in the 8-4 win over Pittsburgh. That brings him to 14+19 on the season in 44 games. He doesn't quite need that pace to be fantasy worthy, but it's close because his PIM and SOG are well below average. In a 12'er, I probably lean towards holding but it's super close. Shallower, he's a streamer, deeper it's an easy hold. His playoff schedule is also great so use that to your advantage. Let's take a look at what else happened over the last two nights:
Atkinson Gets Going
February 28, 2018 | 2017-18 Fantasy Hockey, Fantasy Hockey Daily Notes | 20 Commentsby: Viz
As far as disappointments for this season go, Cam Atkinson is near the top of the list. After his breakout last season with 35+27, Atkinson has struggled mightily on the ice and with an injury. We're finally seeing signs of Atkinson getting back to last season's level. Atkinson scored a shorthanded goal and added two power play assists with five shots on goal in the Columbus win on Monday. That gives Atkinson 4+4 in his last 9 games with at least three shots on goal in each game during that span. The minutes are strong so that hasn't been a problem. The issue has been that Columbus' power play has been so bad that Atkinson had only 3 STP before this game (which he doubled in this one). Columbus has been better on the man advantage lately, and the arrival of Thomas Vanek should help them even more. Atkinson is still available in over 40% of leagues and in a 12'er, I'd grab him right now while he's finding his groove again. Let's take a look at what else happened over the last two nights:
Podcast: NHL Trade Deadline Special!!!!
February 26, 2018 | 2017-18 Fantasy Hockey, Fantasy Hockey Podcast | 6 Commentsby: Viz
Reid joins me as always for a live recording during the closing moments of the NHL Trade Deadline. We break down all of the trades from the previous three to four days before we look at everything that transpired on Monday. Who are the big winners and losers in real life? Who are the winners and losers in fantasy? We give our in the moment, unfiltered thoughts (getting this up right away so no editing) on all of the trades that broke late in the day as well. There is significant impact throughout the league from these moves so be sure to catch up on everything that happened through the latest edition of the Razzball Hockey Podcast!
LIVE NHL Trade Deadline Post
February 26, 2018 | 2017-18 Fantasy Hockey, Hockey News, Live Blog! | 7 Commentsby: Viz
It's Christmas in February! I'm going to hit on all of the trades that I haven't discussed to this point and then update this post with every trade that takes place today. These are all my instant thoughts from both a real life and fantasy perspective. Let's get right to it!
Another R. Nash in Boston
February 26, 2018 | 2017-18 Fantasy Hockey, Fantasy Hockey Daily Notes | 11 Commentsby: Viz
Rick Nash, the vice president of The Round Face Hockey Club, was traded to the Bruins as they look to make a deep run this postseason. I'm going to have a live trade deadline post again this year updating all of the trades throughout tomorrow. I'm also going to be recording a podcast with Reid right around 3 pm tomorrow to give our thoughts on everything that happens. I have the feeling it's going to be crazy. For Nash, I think he's a solid speculative add if you need the shots. He played on Sunday against Buffalo on the second line, recording five shots on goal in 17:27. He's over three shots per game on the season, the plus-minus should improve on Boston, and everyone can use goals on their team. I don't think he'll be a world beater, but with only 20 games left, it's certainly possible that Nash gets hot with his shot volume. Let's take a look at what else happened over the weekend:
Bennett’s Big Boost
February 23, 2018 | 2017-18 Fantasy Hockey, Fantasy Hockey Daily Notes | 6 Commentsby: Viz
Calgary has been quite a mess over the past two weeks since Mike Smith went down with a groin injury. The 7-3 loss to Vegas on Wednesday was close to rock bottom, even though they played a solid game through 45 minutes before falling apart. Please, blog, may I have some more?
Mrazek Finds Brotherly Love
February 21, 2018 | 2017-18 Fantasy Hockey, Fantasy Hockey Daily Notes | 6 Commentsby: Viz
It took a few injuries, but we finally had some goaltender movement. Petr Mrazek, who appeared to be Detroit's franchise goalie less than two years ago, is now a member of the Flyers. In return, Detroit received two conditional draft picks. Best case scenario, they'll get a 2nd and 3rd round picks. Worst case, they only get a 4th. So what is the fantasy impact? I've been writing for a few weeks that Mrazek should be owned everywhere because he was finally playing well. That's clear as day now going to a much better situation in Philly, so grab him if he's still available. As for in Detroit, it should be Jimmy Howard's show. He has a .910 save percentage this season, which is closer to his career norm than last season's .927 in 26 games. I don't see him as being much more than a desperation play going forward outside of the best matchups. Let's take a look at what else happened over the last two nights:
Hamilton Puts On A Show
February 19, 2018 | 2017-18 Fantasy Hockey, Fantasy Hockey Daily Notes | 16 Commentsby: Viz
No, I'm not talking about the musical. I've used "Teach Me How to Dougie" before, so I needed to change it up. Dougie Hamilton scored the first hat trick of his career on Saturday, albeit in a 6-3 loss to the Panthers. He probably won't match last season's 50 point total, but Hamilton has been just as good. He's over three shots per game, the plus-minus is solid, the PIM are there, and a career high in goals is a near-certainty (he needs one more). As someone who has a betting ticket on the Flames to win the Cup, I just wish Glen Gulutzan would play Dougie more. Their first pair is so damn good that there's no reason for Hamilton to be under 25 minutes per game. Regardless, he's a solid #2 fantasy D for the all-around contribution with upside to be a bottom-end #1. With his recent play (11 points in his last 10 games), hopefully that happens. Let's take a look at what else happened over the weekend:
