I have to admit that in every Columbus Blue Jackets game I hope for Grant Clitsome to get a hat trick. When a name provides comedy on its own, it makes my writing that much easier. And while there was no hat trick Thursday night for ol’ Clitty, there was 2 Goals on an impressive 6 Shots. He seems to be gaining the trust of the BJ brass and his role is increasing (especially on the Power Play). So if you’re in need of a #4 Defenseman, go get some Clitsome…
Steve Mason – G (CBJ): My dislike of this guy is well known and documented. If you drafted him and are still hanging on it’s time to cut bait. 2-11/3.88GAA/.866SV% is as bad as it can get for an NHL Goalie. That is so bad I actually went to 2 different sites to confirm those numbers are correct… Mark Dekanich is a decent add but he’s not healthy and even when he is, I wanna see him be successful before I endorse picking him up.
Brad Marchand – C (Bos): 2 Goals Thursday night and has picked it up again recently after droppin’ zero’s in 6 straight games. I wasn’t sure what to think of him early on when he was scoring at a Seguinian pace, but now I think I know what he is – a Waiver Wire All Star!
Daniel Alfredsson – RW (Ott): Returned tonight against Buffalo after missing 5 games with a concussion… Did you hear that Sidney Crosby??? A concussion knocked out a 39 year old for just 5 games.
Chris Stewart – RW (Stl): Scored a Goal in Hitchcock’s first game at the helm and then Assisted on one in his 2nd. I had mentioned previously that Stewart (and other Blues) would see a production boost thanks to Hitchcock’s ability to “motivate” (aka kick guys in the ass)…
Kris Versteeg – RW (Fla): I gotta admit I’m not real high on this guy even after the hat trick Thursday night. HOWEVA, production is production so if he’s sitting on Waiver Wire Island pick him up immediately.
Dmitry Kulikov – D (Fla): 2 more Assists Thursday and is quickly becoming a legitimate #2 Defenseman in fantasy leagues. Ownership levels are ridiculously low on this guy too which baffles me.
Paul Stastny – C (Col): Notched his 5th Goal against the Islanders and is right on pace to repeat last season’s craptasticness: 22G/35A/-7/181SOG.. Not bad if you’re talking an 18th round flier on draft day. But Stastny was drafted with the expectation of returning to what he was in 2006-2009 (close to a Point-per-game player).
Brian Gionta – RW (Mon): BG is a guy who is easily forgotten.. Wait, who? Right right, Gionta. I didn’t rank him preseason and haven’t talked about him at all during the season. But a Goal Thursday night gives him 3 in the last 5 games. He also had 5 SOG’s against Phoenix which could be the start of a shooting streak. The guy did have 298 last season (which is awesome)..
Keith Yandle – D (Phx): An Assist in back to back games means I can officially say that Keith Yandle is in the middle of a scoring streak. Awesome!
Sami Salo – D (Van): 4 Goals now in just 13 games has me perplexed. I mean sure the loss of Christian Ehrhoff has something to do with it, but my god just look at him. I never thought someone addicted to meth could accomplish this much.
Drew Stafford – RW (Buf): We’re going streaking!!! 3 Assists last night against the reeling Senator’s and here he goes again. Streaky Stafford had 5 points in the Sabre’s first 5 games, then 0 in the next 6, and now 5 Points in the last 4.
Adam Larsson – D (NJ): Career Goal #1! And it only took 14 games! Not exactly what I thought he could do but hope lies in his last 5 games: 1G/2A/7SOG… Baby steps…
Nicklas Backstrom – C (Wsh): I predicted 85 point in the preseason and so far he’s proving me right. He’s got at least 1 point in 12 of the teams 14 games.
Sean Avery – LW (NYR): Speaking of 1st Goals, the ex exile notched his first of the season last night. Unless he starts fighting every other game (like he used to) Avery is not a LW option unless you’re in a 16 or 20 team league.
James Neal – LW (Pit): It’s getting harder and harder for me to keep telling you all to sell this guy. But seriously if you can do it and get a slumping star (Zetterberg, Getzlaf, Datsyuk) you gotta pull the trigger.
Jimmy Howard – G (Det): His 2nd Shutout in 3 games as his turnaround continues. Like I’ve said before I like Jimmy, but I don’t love Jimmy…
Patrick Sharp – C/LW/RW (Chi): Is it just me or are there alot of 0 Goal, 3 Assist games this season? Sharp threw his hat in the ring last night and continues to have a great season…
Corey Perry – RW (Ana): A Goal and 9 Penalty Minutes is vintage Perry. At some point he is going to start scoring Goals by the bushel-full cuz right now he’s on pace for about 35. He’ll get more than 35.
