The concussion monster dealt a death blow to Chris Pronger yesterday. Kinda wierd they would IR him for the season considering Philly could be playing for another 6+ months. The rumor is Pronger triggered a new CBA rule where once you go over 200 career concussions, you can’t play again that season. I for one am bummed cuz I own him on a team and he was actually having a good year (in the handful of games he played). If you own him like I do, Matt Carle is the obvious replacement (3 Assists yesterday). Go pick him up if he’s still available… As far as the rest of the Flyer’s go, it should help Timonen somewhat and it might make Andrej Meszaros fantasy relevant. Even in deeper leagues my brother from another mother, Braydon Coburn, is worth a look… In closing I would like to say (in all seriousness) that November 19th against Winnipeg might have been Chris Pronger’s last game ever. (Meaning keeper league owners you can drop him too). Now lets move on to some less depressing fantasy hockey news:
Mikko Koivu – C (Min): Tweaked something below the waist in Wednesday night’s game and his status for tomorrow is uncertain. “I thought we weren’t going to be focusing on the negative? You must keep the positive flow!” Sorry VTB but I gotta mention it. Koivu has been on fire in the last month: 7G/11A/+5/7PPP/37SOG in just 14 games and these random LBI’s can quickly turn into 2 weeks with a tweaked hammy or groin..
Semyon Varlamov – G (Col): I told ya’ll to drop this guy about a month ago and last night he showed why. Colorado held a 4-2 lead with about 11 minutes to go and Sem-yawn proceeded to allow 3 Goals in the next 6 minutes. He’s on my short list of Goalies I wouldn’t even spot start right now..
Ryan Clowe – LW/RW (SJ): I wanna complain about his mediocre scoring (18 Points in 28 Games) but the +1/6PPP/78SOG and 43 Penalty Minutes makes up for it. IF he can keep up this pace (he’s been cold lately) it’ll be a good season.
Richard Bachman – G (NYI): ROCKSTAR
Kyle Okposo – RW (NYI): A Goal and an Assist yesterday gives him 6 Points in the last 7 games. KO is worth considering if you need some short term help, he’s had month long hot streaks in the past. Just remember he will go ice cold at some point.
Cory Schneider – G (Van): Disappointing game tonight in Schneider’s first start in 9 days. It’s good news for Luongo owners though. His #1 Goalie status is the strongest it’s been since the start of the season.
Steven Stamkos – C (TB): Here’s what I wrote on Sunday: “It’s now been 5 games since SS’s last Goal. That’s bad news I agree, but if I were a betting man I’d take the over on 4 Goals in his next 5 games. Cuz thats what he do…” Well since then he has 3 Goals in 2 games. Cuz thats what he do…
Jarome Iginla – RW (Cgy): The Goals are still coming! The Goals are still coming!
Michal Neuvirth – G (Wsh): Looked pretty good against Winnipeg (Shutouts are good right?) And make no mistake about it, Michal with no E will keep starting until he loses. Vokoun is a mess and the Cap’s need to Win games right now.
Chris Stewart – RW (Stl): So remember when I said Hossa and Nugent-Hopkins are the kinds of guys that will win fantasy championships this year? Yeah Stewart is the opposite of that…
David Perron – LW (Stl): Looking for an 88% un-owned longshot with some upside? DP is your man. It’s hard to believe this 23 year old is in his 5th NHL season already but alas it’s true. Since returning to the Blue lineups on December 3 Perron has 2 Goals and 2 Assists in 5 games. Plus he’s topped 50 points in a season before.
Shea Weber – D (Nsh): BEAST. If there happens to be a Nashville fan out there, somewhere, over the rainbow you should be praying every night that your organization signs this guy long-term… Cuz after next year he’s an UNrestricted Free Agent.
Taylor Hall – LW (Edm): 2 Power Play Goals as Mr. Upside is finally showing his….. uhhh…. uuhhhhhh…… upside. I’ve been preaching “opportunity” lately and it’s hard to find such a young player with as much opportunity as Hall. And he’s pretty talented to boot.
Keith Yandle – D (Phx): Yes this young stud has the opportunity, but the production has been less than stellar. In fact this is my official apology for ranking KY Jelly as the preseason #1 Defenseman. “But his team is winning and he brings the mad-def energy on D!” Thanks for trying to cheer me up VTB, but Defense doesn’t count in fantasy hockey.
