Hello Dear Readers,
Yes, it took me more than a few days but after all, I did have to navigate through Thanksgiving and Black Friday. That said, here's my latest installment, leaving me with one column still in the can and one I'm in the midst of writing. And while this piece kicks off with highly touted rookies, Islander fans should know that Matt Moulson is NOT on the list despite the fact that the 22 games he played for the Los Angeles Kings in the '07-'08 season technically makes him Calder Cup eligible this year given that the unofficial definition for a rookie is someone who hasn't played more than 25 games in any previous season. A visit to NHL.com shows Moulson's name MIA despite his 19 points through November 28th tying him with Philadelphia's James van Riemsdyk. If this smacks of being a somewhat inconsistent manner of determining who is and isn't a rookie, I suggest Islanders fans take it up with Gary Bettman.
Fantasy Faceoff: Calder Cup Contenders
Righteous Rookies, DL Debuts and Waiver Wire Flyers
By Dave Gil de Rubio
This early in the season, it’s always fun to gamble with rookies. And while obvious ones like John Tavares, Matt Duchene and Victor Hedman were snatched up during most drafts, it’s always the diamond-in-the-rough sleepers like last season’s Kris Versteeg and Derek Brassard (before he was hurt) who end up being difference-makers. We start off this week’s column with a few young bucks that might just fill that role in 2009-2010.
RIGHTEOUS ROOKIES
Jonas Gustavsson (G, TOR) – The beneficiary of a free agent bidding war during the off-season, Swedish goalie Jonas Gustavsson landed in Toronto and succeeded in wresting the starting job away from incumbent Vesa Toskala. While the Maple Leaf’s spotty defense and Gustavsson’s need to adjust to the NHL from international play has meant The Monster’s play has been spotty at times, the return of sniper Phil Kessel might be enough impetus for more W’s for both the Leafs and Gustavsson. In the meantime, he remains a good pick-up for owners in need of netminding help.
James van Riemsdyk (LW, PHI) – Dinged up as James van Riemsdyk might be with a broken pinkie finger and a tussle with the flu, he’s been flourishing on the first line and second power-play unit with Jeff Carter and Danny Briere. In thirteen games, the New Jerseyite has responded with 15 points, a +7 plus/minus rating and two game-winning goals.
Nicklas Bergfors (RW, NJ) – I try to avoid repeating myself in this column and I know I was touting Niclas Bergfors in last week’s Waiver Wire Flyer section, but Bergfors is just too good to overlook. Even with the return of scoring machine Patrik Elias to the New Jersey Devils lineup, the Swedish rookie hasn’t missed a step. He is 3-5-8 in the last 6 games and 1-4-5 in the last two as of November 14th. He is a must-add to your squad.
Jason Demers (D, SJ) – The temporary loss of Rob Blake to a shoulder injury ended up being to Jason Demers benefit. Skating alongside partner Marc-Edouard Vlasic as the San Jose Sharks’ second defensive pairing, Demers has also found himself playing on the first power-play unit across from elite D-liner Dan Boyle. The pride of Dorval, Quebec recently scored the first goal of his 22-game career during a 4-3 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks to go with his 11 helpers.
Semyon Varlamov (G, WAS) – Not unlike fellow rookie puck-stopper Jonas Gustavsson, Semyon Varlamov has been quietly stealing starts away from a veteran incumbent, in this case a struggling Jose Theodore. Varlamov has made his case to be the Washington Capitols number one starter by posting a 7-1 record with a .912 save percentage and 2.67 goals against average through nine games.
DL DEBUTS
Mike Knuble (RW, WAS) – Just as superstar teammate Alexander Ovechkin was slated to get back in the Washington Capitols lineup following an injury layoff, off-season free agent signing Mike Knuble ended up getting surgery for a broken finger. Suffered during a first period power-play 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild, Knuble’s injury occurred after he crashed the net and defenseman Marek Zidlicky knocked him over goalie Josh Harding. Knuble won’t be back for another three or four weeks.
Chris Kunitz (LW-C, PIT) – Not unlike Knuble, Chris Kunitz is heading to the disabled list as yet another elite Russian player, (Evgeni Malkin), returns to active duty. Kunitz is finally giving in to a nagging lower-body injury that will keep him out for two weeks. Rookie Mark Letestu was called up from Wilkes-Barre of the AHL to fill his slot.
Doug Weight (C, NYI) – One of the few veteran voices on this rookie-laden Islanders squad, Doug Weight has only played in 11 of 17 games this season due to a strained groin and a bout of the H1N1 virus. This stint on the IR is courtesy of an upper-body injury that will keep Weight off of skates for the next four-to-six weeks.
Brooks Orpik (D, PIT) – Injuries continue to mount for Pittsburgh, with Brooks Orpik joining Kunitz, Tyler Kennedy, Maxime Talbot and fellow blue-liners, Alex Goligoski, Sergei Gonchar and Kristopher Letang on the DL. Pens fans can thank Boston Bruins Mark Stuart for laying on the check that resulted in a lower-body injury that will keep Orpik out two weeks.
Dave Bolland (C, CHI) – Back problems dating back to last season finally forced Dave Bolland to go under the knife to deal with his herniated disc. Expect the second line center to be out three to four months and while Coach Joel Quenneville says he’ll handle the vacancy “by committee,” former Red Wing Tomas Kopecky is filling Bolland’s vacancy.
Kristopher Letang (D, PIT) – Adding injury to the insult of being shutout 5-0 by the San Jose Sharks, the Pittsburgh Penguins also had to deal with Kristopher Letang being felled by a shoulder contusion that will keep him out two weeks..
Brandon Dubinsky (C, NYR) – By now it’s old news that the Dion Phaneuf shot Brandon Dubinsky blocked during the Blue Shirts’ loss to the Calgary Flames ended up breaking his wrist. With Dubinsky laid up until Christmas, Vinnie Prospal is centering the first line and Smithtown’s Christopher Higgins is being converted from wing to center, a position he hasn’t played since juniors.
Petr Sykora (RW, MIN) – Even though the bell ringing Petr Sykora got from Steve Ott during a November 7th 3-2 win over the Dallas Stars is being called day-to-day, in reality, this concussion means the Czech sniper is out indefinitely, as is the case with injuries of this nature.
Mike Komisarek (D, TOR) – The West Islip native will be earning his five-year/$22.5 million dollar contract on the sidelines after getting a small tear in his quadriceps muscle after colliding with the Red Wings’ Todd Bertuzzi during a November 7th tilt against Detroit. Komisarek tried playing through the pain in the following game against the Minnesota Wild, but will instead be out until early December.
WAIVER WIRE FLYERS
Jimmy Howard (G, DET) – Already slated to play 30 games as a means of resting number one netminder Chris Osgood for Detroit’s annual playoff run, Jimmy Howard has been starting more frequently with Osgood down-for-the-count with what else? The flu. Howard has racked up four wins in the past five games, contributing a 4-2-1 record and a 2.85 GAA. With the potent Red Wings offense heating up, he’ll have a better-than-average shot at adding to that win total when he’s between the pipes. He’s a good temporary fix for anyone needing netminding help, otherwise Osgood owners should pick Howard up as a handcuff.
Wayne Simmonds (RW, LA) – Originally slotted to take Justin Williams’ place on the first line after the former wound up injured, Wayne Simmons subsequently landed on the second line alongside Michal Handzus and Alexander Frolov. During the eleven games spent bouncing between both lines, Simmonds responded with 6 points and a whopping 20 minutes in PIMs.
David Jones (RW, COL) – A former standout at Dartmouth, David Jones plays far beyond his otherwise homogenous name. Rebounding from last year’s season-ending shoulder surgery, Jones is skating on the first line alongside Paul Statsny and Wojtek Wolski. Even though he’s not seeing power-play time, he’s put up 10 points through 16 games with his special teams expertise coming on the PK. Jones has scored a pair of short-handed goals as well as two game-winners.
Shawn Thornton (LW, BOS) – This Boston Bruins fourth-line fixture may have only three points on the season, but he’s a PIM king that’s rocked 42 overall penalty, with 19 having come in the past three games as of November 14th. Shawn Thornton is a quick fix in an easily manipulated category.
Maxim Afinogenov (RW, ATL) – Last season, Maxim Afinogenov became a pariah to both Buffalo Sabres fans and coach Lindy Ruff after the sniper only tickled the twine six times in 48 games. Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell gambled and offered Afinogenov a tryout contract and ended up making the team out of camp. Currently skating on the first line and primary powerplay unit alongside Captain Ilya Kovalchuk and fellow free agent Nik Antropov, the Russian right winger has found his scoring touch again scoring 7 goals, 10 assists and putting 41 shots on goal.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
FANTASY FACEOFF/SURFING THE PLUS/MINUS WAVE/11.6.2009
Hello NHL fans,
Yes, I've been remiss and am at least a couple of weeks behind the ball as I have two other columns currently in the can. But I'm going back to the beginning of November and while December is practically upon us, I think you'll find most of the below info applicable. I'll be back with another column by tomorrow, but in the meantime, enjoy.
Fantasy Faceoff
By Dave Gil de Rubio
SURFING THE PLUS/MINUS WAVE
It’s hard to remember the last time a season started with so many players falling to the injury bug. But while under-conditioning and unbalanced schedules that the NHL has cobbled together in anticipation of the February Olympics break are being blamed by some, so far the biggest culprit for missed man-games can be directly traced to H1N1 virus outbreaks that are storming locker rooms around the league. As for rotisserie players struggling to catch up in certain scoring categories, more often than not it’s more luck-of-the-draw versus actual strategy, particularly when you’re talking short-handed points or game-winning goals. Plus/Minus is one category that can be readily manipulated depending on who you pluck off waivers. Below are a few suggested players who still might be waiting to be spirited away to your lineup as a means of getting in the black with your plus/minus.
PLUS/MINUS MASTERS
Jakub Voracek (RW, CLS) – As the anchor for Columbus’ second line, Jakub Voracek has had had three multi-point games this season and is a fixture on the second power-play unit. Fourteen percent owned in Yahoo! Leagues, Voracek has a neat +5 plus/minus rating.
Steven Reinprecht (C, FLA) – What’s not to love about Steven Reinprecht? Once a promising young player with the Colorado Avalanche who tallied a career-high 46 points back in the 2001-2002 season, (later equaled with the Phoenix Coyotes during the 2007-2008 season), Reinprecht floated around with mostly injury-plagued stints skating for the aforementioned Coyotes and Calgary Flames. Only fourteen-percent owned in Yahoo! Leagues, Reinprecht is enjoying a career renaissance on both the first line and power-play unit between Corey Stillman and Nathan Horton. Having only tickled the twine 14 times in 73 games last year, Reinprecht is wielding a +3 plus/minus with nine goals potted during an eight-game stretch.
Cody McLeod (LW, COL) – Skating on the second line of a surprising Colorado Avalance squad, Cody McLeod is playing alongside highly touted rookie Matt Duchene and one-time hot prospect Marek Svatos. Only four percent owned in Yahoo! Leagues, McLeod is carrying a +6 plus/minus rating and while he’s not getting any time on the power-play, McLeod’s scrappy ways have already earned his owners a princely sum of 22 PIMS thus far.
Mike Fisher (C, OTT) – The Dany Heatley trade was supposed to right the Ottawa Senators’ collective ship. It seems to have done the trick as the Sens are currently holding onto sixth place in the Eastern Conference. Credit Mike Fisher, an all-around talent whose work on the second line skating between Mike Foligno and Alex Kovalev and spot on the second power-play unit has gotten him 13 points, of which he has 5 power-play points, 2 shorties and 2 GWGs to go with his +3 plus/minus. The 1998 Ottawa second-rounder is still very gettable with only twenty-three percent ownership in Yahoo! Leagues.
DL DEBUTS
Alexander Ovechkin (C, WAS) – First it was Evgeni Malkin and now Alexander Ovechkin is the latest superstar to hit the IR. Felled by a shoulder injury, the league’s second-leading scorer is currently listed as week-to-week with Yahoo reporting that it may be as long as another four or five weeks before Ovie suits up.
Eric Staal (C, CAR) – Felled by an upper body injury incurred during a recent tilt against the San Jose Sharks, Eric Staal is expected to miss between two to four weeks recovering from this injury. In the process, Staal’s streak of consecutive games played stalled at 349, ranking him second in franchise history behind Dave Tippett (419) and third overall in the active player category behind Calgary’s Jay Bouwmeester (354) and Vancouver’s Henrik Sedin (350).
Cam Ward (G, CAR) – The bad breaks keep piling up for the hapless Canes as goalie Cam Ward ended up having his leg get accidentally lacerated by Rick Nash’s skate during the first period of a November 7th game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Carolina netminder is expected to miss up to four weeks so if you are a Ward owner, get thee to the waiver wire and pick up backup Michael Leighton ASAP.
Paul Martin (D, NJ) – Devils d-man Paul Martin wound up with a broken left forearm courtesy of the Penguins during a 4-1 October 24th win over Pittsburgh. Martin won’t be back for another four to six weeks.
Shawn Horcoff (C, EDM) – Barely recovered from a bout with the flu, Shawn Horcoff came down with a shoulder injury after getting nailed by the New York Islanders’ Andy Sutton. Horcoff should be back within 7-10 days
Radek Martinek (D, NYI) – The Islanders’ defensive corps suffered a huge loss after Radek Martinek tore his ACL following a hit by Zach Parise during a 2-1 November 6th loss to the New Jersey Devils. The Czech blue-liner is out for the rest of the season.
Chris Drury (C, NYR) – The Rangers captain was the recipient of an opening shift blindside hit from Calgary’s Curtis Glencross during a 3-1 Flames victory over New York on November 7 that resulted in a concussion. Currently listed as day-to-day, the fact that Drury is suffering from a significant head injury means his status is open-ended at best.
Brandon Dubinsky (C, NYR) – Any luck the Blue Shirts may have had avoiding injury ran out during the aforementioned Calgary loss as Brandon Dubinsky joined Drury’s lead in leaving the game hurt after injuring his wrist blocking a shot by Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf. The Rangers were forced to finish out the game double-shifting third and fourth line centers Artem Anisimov and Brian Boyle. Dubinsky’s status is still up in the air.
Jason Williams (RW, DET) – A November 7th 5-1 spanking administered to the Detroit Red Wings by the Toronto Maple Leafs was not only humiliating but the scene of Jason Williams’ recent trip to the IR, where he joins teammates Johan Franzen, Valtteri Filppula and Andreas Lilja. Williams fractured his right fibula crashing hard into the boards during the second period and won’t be back for at least two months as the Red Wings’ injury woes continue to mount.
WAIVER WIRE FLYERS
Tomas Fleischmann (LW, WAS) – Timing is everything and with Alexander Ovechkin out for a significant chunk of time, Tomas Fleischmann came off the IR and started lighting the lamp fairly quickly. In the six games since he returned from a blood clot in his leg, Fleischmann has potted five goals and two assists, (including one game-winner), while enjoying a five-game scoring streak. Of course, skating on both the first line and power play unit alongside Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin doesn’t hurt.
Nicklas Bergfors (RW, NJ) – Always a keen evaluator of talent, GM Lou Lamoriello has once again plucked yet another gem of a player from obscurity, this time in the shape of a 2005 Swedish first round draft pick. While the return of sniper Patrick Elias is on the horizon, Nicklas Bergfors has done a fine job filling in on the second line and second power play unit and in the process putting four in the net, notching five helpers, getting five points on the PP and racking up a pair of game-winning goals for the Devils through 15 games.
Jeff Tambellini (LW, NYI) – The son of former Islander Steve Tambellini has been on fire as of late, with five points in the past five games including his first career hat trick. Keep an eye on him as he’s skating on a potent second line with fellow first round draft pick Josh Bailey and lunch pail scrapper Jon Sim. Add in his filling in for Doug Weight on the point during the power play and Tambellini has the potential to earn any risk-taking owners some valuable stats.
Yes, I've been remiss and am at least a couple of weeks behind the ball as I have two other columns currently in the can. But I'm going back to the beginning of November and while December is practically upon us, I think you'll find most of the below info applicable. I'll be back with another column by tomorrow, but in the meantime, enjoy.
Fantasy Faceoff
By Dave Gil de Rubio
SURFING THE PLUS/MINUS WAVE
It’s hard to remember the last time a season started with so many players falling to the injury bug. But while under-conditioning and unbalanced schedules that the NHL has cobbled together in anticipation of the February Olympics break are being blamed by some, so far the biggest culprit for missed man-games can be directly traced to H1N1 virus outbreaks that are storming locker rooms around the league. As for rotisserie players struggling to catch up in certain scoring categories, more often than not it’s more luck-of-the-draw versus actual strategy, particularly when you’re talking short-handed points or game-winning goals. Plus/Minus is one category that can be readily manipulated depending on who you pluck off waivers. Below are a few suggested players who still might be waiting to be spirited away to your lineup as a means of getting in the black with your plus/minus.
PLUS/MINUS MASTERS
Jakub Voracek (RW, CLS) – As the anchor for Columbus’ second line, Jakub Voracek has had had three multi-point games this season and is a fixture on the second power-play unit. Fourteen percent owned in Yahoo! Leagues, Voracek has a neat +5 plus/minus rating.
Steven Reinprecht (C, FLA) – What’s not to love about Steven Reinprecht? Once a promising young player with the Colorado Avalanche who tallied a career-high 46 points back in the 2001-2002 season, (later equaled with the Phoenix Coyotes during the 2007-2008 season), Reinprecht floated around with mostly injury-plagued stints skating for the aforementioned Coyotes and Calgary Flames. Only fourteen-percent owned in Yahoo! Leagues, Reinprecht is enjoying a career renaissance on both the first line and power-play unit between Corey Stillman and Nathan Horton. Having only tickled the twine 14 times in 73 games last year, Reinprecht is wielding a +3 plus/minus with nine goals potted during an eight-game stretch.
Cody McLeod (LW, COL) – Skating on the second line of a surprising Colorado Avalance squad, Cody McLeod is playing alongside highly touted rookie Matt Duchene and one-time hot prospect Marek Svatos. Only four percent owned in Yahoo! Leagues, McLeod is carrying a +6 plus/minus rating and while he’s not getting any time on the power-play, McLeod’s scrappy ways have already earned his owners a princely sum of 22 PIMS thus far.
Mike Fisher (C, OTT) – The Dany Heatley trade was supposed to right the Ottawa Senators’ collective ship. It seems to have done the trick as the Sens are currently holding onto sixth place in the Eastern Conference. Credit Mike Fisher, an all-around talent whose work on the second line skating between Mike Foligno and Alex Kovalev and spot on the second power-play unit has gotten him 13 points, of which he has 5 power-play points, 2 shorties and 2 GWGs to go with his +3 plus/minus. The 1998 Ottawa second-rounder is still very gettable with only twenty-three percent ownership in Yahoo! Leagues.
DL DEBUTS
Alexander Ovechkin (C, WAS) – First it was Evgeni Malkin and now Alexander Ovechkin is the latest superstar to hit the IR. Felled by a shoulder injury, the league’s second-leading scorer is currently listed as week-to-week with Yahoo reporting that it may be as long as another four or five weeks before Ovie suits up.
Eric Staal (C, CAR) – Felled by an upper body injury incurred during a recent tilt against the San Jose Sharks, Eric Staal is expected to miss between two to four weeks recovering from this injury. In the process, Staal’s streak of consecutive games played stalled at 349, ranking him second in franchise history behind Dave Tippett (419) and third overall in the active player category behind Calgary’s Jay Bouwmeester (354) and Vancouver’s Henrik Sedin (350).
Cam Ward (G, CAR) – The bad breaks keep piling up for the hapless Canes as goalie Cam Ward ended up having his leg get accidentally lacerated by Rick Nash’s skate during the first period of a November 7th game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Carolina netminder is expected to miss up to four weeks so if you are a Ward owner, get thee to the waiver wire and pick up backup Michael Leighton ASAP.
Paul Martin (D, NJ) – Devils d-man Paul Martin wound up with a broken left forearm courtesy of the Penguins during a 4-1 October 24th win over Pittsburgh. Martin won’t be back for another four to six weeks.
Shawn Horcoff (C, EDM) – Barely recovered from a bout with the flu, Shawn Horcoff came down with a shoulder injury after getting nailed by the New York Islanders’ Andy Sutton. Horcoff should be back within 7-10 days
Radek Martinek (D, NYI) – The Islanders’ defensive corps suffered a huge loss after Radek Martinek tore his ACL following a hit by Zach Parise during a 2-1 November 6th loss to the New Jersey Devils. The Czech blue-liner is out for the rest of the season.
Chris Drury (C, NYR) – The Rangers captain was the recipient of an opening shift blindside hit from Calgary’s Curtis Glencross during a 3-1 Flames victory over New York on November 7 that resulted in a concussion. Currently listed as day-to-day, the fact that Drury is suffering from a significant head injury means his status is open-ended at best.
Brandon Dubinsky (C, NYR) – Any luck the Blue Shirts may have had avoiding injury ran out during the aforementioned Calgary loss as Brandon Dubinsky joined Drury’s lead in leaving the game hurt after injuring his wrist blocking a shot by Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf. The Rangers were forced to finish out the game double-shifting third and fourth line centers Artem Anisimov and Brian Boyle. Dubinsky’s status is still up in the air.
Jason Williams (RW, DET) – A November 7th 5-1 spanking administered to the Detroit Red Wings by the Toronto Maple Leafs was not only humiliating but the scene of Jason Williams’ recent trip to the IR, where he joins teammates Johan Franzen, Valtteri Filppula and Andreas Lilja. Williams fractured his right fibula crashing hard into the boards during the second period and won’t be back for at least two months as the Red Wings’ injury woes continue to mount.
WAIVER WIRE FLYERS
Tomas Fleischmann (LW, WAS) – Timing is everything and with Alexander Ovechkin out for a significant chunk of time, Tomas Fleischmann came off the IR and started lighting the lamp fairly quickly. In the six games since he returned from a blood clot in his leg, Fleischmann has potted five goals and two assists, (including one game-winner), while enjoying a five-game scoring streak. Of course, skating on both the first line and power play unit alongside Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin doesn’t hurt.
Nicklas Bergfors (RW, NJ) – Always a keen evaluator of talent, GM Lou Lamoriello has once again plucked yet another gem of a player from obscurity, this time in the shape of a 2005 Swedish first round draft pick. While the return of sniper Patrick Elias is on the horizon, Nicklas Bergfors has done a fine job filling in on the second line and second power play unit and in the process putting four in the net, notching five helpers, getting five points on the PP and racking up a pair of game-winning goals for the Devils through 15 games.
Jeff Tambellini (LW, NYI) – The son of former Islander Steve Tambellini has been on fire as of late, with five points in the past five games including his first career hat trick. Keep an eye on him as he’s skating on a potent second line with fellow first round draft pick Josh Bailey and lunch pail scrapper Jon Sim. Add in his filling in for Doug Weight on the point during the power play and Tambellini has the potential to earn any risk-taking owners some valuable stats.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
FANTASY FACEOFF/10.31.2009
Hello fellow puckheads,
As promised, here's a newer column with a highly unusual slew of injuries to high-profile players (hmm, wonder if there's a trend going on during this Winter Olympics year. Just saying.) I'm currently working on my latest Faceoff and should have it posted in the next couple of days. In the meantime, enjoy.
Fantasy Faceoff
By Dave Gil de Rubio
I was really looking to expand on the PIM Kings section, but given how so many top-shelf players are falling to injuries, it seemed more prudent to expand DL Debuts so that owners can either adjust their lineups accordingly or scour the waiver wire for sneaky subs or at best, an electronic patch job for their respective teams.
PIM KINGS
Colton Orr (RW, TOR) – Toronto GM Brian Burke has always been a proponent of physical hockey, a style that’s as reliant on using your fists as it is getting gritty in the corners. So is it any shock that Burke swept in and signed Colton Orr away from the New York Rangers to a four-year/$4 million dollar contract during the off-season? (Of course it may have also had to do with the 193 PIMs he had as well). Even though the Maple Leafs are currently one of the league’s worst teams, Orr is more than making up for his enforcer role by accruing 43 penalty minutes through ten games.
Michael Rupp (C, PIT) – Credit the fact that Pittsburgh’s fourth line is the equivalent of most other teams’ fourth lines for Mike Rupp already potting 3 goals and an assist through 12 games. Of course, the real attraction for taking a flyer on the hulking former New Jersey Devil is the twenty minutes in penalties he’s currently toting around, which is twice as many as linemate and fellow tough guy Eric Godard.
Jarkko Ruutu (LW, ONT) – Probably one of the most versatile game-playing pests this side of Sean Avery, Jarkko Ruutu may be toiling away on the fourth line, but he’s made the most of not seeing that much ice time. Through 11 games, he’s racked up 27 PIMS, let 25 shots fly on goal while accounting for 4 goals, 3 assists and 1 short-handed point and a game-winning goal as well. In a pinch, younger brother and fellow fourth liner Tuomo will do once he’s reinserted into the Canes lineup after coming off his three-game suspension for that questionable hit on fellow agitator Darcy Tucker.
DL DEBUTS
Evgeni Malkin (C, PIT) - Last year’s Art Ross Trophy winner joins fellow Russian Sergei Gonchar on the disabled list with a shoulder injury that will keep Malkin out two weeks. Expect Jordan Staal to be bumped up to center the second line and reap higher offensive benefits for his owners during that time span.
Valtteri Filppula (C, DET) – With Detroit’s locker room starting to resemble a MASH unit, Filppula joins fellow Red Winger Johan Franzen on the IR with a broken wrist he got during the second period of an October 29th game against the Edmonton Oilers. With Filppula slated to be on the mend for the next six-to-eight weeks, Coach Babcock may either bump speedster Darren Helm up the depth chart or bump Henrik Zetterberg from playing wing on the first line and have him center the second line.
Ilya Kovalchuk (LW-C, ATL) – Tied for second in the league with nine goals, Kovalchuk went down in the middle of the first period during an October 24th game against the San Jose Sharks after taking a shot off his skate. The subsequent diagnosis was a broken foot and recovery time that was expected to last at least a month. Rookie Evander Kane is now skating on the first line alongside Nik Antropov and Maxim Afinogenov and should be a waiver wire snatch if it hasn’t happened already.
Simon Gagne (RW-L, PHI) – Just when you thought it was safe to draft Simon Gagne following last year’s comeback season that found him bouncing back with 74 points after only playing 25 games in 2007-08, Gagne will be out indefinitely. A recent ultrasound discovered two hernias in his right groin with the original diagnosis being surgery. Currently seeking out second opinions, just to “cover all his bases,” Gagne is an obvious no-go and his owners are advised to scoop up rookie James Van Riemsdyk off waivers if he’s still available.
Jason Arnott (C, NAS) – As if the scoring drought going on in Nashville wasn’t bad enough, team captain Jason Arnott went down with a left arm injury during the third period of an October 17th tilt against the Washington Capitols. Arnott isn’t expected back until the end of the first week of November.
Jonathan Toews (C, CHI) – If Jonathan Toews was the bug, then consider Vancouver’s Willie Mitchell the windshield after Mitchell creamed Toews after the Canuck defenseman came out of the penalty box during an October 21st game. The third-year player is currently listed as day-to-day. But with the Blackhawks slated to play back-to-backs against the Montreal Canadians followed by a West Coast trip that kicks off in Phoenix five days later, poolies are advised to reserve Toews and look for points elsewhere for the time being.
David Booth (LW, FLA) – The recipient of a clean, yet devastating, open ice hit from Philadelphia’s Mike Richards, David Booth ended up in the hospital with a concussion. Although it’s the first one the Panthers winger has ever suffered, these kinds of head injuries often end up being chronic injuries that pop up throughout the season and beyond (see Simon Gagne and Patrice Bergeron). As such, Booth has gone from being day-to-day to what’s anticipated to be a multi-week stay on IR.
Roberto Luongo (G, VAN) – A recent 5-4 loss to the Detroit Red Wings was not only the first time Robert Luongo didn’t notch a W in four games, but it was also revealed that he’d been playing with a hairline fracture in his ribs that was incurred playing against Edmonton three days prior. With Luongo expected to miss at least a week, the Vancouver Canucks have recalled top flight prospect Cory Schneider from Manitoba of the AHL.
ROOKIE RUMBLINGS
Ryan O’Reilly (C, COL) – First-round pick Matt Duchesne may have been heralded as Colorado’s rookie savior, but 2009 second-rounder Ryan O’Reilly is making an early bid for Calder Cup consideration. A fixture on the Avalanche’s top PK unit, O’Reilly is doing it on the score sheet as well with two goals, 10 points and a plus-10 plus/minus rating in 11 games.
Michael Del Zotto (D, NYR) – An integral part of the Rangers’ youth movement, (something that would have been unfathomable five years ago), the nineteen–year-old Del Zotto became the youngest defensemen in Rangers history to play on opening night Despite his youth, the extremely mobile blueliner not only vaulted to the top of the defensive depth chart and is quarterbacking the power play, but is practically a point-a-game player with 12 points in 13 contests.
Matt Moulson (LW, NYI) – Not quite a rookie, the twenty-five-year old Moulson made his NHL debut in the 2006-2007 season and came up for a cup of coffee with the Los Angeles Kings last year to the tune of seven games. The Islanders quietly signed him to a one-year deal back in July and the dividends are already paying off. Moulson is playing on the top line alongside John Tavares and Kyle Okposo and has responded by tallying 10 points in 11 games.
Ryan Vesce (RW, SJ) – Despite being temporarily sidelined by a leg injury, Ryan Vesce is worth picking up and stashing. The favorite of Coach Todd McLellan found himself bumping Devin Setoguchi to the second line and playing alongside assist machine Joe Thornton and sniper Dany Heatley. Expect more of the same from Vesce when he suits up again.
Tyler Myers (D, BUF) – Victor Hedman may have been the hulking defenseman who got the most ink after being picked third overall in last year’s draft, but nineteen-year old, six foot eight inch Tyler Myers is no shrinking violet. With Myers’ tenth game up next, Sabres GM Darcy Regier will be forced to decide whether to send him down to juniors or risk having his entry-level deal kick in. That said, with all the injury woes on the Buffalo blueline and Myers establishing himself on the top power-play and potting two goals and five points in nine games, expect Regier to bite the financial bullet.
As promised, here's a newer column with a highly unusual slew of injuries to high-profile players (hmm, wonder if there's a trend going on during this Winter Olympics year. Just saying.) I'm currently working on my latest Faceoff and should have it posted in the next couple of days. In the meantime, enjoy.
Fantasy Faceoff
By Dave Gil de Rubio
I was really looking to expand on the PIM Kings section, but given how so many top-shelf players are falling to injuries, it seemed more prudent to expand DL Debuts so that owners can either adjust their lineups accordingly or scour the waiver wire for sneaky subs or at best, an electronic patch job for their respective teams.
PIM KINGS
Colton Orr (RW, TOR) – Toronto GM Brian Burke has always been a proponent of physical hockey, a style that’s as reliant on using your fists as it is getting gritty in the corners. So is it any shock that Burke swept in and signed Colton Orr away from the New York Rangers to a four-year/$4 million dollar contract during the off-season? (Of course it may have also had to do with the 193 PIMs he had as well). Even though the Maple Leafs are currently one of the league’s worst teams, Orr is more than making up for his enforcer role by accruing 43 penalty minutes through ten games.
Michael Rupp (C, PIT) – Credit the fact that Pittsburgh’s fourth line is the equivalent of most other teams’ fourth lines for Mike Rupp already potting 3 goals and an assist through 12 games. Of course, the real attraction for taking a flyer on the hulking former New Jersey Devil is the twenty minutes in penalties he’s currently toting around, which is twice as many as linemate and fellow tough guy Eric Godard.
Jarkko Ruutu (LW, ONT) – Probably one of the most versatile game-playing pests this side of Sean Avery, Jarkko Ruutu may be toiling away on the fourth line, but he’s made the most of not seeing that much ice time. Through 11 games, he’s racked up 27 PIMS, let 25 shots fly on goal while accounting for 4 goals, 3 assists and 1 short-handed point and a game-winning goal as well. In a pinch, younger brother and fellow fourth liner Tuomo will do once he’s reinserted into the Canes lineup after coming off his three-game suspension for that questionable hit on fellow agitator Darcy Tucker.
DL DEBUTS
Evgeni Malkin (C, PIT) - Last year’s Art Ross Trophy winner joins fellow Russian Sergei Gonchar on the disabled list with a shoulder injury that will keep Malkin out two weeks. Expect Jordan Staal to be bumped up to center the second line and reap higher offensive benefits for his owners during that time span.
Valtteri Filppula (C, DET) – With Detroit’s locker room starting to resemble a MASH unit, Filppula joins fellow Red Winger Johan Franzen on the IR with a broken wrist he got during the second period of an October 29th game against the Edmonton Oilers. With Filppula slated to be on the mend for the next six-to-eight weeks, Coach Babcock may either bump speedster Darren Helm up the depth chart or bump Henrik Zetterberg from playing wing on the first line and have him center the second line.
Ilya Kovalchuk (LW-C, ATL) – Tied for second in the league with nine goals, Kovalchuk went down in the middle of the first period during an October 24th game against the San Jose Sharks after taking a shot off his skate. The subsequent diagnosis was a broken foot and recovery time that was expected to last at least a month. Rookie Evander Kane is now skating on the first line alongside Nik Antropov and Maxim Afinogenov and should be a waiver wire snatch if it hasn’t happened already.
Simon Gagne (RW-L, PHI) – Just when you thought it was safe to draft Simon Gagne following last year’s comeback season that found him bouncing back with 74 points after only playing 25 games in 2007-08, Gagne will be out indefinitely. A recent ultrasound discovered two hernias in his right groin with the original diagnosis being surgery. Currently seeking out second opinions, just to “cover all his bases,” Gagne is an obvious no-go and his owners are advised to scoop up rookie James Van Riemsdyk off waivers if he’s still available.
Jason Arnott (C, NAS) – As if the scoring drought going on in Nashville wasn’t bad enough, team captain Jason Arnott went down with a left arm injury during the third period of an October 17th tilt against the Washington Capitols. Arnott isn’t expected back until the end of the first week of November.
Jonathan Toews (C, CHI) – If Jonathan Toews was the bug, then consider Vancouver’s Willie Mitchell the windshield after Mitchell creamed Toews after the Canuck defenseman came out of the penalty box during an October 21st game. The third-year player is currently listed as day-to-day. But with the Blackhawks slated to play back-to-backs against the Montreal Canadians followed by a West Coast trip that kicks off in Phoenix five days later, poolies are advised to reserve Toews and look for points elsewhere for the time being.
David Booth (LW, FLA) – The recipient of a clean, yet devastating, open ice hit from Philadelphia’s Mike Richards, David Booth ended up in the hospital with a concussion. Although it’s the first one the Panthers winger has ever suffered, these kinds of head injuries often end up being chronic injuries that pop up throughout the season and beyond (see Simon Gagne and Patrice Bergeron). As such, Booth has gone from being day-to-day to what’s anticipated to be a multi-week stay on IR.
Roberto Luongo (G, VAN) – A recent 5-4 loss to the Detroit Red Wings was not only the first time Robert Luongo didn’t notch a W in four games, but it was also revealed that he’d been playing with a hairline fracture in his ribs that was incurred playing against Edmonton three days prior. With Luongo expected to miss at least a week, the Vancouver Canucks have recalled top flight prospect Cory Schneider from Manitoba of the AHL.
ROOKIE RUMBLINGS
Ryan O’Reilly (C, COL) – First-round pick Matt Duchesne may have been heralded as Colorado’s rookie savior, but 2009 second-rounder Ryan O’Reilly is making an early bid for Calder Cup consideration. A fixture on the Avalanche’s top PK unit, O’Reilly is doing it on the score sheet as well with two goals, 10 points and a plus-10 plus/minus rating in 11 games.
Michael Del Zotto (D, NYR) – An integral part of the Rangers’ youth movement, (something that would have been unfathomable five years ago), the nineteen–year-old Del Zotto became the youngest defensemen in Rangers history to play on opening night Despite his youth, the extremely mobile blueliner not only vaulted to the top of the defensive depth chart and is quarterbacking the power play, but is practically a point-a-game player with 12 points in 13 contests.
Matt Moulson (LW, NYI) – Not quite a rookie, the twenty-five-year old Moulson made his NHL debut in the 2006-2007 season and came up for a cup of coffee with the Los Angeles Kings last year to the tune of seven games. The Islanders quietly signed him to a one-year deal back in July and the dividends are already paying off. Moulson is playing on the top line alongside John Tavares and Kyle Okposo and has responded by tallying 10 points in 11 games.
Ryan Vesce (RW, SJ) – Despite being temporarily sidelined by a leg injury, Ryan Vesce is worth picking up and stashing. The favorite of Coach Todd McLellan found himself bumping Devin Setoguchi to the second line and playing alongside assist machine Joe Thornton and sniper Dany Heatley. Expect more of the same from Vesce when he suits up again.
Tyler Myers (D, BUF) – Victor Hedman may have been the hulking defenseman who got the most ink after being picked third overall in last year’s draft, but nineteen-year old, six foot eight inch Tyler Myers is no shrinking violet. With Myers’ tenth game up next, Sabres GM Darcy Regier will be forced to decide whether to send him down to juniors or risk having his entry-level deal kick in. That said, with all the injury woes on the Buffalo blueline and Myers establishing himself on the top power-play and potting two goals and five points in nine games, expect Regier to bite the financial bullet.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
FANTASY FACEOFF/10.24.2009
My apologies to my fellow Fantasy Hockey Fiends. I'm two columns behind. Here's is the older of the two, with the most recent one to be posted in the next day or so:
One-sixth of the way into the season, players are dropping like flies and there are a number of surprises ranging from how badly the Detroit Red Wings are swooning to the surprising resurgence of the Colorado Avalanche. Below are some other nuances to take note of.
BURNING BRIGHT
Vaclav Prospal (LW, NYR) – Not unlike Alexai Kovalev, Prospal has spent most of his career alternating between stellar and subpar seasons. Turns out he was having an off-year for a wretched Tampa Bay Lightning squad last year. Enter the New York Rangers who scooped up Prospal and threw him on a line alongside fellow free-agent Marian Gaborik. The result is eleven points through ten games with a prominent spot on the first line and power-play.
Andrew Brunette (RW, MIN) - The Minnesota Wild may be struggling to finds its way under the auspices of first-year coach Todd Richards, but team leader Andrew Brunette is rebounding nicely from knee surgery. Currently leading the Wild with five goals, Brunette and company are attempting to overcome a 1-6 start and not allow their division foes in Colorado to pull too far ahead of the pack.
Craig Anderson (G, COL) – Even though more than a few pundits picked Colorado to hover near the basement of the NHL standings, the Avalanche has instead rallied and gotten off to a 6-1-2 start. Heavy credit goes to net minder Craig Anderson, who came over from Florida and turned incumbent Peter Budaj into a backup by way of a .935 save percentage and stellar 2.09 GAA.
Jamie Benn (LW, DAL) – If Loui Eriksson was the young Stars player to lead the way for the Dallas Stars last year, then Jamie Benn just might be the heir apparent for the 2009/2010 year. Plucked by Dallas in the fifth round of the 2007 Entry Draft, Benn impressed enough in the pre-season to break camp with the Stars and has been rewarded with a spot on the second line alongside captain Brenden Morrow and Mike Ribeiro. Benn has so far responded by netting eight points in ten games while notching 25 shots on goal.
Evander Kane (LW-C, ATL) - The Thrashers are making it interesting in the Southeast Division staying close to the runaway favorite Washington Capitols thanks to the mix of talents like Ilya Kovalchuk, Rich Peverley and Zach Bogosian. Add in eighteen-year old rookie Kane who despite doing time on the third line, has posted four points in seven games with a spot as a Top 6 forward in the not too far off future.
DL DEBUTS
Johan Franzen (LW-C, DET) – Following a 3-2 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks on October 8 in which he scored the goal-winning goal, The Mule got diagnosed with a torn ACL that will have him out for at least four months. In the meantime, look for Coach Mike Babcock to shuffle Tomas Holmstrom, Jason Williams, Valterri Filppula and Ville Leino into the Top 6 forward mix.
Eric Cole (RW-L, CAR) – The prodigal son who returned to the Canes last year for a late season run after ending up with the Edmonton Oilers has been out since early October with a fractured leg. Cole incurred it during a third-period entanglement with Boston’s Dennis Wideman and isn’t expected back until mid-November.
Sergei Gonchar (D, PIT) – After having only played 25 games last year due to a bum shoulder, Sergei Gonchar is once again in the sick bay with a broken wrist that’s going to have him laid up for at least six weeks. With Gonchar’s absence depriving the Pens from utilizing a major power-play force, it’ll be up to young blue-liners Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski to pick up the special teams slack.
Daniel Sedin (LW-R, VAN) – Out west, the Canucks and twin brother Henrik will have to do without Daniel Sedin’s offensive firepower after the latter broke his left foot during a win over the Montreal Canadians when he took a shot off his skate. Expect him back in mid-to-late November at the earliest.
Marc Savard (C, BOS) – One of the best playmakers in the league and a key linchpin in the Bruins’ offense, Savard had four goals and seven points up through the first seven games of the season before fessing up that a shot he’d blocked in the pre-season had been ailing him. Following his taking another puck off his foot in practice, it was discovered that Savard had been skating with a fracture and now is slated to be out four-to-six weeks. It doesn’t help that the B’s will face further goal-scoring struggles with Milan Lucic on the IR with a broken finger that will keep him out until mid-to-late November.
GOALIE PLATOONS TO AVOID
Martin Biron/Dwayne Roloson/Rick DiPietro (NYI) – Love the youth movement, hate the results. It was not until the Isles played their seventh game before they were able to notch the team’s initial W for the season. Not necessarily a result of either Biron or Roloson’s play, it’s still very much-a-catch as catch-can situation over at Nassau Coliseum as Coach Scott Gordon refuses to name an outright number one starter even as the specter of DiPietro’s open-ended return looms large.
Vesa Toskala/Jonas Gustavsson/Joey McDonald/James Reimer (TOR) – The only team that’s more hapless than the Islanders, the Maple Leafs are still looking for their first win after seven through the season despite being guided by the formidable tandem of GM Brian Burke and Coach Ron Wilson. In the meantime, starter Vesa Toskala is tending to a sore knee and high-profile foreign import Jonas “The Monster” Gustavsson has been grappling with a sore groin, leaving the net-minding duties to ex-Islander Joey McDonald, (who must be having flashbacks from last year) and prospect James Reimer. Stay away at all costs.
Pekke Rinne/Dan Ellis (NSH) – Even though backup Pekke Rinne wrested the starting job from Dan Ellis last season by posting a 2.38 GAA, .917 SV% and notching seven goose eggs while winning 29 games as opposed to Ellis’ 2.94/.900/3 shutouts and 11 win stats, Coach Barry Trotz has been playing his choice of starter very close to the vest. The two have been alternating games and in the process coming off as if they are doing their best to hand the starting gig over to their adversary.
Cristobal Huet/Antii Niemi (CHI) –Nikolai Khabibulin may have departed for the Edmonton Oilers and seemingly ensured that Cristobal Huet would be the uncontested Blackhawks starter going into the new season, Huet’s subpar play has allowed Finnish rookie Antii Niemi to come back into the mix. Unless Huet and Niemi are being handcuffed, owners will have to deal with another couple of weeks of indecision before Coach Joel Quennville decides to commit one way or the other.
Jonas Hiller/John-Sebastian Giguere (ANH) – Jonas Hiller clearly wrested the starting position from incumbent J.S. Giguere given the personal tumult Jiggy was dealing with off the ice. With the Ducks struggling to tickle the twine on a regular basis during the season’s early going, the goal-keeping hasn’t been much better. Not surprisingly given Coach Randy Carlyle’s secretive nature, frustration is a regular component of trying to figure out whether Hiller or Giguere is getting the start from one game to the next.
One-sixth of the way into the season, players are dropping like flies and there are a number of surprises ranging from how badly the Detroit Red Wings are swooning to the surprising resurgence of the Colorado Avalanche. Below are some other nuances to take note of.
BURNING BRIGHT
Vaclav Prospal (LW, NYR) – Not unlike Alexai Kovalev, Prospal has spent most of his career alternating between stellar and subpar seasons. Turns out he was having an off-year for a wretched Tampa Bay Lightning squad last year. Enter the New York Rangers who scooped up Prospal and threw him on a line alongside fellow free-agent Marian Gaborik. The result is eleven points through ten games with a prominent spot on the first line and power-play.
Andrew Brunette (RW, MIN) - The Minnesota Wild may be struggling to finds its way under the auspices of first-year coach Todd Richards, but team leader Andrew Brunette is rebounding nicely from knee surgery. Currently leading the Wild with five goals, Brunette and company are attempting to overcome a 1-6 start and not allow their division foes in Colorado to pull too far ahead of the pack.
Craig Anderson (G, COL) – Even though more than a few pundits picked Colorado to hover near the basement of the NHL standings, the Avalanche has instead rallied and gotten off to a 6-1-2 start. Heavy credit goes to net minder Craig Anderson, who came over from Florida and turned incumbent Peter Budaj into a backup by way of a .935 save percentage and stellar 2.09 GAA.
Jamie Benn (LW, DAL) – If Loui Eriksson was the young Stars player to lead the way for the Dallas Stars last year, then Jamie Benn just might be the heir apparent for the 2009/2010 year. Plucked by Dallas in the fifth round of the 2007 Entry Draft, Benn impressed enough in the pre-season to break camp with the Stars and has been rewarded with a spot on the second line alongside captain Brenden Morrow and Mike Ribeiro. Benn has so far responded by netting eight points in ten games while notching 25 shots on goal.
Evander Kane (LW-C, ATL) - The Thrashers are making it interesting in the Southeast Division staying close to the runaway favorite Washington Capitols thanks to the mix of talents like Ilya Kovalchuk, Rich Peverley and Zach Bogosian. Add in eighteen-year old rookie Kane who despite doing time on the third line, has posted four points in seven games with a spot as a Top 6 forward in the not too far off future.
DL DEBUTS
Johan Franzen (LW-C, DET) – Following a 3-2 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks on October 8 in which he scored the goal-winning goal, The Mule got diagnosed with a torn ACL that will have him out for at least four months. In the meantime, look for Coach Mike Babcock to shuffle Tomas Holmstrom, Jason Williams, Valterri Filppula and Ville Leino into the Top 6 forward mix.
Eric Cole (RW-L, CAR) – The prodigal son who returned to the Canes last year for a late season run after ending up with the Edmonton Oilers has been out since early October with a fractured leg. Cole incurred it during a third-period entanglement with Boston’s Dennis Wideman and isn’t expected back until mid-November.
Sergei Gonchar (D, PIT) – After having only played 25 games last year due to a bum shoulder, Sergei Gonchar is once again in the sick bay with a broken wrist that’s going to have him laid up for at least six weeks. With Gonchar’s absence depriving the Pens from utilizing a major power-play force, it’ll be up to young blue-liners Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski to pick up the special teams slack.
Daniel Sedin (LW-R, VAN) – Out west, the Canucks and twin brother Henrik will have to do without Daniel Sedin’s offensive firepower after the latter broke his left foot during a win over the Montreal Canadians when he took a shot off his skate. Expect him back in mid-to-late November at the earliest.
Marc Savard (C, BOS) – One of the best playmakers in the league and a key linchpin in the Bruins’ offense, Savard had four goals and seven points up through the first seven games of the season before fessing up that a shot he’d blocked in the pre-season had been ailing him. Following his taking another puck off his foot in practice, it was discovered that Savard had been skating with a fracture and now is slated to be out four-to-six weeks. It doesn’t help that the B’s will face further goal-scoring struggles with Milan Lucic on the IR with a broken finger that will keep him out until mid-to-late November.
GOALIE PLATOONS TO AVOID
Martin Biron/Dwayne Roloson/Rick DiPietro (NYI) – Love the youth movement, hate the results. It was not until the Isles played their seventh game before they were able to notch the team’s initial W for the season. Not necessarily a result of either Biron or Roloson’s play, it’s still very much-a-catch as catch-can situation over at Nassau Coliseum as Coach Scott Gordon refuses to name an outright number one starter even as the specter of DiPietro’s open-ended return looms large.
Vesa Toskala/Jonas Gustavsson/Joey McDonald/James Reimer (TOR) – The only team that’s more hapless than the Islanders, the Maple Leafs are still looking for their first win after seven through the season despite being guided by the formidable tandem of GM Brian Burke and Coach Ron Wilson. In the meantime, starter Vesa Toskala is tending to a sore knee and high-profile foreign import Jonas “The Monster” Gustavsson has been grappling with a sore groin, leaving the net-minding duties to ex-Islander Joey McDonald, (who must be having flashbacks from last year) and prospect James Reimer. Stay away at all costs.
Pekke Rinne/Dan Ellis (NSH) – Even though backup Pekke Rinne wrested the starting job from Dan Ellis last season by posting a 2.38 GAA, .917 SV% and notching seven goose eggs while winning 29 games as opposed to Ellis’ 2.94/.900/3 shutouts and 11 win stats, Coach Barry Trotz has been playing his choice of starter very close to the vest. The two have been alternating games and in the process coming off as if they are doing their best to hand the starting gig over to their adversary.
Cristobal Huet/Antii Niemi (CHI) –Nikolai Khabibulin may have departed for the Edmonton Oilers and seemingly ensured that Cristobal Huet would be the uncontested Blackhawks starter going into the new season, Huet’s subpar play has allowed Finnish rookie Antii Niemi to come back into the mix. Unless Huet and Niemi are being handcuffed, owners will have to deal with another couple of weeks of indecision before Coach Joel Quennville decides to commit one way or the other.
Jonas Hiller/John-Sebastian Giguere (ANH) – Jonas Hiller clearly wrested the starting position from incumbent J.S. Giguere given the personal tumult Jiggy was dealing with off the ice. With the Ducks struggling to tickle the twine on a regular basis during the season’s early going, the goal-keeping hasn’t been much better. Not surprisingly given Coach Randy Carlyle’s secretive nature, frustration is a regular component of trying to figure out whether Hiller or Giguere is getting the start from one game to the next.
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