Fantasy Hockey: Around the Western Conference
Fantasy Hockey: Around the Western Conference
Written by Joe Cutroni, Rotoexperts.com Staff Writer
November 7, 2008
Joe Cutroni provides an inside look at what’s happening around the Western Conference to give you the edge you need in your fantasy hockey league.
CENTRAL DIVISION:
Chicago Blackhawks
Between the lines
Patrick Sharp (LW, CHI) continues his solid start to the season, notching 16 points in his first dozen games. He’s posted nine goals and 18 PIMs, and he is playing around 20 minutes per game, including time on Chicago’s top powerplay unit. Keep him in the lineup this week with home games against Boston, St. Louis, and San Jose.
Kris Versteeg (RW, CHI) is quietly making an impact in Chicago. He’s recorded 10 points in his first 12 games, has a plus-6 rating, and is averaging just less than 18 minutes of ice time. He’s most likely available in your league and might be a solid pickup if you need some depth at the forward position.
Notable injuries
James Wisniewski (D, CHI) remains out due to knee surgery. He’s expected to be out until December.
Watch list
Nikolai Khabibulin (G, CHI) is one player to keep an eye on these days. With Martin Brodeur (G, NJ) suffering an elbow injury that’s expected to keep him out of action for up to four months, Khabibulin could be on the move to New Jersey. If traded to the Devils, he’ll become the starter.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Between the lines
Kristian Huselius (LW, CLS) continues to prove that Columbus made a good decision in signing him in the off-season. He has five goals and five assists, along with 36 shots on goal. He is -5 on the season, but only than Rick Nash (RW, CLB) and the Blue Jackets’ top defensemen see more ice time. Huselius also plays on the top powerplay unit for Columbus. He has three games this week, so make him a starter in your lineup.
Derick Brassard (C, CLS) has taken over the team lead in scoring for Columbus. He’s still not getting enough ice time, but he’s putting up solid numbers with 12 points in 12 games. Brassard is most likely available in your league, and he is worth adding to your roster as a second or third-tier forward.
Notable injuries
Fredrik Norrena (G, CLS) is listed as day-to-day with a groin injury.
Watch list
Jakub Voracek (RW, CLS) is an early-season surprise for the Blue Jackets, with 10 points in his first 13 games. He has just 23 SOG in minimal ice time, but he’s making it count. Keep an eye on Voracek to see if he can sustain his play.
Detroit Red Wings
Between the lines
Marian Hossa (RW, DET) is off to a fantastic start, with a team-high 15 points through his first 12 games. He’s been on fire over the last several weeks, having a nine-game point streak snapped last week. Hossa is one of the better fantasy players, with 49 SOG, 12 PIMs, and a +7 rating. He’s also averaging just less than 18 minutes of ice time, and he plays on the team’s top power play unit. Look for Hossa to add to his season totals this week, with games against Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, and Florida.
Brian Rafalski (D, DET) is having a solid fantasy year so far in 2008-09, posting 12 points in as many games. He’s eating up over 22 minutes of ice time and plays on the powerplay alongside defensive partner Nicklas Lidstrom (D, DET). If you don’t have Rafalski on your fantasy team, you might want to deal for him, since he has a wealth of talent around him and is destined to have a great year in Detroit.
Notable injuries
Johan Franzen (RW, DET) remains out with a sprained knee but resumed practicing with the team over the weekend. Coach Mike Bab***** doesn’t expect Franzen to return to the lineup until the end of this week, so sit him on your bench until you see him return to the ice.
Watch list
Chris Osgood (G, DET) has been good this season but isn’t expected to get every start in net for the Red Wings. He’s played in eight of the first 12 games, posting a 5-1-2 record. His .884 SV% and 3.21 GAA are mediocre, and his very capable backup goaltender, Ty Conklin (G, DET), is getting starts as a result. Keep an eye on Osgood when the Red Wings play back-to-back games, such as this upcoming week.
Nashville Predators
Between the lines
Shea Weber (D, NSH) is red-hot and just can’t be stopped right now. He now has seven goals on the season, including two against Calgary in a wild 7-6 loss last week. Weber’s 14 points is good for a share of the league scoring lead among defensemen.
Jean-Pierre Dumont (RW, NSH) continues to be a solid fantasy player. He is a true setup man, with 14 of his team-leading 16 points coming as assists. He’ll continue to ride shotgun to Jason Arnott (C, NSH) and Martin Erat (RW, NSH) on the Predators’ top line, and look for him to keep it going this week with three games on the schedule.
Notable injuries
None
Watch list
Martin Erat (RW, NSH) is having a solid season and has earned his spot on Nashville’s top line with Jean-Pierre Dumont and Jason Arnott. He’s recorded 13 points in 13 games and is playing over 18 minutes per game, including top-line duty on the man advantage. Erat will be challenged this week with road games against San Jose, Anaheim, and Los Angeles.
St Louis Blues
Between the lines
Keith Tkachuk (C, STL) has cooled off after a strong start. He has 10 points but just one assist on the season. Tkachuk does have 33 SOG and 12 PIMs, but he’s -6 so far this season. He’ll be challenged this week with games against Buffalo, Chicago, and Montreal.
Andy McDonald (C, STL) has decent numbers so far in 2008-09, but his poor +/ rating is a result of his team’s current struggles, and it translates into mediocre fantasy value. He’s shooting the puck and has received the most ice time of any Blues forward, but until St. Louis turns things around, McDonald’s value may not increase.
Notable injuries
Paul Kariya (LW, STL) left last week’s game against Anaheim with a lower body injury.
Manny Legace (G, STL) is close to returning to the lineup after being sidelined with a hip injury. Coach Andy Murray expects Legace to be back this week.
Watch list
Brad Boyes (RW, STL) is -9 on the season, and the potential loss of Paul Kariya to injury could affect his fantasy numbers. Keep an eye on Kariya’s injury this week; it should affect your decision on whether to start or sit Boyes.
NORTHWEST DIVISION:
Calgary Flames
Between the lines
Miikka Kiprusoff (G, CGY) is not having the best start to the season. He’s raised his record to 8-5-1, but his .895 SV%, and 3.14 GAA are not quality fantasy numbers for one of the top goalies in the league. He’s earning wins but seems to be giving up goals in bunches. Kip will be tested this week with games against Toronto and San Jose.
Jarome Iginla’s (RW, CGY) s
low start to the season is ancient history. He’s racking up points in every game, and his fantasy value is up there with the best of them; 8 goals, 18 points, 16 PIMs, and an average of 22 minutes of ice time. He has a short week with just two games on tap, but there’s no way you can take him out of the lineup.
Notable injuries
Matthew Lombardi (C, CGY) continues to be shelved with an upper body injury.
Watch list
Mike Cammalleri (LW, CGY) has been replaced by Rene Bourque (LW, CGY) on Flames’ top line, having been shifted to the second line with Daymond Langkow (C, CAL) and Todd Bertuzzi (RW, CAL). His production might not necessarily drop, because he should see the same amount of ice time. Keep an eye on Cammalleri’s play this week.
Colorado Avalanche
Between the lines
Peter Budaj (G, COL) is not having a good season in Colorado. He’s recorded a 3-7 record and a very poor 3.40 GAA and .874 SV%. Backup Andrew Raycroft (G, COL) isn’t faring much better, so it might be a safe assumption that Budaj will continue to get the majority of starts.
Milan Hejduk (RW, COL) is tied for the team lead with 13 points, but his fantasy numbers took a beating last week – he recorded just one point and was -5 in his last two games, with just three shots on goal. He’ll be challenged on the road this week with games against Vancouver and Edmonton.
Notable injuries
Joe Sakic (C, COL) is listed as day-to-day with a strained lower back.
Watch list
Paul Stastny (C, COL) has cooled off from a solid start to the season. He’s still averaging over 21 minutes of playing time, but he has just two points in his last five games and is -5 over that span. Stastny needs to increase his SOGif he expects to light the lamp more often. With a short schedule this week, you might have a better option on your fantasy roster.
Edmonton Oilers
Between the lines
Ales Hemsky (RW, EDM) is really rolling lately, scoring four goals in his last three games, and now leads Edmonton in scoring. His recent outburst has been a long time coming for this talented young player. Ride the hot hand this week with three games on the schedule.
Sheldon Souray (D, EDM) continues to lead all Edmonton defenseman with 10 points and has rebounded nicely from last season’s injury. He’s averaging over 25 minutes of ice time and is a mainstay on the powerplay, so make sure Souray is in your lineup this week.
Notable injuries
Denis Grebeshkov (D, EDM) has been placed on Injured Reserve with an upper body injury.
Watch list
Dustin Penner (RW, EDM) is now playing on Edmonton’s top line. He’s off to a slow start, but that could change in a hurry with Penner playing next to a red-hot Ales Hemsky. Keep an eye on him this week to see if he sticks on that line.
Minnesota Wild
Between the lines
Niklas Backstrom (G, MIN) has flip-flopped wins and losses in his last five games, but with eight wins, he ranks third in the league. He has an outstanding 2.21 GAA and a solid .931 SV% to go along with one shutout. Start him this week with two home games against Phoenix and Columbus.
Mikko Koivu (C, MIN) has cooled off after a terrific start to the season. He has notched just two points and was -2 in his last five games. He does take a ton of shots on goal and has a beefy 22 minutes of average ice time. Consider sitting him during this two-game week.
Notable injuries
Marian Gaborik (RW, MIN) remains day-to-day with a lower body injury. The extent of the injury has not been disclosed.
Watch list
Andrew Brunette (LW, MIN) has just two points and is -3 in his last five games. He has nine points in his first 12 games but has taken just 15 shots on goal. His fantasy value at this point isn’t very high. Consider him a second or third-tier fantasy player.
Vancouver Canucks
Between the lines
Henrik Sedin (C, VAN) continues to set the offensive pace in Vancouver. He has five points and 13 shots on goal in his last five games. Expect Sedin to keep it going on the Canucks’ top line.
Roberto Luongo (G, VAN) has three shutouts and four wins in his last five games. He now has four total shutouts on the season, which is tops in the NHL, and his eight wins are tied for third in the league. He’ll have a solid opportunity to add to these impressive numbers with home games against Colorado and Toronto.
Notable injuries
Pavol Demitra (RW, VAN) is expected to be sidelined for another 2-to-3 weeks with fractured rib cartilage.
Watch list
Mason Raymond (LW, VAN) has raised his game of late, posting four points in his last five games. He’s racked up 40 SOG and is playing on Vancouver’s top line. Raymond should get consideration as a potential pick up at LW and should be available in your fantasy league.
PACIFIC DIVISION:
Anaheim Ducks
Between the lines
Jean-Sebastien Giguere (G, ANH) has won four of his last five games and is really leading the way for Anaheim as they rebound from a poor start to the season. His GAA is down to 2.83 and his .916 SV% is solid. Look for Giguere to add to these totals this week against Nashville and Los Angeles.
Ryan Getzlaf (C, ANH) is one of the hottest players in the league. He has 12 points in his last five games and is now tied for third in league scoring. He has 25 PIMs and is +5 on the season, and he is averaging over 18 minutes of playing time. Expect Getzlaf to continue to roll.
Notable injuries
None
Watch list
Corey Perry (RW, ANH) is another player who’s caught fire of late. He has notched nine points in his last five games, including eight PIMs and +5 during that span. Keep and eye on Perry to see if he can continue his excellent play.
Dallas Stars
Between the lines
Marty Turco (G, DAL) is in a season-long slump. He has the worst SV% and GAA of any starting goalie and has just three wins in 10 games played. Until he finds his game, keep Turco securely fastened to your bench.
Brenden Morrow (LW, DAL) has played well of late and now has 12 points in 12 games. He has seven points in his last five games, while earning 10 PIMs and recording 21 SOG over that span. Morrow has three games on tap this week, so keep him active.
Notable injuries
Jere Lehtinen (RW, DAL) is expected to return to the lineup after missing the first part of the season with a groin injury.
Sergei Zubov (D, DAL) is out indefinitely after off-season hip surgery.
Watch list
Mark Parrish (RW, DAL) was signed by the Stars and has already seen action with his new team. If he gets paired up with an offensive center, he may be worth picking up in your league, but Parrish is still just a marginal fantasy player.
Los Angeles Kings
Between the lines
Jason LaBarbera (G, LA) will continue to get the nod in net for Los Angeles, but his fantasy numbers are not good. He’s recorded just three wins in his first
10 games, and his GAA and SV% rank in the bottom third of the league. If you have LaBarbera on your team, bench him or cut him loose.
Anze Kopitar (C, LA) is another struggling talent for the Kings. He’s notched two points in his last five games and isn’t getting enough SOG to find the back of the net. He’s still averaging over 21 minutes of ice time, but he still isn’t producing much.
Notable injuries
Jack Johnson (LW, LA) underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and is expected to be out until early February.
Watch list
Dustin Brown (LW, LA) is ice cold right now. He has just one point in his last five games and is just not getting it done. He plays four times this week, so he’ll have a chance to get things going, but consider sitting him next week if he doesn’t pick it up.
Phoenix Coyotes
Between the lines
Shane Doan (LW, PHO) has eight points in his last five games and is now the team leader in scoring. He’s still not taking as many shots as you’d like to see, but he has seven goals in 11 games. Keep him in your lineup this week with games against Columbus, Minnesota, and Dallas.
Peter Mueller (RW, PHO) had hoped to have a bigger impact early in this season, but it’s just not happening for him. He’s struggling with just four points in his last five games and has seven points in his first 11 games. Consider sitting Mueller until he shows some sign of consistency.
Notable injuries
None
Watch list
Olli Jokinen (C, PHO) has three goals in his last five games but should be producing more overall. He has just four points in his last five games and has seen his SOG total dip over the last three games. He’s playing around 19 minutes per game and sees time on the Coyotes’ man advantage.
San Jose Sharks
Between the lines
Ryane Clowe (LW, SJ) has started to find his game of late. He’s been one of San Jose’s hottest offensive players, registering six points in his last five games. He’s another player who might be out there for the taking, so pick him up if you have room on your roster.
Devin Setoguchi (RW, SJ) has six points in his last five games and has propelled to the top of the Sharks’ scoring list. He may still be available in your league, so pick him up and get him into your lineup this week.
Notable injuries
Evgeni Nabokov (G, SJ) left last week’s game against St. Louis with a groin injury after making a game-winning shootout save. Keep an eye on his condition this week.
Watch list
Jonathan Cheechoo (RW, SJ) is now struggling to regain the scoring touch he had earlier in the season. He has just one point in his last five games and has taken just 14 SOG during that stretch. He’s a second or third-tier fantasy player, so don’t expect much from him right now.
Note: Statistics are current as of November 6, 2008.
E-mail Joe Cutroni at jcutroni@rotoexperts.com if you’d like to talk hockey and more hockey!
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