Players to Watch - Week 6

Tomas Fleischmann (C) – Washington
Has seen time on the top powerplay unit since his return.

Steve Reinprecht (C) – Florida
One of the only Panthers consistently producing at the moment.

Daniel Winnik (C) – Phoenix
The young center has 6 points in his last 5 games.

Phil Kessel (RW) - Toronto
Should make his Leafs debut this week providing some much needed finish to the line-up.

Erik Cole (LW) – Carolina
Returning from injury, hopes he can help jump start a stagnate Hurricanes offense.

Michael Grabner (RW) – Vancouver – 0G – 0A - 0PTS

Alex Goligoski (D) – Pittsburgh – 2G – 1A - 3PTS

James Wright (C) – Tampa Bay – 0G – 0A - 0PTS

Wayne Simmonds (RW) – Los Angeles – 0G – 0A - 0PTS

David Perron (LW) – St. Louis – 2G – 1A - 3PTS

Mark

Just Fantasy Hockey - Week 5 Goalie Report

HOT

Craig Anderson – Colorado
Leading the league in wins, Anderson is proving all doubters wrong. With 10 wins in 13 games, Anderson is posting a GAA of 1.97 and a save percentage of .940%. Fantasy owners should no longer be hesitant to start the budding star. If your league rewards GAA and Save % he is a high reward goalie at the moment.

Jose Theodore – Washington
Looking to rise above adversity, Theodore is proving he can still be a number one netminder in the NHL, and playing for the highly offensive Capitals doesn’t hurt either. Posting 3 wins in 8 games, Theo is also sporting a 2.47 GAA and a .922 save %. Even though is tandeming with Varlamov at the moment, he is still a must start in weekly leagues.

Ilya Bryzgalov – Phoenix
One of the biggest surprises of the year has been the play of the Phoenix Coyotes. Not one of the flashiest teams on the ice, their defense first way of playing is winning them games. Posting a league high 3 shutouts, Bryzgalov is one of the hottest goalies in the league. Owners should jump on him on the waiver wire if he is still available and ride him while he is hot.

Cold

Chris Osgood & Jimmy Howard – Detroit
The Red Wings have struggled early this season and their goaltending isn’t helping their cause. Allowing weak goals in the early minutes of games, both Osgood and Howard do not look like they are good enough to be number one goalies in the league. Until Detroit can start to shake the rust off and stop allowing early goals, keep the tandem on your bench and look elsewhere for goaltending help.

Roberto Luongo – Vancouver
The injury riddled Canucks can now add their all-star goalie to the injured list. Dealing with a hairline fracture to his ribs, Luongo is estimated out for a mere week. Even though he is a top flight goalie, Luongo has struggled this season posting 6 wins in 12 games and has a GAA 2.79 and a save % of .902. Look for Luongo to be on the shelf for more than a week and bypass Andrew Raycroft as a fantasy option.

Cam Ward – Carolina
After leading the charge to the Eastern Confernce finals last season, Ward has struggled early on this season. With 2 wins in 11 games, and posting a 2.83 GAA, fantasy owners are looking for other options. When on his game, Ward is a top goaltender in the league and should be played in all formats. Keep him in your line-up as he is bound to turn things around.

Mark

Just Fantasy Hockey - Weekend Forecaster

Thursday October 1st

Washington at Boston
These two teams finished 1-2 in the East last year. While Boston lost only 6 games at home in 2008-2009, one of them was to the Capitals. The only other time these two teams met last year, Boston won in overtime. It will be an early test for both Thomas and Theodore/Varlamov, as both high-powered offences should come out swinging.

San Jose at Colorado
Colorado’s only highlight may be when Joe Sakic’s number is raised to the rafters. Look for San Jose to come out firing as they try to erase the memory of last year’s early playoff exit. San Jose won all four meetings vs Colorado last year. You might want to rest Budaj if you have him in your league.

Friday October 2nd

Philadelphia at Carolina
Ray Emery and Chris Pronger make their Flyers’ debut as Philadelphia tries to improve on last years’ 99 point season. Last season, three out of the four games between these two teams went to overtime, however the Flyers took both games at the RBC Center. Look for Pronger to make a statement in his first game with the Orange and Black.

Saturday October 3rd

Pittsburgh at New York Islanders
If you own an Islander goaltender, you should bench them for this game. Week 1 of most fantasy leagues will run for ten days instead of the typical 7 and you should have ample opportunities to get your starts in later in the week. Islanders had the third worst GAA last year, and when you factor in Malkin, Crosby and company, you have a perfect storm. Start all your Penguins as this could get ugly.

San Jose at Anaheim
San Jose will love to get an early crack at Anaheim after the Ducks upset the President trophy winners last year in the first round of the playoffs. For those owners who have Nabakov this should be a good preview on what to expect. This should be a tight-checking game and a great goaltending battle between Hiller and Nabby.

Brian

Southeast Division Sleepers

Atlanta – Bryan Little (C) – Making a huge impression last year, Little was a factor playing in all situations in Atlanta. Even with the Thrashers bringing in Antropov in the off-season, Little should still play on the top line with Russian snipe Ilya Kovalchuk. A rise in last years stats should be expected.

FEARLESS FORECAST – 82 GP – 27 G – 35 A – 62 PTS

Carolina – Tuomo Ruutu (C) – Not a household name by any means, Ruutu has settled in his role in Carolina nicely. A top 6 forward in Carolina, Ruutu quietly compiled 79 PIMs and 54 points in 79 games last season. Expect Ruutu to repeat his numbers once again and add depth to your fantasy roster.

FEARLESS FORECAST – 80 GP – 27 G – 28 A – 55 PTS

Florida – Michael Frolik (C) – A successful rookie campaign last season helped the Panthers attempt to reach the playoffs for the first time in years. Without many highly skilled forwards in Florida, Frolik automatically becomes a top 6 forward which will help him add to his 45 points in 79 games. He should be able to overcome the sophomore slump this year.

FEARLESS FORECAST – 82 GP – 22 G – 29 A – 51 PTS

Tampa Bay – Steven Stamkos (C) – The highly touted rookie started slowly out of the gate last season. With further experience and a stable atmosphere in Tampa, Stamkos will be able to elevate his game and move from sleeper to keeper in no time. Stamkos heated up late in the season last year and scored 46 points in 79 games.

FEARLESS FORECAST – 80 GP – 25 G – 40 A – 65 PTS

Washington – Brooks Laich (C) – The Capitals possess some of the most exciting young players in the game to date. Besides the obvious stars, Brooks Laich has slowly become a contributor in Washington. With 53 points in 82 games, Laich should improve his number from last season. At any given time during the season he will be the second line center as Brendan Morrison does not have what it takes to keep up any longer.

FEARLESS FORECAST – 82 GP – 26 G – 34 A – 60 PTS

Mark

Carolina Hurricanes Round-Up

The Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed Erik Cole to a 2 year, $5.8 Million dollar contract and re-signed Tuomo Ruutu to a 3 year, $11.4 Million dollar contract.

GM Jim Rutherford wasted no time re-signing two key components that helped lead the Hurricanes to the conference finals. Not an overly offensive team, Carolina is geared towards playing more of a team concept which has proven successful. Coach Paul Maurice has made the most of his opportunity being behind the Hurricanes bench once again. Look for Carolina to be a force again next season.

Erik Cole – Being traded back to Carolina was a blessing for Cole and his fantasy owners. Once he was traded, he lined up on the top line and not only played a big role in Carolina’s playoff run but chipped in at almost a point per game. Not a keeper any longer, Cole should be looked at in later rounds as a decent depth pickup.

Tuomo Ruutu – After his trade from Chicago, Ruutu looked to fit right in on the top lines in Carolina. He was able to net 54 points in 79 games and net 79 PIMS to his totals. He should be looked at as a depth winger next season that will contribute points and PIMS to your totals. Look to draft him in later rounds as he isn’t a household name.

Mark

Hurricane Warning

No one was quite ready for the storm they saw brewing for weeks leading up to the playoffs. The Carolina Hurricanes were one of the hottest teams heading into the post-season and it didn’t stop there. They were able to squeak out two game 7 winners which included defeating top seeded Boston. With a team of fantasy depth players, Carolina specializes playing a team game rather than relying mainly on their star Eric Staal. Goaltender Cam Ward was able to elevate his game once again and make the league take notice.

Ray Whitney – At 36 years old, Whitney continues to put up close to a point per game. GM’s keep wondering if he can continue this pace or will he be a wasted pick. Whitney had 77 points and played in all 82 games this past season. Look for him to have similar numbers and consider him a great addition on your wing or as a keeper if you have a weaker team.

Eric Staal – The young star really seemed to step up his game in the playoffs. With 75 in 82 games, Staal is a number one center on any fantasy team and should be drafted after the top stars are taken. A young keeper for years to come.

Tuomo Ruutu – After his trade from Chicago, Ruutu looked to fit right in on the top lines in Carolina. He was able to net 54 points in 79 games and net 79 PIMS to his totals. He should be looked at as a depth winger next season that will contribute points and PIMS to your totals.

Rod Brind'Amour – This ageless wonder looked like he took a step back last season. Having 50 points in 80 games, Brind’Amour is still a faceoff wizard and excellent for roto leagues in that category. He has limited fantasy value in other formats and should be a waiver pickup if needed.

Sergei Samsonov – It appears that Samsonov has once again found his ability to play hockey. After bombing in other cities, Samsonov looks like he may have found a home and possibly a place in fantasy hockey once again. A streaky scorer, Samsonov is merely a depth player that can be had on your waiver wire.

Erik Cole – Being traded back to Carolina was a blessing for Cole and his fantasy owners. Once he was traded, he lined up on the top line and not only played a big role in Carolina’s surge towards the playoffs but chipped in at almost a point per game. Not a keeper any longer, Cole should be looked at in later rounds as a decent depth pickup.

Joe Corvo – Owners that decided to keep Corvo from last season were excited about the prospect that this blueliner, with a booming slapshot, was the top dog in Carolina. With only 38 points in 81 games, owners were disappointed with his fall from grace. Look for Corvo in mid-rounds as he should be available and should repeat his totals from last year.

Anton Babchuk – After spending last season in Russia, Babchuk’s return to the NHL was a pleasant one. With 35 points in 72 games, Babchuk was able to step up his game towards the end of the season. Look for Babchuk to hit 40 points next season and keep him on your radar as he may fall to later rounds in your draft.

Joni Pitkanen – Entering his prime as an NHL dman, Pitkanen has already played on 3 teams. There have been questions about his commitment to the league and being able to elevate his game to the next level. A top 4 dman, Pitkanen netted 33 points in 71 games. Look at him as a depth guy as he has fallen down the depth chart in Carolina.

Chad LaRose –Came out of nowhere to score important goals and throw his weight around in the playoffs, LaRose became an important player on the Hurricanes and made owners take notice. Having little fantasy value, LaRose is a great role player and can create room for any player he plays with.

Cam Ward – By far the MVP of the Hurricanes, Ward carried the team to a post season birth and into the semi-finals. Ward has fantastic ability and is a top goaltender in the league. He is the number one goalie on his team and owners should draft him with confidence that he will play the majority of games in Carolina.

Mark