You Rub My Back, I'll Rub Yours.

Montreal trades Guillaume Latendresse to Minnesoa for Benoit Pouliot.

A good deal for both teams as they swap once-promising youngsters in the hopes that a change of scenery will ignite a fire.

Fantasy Breakdown:

Guillaume Latendresse:
Latendresse stormed onto the scene in 2006-2007, scoring 16 goals as a 19 year-old. A big winger with good speed, Guillaume used his size to bang bodies and create space for him and his linemates. Latendresse has since battled injuries and hasn't progressed from that impressive rookie year. He has struggled this year with just 2 goals and 1 assist in 23 games averaging just 11:23 of ice-time a night.

Advice:
The change of scenery should help as he will no longer have to play under the microscope of Montreal. Watch him over the next few weeks to see if he can regain his confidence.

Benoit Pouliot:
The 2005 4th overall pick has developed at a snail's pace. Pouliot was tabbed as a poor man's Vincent Lecavalier in his draft year, a lanky, skilled centre that just needed to add some muscle. Although he never scored more then 65 points in the OHL, Pouliot was viewed as a late-bloomer who projected well as an NHLer. Since the draft, he has struggled to put up points at any level. Benoit had his best year statistically in the AHL last season with 24 points in 30 games. He earned a regular spot with the Wild this year but has struggled to take advantage of the opportunity with just 4 points in 14 games - averaging a mere 6:58 of ice-time.

Advice:
A quick start in Montreal could save his career, but we're betting against it. Keep an eye on Pouliot but he should be in the AHL by January.

Chris

Players to Watch - Week 4

Eric Belanger (C) – Minnesota
Increased responsibility playing on the top 2 lines in Minnesota.

Dustin Penner (RW) – Edmonton
Coach Quinn seems to have found the right mix for him to reach his potential.

Matt Moulson (LW) – NY Islanders
Playing on the top line and getting a lot of opportunities.

Clarke McArthur (LW) – Buffalo
Scoring important goals and playing on the top 2 lines.

Matt Carle (D) – Philadelphia

Paired with Pronger on the powerplay, will get points from the highflying Flyers.

Week 3 Results

Patric Hornqvist (RW) – Nashville – 0G – 2A – 2PTS
Jordan Staal (C) – Pittsburgh – 1G – 0A – 1PTS
Daniel Cleary (LW) – Detroit – 0G – 1A – 1PTS
Ryan Malone (LW) – Tampa – 2G – 0A – 2PTS

Steve Bernier (RW) – Vancouver – 0G – 1A – 1PTS

Mark

Training Camp Notes: September 21st

Curtis Glencross (LW), CGY – Once cast-away from Edmonton, Glencross has finally found a home in Calgary. He tallied 1 goal and 3 helpers while playing on the top line last night. At this point the left-wing position on the top line in Calgary is not set as Glencross, Bourque and Dawes fight to play with Iginla and Jokinen. Keep an eye out for the winner.

Martin Havlat (RW), MIN – Havlat played in his first game as a member of the Wild and it couldn’t have been sweeter. Playing against a weaker Blackhawks pre-seaoson team, Havlat still scored 2 goals and led his team to a shutout victory. Havlat still possesses magnificent skills and will average a point per game.


Jordan Eberle (C), EDM – The energetic 19 year old has been playing lights out since the beginning of training camp. His smallish size has made him a speedy offensive weapon that fits the Edmonton style of play. Held pointless, he has been arguably one of the top Oilers thus far in camp, out-playing some of the ‘skilled’ veterans.

Calvin De Haan (D), NYI – One of the surprises of June's draft, the Isles picked De Haan much higher then many scouts anticipated. So far in training camp, De Haan has looked poised but still green around the collar. The young d-man is an offensive threat and will one day be a top guy on the Islanders blueline. Keep an eye on him in long term keeper leagues as he would be the perfect compliment to Streit on that powerplay.

Mark

Sykora Signs in Minnesota

The Minnesota Wild have signed winger Petr Sykora to a 1 year, $1.6 Million dollar contract.

At 32, it seems as if Petr Sykora has been playing in the NHL forever. Joining his 6th team in 8 years, Sykora moves away from the Stanley Cup champion, Pittsburgh Penguins and the top scorers in the league, to Minnesota, where they are attempting to forge a new identity.

Over his many seasons, Sykora’s stats have had a terrible yo-yo effect. With 81 points back in 2001-02 with New Jersey, Sykora has only broke the 60 point mark one time after that. With moving to Minnesota, he will be playing with less skilled players which will affect his totals. A goal scorer by nature, Sykora should have no problem breaking the 20 goal mark. Look for him to score 45 points and grab him in later rounds of your draft as his fantasy value has fallen.

Get the Just Fantasy Hockey Forecaster for FREE with the Sykora's updated fantasy value HERE, or click the top right logo for instant download.

Mark

Northwest Division Sleepers

Calgary – Rene Bourque (LW) – Injuries hampered the speedy winger last season and held him to 58 games. With Cammalleri and Bertuzzi off to other teams, Bourque should now be the default winger on the top line. If Bourque can stay healthy and stays on the top line he will definitely surpass his 40 points from last year.

FEARLESS FORECAST – 70 GP – 26 G – 26 A – 52 PTS

Colorado – Kyle Quincey (D) – Another rookie that made an impact last year was Quincey. He was made expendable in Los Angeles this off-season because of their exceptional depth on defence. By moving to Colorado, Quincey will anchor the Avalanche powerplay and repeat his numbers in his sophomore season.

FEARLESS FORECAST – 75 GP – 6 G – 29 A – 35 PTS

Edmonton – Denis Grebeshkov (D) – The big Russian is another weapon on the Oilers already offensive blueline. A top four defenseman, Grebeshkov also helps out on the second powerplay unit as well. With 39 points in 72 games a repeat of his performance from last year is not out of the question.

FEARLESS FORCAST – 75 GP – 8 G – 34 A – 42 PTS

Minnesota – Marek Zidlicky (D) – Minnesota is stepping away from its defensive style of play and going offensive for the first time since coming into the league. Zidlicky is one player that will benefit from the changeover. Scoring 42 points in 76 games last season, a repeat in totals should be expected from the unknown defender.

FEARLESS FORECAST – 78 GP – 12 G – 31 A – 43 PTS

Vancouver – Alex Burrows (LW) – This hard-nosed and gritty winger not only can score goals but fights as well. He is the perfect compliment for the Sedins and their lack of physicality. Burrows scored 51 points last year and added 150 PIMs, a feat he will surely repeat this season.

FEARLESS FORECAST – 82 GP – 27 G – 26 A – 53 PTS

Mark

New Groin, New Groin

The New York Rangers have invested in Marian Gaborik's newly repaired groin by signing the Free Agent winger to a 5 year contract for $37.5 Million ($7.5 per).

Gaborik is the ultimate high-risk, high-reward Free Agent in this year's class. When healthy, he can be as electrifying as Alex Ovechkin...when healthy. Gaborik has played in over 65 games only once in the past 5 seasons. He has been haunted by groin issues that landed him on the IR for most of last season. Gaborik decided to have groin surgery to repair the chronic issues and thus played in only 17 games last year. That said, in those 17 games, Gabby scored 13 goals, 23 points - many thought he was the best player in the league down the stretch.

Fantasy Outlook: Gabby went for big money in New York and will now have to earn his paycheck. He is the dynamic player the Rangers have been missing since Jaromir Jagr left. While there isn't a great playmaker like Scott Gomez to get him the puck, Gabby should be able to open up after years of playing in Jacques Lemaire's Defensive system. The results could be electrifying and he should bump up the value of Rangers forwards Nik Zherdev, Brandon Dubinsky, Chris Higgins and Chris Drury. Look for Gabby to finally stay healthy and put up huge points - career highs. His injury problems should allow him to drop a little on draft day so target him in the 2nd and 3rd rounds of standard and keeper drafts.

Fearless Forecast: 78GP, 51G, 44A, 95 P

 

Chris

Going Wild

The Minnesota Wild have signed linger martin Havlat to a 6 year, $30 Million dollar contract.

Last season Havlat played a complete season for the first time in his career. In 81 games, Havlat scored 77 points and was a plus 29 rating. The dynamically talented Havlat meshed well with the young and talented Blackhawks and elevated his game in his contract year.

Fantasy Outlook: Faithful owners of Havlat should be pleased that he was able to play a full season and was close to a point per game pace. Look for Havlat to be a major contributor on the Wild’s top line and powerplay unit. His stats may take a step back due to the fact he is now secure with a new contract and will have to elevate his game with the lack of overall talent in Minnesota. Havlat is always an injury risk because of his history. Owners should consider him once the elite superstars have been selected in your draft.

Mark