Posts Tagged ‘national hockey league’
Fantasy Hockey This Week: Western Conference
Fantasy Hockey This Week: Western Conference
Written by Joe Cutroni,? Rotoexperts.com Staff Writer
October 26, 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:
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Chicago Blackhawks
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Between the lines
Patrick Kane (RW, CHI) has four goals and four assists through the first seven games and is being rewarded with over 20 minutes of ice time per game. He’s tied for the team lead in points and shots on goal, so keep him in your starting lineup with a busy schedule this week.
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Patrick Sharp (LW, CHI) couldn’t have asked for a better start, recording five goals and five assists in the first seven games. If he keeps it up, he’ll surpass his 62-point campaign of a season ago. He’s too hot to even consider pulling him out of your lineup.
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Notable injury
James Wisniewski (D, CHI) had off-season knee surgery and is out until December.
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Watch list
Jonathan Toews (C, CHI) just can’t find the back of the net so far this season, even with a healthy 24 shots on goal. He has to break out of this drought sooner or later, so start him this coming week with games against Minnesota, Dallas, and Columbus.
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Columbus Blue Jackets
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Between the lines
Rick Nash (LW, CLB) expects to have a good season, and he’s already jumped out to five goals in his first six games played. Columbus’ top player is averaging over a hefty 22 minutes of ice time and will continue to be a big part of most of the team’s power play time.
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Kristian Huselius (LW, CLB) leads the Blue Jackets in scoring with seven points through the first seven games. He’s found a nice home alongside Rick Nash and will continue to play on the man advantage. Look for Huselius to have another strong week.
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Notable injuries
None
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Watch list
R.J. Umberger (C, CLB) hasn’t gotten off to the start he would have liked with his new team. If you’ve started him these first few weeks of the season, you know how unproductive he’s been. Umberger is still looking for his first goal, and his two assists are nothing to brag about. Think about sitting him until he starts showing signs of productivity.
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Detroit Red Wings
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Between the lines
Johan Franzen (RW, DET) has started the 2008-09 season right where he left off last spring. He’s scored four goals in his first six games and has now scored 32 goals in his last 38 games, including last year’s playoffs, where he posted 13 goals in 16 games. Franzen is hot, so keep him in your starting lineup.
Brian Rafalski (D, DET) continues to pace Detroit, leading the team in scoring with seven points in his first six games. If he keeps this up, he’ll challenge Nicklas Lidstrom (D, DET) for the Norris Trophy consideration. Keep him in your lineup, since he barely gets off the ice.
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Notable injury
None
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Watch list
Tomas Holmstrom (RW, DET) has six goals in his first six games and is really stepping up his game. He has four road games this week against Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Jose, and Vancouver. Keep him in your lineup until he shows signs of slowing down.
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Nashville Predators
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Between the lines
Jean-Pierre Dumont (RW, NSH) is happy to see his linemate Jason Arnott (C, NSH) return from injury. His production slowed down a bit last week but should pick right back up for Nashville’s leading scorer. Keep him in your lineup this week, and he should rebound for you.
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Shea Weber (D, NSH) continues to shine in the Music City, recording three goals and five assists through his first eight games. He gobbles up ice time for the Predators and is always involved in scoring plays when on the ice. If you were smart enough to draft him, take a bow and keep this young gun in your lineup.
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Notable injury
None
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Watch list
Jason Arnott (C, NSH) posted a goal and an assist in his return to the Predators lineup last Thursday. He’s firmly planted on Nashville’s top line and power play unit and is a must start in your lineup.
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St Louis Blues
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Between the lines
Keith Tkachuk (C, STL) has a six-game scoring streak and is one of the biggest surprises in the NHL so far this season. He’s posted seven goals on just 22 shots and chipped in 10 penalty minutes. Ride Tkachuk’s hot streak this week as he plays a couple of home games against Carolina and Pittsburgh.
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Paul Kariya (LW, STL) leads the Blues in scoring with 10 points, of which nine are assists. He’s a perfect setup man for Brad Boyes (C, STL) and is a solid acquisition if you don’t already have him on your team.
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Notable injury
Chris Mason (G, STL) had emergency appendectomy surgery on October 16 and is expected to be sidelined for a week.
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Watch list
Brad Boyes (RW, STL) has five goals and is starting to heat up for the surprising Blues. If you can pair him up with Paul Kariya, it might turn into a great move over the course of the season.
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NORTHWEST DIVISION:
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Calgary Flames
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Between the lines
Mike Cammalleri (C, CAL) is back on the top line alongside Jarome Iginla (RW, CAL) and Todd Bertuzzi (RW, CAL). Make sure he’s in your starting lineup this week when he faces mediocre opponents in Colorado, Boston, and Los Angeles.
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Todd Bertuzzi (RW, CAL) is a player who might be available in your league. If he’s still out there, grab and slot him into your starting lineup. He leads the team in goals scored with five, has ten penalty minutes, and has been promoted to Calgary’s top line.
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Notable injuries
None
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Watch list
Daymond Langkow (C, CAL) is tied for second in scoring on the team with six points through the first seven games, but he’s no longer on Calgary’s top line. Keep an eye on him; his production may be affected by the move.
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Colorado Avalanche
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Between the lines
Paul Stastny (C, COL) is off to a terrific start and is becoming one of the best setup men in the game today. He’s recorded 10 points in his first six games, including nine helpers, and earns every bit of his 21+ minutes of ice time. He will lead Colorado all season long, so Stasney would be a very valuable asset should you choose to acquire him.
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Milan Hejduk (RW, COL) now has six goals on the season and continues to show the NHL that he hasn’t lost his scoring touch. He’s a shooting machine and plays over 21 minutes per game. Milan has a lot of jump to his game right now, so keep him in your lineup.
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Notable injuries
None
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Watch list
Joe Sakic (C, COL) just keeps going. He’s off to a good start in his final season, with seven assists in his first six games. He continues to play alongside Wojtek Wolski (LW, COL), who has started to pick up his game. Unless you must sit him, keep a starting slot available for Sakic.
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Edmonton Oilers
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Between the lines
Ethan Moreau (LW, EDM) is maximizing his 15 minutes of ice time each night. Scoring in Edmonton is done by committee and Moreau is part of the group. He’s tied for the team lead with four points, yet he doesn’t take too many shots. He makes for a good start right now.
Sheldon Souray (D, EDM) is starting to make the injury-shortened season of a year ago become a distant memory. He’s back contributing to the offense and striking fear in the opposition when on the power play. If he stays healthy, Souray could finish in the top 10 in defenseman scoring and will be in high demand in fantasy leagues.
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Notable injuries
None
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Watch list
Sam Gagner (RW, EDM) continues to struggle for the Oilers. In fact, he’s yet to record a point in his first five games. He’s averaging over 18 minutes of ice time per night but just can’t get things going. Keep him on the bench until he starts to pick up his game.
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Minnesota Wild
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Between the lines
Mikko Koivu (C, MIN) continues to lead Minnesota in scoring with nine points and is as hot as they come. He’s taking advantage of the nearly 22 minutes of ice time he receives each night. Until he starts to slow down, keep him in your starting lineup.
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Antti Miettinen (LW, MIN) has five goals in his first four games. What’s impressive is that he’s only recorded 12 shots on goal. Keep him as a starter until Marian Gaborik (RW, MIN) returns to the lineup, since his quality ice time may be reduced.
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Notable injuries
Marian Gaborik (RW, MIN) remains day-to-day with a lower body injury. The extent of the injury has not been disclosed.
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Watch list
Marek Zidlicky (D, MIN) as been activated from injured reserve and should be ready to go for this week. He’ll be busy with four games coming against Chicago, Dallas, Montreal, and Phoenix.
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Vancouver Canucks
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Between the lines
Ryan Kesler (C, VAN) has three goals and four assists in his first seven games, good for a share of the team lead in scoring. Start him this week as he’ll play four times, with games against Boston, Los Angeles, Anaheim, and Detroit.
Alex Burrows (LW, VAN) isn’t known for his scoring touch, but he has notched six points in six games and is shooting the puck more than normal. He’s also posted 14 penalty minutes.
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Notable injury
Pavol Demitra (RW, VAN) will be sidelined for 3-to-4 weeks with fractured rib cartilage.
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Watch list
Henrik Sedin (C, VAN) is off to a good start, pacing himself with a point-per-game so far this season, but he just lost his linemate Pavol Demitra for the next month. Keep an eye on Sedin to see if his production tails off.
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PACIFIC DIVISION:
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Anaheim Ducks
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Between the lines
Francois Beauchemin (D, ANH) has recorded three goals in the first seven games and only trails Scott Niedermayer (D, ANH) in average ice time. With Anaheim struggling offensively, Beauchemin has been a refreshing player. Keep him in the lineup with a busy schedule this week.
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Jean-Sebastien Giguere (G, ANH) is starting to show signs of rebounding from a slow start. Although he’s only recorded two wins on the season, his save percentage and goals against average aren’t bad, plus he faces a ton of shots. He’ll get the chance to improve his numbers this week with games against Columbus, Detroit, Vancouver, and Calgary.
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Notable injuries
None
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Watch list
Ryan Getzlaf (C, ANH) is not only struggling; he’s just flat out cold. He’s yet to score a goal through six games and has just one assist. Three of next week’s four games come at home, which may be able to jumpstart Getzlaf’s season.
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Dallas Stars
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Between the lines
Mike Modano (C, DAL) has shown that age isn’t slowing him down. He’s notched three goals and four assists through eight games and is still earning over 18 minutes of ice time per night. Modano is a good pickup and might have slipped through the cracks in your fantasy draft. If so, grab him now before he’s gone.
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Mike Ribeiro (C, DAL) was reunited with his linemates Brenden Morrow (LW, DAL) and Loui Eriksson (RW, DAL) last week and didn’t waste any time kickstarting his game. He notched a career-high five points in one game against the Islanders and is starting to return to last season’s form. He’s a must start next week with games against Minnesota, Chicago, and Boston.
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Notable injuries
Jere Lehtinen (RW, DAL) was close to returning to action last week but did not accompany his teammates on their three-game road trip. He’s still day-to-day.
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Sergei Zubov (D, DAL) is out indefinitely after off-season hip surgery.
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Watch list
Sean Avery (LW, DAL) isn’t off to the start Dallas had hoped. He has just two assists through eight games, although he has racked up 31 penalty minutes. It might be time to stop counting on him offensively and cut him loose.
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Los Angeles Kings
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Between the lines
Anze Kopitar (C, LOS) is struggling right now, posting just three points in his first five games. He’s too good of a player to stay off the box score and might get things going this week with games against Vancouver and Calgary, two teams that have given up a large amount of goals.
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Patrick O’Sullivan (LW, LOS) has two goals, one assist, and has a +4 rating in his first four games since ending his contract holdout. With almost two weeks of games now under his belt, look for O’Sullivan to improve on his numbers and have a strong week.
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Notable injuries
Jack Johnson (LW, LOS) underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and is expected to be out until early February.
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Watch list
Michal Handzus (C, LOS) has quietly jumped out to the team lead in points and is being rewarded for it with a large amount of ice time. He’s put up two goals and three assists in five games and is averaging over 18 minutes on the ice. Keep an eye on Handzus in your league, since he’s most likely available.
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Phoenix Coyotes
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Between the lines
Olli Jokinen (C, PHO) continues to get it done for Phoenix, leading the team in points with seven. He’s averaging just a touch under 19 minutes of ice time per game, plays on the Coyotes’ top line and power play unit, and will continue to post solid fantasy numbers all season long.
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Shane Doan (LW, PHO) has four goals in six games so far this season. He’s also racked up 25 penalty minutes and 20 shots on goal, both solid fantasy numbers. He’s worthy of a starting slot in your lineup and could add to a good start with home games against Pittsburgh and Minnesota this week.
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Notable injuries
None
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Watch list
Kyle Turris (D, PHO) has been held scoreless after jumping out to four points in his first three games. He’s not getting a lot of ice time yet, and with a light schedule for Phoenix this week, you might want to sit him.
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San Jose Sharks
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Between the lines
Patrick Marleau (C, SJ) is on a roll and is San Jose’s scoring leader through seven games. He’s notched four goals, has posted four assists, has taken 26 shots on goal, and is averaging over 22 minutes of ice time per game. Start him this week with games against Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Colorado.
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Devin Setoguchi (RW, SJ) has been brilliant for the Sharks so far this season. He has seven points and is making the most of the roughly 15 minutes of ice time per game. Expect Setoguchi to continue to play well as the Sharks look to keep up their pace in the Pacific Division.
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Notable injuries
Torrey Mitchell (C, SJ) is out until late November with a broken left leg.
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Watch list
Joe Thornton (RW, SJ) hasn’t found his scoring touch yet, wilth no goals and just 11 shots on goal. He has six assists through seven games and averages over 21 minutes of ice time per game, so keep Thornton in your lineup in hopes he regains his goal scoring touch.
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E-mail Joe Cutroni at jcutroni@rotoexperts.com if you’d like to talk hockey and more hockey!
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KEYWORDS: rotoexperts, rotoexpert, roto, experts, fantasy, sports, hockey, NHL, advice, analysis, attitude, fantasy hockey, rankings, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp,, Marian Gaborik, Jason Arnott, Jonathan Toews, Rick Nash, Patrick Marleau, Mike Ribeiro, Pavol Demitra, Mike Modano.
Hedican Signs with Ducks.
The Anaheim Ducks added more veteran depth to their defense corps? today, signing unrestricted free agent defenseman Bret Hedican to a one-year, $870,000.00 contract.
Sportsnet.ca reports this move was done to fill the void left by the trading of Sean O’Donnell to the LA Kings. The Ducks waived and demoted veteran blueliner Ken Klee, whom they acquired in September from the Atlanta Thrashers in the Mathieu Schneider trade, which freed up $1.25 million in cap space and thus made the signing of Hedican possible.
I’ve been reminded that Klee has yet to be demoted and even if he is his salary will still count against the Ducks’ cap as he’s over 35.
Hedican has spent 16 years in the NHL and spent the last six with the Carolina Hurricanes, where he helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2006.
The 38-year-old has been traditionally a good two-way blueliner, but he’s been hampered by injuries throughout his career. Last season he played 66 games for the Hurricanes, scoring 2 goals and assisting on 15 others
It appeared that age and injureis were starting to catch up with Hedican over the past two seasons and the Hurricanes opted not to re-sign him this summer.
Perhaps the extra time off might help to rejuvenate his game after having over 7 months to recuperate and train.
OHL Hockey – A World of Hockey Talent
The Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League make up the Canadian Hockey League. Each junior hockey league holds there own draft of players and also take part in what is called the CHL Import Draft to now provide junior hockey talent world wide. Many CHL players are selected to play for Team Canada Hockey, Team USA Hockey, World Junior Hockey teams as well as drafted into the National Hockey League.
Which NHL player am i?
Heres another Hockey Trivia question to keep those minds thinking.
I Played for the toronto maple leafs before being traded to the LA kings, he was a "Pesky Checker" the kind of guy teams didnt want to meet He was the Ontario Hockey League Scholastic Player with the Guelph Platters.
More clues will come after 5 wrong answers.
OMG! how did you get it?! aahhhh, to much detail! but i didnt give to much detail.. how'd you do it? 
mike WINS
John McIntyre.
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Damn I'm good… lol! jk. I got first. Almost too easy, lol.
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I just found a list of Winners of the Scholastic Player of the year award, and the only guy on it that played for the Platers (it's Platers not Platters) was John McIntyre, then I checked his playing career on hockeydb.com and he played for the Leafs, then the Kings. So, bulls eye. Uber pwnage! LOL
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Who gave the thumbs down??? And why?
