Normally, my advice is to have Zen-like patience with your players. Martin Brodeur tying the all-time record for losses is evidence that even the best and brightest struggle from time to time.
Here’s the rub: the “best and brightest" is an exclusive group, though. With that in mind, the fun and experimental parts of your roster should be in the depth spots. It’s rarely wise to drop a guy you drafted in the top 50 or so, but what about fringe guys you chose in round 12 (possibly with an adult beverage or seven in your system)?
In the grand scheme of things, it hurts a lot less to make a wild swing for a streaking player if you simply drop a replaceable forward, your worst defenseman or a mediocre goalie to make it happen. I might even recommend low-level changes merely to entertain fantasy owners with a lot of time to kill. (Just make sure that you can quickly tab over to your "work" when your boss approaches your cubicle.)
GO AHEAD AND JUMP ON THE MIKE SMITH BANDWAGON … LIKE, NOW
Almost every fantasy league has a disproportionate amount of stat categories devoted to goalies; some even have half. Maybe that matches up with reality in a way (goalies can make or break a team more than any one skater), but what it really means that owners must stock up on options in net.
Let me bring your attention to a player you should pick up under almost any circumstance, then: Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith.
Stopping 39 out of 40 shots against the Colorado Avalanche on Nov. 2 could end up being Smith's coming out party to many fantasy owners, so this might be your last chance to snatch him as a free agent. One roster spot is a tiny price to pay if he really does blossom in Dave Tippett’s defensive system. Smith is 5-2-2 in 2011-12 and his overall numbers are impressive, but it’s what he’s done in the last 4 games that should gain your attention. Come to think of it, his save percentage falls in line with what Ilya Bryzgalov managed in his years as the Coyotes' franchise guy, so there's some reason to dream big.
Does that mean that Smitty will be so strong all season long? Most would probably bet "No," but he’s a) clearly the top guy in Phoenix and b) currently available as a free agent in a lot of leagues. This is about as low-risk, high-reward as you get a month into a fantasy season (at least as far as already-established goalies are concerned). Honestly, I don’t care if your team is already strong in net, either. You can never have enough strong goaltending in fantasy hockey, even if one or more of your netminders end up being glorified trade bait.
Ultimately, if the idea of getting Bryzgalov-lite for nothing more than a roster spot doesn’t entice you, then I don’t know what will.
Normally, my advice is to have Zen-like patience with your players. Martin Brodeur tying the all-time record for losses is evidence that even the best and brightest struggle from time to time.
Here’s the rub: the “best and brightest" is an exclusive group, though. With that in mind, the fun and experimental parts of your roster should be in the depth spots. It’s rarely wise to drop a guy you drafted in the top 50 or so, but what about fringe guys you chose in round 12 (possibly with an adult beverage or seven in your system)?
In the grand scheme of things, it hurts a lot less to make a wild swing for a streaking player if you simply drop a replaceable forward, your worst defenseman or a mediocre goalie to make it happen. I might even recommend low-level changes merely to entertain fantasy owners with a lot of time to kill. (Just make sure that you can quickly tab over to your "work" when your boss approaches your cubicle.)
GO AHEAD AND JUMP ON THE MIKE SMITH BANDWAGON … LIKE, NOW
Almost every fantasy league has a disproportionate amount of stat categories devoted to goalies; some even have half. Maybe that matches up with reality in a way (goalies can make or break a team more than any one skater), but what it really means that owners must stock up on options in net.
Let me bring your attention to a player you should pick up under almost any circumstance, then: Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith.
Stopping 39 out of 40 shots against the Colorado Avalanche on Nov. 2 could end up being Smith's coming out party to many fantasy owners, so this might be your last chance to snatch him as a free agent. One roster spot is a tiny price to pay if he really does blossom in Dave Tippett’s defensive system. Smith is 5-2-2 in 2011-12 and his overall numbers are impressive, but it’s what he’s done in the last 4 games that should gain your attention. Come to think of it, his save percentage falls in line with what Ilya Bryzgalov managed in his years as the Coyotes' franchise guy, so there's some reason to dream big.
Does that mean that Smitty will be so strong all season long? Most would probably bet "No," but he’s a) clearly the top guy in Phoenix and b) currently available as a free agent in a lot of leagues. This is about as low-risk, high-reward as you get a month into a fantasy season (at least as far as already-established goalies are concerned). Honestly, I don’t care if your team is already strong in net, either. You can never have enough strong goaltending in fantasy hockey, even if one or more of your netminders end up being glorified trade bait.
Ultimately, if the idea of getting Bryzgalov-lite for nothing more than a roster spot doesn’t entice you, then I don’t know what will.
MILLER TIME ISN’T NOW
After his silver medal performance in the 2010 Olympics, Ryan Miller’s about as bullet-proof as a highly paid goalie can get. He doesn’t seem to have a vest for whatever the Philadelphia Flyers shoot at him, though, as he’s been pulled in his last two games against the Broadstreet Bullies.
After shutting out the Florida Panthers, Miller lost 4 games in a row, culminating in getting pulled less than 7 minutes into Wednesday’s game. It’s obvious that now is not the time to panic with Miller; in fact, don’t be shocked if he comes back with a vengeance. Just keep an eye on when exactly that will happen, though. It wouldn’t be shocking if Jhonas Enroth gets a start or two after his perfect relief stint against Philly.
LUPUL PROVES THAT KESSEL ISN’T THE ONLY REBOUNDING LEAF
It’s easy for Phil Kessel to get all the attention for Toronto’s torrid run. After all, the oft-criticized sniper leads the NHL with 20 points.
While he’s a few strides behind his frequent linemate, Joffrey Lupul’s hat trick should gain some attention for his surprisingly strong start too. The frequently traded winger improved his 2011-12 totals to 8 goals and 14 points in 12 games.
Oh yeah, and if you want a different free agent risk, try Tim Connolly. He played about 17 minutes and earned 2 assists last night, so it might be enjoyable to give him a shot before he inevitably breaks apart again.
HOTNELL
Scott Hartnell is a true fantasy hockey treasure – and not just because of jokes regarding his Brillo-like hair. He’s a regular threat for 20-30 goals along with about 150 PIM.
The penalties haven’t been there yet (14 PIM so far), but that’s because he’s too busy dominating with the Flyers’ top line of Claude Giroux and Jaromir Jagr. The super pest is enjoying what might be the best stretch of his solid career, with 5 goals and 10 points in his last 5 games.
Even if he eventually gets demoted, Hartnell will likely produce in one category or another, but feel free to root for him to stick with that talented duo for as long as possible.
A DEVIL OF A DILEMMA
Martin Brodeur made his return to action on Wednesday and did little to squash the claims that Johan Hedberg is the team’s “real” starter. (Brodeur did make a nifty save, though). He allowed 5 goals on just 23 shots as the New Jersey Devils were bludgeoned by those streaking Leafs.
Brodeur seemed like a really intriguing “Buy low” candidate in fantasy drafts considering his tremendous reputation, lower round availability and the Devils’ larger body of work as contenders aside from 2010-11. You’re not even totally off base for claiming him if he’s an unlikely free agent right now for the sheer possibility of a killer bargain.
For anyone who actually drafted him, this is a troubling situation, though. Hopefully Brodeur is just rusty, but the Devils don’t really have a large margin of error to work with here. At worst, Hebderg should at least be the Devils' 1B if logic trumps nostalgia.
RNH VS. LANDESKOG
Ryan-Nugent Hopkins won October’s rookie of the month, but I think Gabriel Landeskog will be more valuable over the entire season. It’s not just because I think the red-hot Oilers attack is bound to slow down a bit, either. The thing that jumps out at me is Landeskog’s shots on goal: 46 (which more than doubles Hopkins’ 22). While many other top-scoring rookies are scoring on about 20 percent of their shots – numbers bound to drop – Landeskog’s at a sustainable 8.7 percent. In fact, he could do some special things if those pucks start hitting the net a bit more and teammates like Matt Duchene get their acts together.
RANDOM VRBATA
Some players just “work” dramatically better on one team. Erik Cole seems to flounder unless he’s skating alongside Eric Staal. Radim Vrbata seemed lost when he wasn’t wearing a Phoenix Coyotes uniform but is a solid performer whenever he’s in the desert.
He’s scored 7 of his 10 points in the last 3 games, so maybe you already missed out on his hot streak. Still, he’s been a pretty steady 20 goal scorer in Phoenix and isn’t shy about peppering the net with about 3 shots per game. You don’t have to get attached, but if you like to ride the waves of momentum, then maybe it’s time to give Radim a random try.
INJURY SNIPES
Duncan Keith is day-to-day with a hand injury … Steve Ott’s hip “bump” might cause him to miss action, although he has until Friday to heal up … Chris Pronger is now listed as week-to-week with his eye issues … Troy Brouwer’s shoulder is acting up again. (Click here for the full injury list.)