Quick note: If there wasn’t an obvious storyline for today’s Daily Dose, I was probably going to run with some dopey “April Fools” gimmick for this column. Since the idea has legs for at least one more day, drop me an e-mail or let me know on Twitter if you think that’s a good idea. If there’s an overwhelming argument one way or another, I might (or might not) do it.
One other note: Brian Rosenbaum’s running a trade deadline-related Rotoworld chat between 5-6 p.m. ET on Wednesday. It will be a great way to get instant analysis of that (hopefully?) crazy day’s events if you want to make moves on the fly.
OK, now that we’ve got those PSAs out of the way, let’s “sink our teeth” into the big story of the weekend. (Sorry.)
SECOND BIGGEST OUCH
In what turned out to be the second most gruesome sports injury clip of the weekend,* Sidney Crosby took a one-in-a-million Brooks Orpik shot to the choppers.
Actually, in a weird hockey way, the “choppers” might have been a “better” scenario. Instead, Crosby’s jaw was also broken - he didn’t just lose some teeth - meaning that he’ll have a much higher chance of missing significant time.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are only saying that he’s out indefinitely, and that’s reasonable. This is one of those cases when it really does take a little while to figure out how wrong everything really is; he also underwent what sounds like legitimate surgery, so I’d bet they want to make sure he avoids infections before unleashing him in the germ-infested ecosystem that is an NHL locker room.
(Seriously, those guys spread flus like nobody's business.)
Anyway, I would say that in all likelihood, you’re going to be without Sidney Crosby in the fantasy playoffs. They’re coming up for many of us, so that’s a real tough break.
Still, you (presumably) got to the playoffs because of your ability to think on your feet, read Rotoworld and the Daily Dose and deal with injuries anyway, right? It’s not just because you made a slight gamble that Crosby would be healthy up until this point … right? Right?
Well, even if you’ve been riding him (or Chris Kunitz) like a mule, I’ll try my best to help you stave off disaster. Just don’t expect me to find you a guy who has almost as many assists as Steve Stamkos has points, OK?
To make this within the realm of moderate reason, I’m going to look at a few categories that Crosby dominates and see if there a few free agents who can fill that need.
ASSISTS/POINTS
Matt Cullen - Look, I’ve mocked Cullen for being a contract year guy, but so what? He’s having a great season, especially since February rolled around; I’d say he’s an underrated reason why the Minnesota Wild have gotten it together.
After scoring just two points in seven January games and building up with nine points in 12 February contests, Cullen scored 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 15 March contests. It seems obvious that he has great chemistry with Devin Setoguchi, so ride that train to productivity.
CULLEN - OWNED IN JUST 15 PERCENT OF YAHOO LEAGUES
Brandon Saad - Much like Cullen, I think there is a lot to be gained with guys who’ve had red-hot months like Brandon Saad. Most fantasy leagues have that sort of search “filter,” so use that for your own purposes - even if you’re not trying to salve Crosby wounds.
Anyway, Saad is “sexier” in some ways than Cullen because he plays for the Chicago Blackhawks, although I’d be more comfortable with the Wild forward because he seems more clearly planted in a key role.
That is evident in his split stats. Saad had zero points in six January games, four points in 13 February games and then exploded for 15 in 14 March contests. Why not see if he can keep riding that wave? If not, drop him for someone else who’s hot.
SAAD - OWNED IN JUST 17 PERCENT OF YAHOO LEAGUES
Jump for other Crosby category stuffers
* - I haven’t actually seen footage of the NCAA player whose shin apparently shattered through his leg, so I’m not going to pull an old school Internet messaging move by linking it on you. Instead, you should click on that PSA link because it’s amazing. (He-Man!)
Quick note: If there wasn’t an obvious storyline for today’s Daily Dose, I was probably going to run with some dopey “April Fools” gimmick for this column. Since the idea has legs for at least one more day, drop me an e-mail or let me know on Twitter if you think that’s a good idea. If there’s an overwhelming argument one way or another, I might (or might not) do it.
One other note: Brian Rosenbaum’s running a trade deadline-related Rotoworld chat between 5-6 p.m. ET on Wednesday. It will be a great way to get instant analysis of that (hopefully?) crazy day’s events if you want to make moves on the fly.
OK, now that we’ve got those PSAs out of the way, let’s “sink our teeth” into the big story of the weekend. (Sorry.)
SECOND BIGGEST OUCH
In what turned out to be the second most gruesome sports injury clip of the weekend,* Sidney Crosby took a one-in-a-million Brooks Orpik shot to the choppers.
Actually, in a weird hockey way, the “choppers” might have been a “better” scenario. Instead, Crosby’s jaw was also broken - he didn’t just lose some teeth - meaning that he’ll have a much higher chance of missing significant time.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are only saying that he’s out indefinitely, and that’s reasonable. This is one of those cases when it really does take a little while to figure out how wrong everything really is; he also underwent what sounds like legitimate surgery, so I’d bet they want to make sure he avoids infections before unleashing him in the germ-infested ecosystem that is an NHL locker room.
(Seriously, those guys spread flus like nobody's business.)
Anyway, I would say that in all likelihood, you’re going to be without Sidney Crosby in the fantasy playoffs. They’re coming up for many of us, so that’s a real tough break.
Still, you (presumably) got to the playoffs because of your ability to think on your feet, read Rotoworld and the Daily Dose and deal with injuries anyway, right? It’s not just because you made a slight gamble that Crosby would be healthy up until this point … right? Right?
Well, even if you’ve been riding him (or Chris Kunitz) like a mule, I’ll try my best to help you stave off disaster. Just don’t expect me to find you a guy who has almost as many assists as Steve Stamkos has points, OK?
To make this within the realm of moderate reason, I’m going to look at a few categories that Crosby dominates and see if there a few free agents who can fill that need.
ASSISTS/POINTS
Matt Cullen - Look, I’ve mocked Cullen for being a contract year guy, but so what? He’s having a great season, especially since February rolled around; I’d say he’s an underrated reason why the Minnesota Wild have gotten it together.
After scoring just two points in seven January games and building up with nine points in 12 February contests, Cullen scored 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 15 March contests. It seems obvious that he has great chemistry with Devin Setoguchi, so ride that train to productivity.
CULLEN - OWNED IN JUST 15 PERCENT OF YAHOO LEAGUES
Brandon Saad - Much like Cullen, I think there is a lot to be gained with guys who’ve had red-hot months like Brandon Saad. Most fantasy leagues have that sort of search “filter,” so use that for your own purposes - even if you’re not trying to salve Crosby wounds.
Anyway, Saad is “sexier” in some ways than Cullen because he plays for the Chicago Blackhawks, although I’d be more comfortable with the Wild forward because he seems more clearly planted in a key role.
That is evident in his split stats. Saad had zero points in six January games, four points in 13 February games and then exploded for 15 in 14 March contests. Why not see if he can keep riding that wave? If not, drop him for someone else who’s hot.
SAAD - OWNED IN JUST 17 PERCENT OF YAHOO LEAGUES
Jump for other Crosby category stuffers
* - I haven’t actually seen footage of the NCAA player whose shin apparently shattered through his leg, so I’m not going to pull an old school Internet messaging move by linking it on you. Instead, you should click on that PSA link because it’s amazing. (He-Man!)
(SOG)GY BOTTOMS
Justin Williams - Need a winger version of Saad/Cullen? Take Williams, who I’ve lightly recommended once or twice before.
He's another example of a guy who's a lot better lately than he has been overall. He had one point in January (six games), a solid seven in February (12) and now 16 in 17 contests in March. In a short season like this, a hot streak means more than in other situations, I’d say (but we shall see).
His 113 SOG are enticing, playing on a strong two-way team helps his plus/minus (+15) and he's just feisty enough to get in the box a bit (16 PIM). If you want a guy you could install and not need to monitor as much, I'd lean toward Cullen or Williams.
WILLIAMS - OWNED IN 61 PERCENT OF YAHOO LEAGUES
Peter Mueller - It’s hard not to root for Peter Mueller, or any guy who’s suffered from serious concussion issues (which, yes, gives him something in common with Crosby).
While he’s not a slam dunk in fantasy terms with just 16 points in 36 games, he’s intriguing if you want to get a talented guy who fires SOG. He has 113 so far this season (same as Williams), tying him for 14th in the NHL. If his luck starts to improve - he's connecting on just 6.2 percent of his attempts - he could be a sneaky addition. Again, though, I'd add Cullen, Williams and/or Saad first.
MUELLER - OWNED IN 5 PERCENT OF YAHOO LEAGUES
So, hopefully one of those four guys can help you out. At least a couple should be on the waiver wire. Naturally, I’ll keep my eyes open for more subtle finds.
QUICK HITS
The St. Louis Blues sent Jake Allen to the minors, ostensibly making Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott the dynamic duo. Adjust accordingly … Ryane Clowe still seems like he might get moved, which is merciful because he’s had a disastrous 2013 … Keep your eyes on your Buffalo Sabres because it sounds like almost anyone could get traded. And really, they should clean house; that team is an ugly, ugly mess … I wonder why the Detroit Red Wings wouldn’t shoot for a solid, talented winger like Ales Hemsky/etc? It almost seems stubborn. Then again, I thought they were a natural fit for Alexander Semin, so shows what I know … Dallas Stars Glen Gulutzan questioned his team’s, erm, intestinal fortitude last night, so maybe expect better efforts and/or extra PIMs from the PIM guys … Nazem Kadri and Joffrey Lupul might be bound to regress, but will it happen in April? Either way, the predictions about a Leafs playoff berth seem (deep breath) more than reasonable. The best-kept secret is that with all the Roberto Luongo rumors, their goaltending has actually been … pretty good.
INJURY BITS (full list)
Paul Martin’s modified recovery window is now 4-6 weeks, which might mean real-life playoffs. Fantasy? Not so much … Still no Marian Hossa or Patrick Sharp for Chicago on Sunday. Could they be back soon? … Henrik Zetterberg might have a groin injury. Mikael Samuelsson returned and was injured on Sunday. About the only good news for Detroit is that Johan Franzen finished that 7-1 Chicago blowout in one piece. Probably … Sounds like Chris Neil is dealing with a leg injury, after all. Maxime Talbot might also be out for a while with a skate blade-related issue. It seems like that freak issue’s happened a bit more this season, for some reason … Jason Demers is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury after taking a questionable hit on Thursday … The NHL handed Nate Thompson a two-game suspension … T.J. Oshie is day-to-day with a lower-body issue.