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Dropping major names due to an early-season slump is not recommended by 4 ½ out of five fantasy experts. If the individual in question is a proven performer – say, someone who has consistently been a star over the last few years – then he should be considered a long-term investment and treated as such. You wouldn’t throw away a diamond if it stopped sparkling for a few seconds, now would you? Ryan Getzlaf(notes) was a top-rated fantasy draft selection, but struggled early (three points in the first eight) and some may have thought about replacing him. That notion should have been clearly knocked aside by Getzlaf’s pedigree (231 points in 240 games coming into 2009-10) and recent performance (nine in the last six), but you have to admit there was a little bit of worrying. While not as impressive with the stats, Cristobal Huet(notes) was almost left for dead after a slow start and some spotty play. Cries for backup Antti Niemi(notes) were loud and the French goalie was supposed to be saying au revoir tout de suite. Instead, Huet has started the last four (3-1, five goals allowed) and has shown he still deserves to be the No. 1 in Chicago. The bottom line is to be careful with your transactions and, for the most part, be patient with your established players.
Uh oh, Ovie. Gary Bettman and other NHL execs must have fainted when they heard the Russian superstar would be out indefinitely. We’ve heard varied reports on his “upper-body” injury, with the low end having him miss as little as one more game all the way up to total torso reconstruction. Ovechkin says he’ll return by the weekend, but the Caps are figuring it’ll be two weeks on the shelf. But I’m not here to guess on injuries, so let’s move on to the possible fantasy implications. Consider Tomas Fleischmann(notes) or Brooks Laich(notes) the left-wing replacement on the top line, although the former seems to have a good thing going with Nicklas Backstrom(notes) and Alexander Semin(notes) (three in three) and the latter is already established on the man-advantage (six PPPs). Both should be bumped up a notch since either one will have a favorable short-term 5-on-5 role. Also take into account defender Tom Poti(notes), who is pegged to replace No. 8 on the point of the first power-play unit.
Look who is back near the top of the Western Conference standings. We missed you, Dallas; now try and keep the casualties to a minimum so you can stay there. Even though the Stars sit in seventh, three teams are ahead of them in the Pacific. Don’t worry about James Neal(notes) (eight goals, eight assists), since he’s most likely gone in your league (73-percent Yahoo!-owned). Physical time bomb Brenden Morrow(notes) is off to another fast start (13 in 14 with 20 PIM), but that’s what we said last season before he shredded his right knee 18 games in. Jamie Benn(notes) has impressed in his rookie run (10 in 14) and Fabian Brunnstrom(notes) is holding his own (seven), but keep an eye on injury returnee Jere Lehtinen(notes) and suspension magnet Steve Ott(notes). The Finnish veteran has only been involved in two games, but is scheduled to skate with Morrow and Mike Ribeiro(notes). While being a major pest to opponents, Ott still has the offensive skills (46 in 64 in 2008-09) to match his love of agitating opponents (282 combined PIM the last two years).
Maybe it has something to do with the state, but the Devils seem to perform better on the road (7-0) than at home (1-4). It’s no surprise they’re doing well defensively (28 goals allowed) with Jacques Lemaire back behind the bench and Martin Brodeur(notes) at 100 percent, although it would help if they added to their offensive totals (a measly 28 goals). Don’t tell that to power forward David Clarkson(notes) (nine points), who used to only be known for his aptitude finding the sin bin (still co-leads the squad with 20 PIM). Or to recent acquisition Rob Niedermayer(notes) (six), who was brought on more for his backchecking and grit. The attack has also been boosted by Nicklas Bergfors(notes) (also at six), who may finally be living up to the hype of being a first-round pick. And more help will come in the form of Patrik Elias(notes) (offseason groin surgery), who should make his debut before November is up.
With the talent they possess, Columbus should be faring much better. A lineup with a young core would be expected to have their share of slip-ups, so it may take a little longer for the Jackets to right the ship. All the pressure of instant success may be hindering Steve Mason(notes) (38 goals in 11 starts, .880 SV%), although he’s way too talented and level-headed to let that affect him. The early fanfare on Derick Brassard(notes) has waned, although he’s still a force on the power play (six of his eight points). Raffi Torres(notes) has also enjoyed his time with the extra attacker (four PPGs), while Anton Stralman(notes) isn’t complaining about the added minutes (four PPPs). Jakub Voracek(notes) is earning praise for his achievements as a 20-year old (third on the team with 10 points), while Nikita Filatov(notes) (one in eight) has regularly been alternating between the press box, the trainer’s room, and the fourth line.
This column has recently been ragging on subpar squads from the East, so we’ll head West for this week’s Scrub Club. Hello, Nashville, your welcome basket of rotten fruit will be arriving shortly. Maybe the Preds should receive a bit of love for notching three straight wins or at least elicit sympathy for being in a small market with a tight budget. But when scouring for potential dogs in this competitive conference, Nashville stands out as one who could easily find themselves in trouble down the road. Like every other club, they’ve endured their share of knocks. Their depth on D is the envy of the league, even with Shea Weber(notes) out for a week or two. Nashville’s main problem lies in their inability in putting the puck in the net (27 goals in 13), but at least they own a solid tandem of keepers who have split the load (although Pekka Rinne(notes) is reemerging as the favorite). J.P. Dumont(notes) (11 in nine) is the closest offensive candidate to a sure thing, with currently injured Jason Arnott(notes) right behind in second. David Legwand(notes) finally broke the goose egg (now at three points), Colin Wilson(notes) is battling hard but not seeing the results (two in 10), and you really can’t get too excited about Patric Hornqvist(notes) (three goals, five assists).
Evan Berofsky enjoys writing. Seriously. When he’s not trying to shove hockey miscellany down your throat, he gets his kicks playing tournament Scrabbleä . If you have anything to say about Evan’s work (or need any hot word tips), feel free to contact him at eberofsky@yahoo.com.
