Hockeycentric Fantasy Focus: November 5th 2009

In this week’s Fantasy Focus, some veterans struggle and the young guns are looking good.

We take you through last week’s notable player performances:

WHO’S HOT

F – Steven Stamkos – 4 GP, 4 goals and 1 assist
F – Corey Perry – 3 GP, 5 goals and 1 assist
F – Scott Hartnell – 2 GP, 2 goals and 4 assists
F – James van Riemsdyk – 2 GP, 1 goal and 4 assists

D – Tomas Kaberle –3 GP, 1 goal and 5 assists
D – Zach Bogosian – 3 GP, 3 goals
D – James Wisniewski – 2 GP, 4 assists and a +3 rating

G – Andrew Raycroft – 4 GP, 3-1, .935 SV%, 1.5 GAA and 1 shutout
G – Pekka Rinne – 2 GP, 2-0, .965 SV%, 1.00 GAA and 1 shutout
G – Chris Osgood – 2 GP, 2-0, .976 SV%, 0.50 GAA and 1 shutout

WHO’S COLD

F – Brian Rolston – 4 GP, 1 goal, and -2 rating
F – Ryan Callahan- 3 GP, 0 points, -1 rating
F – Michael Ryder – 4 GP, 0 points, even rating

G – Carey Price – 2 GP, 0-2, 0.875 SV% and 8 GA
G – Pascal Leclaire – 2 GP, 0-1-1, .878 SV% and 4 GA
G – Alex Auld – 2 GP, 0-1-1, .853 SV% and 9 GA

D – Derek Morris – 4 GP, 0 points, -2 rating
D – Kevin Bieksa – 4 GP, 0 points, -4 rating
D – Paul Mara -3 GP, 0 points, -3 rating

WAIVER WATCH

Getting points on a struggling team is hard to do, but Mikhail Grabovski has been productive for the Leafs as of late. The Belarussian centreman has 1 goal and 3 assists in his last 3 games.

With the way the Washington Capitals are playing these days, having any of their players on your fantasy team is a step in the right direction. Brooks Laich is worth a look, as he has put up 2 goals and 6 points in his last 4 games.

If Rich Peverley is still available in your pool, get him NOW. He is absolutely lighting it up, with 2 goals and 4 assists in only 3 games played last week.

Marian Hossa is approaching a return, perhaps as early as late-November, so keep an eye on his status.

DROP IT LIKE IT’S HOT

Brent Sopel
Players on your fantasy team need to put up points consistently, or they are not worth keeping. Sopel isn’t a popular player, but if you still have him on your roster get rid of him. With 0 points and a -3 rating in his last 12 GP, he isn’t doing you any favours.

Jonathan Cheechoo
When Cheech was sent to Ottawa as part of the Dany Heatley deal, many though that he would be able to his find 56 goal form from 2005-06. Unfortunately, he only has 2 assists in 12 games, and actually looks worse than last season.

Marek Svatos
If Svatos can’t score on an Avs team that is playing way above their expectations, when they play like they are supposed to he will be dreadful. 3 goals, 1 assist and a -7 rating in 15 GP isn’t good enough.

Johan Hedberg
With Kari Lehtonen out for an extended period of time, Hedberg had a chance to steal the starter’s job. He has appeared in 3 games, with a 1-1 record after being pulled in a 5-4 loss to the Capitals. Ondrej Pavelec will see most of the starts from now on after his 50 save effort last week.

INJURY REPORT

Alex Ovechkin
Ovi’s “upper body injury” shouldn’t keep him out of the lineup, but after missing only 4 games in his 5 year career, could this be the start of his injury troubles?

Mikka Kiprusoff
Day-to-day with a flu bug, doesn’t appear to be H1N1. If you have another goalie, start him in place of Kipper for now.

Eric Staal
Expected to miss about a week with an upper body injury. This is the last thing the Hurricanes need on a 9-game losing streak. Matt Cullen is now the #1 centre…yikes.

Jonathan Toews
Toews is still experiencing post-concussion symptoms and there is no date set for his return.

Hal Gill
Expected to miss 2-3 weeks with a broken foot, Mathieu Carle should step up in his absence.

Simon Gagne
The Flyers learned this week that they will be without Gagne for 6-8 weeks while he has surgery on hernias in his right groin. Ouch. David Laliberte has jumped to the second line in his absence and is handling his duties very well.

Evgeni Malkin
The Conn Smythe Winner will be out 2-3 weeks with a strained right shoulder, but the Penguins appear to be just fine without him. Jordan Staal gets the number 2 centre position, but don’t expect his numbers to jump; he’ll be playing with Chris Bourque and Ruslan Fedotenko.

Check back Thursday mornings every week for the Fantasy Focus, and don’t forget to check out our line combos section, updated throughout the week.

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