Thursday, October 9, 2008

Fantasy NHL: Thoughts from Europe and Sleepers by Bobby Gottfried

Thanks for the contribution, Bobby.

So here we are. Opening NHL weekend (for most of the league). Time for me to go through some thoughts from preseason, the Europe games, and since I didn’t pick my sleepers before most drafts, I figured I’d also give you the names of some guys who are probably still available in your league who would be worth picking up.


First, lets start with the opening games in Europe. If you read any other fantasy websites you’ve probably already heard about Tyler Kennedy and Filip Kuba. If you haven’t, go pick them up right now. Injuries on the Penguins allowed Kennedy to play on a line with rising superstar Evgeni Malkin, and he took advantage. All he did was score two goals in the first game, including the overtime winner just seconds before the game went to a shootout. After two games he’s a healthy +2 and has 5 shots on goal. And if your league counts game winning goals, as mine does, he’s already shown he’s capable in that category.


Kuba looks like he’s going to be a beast on the blue line. He played over 25 minutes in both games overseas (close to 30 in one) and ran the point on what could turn into a solid power play. In 2 games he picked up 3 assists, 2 on the power play, so if your league counts power play points that’s a big plus. He only took 1 shot in the 2 games, but that won’t be the norm. He’s taken more than 100 shots in 6 of the last 7 seasons (2005-06), so he will shoot the puck. I don’t think his 3 points or his ice time were a fluke, and you should drop your worst defenseman for him right away.


I know I didn’t get a post in on my sleepers before most of you drafted, so here are some guys I’m high on this season that may still be available in your league.


R.J. Umberger – C – Blue Jackets

He had 50 points with the flyers last season, and now moves over to Columbus to center Rick Nash’s line. As long as he can hold his spot on that 1st line (and I don’t see him having too much competition there), he’ll put up numbers. Nash is ready to have a monster season and so you want anyone on the ice at the same time as he is. The only caveat with Umberger is that if he gets knocked off Nash’s line, get rid of him. The wing depth on the Blue Jackets is lacking, so he will have a lot more trouble contributing if he’s not on the ice with Nash.


Chris Clark – RW - Capitals

The Capitals captain was coming off a 30 goal season last year only to succumb to injury. First he nearly had his ear torn off by a puck, and if that wasn’t enough he injured his groin and was limited to 18 games last season. But he’s back healthy and ready to contribute again. Clark starts the season on the Caps 3rd line, where will play alongside veteran Michael Nylander and Tomas Fleischmann. He’ll also play on the Caps 2nd power play line with Ovechkin (who’s on both PP lines) and Mike Green. As long as someone wins a faceoff, the Caps 2nd PP line is as good as most teams’ 1st. Keep an eye on Clark to have a big year, and he gets penalty minutes too (43 of them in 18 games last season). Finally, if Viktor Kozlov gets hurt (he comes into the season with a nagging groin injury), Clark would take his place on the Caps top line playing alongside Ovechkin.


Alex Goligoski D – Penguins

Here’s a guy who was 2nd in scoring in the Calder Cup playoffs in the AHL last season (2nd overall, not among defensemen). Now he’s on the big club, and could have a big impact to start the year. He’ll be running the point on one line of a dangerous Penguins power play while Sergei Gonchar is out with the injury. The Pens power play actually looked to be in trouble until Goligoski scoring the only goal of the Penguins 2nd game with just 2 seconds left in the 3rd period with the man advantage. He has all the tools to pick up points from the blue line until Gonchar comes back. If he plays like he’s capable, he could also make a real statement towards running point on the 2nd power play line even when Gonchar comes back.


Eric Fehr – RW – Capitals

**Deep Leagues Only**

Fehr is a talented forward who’s succumbed to injuries the past few seasons. Unfortunately he got caught up in a numbers game this season with the Caps and will likely be a healthy scratch early in the season. Keep an eye on the team though, because if a forward goes down Fehr would likely take their spot and then would be worth a pickup. He has all the tools to put together solid numbers this season if given the chance to skate as a top 6 forward.


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