The Montreal Canadiens have re-signed Christopher Higgins C/LW and Mike Komisarek D to two year deals.
Higgins had 13 points in his first 13 games last year before a bad ankle injury put him out of action. He never looked the same after coming back but fantasy owners should expect a huge increase in his point totals next season. He is a great leader and should see time in all situations on the ice.
Komisarek is a solid D-man to play for PIMs and SHPs. He will not be much value as a day-to-day roster player.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Tampa Bay finds hidden gem?
The Tampa Bay Lightning signed Jan Hlavac LW to a one year deal. They are hoping he molds with Richards on the second line to give them the scoring winger they need.
Hlavac has not played in the NHL since the lockout but his game fits the new NHL. Hlavac scored 20 goals and 31 points in 41 games for Sparta Praha of the Czech Elite League last season. He has played in the Czech league the last three seasons.
Could he be a cheap, hidden gem to help the Lightning? Time will tell, but he is going to get a chance at top six minutes. He might be a good sleeper pick in your pool. Don't draft him high but he might be worth a late gamble pick in deep leagues. While he did score 20 goals last season, he only scored 22 the two previous seasons.
Hlavac has not played in the NHL since the lockout but his game fits the new NHL. Hlavac scored 20 goals and 31 points in 41 games for Sparta Praha of the Czech Elite League last season. He has played in the Czech league the last three seasons.
Could he be a cheap, hidden gem to help the Lightning? Time will tell, but he is going to get a chance at top six minutes. He might be a good sleeper pick in your pool. Don't draft him high but he might be worth a late gamble pick in deep leagues. While he did score 20 goals last season, he only scored 22 the two previous seasons.
Philadelphia Flyers sign Niittymaki
The Philadelphia Flyers signed Antero Niittymaki to a two year deal. Niittymaki was a RFA this summer and many felt with the addition of Biron he might not return. Niittymaki has made it clear he wants to be a starter and not a back up. That makes me wonder why he would ink a two year deal. He might have done it because he was coming off surgery of a hip injury or because he has reason to believe he can become the #1 guy in PHI.
Once called an "Uber prospect" Niittymaki has yet to see the success in the NHL that many felt he would. He is still young and has had to deal with injury, lack of playing time and a goalie coach who tried to completely change his form.
I think Niity is a better goalie than Biron and I think that given the fans and management in PHI, if you plan to draft Biron and count on him, you better draft Niity as well for insurance.
I would only see value in these two goalies in a keeper league. Neither will help most single season pools next season.
Once called an "Uber prospect" Niittymaki has yet to see the success in the NHL that many felt he would. He is still young and has had to deal with injury, lack of playing time and a goalie coach who tried to completely change his form.
I think Niity is a better goalie than Biron and I think that given the fans and management in PHI, if you plan to draft Biron and count on him, you better draft Niity as well for insurance.
I would only see value in these two goalies in a keeper league. Neither will help most single season pools next season.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Huselius wakes from nightmare...
...but sadly for Huselius the nightmare looks to be reality. The Calgary Flames are expected to announce today or tomorrow that they have signed Mike Keenan as head coach.
Keenan has built a reputation in his last few stops of ruining the young talent and trading away the future. Kristian Huselius was a prime example of this. Under Keenan he was criticized in the media and given next to no chance to succeed (in my opinion). The kid had a world of talent but nothing seemed to be working for him in Florida. Keenan traded Huselius to Calgary where he found instant success. After Huselius cooled down some, he continued to work hard and last season enjoyed a breakout season that left all flames fans thrilled with his game.
Now Huselius has to be wondering if all his hard work was for nothing. Will he and Keenan be able to bury the hatchet and work together? Time will tell because I don't see how Calgary could trade this kid.
Teams never seem to learn, and while Keenan could provide a spark to this team, his hard nosed style could also ruin the young kids and alienate the veterans. Fantasy owners now have to be worried about the development of prospects like Moss and Boyd who were considered to play a role with the Flames next season. It would also seem likely that underachieving Lombardi will soon fall out of favor with Keenan. Guys like Lombardi, with the skill to get 80 points who only net around 50, don't last long under Keenan's watch. Fantasy owners in keepers thought they hit the jackpot with Huselius last season, now they have to be very afraid of what his production might be. In single season pools I might pass on Huselius if there is a player of equal value available.
Keenan has built a reputation in his last few stops of ruining the young talent and trading away the future. Kristian Huselius was a prime example of this. Under Keenan he was criticized in the media and given next to no chance to succeed (in my opinion). The kid had a world of talent but nothing seemed to be working for him in Florida. Keenan traded Huselius to Calgary where he found instant success. After Huselius cooled down some, he continued to work hard and last season enjoyed a breakout season that left all flames fans thrilled with his game.
Now Huselius has to be wondering if all his hard work was for nothing. Will he and Keenan be able to bury the hatchet and work together? Time will tell because I don't see how Calgary could trade this kid.
Teams never seem to learn, and while Keenan could provide a spark to this team, his hard nosed style could also ruin the young kids and alienate the veterans. Fantasy owners now have to be worried about the development of prospects like Moss and Boyd who were considered to play a role with the Flames next season. It would also seem likely that underachieving Lombardi will soon fall out of favor with Keenan. Guys like Lombardi, with the skill to get 80 points who only net around 50, don't last long under Keenan's watch. Fantasy owners in keepers thought they hit the jackpot with Huselius last season, now they have to be very afraid of what his production might be. In single season pools I might pass on Huselius if there is a player of equal value available.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Sundin signed, Whats changed?
We all knew Mats Sundin would sign with Toronto. Now that its official, lets look at the fantasy impact.
Sundin will get plenty of SOG, power play time, short handed time and be at least a PPG player. The rest of the team? Guys like Steen, Stajan, Pohl will all be hurt by Sundin's monster ice. Antropov should see a bump in value as he was fitting in well on the wing last season. Wellwood and Ponikarovsky should also see an increase in production. Tucker is always a risky draft pick in my opinion but he should be good on the power play.
Bottom line, expect more of the same from Sundin and the Leafs unless they can land a UFA or a trade.
Sundin will get plenty of SOG, power play time, short handed time and be at least a PPG player. The rest of the team? Guys like Steen, Stajan, Pohl will all be hurt by Sundin's monster ice. Antropov should see a bump in value as he was fitting in well on the wing last season. Wellwood and Ponikarovsky should also see an increase in production. Tucker is always a risky draft pick in my opinion but he should be good on the power play.
Bottom line, expect more of the same from Sundin and the Leafs unless they can land a UFA or a trade.
Q & A Segment 6/13/07
If you are like me you are waiting for the draft and July 1st so we can get more hockey news! Lets pass the time with some Q&A.
Larry in the DOG
I'm in a 10 team keeper PIM league where we keep 3 players. What three will give me the best foundation?
My team:
Eliash
Bergeron
Kovalchuk
Tkachuk
Semin
Kariya
Horton
Pronger
Jovanovsky
Luongo
Hasek
Nabokov
Age is not that big of a deal since your league only keeps three each season. I loved what I saw from Semin last season but I want to see him do it again. If you can only keep three I want to keep the three I know will produce. Even though Elias had a slightly down year last season, I would keep him and Kovalchuk and then Luongo in net. Luongo is a top 3 type of goalie so you have to hold him. The rest of your players are easily replaced in the draft. LW is a hard position to fill, keeping Elias and Kovalchuk
Dave in Winnipeg
What will Yashin's value be next season?
Nothing if no one signs him! Look, I don't buy the negative hype that no team will touch him. Even at his age he is still a highly skilled player. Work ethic aside, some team will think they are the team that will turn it around. He could end up on the top line for a team like ATL or WAS. Managers in your league will fear his age and injury history and all the negative press about him. When he drops in your pool, draft him! He always will provide your team with SOG and is capable of multiple point games. Yashin will start out hot and when he does, trade him. Age and the long season could slow him down, but he will be out to prove he deserves a better contract (as he is likely to sign a one year deal). He will look great the first month or two and thats when you sell him.
Grant in San Jose
I am a west coast kinda guy and even though Nashville is in the west coast conference I don't see them much. This guy keeps trying to trade me Hartnell for Morrow and telling me he will be bigger than Hart next year. If thats true he would keep him. Anyway, whats the real value of Hartnell?
Most leagues list Hartnell as a LW/RW each season. His versatility is nice in leagues that have specific positions. That said, Hartnell is not yet going to pass Morrow. We don't know how Morrow's wrist will be next year, but he looked fine at the end of the year and has all summer to get back into shape. Until I see where Hartnell signs and see him produce 35+ goals I would stick with Morrow. Hartnell is a decent trade for Morrow in a keeper league if you want to get younger, but Morrow should be just entering his prime. If you make the deal see if you can get something added to Hartnell. If you could get Hartnell for someone else, that would be a deadly combo in a PIM league!
Vance in Toronto
There is so much buzz about Carey Price in Montreal its driving me crazy! Should I try to unload Huet this summer? I hate having a Montreal goalie on my team and now I have to fear him losing his job?
I would rather you try to draft Price for insurance. However, if you can get a guy like Lundqvist back for Huet, I'd do it. Just don't sell Huet low because he could still be a Kipper type goalie.
Greg in Bridgeport
Will Bobby Ryan play next year in ANH?
If Selanne retires you can count on it. If not, I don't like his chances. I could see Ryan getting 5-10 minutes of ice time and being worked in slow. ANH does not need to ride youth since they have great young guys in the Perry-Getzlf-Penner line. Ryan once was thought to be keeper gold. Now he is turning into a keeper nightmare. He has the skill and the grit, keep holding him if you can.
Chance in Hamilton
Why don't you use pictures on this cheap ass site?
I go for meat on this site and not smoke and mirrors. If you want pics, go google some and lock your bedroom door.
Lefty
Will Tiger win the US Open this weekend? Would Tiger have a great slapshot?
Well lefty, I think your wrist is more sore than Chance's after googling pics of hockey players. Because of that I am putting my money on Tiger. I think Tiger is an athlete and could have a great slapper if he worked at it.
Phil
Should I sell Kiprusoff? I am not sure if Calgary will be good next year and if he leaves as an UFA he might go to a bad defensive team. I don't want to hold him too long and lose out.
If you are in a H2H league I would definitively try to trade Kipper if you can get a guy like Lundqvist or Miller in return plus a forward. If you can draft Josh Harding I would trade Kipper for a medium range filler type goalie and a stud forward. I would also check and see what the price of Luongo would be in your league.
The Hammer
Should I use my #1 pick in this years draft on Backstrom (MIN)? We are in a keeper and he was not kept.
I don't even need to know how many keepers, what type of league you are in or who your other goalies are. NO. With the overall number one you should try to get a more proven player. Even though Backstrom was inked 2 years with a NTC for the first year, I don't trust him. Yeah, I think he will do fine, but it would not take a lot to happen for things to go wrong in a hurry for him.
Gully in BK
I love my flame broiled. Should I go see the Silver Surfer? Oh, and who should I keep? Spezza or Cammalleri?
If you have a bigger need for assists I would take Spezza. Overall I actually like Cammalleri a little more. He was on Spezza's heals in the AHL during the lockout for scoring lead and last season he had almost as many points with a lot more SOG and more power play points. In a SOG league its Cami, hands down.
Thats it for this edition. Keep the questions flowing.
Larry in the DOG
I'm in a 10 team keeper PIM league where we keep 3 players. What three will give me the best foundation?
My team:
Eliash
Bergeron
Kovalchuk
Tkachuk
Semin
Kariya
Horton
Pronger
Jovanovsky
Luongo
Hasek
Nabokov
Age is not that big of a deal since your league only keeps three each season. I loved what I saw from Semin last season but I want to see him do it again. If you can only keep three I want to keep the three I know will produce. Even though Elias had a slightly down year last season, I would keep him and Kovalchuk and then Luongo in net. Luongo is a top 3 type of goalie so you have to hold him. The rest of your players are easily replaced in the draft. LW is a hard position to fill, keeping Elias and Kovalchuk
Dave in Winnipeg
What will Yashin's value be next season?
Nothing if no one signs him! Look, I don't buy the negative hype that no team will touch him. Even at his age he is still a highly skilled player. Work ethic aside, some team will think they are the team that will turn it around. He could end up on the top line for a team like ATL or WAS. Managers in your league will fear his age and injury history and all the negative press about him. When he drops in your pool, draft him! He always will provide your team with SOG and is capable of multiple point games. Yashin will start out hot and when he does, trade him. Age and the long season could slow him down, but he will be out to prove he deserves a better contract (as he is likely to sign a one year deal). He will look great the first month or two and thats when you sell him.
Grant in San Jose
I am a west coast kinda guy and even though Nashville is in the west coast conference I don't see them much. This guy keeps trying to trade me Hartnell for Morrow and telling me he will be bigger than Hart next year. If thats true he would keep him. Anyway, whats the real value of Hartnell?
Most leagues list Hartnell as a LW/RW each season. His versatility is nice in leagues that have specific positions. That said, Hartnell is not yet going to pass Morrow. We don't know how Morrow's wrist will be next year, but he looked fine at the end of the year and has all summer to get back into shape. Until I see where Hartnell signs and see him produce 35+ goals I would stick with Morrow. Hartnell is a decent trade for Morrow in a keeper league if you want to get younger, but Morrow should be just entering his prime. If you make the deal see if you can get something added to Hartnell. If you could get Hartnell for someone else, that would be a deadly combo in a PIM league!
Vance in Toronto
There is so much buzz about Carey Price in Montreal its driving me crazy! Should I try to unload Huet this summer? I hate having a Montreal goalie on my team and now I have to fear him losing his job?
I would rather you try to draft Price for insurance. However, if you can get a guy like Lundqvist back for Huet, I'd do it. Just don't sell Huet low because he could still be a Kipper type goalie.
Greg in Bridgeport
Will Bobby Ryan play next year in ANH?
If Selanne retires you can count on it. If not, I don't like his chances. I could see Ryan getting 5-10 minutes of ice time and being worked in slow. ANH does not need to ride youth since they have great young guys in the Perry-Getzlf-Penner line. Ryan once was thought to be keeper gold. Now he is turning into a keeper nightmare. He has the skill and the grit, keep holding him if you can.
Chance in Hamilton
Why don't you use pictures on this cheap ass site?
I go for meat on this site and not smoke and mirrors. If you want pics, go google some and lock your bedroom door.
Lefty
Will Tiger win the US Open this weekend? Would Tiger have a great slapshot?
Well lefty, I think your wrist is more sore than Chance's after googling pics of hockey players. Because of that I am putting my money on Tiger. I think Tiger is an athlete and could have a great slapper if he worked at it.
Phil
Should I sell Kiprusoff? I am not sure if Calgary will be good next year and if he leaves as an UFA he might go to a bad defensive team. I don't want to hold him too long and lose out.
If you are in a H2H league I would definitively try to trade Kipper if you can get a guy like Lundqvist or Miller in return plus a forward. If you can draft Josh Harding I would trade Kipper for a medium range filler type goalie and a stud forward. I would also check and see what the price of Luongo would be in your league.
The Hammer
Should I use my #1 pick in this years draft on Backstrom (MIN)? We are in a keeper and he was not kept.
I don't even need to know how many keepers, what type of league you are in or who your other goalies are. NO. With the overall number one you should try to get a more proven player. Even though Backstrom was inked 2 years with a NTC for the first year, I don't trust him. Yeah, I think he will do fine, but it would not take a lot to happen for things to go wrong in a hurry for him.
Gully in BK
I love my flame broiled. Should I go see the Silver Surfer? Oh, and who should I keep? Spezza or Cammalleri?
If you have a bigger need for assists I would take Spezza. Overall I actually like Cammalleri a little more. He was on Spezza's heals in the AHL during the lockout for scoring lead and last season he had almost as many points with a lot more SOG and more power play points. In a SOG league its Cami, hands down.
Thats it for this edition. Keep the questions flowing.
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