Last night's NHL entry draft was a little different than usual. We got to see why the buzz on this year was all about it being a bad draft year. The number one pick the last few seasons has been embraced and gushed over by the analysts, not the case last night. The number one pick had his flaws pointed out, and pick after pick the first things they brought up was what the players were lacking. Even players that were felt to be clear cut top picks fell, and the NYR and PIT Penguins are sure happy about that.
Most of the kids drafted last night are at least 2-3 years away from making a fantasy impact. In this article I will focus on the players that could have an impact next season. After the draft is completed, I will be doing a farm team report for those managers that have the ability to stash young players away for future use.
Patrick Kane RW - Chicago drafted him number one, and they made it clear he will have every chance available to make the roster next year. Sure this guy makes Tom Cruise look big, but his game has never been hurt by lack of size. Imagine Briere on the wing and thats what this guy can do. Now picture Toews and Havlat on his line to create space for him and look out! Kane may well struggle and even be sent to the AHL next season, but he is a must draft in keeper leagues and could even help single season pools next year. Kane is a pure goal scorer with great hands in tight and wonderful finishing ability.
Alexei Cherepanov RW - The top player at the world juniors fell all the way to number 17. Lack of a transfer agreement, rumblings of a bad work ethic and the fact that the Russian leagues can compete in salary with the NHL all factored into his fall. Cherepanov has said all along that he plans to play one more year in Russia and then come to the states. I am going to keep an eye on him because the NYR are so high on him they might try to change his mind. This is arguably the most NHL ready player in the draft and his offensive game is just sick. The kid has all the tools.
Angelo Esposito C - How does this guy fall to PIT? PIT needs a player that can bury the puck and play with Sid and Malkin and Esposito falls in their lap. Unreal! That said, he is a center and will need to learn to play wing. However, Malkin is proven at LW and down the road Esposito could go back to his natural position at center. PIT now has four great young centers for the future and will be able to get by if they lose one to the open market as a UFA. I highlight this kid because PIT is not afraid to play young kids, and this one is a talent. Esposito was projected to be the number one overall pick in this draft last year. The loss of Radulov from his team and the pressure he was under caused his game to suffer. Critics said he needed a skilled player to play with or he would not be as good. I think they have a few skilled guys in PIT! I also love that Patrick Roy thinks this kid is great. I know Roy was his coach, but he would not have said the things he did about Espo if he didn't believe them. That is huge in my book.
Turris, Hamil, Alzner, Gagner, vanRiemsdyk, Voracek are just a few of the other names that should have a fantasy impact in the future. These names and the rest of the key names in the draft could still be 2-3 years away from seeing the NHL. Many of the players are attending college next season. I will update these players as facts become available. All of them are decent farm team picks if you have a system where you can wait a few years on players to see who develops.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Florida gets the goalie they needed
The Nashville Predators continued their fire sale and dumped the salary of Tomas Vokoun to the Florida Panthers in exchange for three draft picks. Nashville is trying to re-stock youth and prospects for the future and save money for today. Nashville is also not very interested in putting a winner on the ice because they want to keep attendance down. If Nashville keeps attendance under 14,000 then they are allowed to move the team.
Florida's young talent has continued to get better, and under their solid defensive coaching look for Vokoun to shine. While Vokoun has had injury issues the last two seasons, he is still one of the elite goalies in the world. Vokoun is a great draft pick in any pool and in keepers leagues he is a must hold. I know Florida has not been a great team in the past, but Vokoun's numbers will be better on FLA then they would have been in NSH this season.
The move also makes Chris Mason the number one guy in NSH. I was impressed by his strong play last season, but I still remember two seasons ago when he was very inconsistent. He could get a shut out one night, then let in seven goals the next. Nashville is going to be a lame duck team next year, and they can talk about putting a winner on the ice without spending money, but the bottom line is they want to stink and not sell tickets. I would only draft Mason if you are very shallow in net.
Florida's young talent has continued to get better, and under their solid defensive coaching look for Vokoun to shine. While Vokoun has had injury issues the last two seasons, he is still one of the elite goalies in the world. Vokoun is a great draft pick in any pool and in keepers leagues he is a must hold. I know Florida has not been a great team in the past, but Vokoun's numbers will be better on FLA then they would have been in NSH this season.
The move also makes Chris Mason the number one guy in NSH. I was impressed by his strong play last season, but I still remember two seasons ago when he was very inconsistent. He could get a shut out one night, then let in seven goals the next. Nashville is going to be a lame duck team next year, and they can talk about putting a winner on the ice without spending money, but the bottom line is they want to stink and not sell tickets. I would only draft Mason if you are very shallow in net.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Ottawa Inks McAmmond
The Ottawa Senators have signed C/LW Dean McAmmond to a multi-year contract.
Don't look for this to increase his fantasy value. At best, McAmmond is a match up play.
Don't look for this to increase his fantasy value. At best, McAmmond is a match up play.
Avalanche Ink Arnason
The Colorado Avalanche signed center Tyler Arnason to a two year deal. Arnason was set to become a UFA, July 1st.
Arnason enjoyed a decent season in Colorado on the third line. He had decent SOG and moderate points. He could help in very deep pools but likely won't contribute enough to make him worth a draft or a keeper slot. I would try to use him as a match up player on nights you have an open roster spot.
Arnason enjoyed a decent season in Colorado on the third line. He had decent SOG and moderate points. He could help in very deep pools but likely won't contribute enough to make him worth a draft or a keeper slot. I would try to use him as a match up player on nights you have an open roster spot.
Roberts and Recchi sign
The Pittsburgh Penguins signed LW Gary Roberts and RW Mark Recchi to one year deals. Roberts will make $2.5 million and Recchi has an incentive laden contract worth a base of $2 million.
On a talented PIT team both old men will have decent fantasy value. Neither is the horse they used to be. If you draft them and they start off hot, trade them asap!
Recchi could skate with Sid again and see many multiple point nights like last season. In H2H leagues beware of both players wearing out at the end of the season when your playoffs role around.
On a talented PIT team both old men will have decent fantasy value. Neither is the horse they used to be. If you draft them and they start off hot, trade them asap!
Recchi could skate with Sid again and see many multiple point nights like last season. In H2H leagues beware of both players wearing out at the end of the season when your playoffs role around.
Chicago and Flames swap
The Chicago Blackhawks traded D-man Adrian Aucoin to Calgary in exchange for D-man Andrei Zyuzin. Aucoin waived his no trade clause to be moved to Calgary.
Expect no fantasy value from Zyuzin.
Aucoin enjoyed some of his best success playing under Keenan. He had 23 goals for Keenan and Vancouver in the 1998-1999 season. If healthy he could be a deadly pairing with Phaneuf on the power play.
I would not advise taking Aucoin early in any draft, but he could be a solid sleeper pick late.
Expect no fantasy value from Zyuzin.
Aucoin enjoyed some of his best success playing under Keenan. He had 23 goals for Keenan and Vancouver in the 1998-1999 season. If healthy he could be a deadly pairing with Phaneuf on the power play.
I would not advise taking Aucoin early in any draft, but he could be a solid sleeper pick late.
Toronto makes a splash!
The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired LW Mark Bell and goalie Vesa Toskala in exchange for their first and second pick in this years draft and a fourth round pick in 2009.
I have been saying all along I expected Bell to bounce back this season. With Sundin to lead him and a new environment to help escape last season I see more reason to expect big things from Bell in fantasy pools. Bell will continue to get his PIMs and get plenty of PP time in TOR.
Toronto is trying to work out an extension with Toskala, that sounds like more than just getting a guy to push Raycroft. I expect we could see Raycroft be dealt for a pick before July first, maybe as early as tonight.
Toskala and Raycroft could end up as a tandem, but Maurice likes to just ride one goalie. Raycroft owners should keep a close eye on this. If the situation is not resolved by your draft, I would not take Raycroft. Toskala is the safer pick, but I think both would put up the same numbers in TOR.
I have been saying all along I expected Bell to bounce back this season. With Sundin to lead him and a new environment to help escape last season I see more reason to expect big things from Bell in fantasy pools. Bell will continue to get his PIMs and get plenty of PP time in TOR.
Toronto is trying to work out an extension with Toskala, that sounds like more than just getting a guy to push Raycroft. I expect we could see Raycroft be dealt for a pick before July first, maybe as early as tonight.
Toskala and Raycroft could end up as a tandem, but Maurice likes to just ride one goalie. Raycroft owners should keep a close eye on this. If the situation is not resolved by your draft, I would not take Raycroft. Toskala is the safer pick, but I think both would put up the same numbers in TOR.
Ducks lock up Giguere
The Anaheim Ducks signed J.S. Giguere to a four year deal worth $24 million. For managers like me, this is the kiss of death to Bryzgalov ever playing the #1 role in ANH. Look for Bryz to be dealt this year, if not by tonight. Be patient with Bryz as he should become a number one this season, just too bad it won't be with the ANH team in front of him.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Carolina signs Scott Walker
The Carolina Hurricanes have signed power forward Scott Walker RW to a three year deal. After much talk of letting Walker test the UFA market, management quickly changed their tune when they saw the contract Scott Hartnell landed.
Walker is a great option in deep PIM leagues. While he is not the force he once was in fantasy, he can still load up the stats if he gets the ice time. Walker is often overlooked in most drafts and can be landed cheap.
Walker is a great option in deep PIM leagues. While he is not the force he once was in fantasy, he can still load up the stats if he gets the ice time. Walker is often overlooked in most drafts and can be landed cheap.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Chicago and Montreal deal
A couple days ago CHI traded Tony Salmelainen(LW/RW) and Jassen Cullimore(D) to Montreal for Sergei Samsonov (LW). Montreal has agreed to buy out Cullimore's contract.
Montreal got back a speedy winger with good skill and unloaded the headache of Samsonov. Since Montreal was looking at buying out Samsonov the fact they had to buy out Cullimore was acceptable given they also aquired Salmelainen. Chicago gets back a winger who can score, something the desperately need and if he does not work they can always buy him out or put him on waivers. If he fails in CHI he will have no trade value.
The fantasy breakdown is one of risk. Montreal all ready has good young talent, so Samelainen could be in the AHL next year. More trades from MTL could follow. Samsonov could work out in CHI playing on a line with Toews or Ruutu. However, he tends to skate in circles, isolate his teammates and then turn over the puck.
Samsonov is worth a look in deep pools, but he is still a gamble. I would not look to either of these guys to help a champion fantasy team.
Montreal got back a speedy winger with good skill and unloaded the headache of Samsonov. Since Montreal was looking at buying out Samsonov the fact they had to buy out Cullimore was acceptable given they also aquired Salmelainen. Chicago gets back a winger who can score, something the desperately need and if he does not work they can always buy him out or put him on waivers. If he fails in CHI he will have no trade value.
The fantasy breakdown is one of risk. Montreal all ready has good young talent, so Samelainen could be in the AHL next year. More trades from MTL could follow. Samsonov could work out in CHI playing on a line with Toews or Ruutu. However, he tends to skate in circles, isolate his teammates and then turn over the puck.
Samsonov is worth a look in deep pools, but he is still a gamble. I would not look to either of these guys to help a champion fantasy team.
Flyers make first big splash
I was traveling the last two days. I was able to read the news but I did not have time to write anything up. While the Chicago and Montreal trade was first, I decided to start with the bigger splash.
The Philadelphia Flyers traded the 23rd overall pick in this years draft to Nashville in exchange for both Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell. You read that right, it was a sign and trade situation that saw both players ink 6 year deals. Timonen's contract seems horrible to me at 6 years $37.8 million. Hartnell might be overpaid now at 6 years $25.2 million but that could end up a steal in a couple years.
While a very shocking move it shows that neither player wanted to stay with Nashville, and instead of walking away they allowed Nashville to get something in return. Many teams will be upset they missed out on these two players, but I can't believe many would have given Timonen that kind of money. Edmonton fans who thought they could get Hartnell will be calling for their GM's head this week if they have a bad draft.
OK, enough on that, lets get to the fantasy fall out. Timonen should continue to put up the same numbers he did in Nashville. His +/- could suffer the first season in PHI but it looks like a strong team is forming there. Hartnell will depend a lot on how he is used and what line he plays on. He should still kill penalties and will put up PIMs no matter where he plays. If he skates with Gagne he could put up 30-40 goals next season as well.
While Hartnell has played LW and RW in the past he is better on the right. This is bad news to one time Nashville teammate and now Flyer teammate Scottie Upshall. Upshall could find himself on the third line now behind Hartnell and Knuble despite having a great finish to the season with the Flyers playing.
PHI is not done signing UFAs, so anything could happen. It will be interesting to see what their line combos turn out to be. PHI could become a hot bed of fantasy stats this season.
The Philadelphia Flyers traded the 23rd overall pick in this years draft to Nashville in exchange for both Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell. You read that right, it was a sign and trade situation that saw both players ink 6 year deals. Timonen's contract seems horrible to me at 6 years $37.8 million. Hartnell might be overpaid now at 6 years $25.2 million but that could end up a steal in a couple years.
While a very shocking move it shows that neither player wanted to stay with Nashville, and instead of walking away they allowed Nashville to get something in return. Many teams will be upset they missed out on these two players, but I can't believe many would have given Timonen that kind of money. Edmonton fans who thought they could get Hartnell will be calling for their GM's head this week if they have a bad draft.
OK, enough on that, lets get to the fantasy fall out. Timonen should continue to put up the same numbers he did in Nashville. His +/- could suffer the first season in PHI but it looks like a strong team is forming there. Hartnell will depend a lot on how he is used and what line he plays on. He should still kill penalties and will put up PIMs no matter where he plays. If he skates with Gagne he could put up 30-40 goals next season as well.
While Hartnell has played LW and RW in the past he is better on the right. This is bad news to one time Nashville teammate and now Flyer teammate Scottie Upshall. Upshall could find himself on the third line now behind Hartnell and Knuble despite having a great finish to the season with the Flyers playing.
PHI is not done signing UFAs, so anything could happen. It will be interesting to see what their line combos turn out to be. PHI could become a hot bed of fantasy stats this season.
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