As the end of January approaches the trade deadline for the National Hockey league slowly gets closer and closer. For fantasy purposes, in many cases the rosters lock for trading in the early part of March. Sure that’s a decent ways away right now, but time goes by quickly and I want you to keep that in the back of your mind that you have about a month to get your roster(s) in the best shape they can be for your playoff run. Don’t fret, as you will still be able to drop players and snag guys off the free agency list.
It’s not something that would often take place in a pool, but it could help you make the playoffs if you are still outside looking in. Perhaps you have a player on your roster that is on the IR and will be for the next month. Someone like Okposo comes to my mind but I can’t promise he will be back when he is targeted to. But what you could try to do is make a trade with someone who is a lock for the playoffs. See if perhaps they would be interested in one of your IR star players for their playoff run. You may not get the value you want, but it may be a better option that picking up someone random on the waiver wire and subbing them in. Ideal? No, it’s not…but if that deal is enough to squeak you into a playoff spot it sure would be worth it to me. Just like the NHL, fantasy is no different, if you make the playoffs you can win the pool; simple as that. You just need your team to go on a hot streak for a few weeks in a row and whammy, show me the money!
Over the past month there have been some players starting to trend more so than they were at the start of the season. If you are fed up with one of your rosters players at this point, or have an injury; here are some possible free agent players who have been somewhat consistent over the last 30 days.
Free Agents:
Mikko Koivu – 2g, 8a, -4, 8 PIM, 6PPP Justin Abdelkader – 2g, 7a, +4, 8 PIM, 5 PPP, 1 GWG Benoit Pouliot – 7g, 1a, +4, 10 PIM, 3 PPP, 1 SHP Patrick Maroon – 3g, 5a, +6, 5 PIM, 2 PPP Mike Fisher – 5g, 3a, +5, 7 PIM, 1 PPP Shane Doan – 2g, 6a, +-0, 12 PIM, 3 PPP (D) Tyson Barrie – 1g, 7a, +7, 4 PIM, 2 PPP (D) Justin Faulk – 3g, 5a, +-0, 2 PIM, 3 PPP, 1 GWG (G) Anton Khudobin – 5 wins, 1.46 GAA, .947 SV%
He’s only had one game on the top line with the Islanders, but Grabovski and Tavares looked electric in their first game together. He’s had a slow start on the Islanders this year with a few injuries and what not, but Grabovski just may be worth a pickup if you are looking for some even strength points.
Starting Goalies:
(BOS) Rask VS (NYI) Halak (MON) Price VS (NYR) Lundqvist (WPG) Hutchinson VS (PHI) Mason (CLB) McElhinney VS (FLA) Luongo (DET) Mrazek VS (TBL) Bishop (DAL) Lehtonen VS (OTT) Lehner (ARI) Smith VS (TOR) Bernier (NSH) Hutton VS (STL) Elliott (MIN) Dubnyk VS (CLG) Hiller (BUF) Enroth VS (EDM) Scrivens (ANA) Bryzgalov VS (SJ) Niemi
From what I see from the games tonight there are some backups going in and there are some horrible games and some great games. The Bruins versus the Islanders should be a great game as will the Canadiens versus the Rangers. The Red Wings will also battle against Tampa Bay for the top seed in the East depending on how the Islanders do they could be wearing the crown by nights end. Nashville will still be without Rinne between the pipes and the Blues are heating up, I'd imagine it will be a good game as well as long as Nashville keeps the shots to a minimum.
On the other hand you have the ice cold Leafs versus an awful Coyotes team where each team has lost 7 games in a row…ugly. Of course we wouldn’t want to leave the Sabres versus the Oilers out of this conversation as the two titans square off at 9:30 this evening.
Bryzgalov looks like he will be starting for the Ducks, why I will never know…I have more faith in my men’s league goalie getting the job done than Ilya himself.
Lupul will return to the lineup for the Leafs tonight - so if you have him, slot him in.
Best of luck in tonight’s games and enjoy!