When drafting I tend to pick a brigade of high scoring forwards for maximum output in points. I like to have at least one goaltender I can really count on…maybe this is how you drafted? Perhaps you have a few injuries on defense or goaltending and you need some options going forward. One of the keys to success in the fantasy world of hockey is to grab the player before they begin to explode and or are scooped up off the waiver wire before you nab them.
I’ve compiled a small list of defensemen and goaltenders at this point who may come in handy for spot duty…I will try to point out a few this week as there is still four nights of hockey left. You will notice a trend with the first three defensemen I list…all top line defensemen putting up points in the early going.
TJ Brodie: If he is still on the wire; I’m surprised…he’s been excellent in the early going for Calgary with 3 goals and 4 assists with a +3 rating and averages a whopping 25 minutes a game. He plays on the first pairing with Giordano as well as the first pairing on the first line power play…certainly worthy of a roster spot on your team if you need a D man who could get 40+ points.
Trevor Daley: Another player who has reaped the benefits of playing on the top line power play and defensive pairing. Daley is beside Goligoski on both; and has done quite well for himself thus far. He has tallied 3 goals and 3 assists in 6 games; all three of his goals have come on the power play. Daley is also logging around 25 minutes a game, another player I could see getting 40+ points as he thrives in this role for Dallas.
Damon Severson: New Jersey seems to be scoring more goals this season than last year; partially because the addition of Cammalleri. Nevertheless Severson has come out the gates with his game face on, with already three goals at even strength and a couple power play assists you can count on Damon to get around 35-40 points with a decent +- rating if he keeps it up.
Sami Vatanen: Yeah…I know; I have mentioned Vatanen in a couple blogs now. But there is a reason for that; this kid is going to be phenomenal going forward for Anaheim. He quarterbacks the power play and does a fine job at it…Do I need to mention Getzlaf and Perry accompany him out there? Grab him if you can; I highly recommend it.
Anton Stralman: Tampa lost their top defensemen Victor Hedman, until he returns Stralman will be taking over the top defenseman duties not only on the powerplay but will be partnered with Matt Carle on Tampa’s top pairing. He hasn’t managed to put the puck in the back of the net yet, but has 5 assists and is a sturdy +6 on the season so far…I think he will garnish a few more points than average until Hedman returns to the lineup.
Roman Josi: Nashville hasn’t exactly exploded offensively this year…Josi plays 28 minutes a game on average with one of my favorite defensemen Shea Weber. They are on the powerplay together as well; it’s only a matter of time before the points start totalling up. So far only 1 goal and a +3 rating..but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the points starting to add up and Josi falls just shy of 40 this season.
Goaltending can be tricky; but if you are up for using one of your fantasy slots for rotating a goalie in once or twice a week this may help your cause…
First and foremost if Darcy Kuemper is still available, get him now…
Antti Raanta is the backup goalie for Chicago as I’m sure most of you know. He will likely get the next couple starts as it seems that Crawford is banged up (upper body) and will miss at least these next two road games. Last game Raanta played he got a shutout, he plays versus Nashville tonight and St. Louis on Saturday. Not exactly walk in the park games; but Chicago is a powerhouse of the West…so perhaps worth looking at if you need a goalie for the week on a good team.
There is a goaltending battle going on in Calgary right now between Karri Ramo and Jonas Hiller. Calgary isn’t exactly a great team as they are in the early stages of the rebuilding process…but; they have been better than expected as they float around the .500 mark. Hiller has a .942 save % after 4 games and Ramo has a .917…both around 2.2 goals against average which is pretty decent. Maybe take a flyer on one of these goalies if you need one. Calgary is at home against Carolina tonight (a very winnable game); they also play Washington on Saturday night at home. Just a hunch, but I would imagine they each get a start.
Another goaltending battle to discuss is going on in Ottawa; where Anderson and Lehner have both played excellent for the Senators. Anderson is the “starter…, but Lehner has two wins in just 2 games this season with a 1.92 goals against average and a .950 save %. Sure it’s early; but if you need a goalie perhaps Lehner will be available and can get you a win or at least some decent stats. It’s uncertain if Toronto and Ottawa play the makeup game this week or not. Ottawa plays against New Jersey on Saturday night and vs Chicago on Sunday…neither game will be a walk in the park for Ottawa.
Starting Goalies: (bold is starting for sure, italics is probable) - will update throughout day.
(NYI) Johnson VS (BOS) Svedberg (PIT) Greiss VS (DET) Howard (VAN) Miller VS (STL) Allen (CHI) Raanta VS (NSH) Rinne (ARI) Smith VS (MIN) Kuemper (CAR) Ward VS (CLG) Hiller (BUF) Enroth VS (LA) Quick (CLB) Bobrovsky VS (SJ) Niemi
For those of you who drafted Corey Perry on one of your fantasy teams…awesome, two hat tricks in 2 weeks. Impressive to say the least!!
Thank you again for reading.