Author: TJ Streett

Rudy Gay Out, Consider Carlos Delfino

Rudy Gay appears to be out at least four weeks with a shoulder injury and this news leaves a huge hole at small forward on many fantasy squads.

Analysis: Rudy Gay is a great supplier of threes, steals and points and if you’re in need of a small forward to help absorb this injury, Carlos Delfino may fit the bill. Delfino is filling in for Corey Maggette who is suffering from a back injury and Delfino just may be stealing the job from him. Delfino has hit 8 threes with 7 steals and has averaged just under 20 points per game in his last three games. On the year Delfino averages 2 threes and 1.5 steals per game, so while this doesn’t come as a surprise it’s nice to see his minutes bump up and the points pour in. If your unable to absorb Rudy Gay’s injury and must pick up a small forward, Carlos Delfino is available in sixty percent of fantasy leagues and has shooting guard position eligibility as well.

Projection: Carlos Delfino should be hitting just under 2 threes a game with 1-2 steals and 15 PPG as long as he keeps Corey Maggette on the bench. The Rudy Gay injury hurts but Delfino gives you similar fantasy category strengths.

Why Do You Own Ondrej Pavelec?

Ondrej Pavelec may have had a brilliant first half of the season but it’s time to move on.

Analysis: Pavelec has allowed three or more goals in five of his last six games and has a save percentage well under ninety in that stretch. It’s not all Pavelec’s fault, Atlanta has played some awful defense this last month but that’s no excuse to allow three goals on just seventeen shots in his last outing against Carolina. Pavelec has earned just two wins in his last ten games and that should be more than enough to let the young Czech go.

Projection: Pavelec is still just twenty-three years old and maturing but in non keeper leagues it’s time to cut him loose. There are plenty of other widely available options at goalie to consider like Steve Mason or Johan Hedberg until Martin Brodeur comes back.

What C.C. Sabathia Wants Affects You

C.C. Sabathia has hinted he may opt out of his seven year contract after this season with the Yanks. What does it mean from a fantasy perspective?

Analysis: Last time Sabathia was in a contract year he pitched a career high 253 innings, had a 4.25 K/BB, a 2.91 FIP and dominated mixed fantasy leagues. If we know one thing about professional ball players it’s that they always perform in contract years. Sabathia justs want a pay raise and he may get it mid season if he’s pitching lights out, either way this news vaults him from a top eight starting pitcher to a top five starting pitcher.

Projection: Whether he get his pay raise mid season or at the end of 2011, C.C. Sabathia is going to have a monster year. Expect 22 wins, a 3.10 ERA and 210 strikeouts.

Kris Versteeg To Flyers Does Little For Value

Kris Versteeg, a right winger owned in about fifty percent of leagues nationwide joins the Flyers after a mediocre season with the Leafs.

Analysis: Versteeg is minus 13 on the year with the Leafs and the only sure thing with this trade is that he won’t hurt you in the plus/minus department anymore on a deep Flyers team. Versteeg does have 13 power play points and I fully expect that number to drop as the Flyers power play unit is in no need of an overhaul. The only other major concern will be Versteeg’s ice time, anything under his season average of 19 minutes per game isn’t going to help your fantasy squad going forward and you may want to conisder dropping him in shallow standard leagues.

Projection: All in all the trade is a mixed bag for Kris Versteeg owners. His even strength and power play minutes should take a hit, his points per game may just go up a bit playing in Philly and his plus/minus should even out. If you already own Versteeg you’ll have to use the wait and see approach.

Get To Know Patrik Berglund

Center Patrik Berglund may only be owned in three percent of fantasy leagues but the former first round pick is finally putting it together.

Analysis: Berglund has tallied 7 goals in his last eleven games and added 4 assists and 23 shots on goal in that span. Berglund’s ice time is up, his power play minutes are up, he’s shooting the puck more and he’s winning more faceoffs. Berglund has always been a goal scoring center going back to his days on Vasteras IK in the SEL. He’s still widely available so you have time to assess your roster before you pull the trigger on Berglund.

Projection: Berglund should score about 9 goals and 9 assists with over 2 SOG per game in his remaining twenty-seven games. Berglund’s last hot streak was his rookie year in 2008 where he put up 47 points as a twenty year old. He’s a great add for deep leagues.