Author: TJ Streett

Burmistrov Is Heating Up

Winnipeg forward Alex Burmistrov has tallied seven points in eight games this year.

Analysis: Although the Jets are just 2-5-1 with a negative ten goal differential, Burmistrov is plus four on the year. After a somewhat disappointing rookie campaign as an eighteen/nineteen year old the former first round pick has delivered this year. His shot totals and power play points may be a little on the lighter side of things but his point production, plus/minus and ice time is here to stay.

Burmistrov is still available in eighty percent of fantasy leagues nationwide and he’s going fast. He’s always going to hurt you in penalty minutes but putting that aside, Burmistov is developing into a point-per-game player. He’s still far from a point-per-game guy but you can see his potential is extremely high. Whether he’s playing on the wing or at center he is an offensive force and his play this year has quieted the critics. He’s not just a deep league add but he still can be inconsistent at times and patience is a key when owning the Russian.

Last Call On Fred Davis

Washington tight end Fred Davis has caught twelve balls for 175 receiving yards over his last two games and you can expect even more from the former USC Trojan in the coming weeks.

Analysis: Going into the season the Skins were counting on Chris Cooley and Santana Moss to be the go-to-guys in the passing game and with extended injuries to both it has become apparent that Fred Davis is now the man in Washington. At least for the next month Fred Davis is a mid tier TE1 in all fantasy football formats. He’s available in twenty percent of ESPN leagues and seventeen percent of CBS leagues and this is your last call on Davis. He’s amassed nineteen targets over the last two weeks and he has four eighty plus yard games in his six contests this year. Fred Davis is a free agent at the end of the year and wherever he winds up he’s going to put up solid numbers and make tons of bank.

Only Jimmy Graham has racked up more yards over the last two weeks and with the recent injury to Santana Moss, the Skins will rely heavily upon the soon to be free agent.

Deep League Help- Demaryius Thomas

Demaryius Thomas caught three balls and one touchdown in his first game back from an Achilles injury.

Analysis: With Brandon Lloyd in St. Louis, Demaryius Thomas’ outlook for the remainder of the 2011 season looks promising. Thomas led Denver with ten targets Sunday against Miami which is impressive since Tim Tebow only passed the ball twenty-seven times. Obviously, with Tebow at quarterback Demaryius Thomas is not a reliable option but in deeper leagues he will be valuable. Thomas is 6’3″ 230 pounds and has elite straight line speed, he immediately becomes Denver’s biggest threat at wide out and of course in the red zone.

Demaryius Thomas is not valuable in PPR leagues but in deep standard leagues his potential touchdown numbers and big play ability certainly merits a look. Tebow is not the ideal quarterback for any fantasy wide out but his scramble ability can lead to some big gains down field and Thomas will certainly be the beneficiary. Going forward, Thomas will be the most valuable fantasy wide out in Denver and in deeper leagues can provide depth and solid touchdown potential.

Deep League Help- Marcus Johansson

Washington center Marcus Johansson notched his third goal of the season Tuesday night against Florida. Johansson now has four points on the year despite limited ice time.

Analysis: The twenty-one year old Swede has been on fire this year with three goals and one assist in just four games played. He should continue with solid point production and of course a great plus/minus playing on a skilled and deep Capital team. The only real concern with the former first round pick will be shots on goal and time on ice. As the season moves along I do expect Johansson’s ice time and shots to bump up a bit. He will not produce in penalty minutes which can prevent him from being a universal pickup.

Johansson is available in tons of ESPN leagues and the majority of CBS fantasy hockey leagues. For now he’s just deep league help but keep an eye on his ice time over the next few weeks and act accordingly. Until then, enjoy his plus/minus and points production.

Montario Hardesty Is A Must Add

Peyton Hillis suffered a hamstring injury Sunday against the Raiders and it is unknown if he will play in week seven against Seattle.

Analysis: Montario Hardesty is available in over eighty percent of fantasy leagues nationwide and it’s time to pick the youngster up. Hardesty has averaged over ten carries per game over his last three contests and expect that number to rise this coming week. Hardesty has also caught ten balls in that span which is somewhat surprising.

Peyton Hillis has dealt with contract issues, strep throat and now a hamstring injury this year. Hillis is not a RB1 or a RB2, his play down the stretch last year was awful and it’s time to accept these facts. Hardesty needs to be owned in 100% of fantasy leagues, 100% of Peyton Hillis owners need to pick Hardesty up. Wherever there are carries, there are fantasy points to be had. As it appears now, Montario Hardesty is in line for a solid amount of carries regardless of the Hillis injury.

Add a hamstring injury to a “feature” back only averaging 3.5 yards per carry this year and you’ll have an active backup in Montario Hardesty going forward.