Category: NHL

Last Call On Kovalev

Right Winger Alexei Kovalev was dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins today boosting his value and making him not so under the radar anymore. Kovalev is available in about forty percent of fantasy leagues nationwide so now is the time to pick him up.

Analysis: Remember, Kovalev is still playing for a new contract and now that he’ll be playing for the Pens his plus/minus rating will certainly become an asset to fantasy owners. He’s been on fire lately with 6 goals, 3 assists, about 17 minutes of ice time and is a plus 3 in his last ten games. His move to the Pens will certainly help their fifteenth ranked power play. Also, the Pens have what Ottawa does not, better forwards to play with in Jordan Staal or Tyler Kennedy at center and Matt Cooke or newly acquired James Neal at left wing. If you’re lucky Sidney Crosby may come back to center the Russian sniper.

Projection: This is a great trade for Kovalev’s value. He’s motivated, he’s on a playoff caliber squad and his plus/minus won’t be suspect anymore playing on a solid team with Marc-Andre Fleury in net. Five to ten goals and over eighteen minutes of ice time with a handful of power play points is what you’ll get from Kovalev as he’ll try to push the Pens into the fourth seed in the east.

Dan Hamhuis Returns Tonight

After missing five games with a concussion Canucks defenseman Dan Hamhuis will be returning to action tonight against the Canadiens.

Analysis: Hamhuis returns to an injury depleted Canucks blue line where he should see tons of ice and power play time. He’s owned in about twenty percent of fantasy leagues nationwide and can provide a much needed boost to your squad heading into the home stretch. Alex Edler and Kevin Bieksa remain out so Dan Hamhuis will have every chance to re-prove his fantasy worth. Before his injury Hamhuis was a plus 21 in just forty-seven games…absolutely sick. Twenty-three minutes of ice time with 14 assists isn’t anything to sneeze at either. This is a great situation for Hamhuis to put up some quality under the radar numbers in the Canucks final twenty-two games.

Projection: Expect about 8 assists, 24 minutes of ice time, a handful of power play points and a plus 5 rating the rest of the season. What Hamhuis is capable of on the injury plagued Canucks will certainly catch your attention sooner than later.

Pick Up Curtis Glencross

Left Winger Curtis Glencross is one of the hottest players in the NHL right now as he continues to power the Flames into a playoff berth.

Analysis: You cannot ignore 9 goals in 12 games this deep into the fantasy season and with Glencross only being 0wned in just over twenty percent of fantasy leagues now is the time to act. His ice time is up over two minutes above his season average these last few weeks and his power play minutes have risen as well. If you’re in need of goals and a stable plus/minus rating Curtis Glencross is what you’re looking for at the left wing position in deeper leagues. He’s definitely going fast so if you have a hole at left wing you need to act immediately and pick Glencross up.

Projection: Expect about 18 minutes of ice time a game, 7-10 goals, over 60 shots on goal and 20 penalty minutes the rest of the season. He’s a sneaky good scorer who racks up penalty minutes, something fantasy hockey owners can’t get enough of. Glencross seems a safe bet to provide multi category support as the season heads into the home stretch.

Buy Alexei Kovalev Low

Alexei Kovalev is one of the most talented yet extremely frustrating players in the NHL. We know he has tons of stick handling skills and goal scoring ability but what I am banking on is his free agent status next year and his desire for one last paycheck.

Analysis: Kovalev is looking for one more big contract before he “takes his talents to” the KHL. He certainly plans on getting one by his performance over the rest of the year and when he wants to play, Kovalev plays very well. Kovalev has tallied 5 goals and 3 assists and is a plus 4 in his last seven games. The guy is a plus four on a team that has lost six of seven games, yeah, Kovalev is motivated. The other positve with Kovalev is he should get moved at the trade deadline to a contender which would provide more stability to his plus/minus rating going forward.

Projection: Kovalev is immensely talented and once in a while he’s motivated. It’s time to buy Alexei Kovalev stock and it’s cheap, he’s available in about sixty percent of leagues. Expect anywhere from 10-12 goals the rest of the year with 10-12 assists and plenty of ice time.

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.