Category: NHL

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.

Forsberg Suddenly Retires, Replace With Saku Koivu

Peter Forsberg retired from the NHL again Monday just two games into his comeback. This does hurt fantasy owners banking on Forsberg putting up monster numbers, however, Saku Koivu is owned in just forty percent of fantasy leagues and should help ease the loss of Forsberg’s expectations.

Analysis: Saku Koivu is certainly under the radar and is playing some great hockey lately. Koivu has 2 goals, 6 assists, 3 power play points and seven games with over 20 minutes of ice time in his last seven games. There are very few available fantasy centers getting the ice time or putting up the numbers like Koivu has these past few weeks. Obviously, the loss of Peter Forsberg hurts but Koivu is a consistent force.

Projection: There are only twenty-five games left on the Ducks schedule and expect Koivu to amass about 15 points, over 5 power play points with an average time on ice over 20 minutes. He isn’t going to go on a streak and leave the league on fire but he won’t let you down either.

Why Do You Trust Mike Knuble?

Mike Knuble was held scoreless for the tenth time in his last thirteen games Saturday against the Kings.

Analysis: Knuble has only 22 points in 52 games this year after 53 points in just 69 games last year. His age, 38, has apparently caught up to him. This is his worst season in ten years and he’s still owned in over sixty percent of fantasy leagues. Knuble’s ice time and power play minutes have dropped a bit over the past few weeks and don’t expect anything more than he’s shown this year. Knuble is minus 5 in his current thirteen game three point stretch and it’s time to cut your losses and move on.

Projection: Knuble isn’t worth keeping unless you’re in a deeper league where I would expect a maximum of ten points in his remaining games. Consider the red hot Michael Grabner who has 6 goals his last four games at right wing instead of Knuble.

Mike Fisher To Nashville Boosts Value

Mike Fisher goes from Ottawa who are minus 62 in goal differential to the Nashville Predators who are plus 15 in goal differential. Mike Fisher owners rejoice, the best is yet to come.

Analysis: Mike Fisher leaves an awful team and hopefully for fantasy owners his minus 19 rating on the year as well. He is available in about forty percent of leagues and if your in need of a center and Peter Forsberg is not available you need to strongly consider what Fisher brings to the table. The only thing that has prevented him from being owned in every league is the Ottawa defense and goaltending which have allowed the second most goals in the NHL.

Projection: It’s still too early to pinpoint how well Fisher will fit into Nashville’s system but we do know he shoots a ton, get a lot of ice time and won’t hurt you in the plus/minus category anymore. Expect about 15-20 points the rest of the season as Fisher will help the Preds try to chase down Detroit for the central division crown.