Category: NHL

Last Call On Ondrej Pavelec

Winnipeg’s other goaltender, Chris Mason, is set to return to action soon but do not expect Ondrej Pavelec to miss many starts as he continues on his hot streak.

Analysis: Pavelec has been a top fifteen netminder over the last two weeks with a save percentage north of 93%. He has only allowed more than three goals once in the past four weeks despite playing on the road in eight of his last eleven games. He’s looked great against quality teams on the road, peroid. Considering Pavelec’s recent success it is confusing why he is only owned in half of fantasy leagues nationwide. With the season long struggles of Jaroslav Halak and Cory Schneider, it is time to pick Pavelec up.

Pavelec isn’t a sell high goalie like Minnesota’s Josh Harding, he is a legit top twenty-five goaltender now. He’s still only twenty-four years of age and as he continues to improve on a relatively young Jets team you can expect some consistency unlike his performances last year. The Jets have only played four home games this year and you just have to think that will work in Pavelec’s favor in terms of more wins down the road.

Stick With Marek Zidlicky

Minnesota defenseman Marek Zidlicky may not be on the Wild’s first power play unit for the time being but that doesn’t mean he isn’t valuable.

Analysis: Zidlicky’s play this year has been rather pedestrian, however, you just cannot deny what he has done over the years. He would have four straight forty plus point seasons had he not missed significant time last year. As far as under the radar offensive defenseman go… Marek Zidlicky is right up there. His case is not an unusual one, he is on a prolonged cold streak and typical fantasy owners lack the patience to keep him. Zidlicky is available in just over thirty percent of fantasy leagues nationwide and if he is on the wire in your league then he is a must add. He’s still getting a team high twenty-three minutes of ice time per game and despite just two points on the year… he still leads all Minnesota defensemen in points.

Whatever way you slice it, Zidlicky is still a viable option in all fantasy leagues. He’ll put up numbers, he’s just too talented of a player not to.

Buying Low- Ville Leino

With just two points in ten games, Sabres’ forward Ville Leino’s season has gotten off to a rough start.

Analysis: Yes, the Sabres did overpay Leino with the six year/$27 million contract but it hasn’t been all his fault. Leino will still stay at center for the time being where he is more comfortable but the big plus here is that he will be playing alongside Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville now. Vanek is a former forty goal scorer and has eight goals in ten games this year. Pominville is off to a career year with fourteen points in ten games. All signs point to more ice time and production from the struggling Leino. He only has five shots on the year while averaging just thirteen minutes of ice time per game. The center is available in sixty-one percent of CBS leagues and forty percent of ESPN leagues and now is the perfect time to buy low.

If this move for the Sabres does not work the only available option would be to play him back on the wing but even that hasn’t worked yet this year. Leino is one talented player and playing with an elite winger like Thomas Vanek has to bring out the best in him, right?

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.

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.