Player News – Page 140 – FantasySP Blog

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.

David West and New Orleans Hornets End Extension Talks

According to Adrian Wojnarowski from Yahoo! Sports, the New Orleans Hornets and star power forward David West have recently ended contract extension talks.

Analysis: West is in the final year of his contact with the Hornets, and has put up at least 18 points and 7.5 rebounds in three straight seasons. Despite his tremendous value, the Hornets appear to be content with letting West walk after his contract expires. Although a move before the NBA trade deadline is entirely possible, New Orleans management claims they will not trade West this season.

Projection: West can be a beast when things are going right. As long as he’s in New Orleans, close to 20 points and 8 rebounds can be expected per game.

Bulls and Hornets Rumored to be Interested in J.R. Smith

According to various reports from Yahoo! Sports, the New Orleans Hornets and Chicago Bulls have both been quietly looking at possible trade deals to land Denver Nuggets shooting guard, J.R. Smith.

Analysis: Smith is a lights out shooter when he’s on, and a cold shooting chucker with a bad attitude when he’s not. Still, he brings range and great potential to his next possible team, aspects both the Bulls and Hornets are severely lacking at the moment. Chicago has been in trade rumors for a shooting guard since the season began, but both Chicago and New Orleans have yet to pull the trigger on a deal based on a combination of character concerns and the Carmelo Anthony trade rumor fiasco.

Projection: In his current state, Smith can get you a handful of three’s any night and can randomly drop a huge amount of points. However, a change of scenery could see his fantasy stock sky-rocket.

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.