Player News – Page 142 – FantasySP Blog

Tracy McGrady Isn’t T-Mac Anymore

Despite only one 20 point game in his last nine contests, Tracy McGrady is still owned in about forty percent of fantasy leagues nationwide.

Analysis: McGrady’s minutes are certainly up over the last month and a half to about thirty per game but his three point percentage is below thirty percent and his steals are below one per game in this stretch. All McGrady provides is unreliable points production with below average rebounds, assists and steals at the SG/PG position, especially over the last two weeks. Tracy McGrady is owned in leagues on name only, not performance and it’s time to drop the dead weight.

Projection: Expect McGrady to get 25-30 minutes a game with 12 PPG, 4 APG and 3 RPG. His shooting percentage is alright but he’s not hitting the three ball at all. Time for a change.

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.

Keep An Eye On CJ Miles

With the recent departure of coach Jerry Sloan keep an eye on CJ Miles’ minutes under new coach Tyrone Corbin.

Analysis: Despite only averaging twenty-three minutes a game C.J. Miles puts up a solid stat line- 12 PPG, 1.5 3PM, 1 SPG with a 78 FT% and .5 BPG. In deeper fantasy leagues we have to monitor his minutes and numbers under new coach Tyrone Corbin. Will the Jazz open it up a bit or play the same blue collar ball we are used to seeing? Miles is available in well over 90 percent of leagues nationwide so you have some time to see if his minutes and numbers bump up over the next few weeks. If he can get thirty minutes a game he quickly becomes more than solid in every category with the exception of assists and field goal percentage.

Projection: Expect more of the same from C.J. Miles if his minutes remain the same but if the bump up to thirty a game look for 15 PPG, 2 3PM and 1.5 SPG.

Steve Mason Becoming Relevant Again

Steve Mason allowed one goal on thirty-three shots Tuesday night against the Penguins. Mason is 5-2 his last seven games with a shutout and is starting to heat up at the right time.

Analysis: Steve Mason is available in about 60 percent of fantasy leagues and may be able to supply that extra late season push we all need in fantasy hockey. Mason has only allowed four goals his last three games and in that stretch has three wins with a .956 save percentage. With guys like Kari Lehtonen and Ondrej Pavelec struggling mightily these last few weeks one must give Steve Mason some serious consideration going forward.

Projection: He’s been a very average goaltender this year but he’s starting to heat up at the right time. We know what Mason is capable of, just look at his 2008-09 season for proof. Expect a 2.5-2.7 GAA with a save percentage just over 90 while being more reliable than Ondrej Pavelec the rest of the year.