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.

A Special Time of Year

For me February is the transitional month when it comes to sports. We come off the highs of the college bowl games and NFL post season and labor through nasty weather that accompanies winter sports.

March brings hope, the Boys of  Summer begin spring training games, college basketball heads towards Madness, NBA rides the home stretch and the fresh smell of cut grass fills the air.

Football also reappears with the NFL wrapping up its annual combine in Indianapolis and teams make final preparations for the April draft. College football also returns for a brief tease as teams across the land hold spring practices culminating with inter-squad games.

Winter into Spring also brings the NHL post season, the Daytona 500, the Masters and the French Open.

Off the field issuess will certainly take focus this Spring as both the NFL and NBA face possible work stoppages. Baseball is forever testing athletes for banned substances and college football debates the BCS versus playoff system.

While we will touch on all of this in this forum, one thing will remain constant, helping you win your fantasy league.

Rudy Gay Out, Consider Carlos Delfino

Rudy Gay appears to be out at least four weeks with a shoulder injury and this news leaves a huge hole at small forward on many fantasy squads.

Analysis: Rudy Gay is a great supplier of threes, steals and points and if you’re in need of a small forward to help absorb this injury, Carlos Delfino may fit the bill. Delfino is filling in for Corey Maggette who is suffering from a back injury and Delfino just may be stealing the job from him. Delfino has hit 8 threes with 7 steals and has averaged just under 20 points per game in his last three games. On the year Delfino averages 2 threes and 1.5 steals per game, so while this doesn’t come as a surprise it’s nice to see his minutes bump up and the points pour in. If your unable to absorb Rudy Gay’s injury and must pick up a small forward, Carlos Delfino is available in sixty percent of fantasy leagues and has shooting guard position eligibility as well.

Projection: Carlos Delfino should be hitting just under 2 threes a game with 1-2 steals and 15 PPG as long as he keeps Corey Maggette on the bench. The Rudy Gay injury hurts but Delfino gives you similar fantasy category strengths.

Miguel Cabrera Back In Handcuffs

The Tigers first baseman was arrested late last night in Fort Pierce, Florida, and charged with DUI. According to ESPN.com, Cabrera was also charged with resisting an officer without violence after he cursed at deputies and struggled with them during the arrest.

Analysis: This is bad news for Cabrera owners and Tigers fans alike, as many thought the prodigious slugger had quit drinking alcohol after a 2009 fiasco in which he was detained by police in Michigan after fighting with his wife while visibly drunk. At the time, Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski picked up Miguel from the police station and vowed to help him out. Perhaps the worst part of that episode, from a baseball perspective, is the fact that the Tigers were fighting for the AL Central and had a key game the next day. The perennial All-Star spent most of that offseason in counseling, and emphatically told reporters last spring that he was done with booze. Eventually all was forgiven, and Miggy went on to compile a monster 2010 campaign in which he hit .328 with 38 homers while knocking in 126. It seemed like all was well, and that Cabrera was back to being one of the most feared hitters in the game. This latest incident, however, could have lasting ramifications both on the field and off. It remains to be seen if and how the Tigers and Major League Baseball plan to punish Cabrera for this disappointing arrest.

Projection: While we’ll have to wait and see if any disciplinary action will be taken against Cabrera, it is not a stretch to assume that he may miss a handful of games as a result of this incident. Even if he doesn’t miss any time, this distraction is not what Cabrera or the Tigers needed. Although he is one of baseball’s elite, a slip in production is not out of the realm of possibility. The flip side to that coin is that he is Miguel Cabrera, and based on raw talent alone he comes into camp as a legitimate MVP contender once again. Although your patience may be waning, you should still keep a tight grip on Cabrera if you own him. If you don’t, now may be a good time to propose a trade for the young slugger, as his perceived value is sure to take a major hit in the coming days.

Will Joba Chamberlain’s Weight Gain Affect His Fantasy Value?

It’s early in Yankees camp but reliever Joba Chamberlain’s weight is already a hot topic, with the 25-year-old righty showing up noticeably heavier than last season.

Analysis: It has been a rapid fall from grace for Chamberlain, who was considered to be one of the top young arms in the game just a few years ago.  Projected to be nothing better than a 7th inning man in the Bronx this year, an out-of-shape Joba could cause his pecking order in the bullpen to slip even further.  Chamberlain did have a rebuttal to the added weight controversy, telling reporters that the extra pounds are the result of an offseason workout regimen.

Projection: Fat or muscle, don’t expect Joba to offer fantasy owners more than a few holds and some mid-inning strikeouts this year.  Barring an injury to Rafael Soriano or Mariano Rivera, even a revived Chamberlain will find it tough to get any statistically important opportunities out of the Yankees pen.