Tag: Martin Havlat

Low Risk- Martin Havlat

Martin Havlat has just one point in his last eleven games.

Analysis: As a result of this terrible slump Havlat has become available in over half of fantasy hockey leagues. Although Havlat only has six points this year he isn’t minus-4 or minus-8, he actually has a plus-1 rating. He has over forty shots on goal and is averaging sixteen minutes of ice time per game so he does have some value in those areas.

But what we really have to consider is the potential. He’s still only thirty-one years old so we know his skills are not declining rapidly although he isn’t quite the speedster he used to be. Havlat has scored over fifty points seven times in his career and he is a career plus-68. He is a proven winger and worth the risk(if he has not burned you already).

When he gets it going his goals and assists will be there and his ice time and power play opportunities will be there for fantasy owners as well. It is hard to have patience in such a short NHL season but Havlat’s upside may be worth a pick up.

Right Wing Depth- Joffrey Lupul

Joffrey Lupul recorded an assist, four shots and over nineteen minutes of ice time Thursday against Montreal.

Analysis: If you are a Toronto fan then you have to love what Joffrey Lupul is capable of. Although he has not had a twenty goal season in three years, Lupul has been productive despite missing some significant time. Lupul has only played in 77 games over the last two years but in that span he has scored twenty-four goals while playing just fifteen minutes per game. Expect to see at least seventeen minutes of ice time if not more from Lupul this year in Toronto and with it some solid time on the power play. Keep in mind that Lupul spent over four minutes on the power play with Phil Kessel Thursday night.

With Lupul available in about ninety percent of leagues you have some time to decide team need and see who is injured. With right wingers like Ales Hemsky and Martin Havlat who always seem to miss time and with Havlat already set to miss the opener, Lupul should get a look from some serious fantasy owners during the course of the season.

Havlat To San Jose- Fantasy Impact

The Martin Havlat for Dany Heatley trade is a solid move for both clubs but Havlat’s fantasy value gets a huge lift.

Analysis: The 2010-11 season was a return to form for Marty Havlat who had perhaps his most disappointing professional season in 2009 with Minnesota. Havlat scored 22 goals and tallied 40 assists in 78 games last year on a team without any offensive talent with the exception of Mikko Koivu. Fast forward to the 2011-12 season where Havlat finds himself on a line with Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau or in the worst case Joe Pavelski and Ryane Clowe. It is certainly a huge boost and will take tons of pressure off of the speedy winger. Health is always a concern for Havlat but if he can stay healthy he should be able to put up top forty forward numbers. Havlat could even pair up with twenty-two year old Logan Couture who put up 56 points as the Calder runner up. Either way you slice it, San Jose has the depth Havlat needs to produce with relative ease.

Projection: Havlat should put up seventy-five to eighty points with at least twenty-five goals in the coming season. Expect his minus ten rating this past season to be at least a plus ten in 2011-12.