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November 21, 2005
Chemistry in Chicago
By Darryl Dobbs, TheFourthPeriod.com 

While there aren't a lot of fantasy owners with a heavy investment in Chicago players, those that do have a stake in the Blackhawks' fortunes must like what they see. 

With under three goals scored per game after 17 games, production has increased these past three games leading to Chicago victories. 

All season long, the problem has been chemistry. With Tuomo Ruutu and Eric Daze both out with very concerning back injuries, the 'Hawks have had difficulty putting together a line that meshes well and produces offense. They may have finally found that line in putting center Mark Bell with rookie Rene Bourque and Kyle Calder. 

The "BBC Newsline" has combined for 17 points in three games, including 14 in their last two. 

In three games, Bell has doubled his season output and now sits at 14 points. At 25 years of age, Bell's best years are still ahead of him, and he should one day reach the high-sixties range – perhaps even this year. That would of course depend on his continued chemistry with hotshot rookie Bourque and Calder. 

Calder is just a few months older than Bell, and has a similar upside. Bourque has overachieved his entire career, never being drafted, and has done nothing but improve his skills each of the last four years. The 24-year-old player tends to be a little streaky, so if this is one of those streaks it may be time to think about picking him up. I don't see him hitting the 70-point mark, but he will give 60- points a good run on more than a few occasions in his career ahead.

Meanwhile...

...Mikko Koivu has four points in two games for Minnesota. He had just one point in his first four games after returning from a knee injury, but seems to have found his groove and the Wild are relying on him for offense. With Marion Gaborik and Marc Chouinard (who should be back soon) out with an injury, who else can they turn to?

...After 11 points in 12 games, Carolina's Matt Cullen has been held pointless in his last seven. His current 48 point pace is about where you can expect him to be by the end of the year.

...Ales Hemsky of Edmonton is a point a game so far as he passes the quarter pole of the regular season. The 22-year-old is a superstar in the making, and he's hot right now with five points in two games playing with Shawn Horcoff and Ryan Smyth. He should be picked up immediately in all hockey pool formats.


Nov. 14, 2005 - Thrashers the Net
Nov. 07, 2005 - King of the L.A. blueline
Oct. 31, 2005 - October's Best and Worst Fantasy Players
Oct. 24, 2005 - Wild About Scoring
Oct. 17, 2005 - Striking Gold – Thanks to Linemates
Oct. 10, 2005 - A Surprise Fantasy Asset
Oct. 03, 2005 - Last of the Late Picks to Put You Over the Top
Sept. 26, 2005 - More Late Picks to Put You Over the Top
Sept. 19, 2005 - Late Picks to Make or Break Your Pool Team

Dobber's Fantasy Tips exclusively appear Monday's at TheFourthPeriod.com.
Comments/Concerns/Criticisms/Compliments: rotohockey@rogers.com

 

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