May 29, 2006
UFA's - Hidden Gems II
By Darryl Dobbs, TheFourthPeriod.com
Here is the second
installment of players that could make a huge splash on a new
team... but not so much in the headlines:
Jamie Langenbrunner, New Jersey He has cleared the 50-point
mark three times, and you pretty much have him pegged as a 50-
to 55-point player. A year ago, you had Brian Rolston pegged
as a 60-point player. On the right team, with the right
opportunity Langenbrunner can shoot up 20 points, too.
Petr Sykora, NY Rangers There are a lot of guys on the
Rangers who are unrestricted. Martin Straka and Martin
Rucinsky will likely be re-signed. Sykora is a 75-point player
in the guise of a 50-point player. Watch where he lands. If
the conditions are favorable, grab him.
Brian Pothier, Ottawa All the paper will go to Wade Redden
and Zdeno Chara, but watch Pothier. The Sens will have a tough
time signing the two big D-men, not to mention their
restricted free agents like Peter Schaeffer, Martin Havlat,
Ray Emery, Jason Spezza, Antoine Vermette, etc. Pothier will
never match the plus/minus he had this year, but on a new team
as a No. 2 guy, he could beat his 35 points.
Oleg Kvasha, Phoenix He has always been a dark horse. Will
he ever pull through? I think there's a fit for him in Phoenix
he had 10 points in 12 games for them prior to getting
injured. Before the lockout he had over 50 points. He's
capable of 65.
Eric Boguniecki, Pittsburgh Just kidding. He'll get an
invite to camp somewhere, but likely won't be signed. I put
this name down to see if you're paying attention.
Alyn McCauley, San Jose An offensive specialist his entire
junior career, and a defensive specialist in the NHL. If
McCauley can stay healthy for even 75 games on the right team,
a 50-point year is not out of the question.
Pavel Kubina, Tampa Bay He will be expensive, and Tampa
already has money tied up in their big three. His numbers have
improved practically every year. A 50+ point season is in the
cards, just put him on the right team.
Jason Allison, Toronto Eric Lindros is too injury-prone.
Bryan McCabe just had his career year, he won't be any better.
Allison, however, made a nice return after a near three-year
layoff. Even his plus/minus was okay, if you take away a
dismal October (well give him a mulligan because it was his
first month back in a long while). He could get back to 90
points in the right situation.
That's it. Part I and II. Every other UFA is either a
superstar that will make headlines, or a player who I feel
will do worse on a new team. Just a quick note on Anson
Carter, since I have had some emails asking about him he
will perform well on one team: Vancouver. If he moves to
another team, his numbers will drop. That includes Toronto (I've
had a lot of Leaf fans claim that he can somehow be the
savior). Carter needs chemistry with his linemates to put up
good numbers in the NHL. He had it with Weight and Smyth in
Edmonton. He had it with the Sedin twins in Vancouver. I
sincerely doubt he can find that chemistry anywhere else. If
he signs somewhere else Toronto, or otherwise I would not
even draft him with the last draft pick of a hockey pool.
For more fantasy pool tips, visit www.dobberhockey.com

May
22, 2006 -
UFAs - Hidden Gems I
May 15, 2006 -
Sabres Rattling
May 08, 2006 -
Home Ice Advantage
Apr. 24, 2006 - Can Rangers Stop 'EGG' Line?
Apr. 17, 2006 - The Hot Hand Going Into the Playoffs
Apr. 10, 2006 - Big Second Lines Tough to Contain
Apr. 03, 2006 - Getzlaf as PP QB has Ducks Rolling
Mar. 27, 2006 - Bang For Your Buck
Mar. 20, 2006 - Deadline 2006 Fantasy Fallout, Part 2
Mar. 13, 2006 - Deadline 2006 Fantasy Fallout, Part 1
Mar. 06, 2006 - Trade Deadline Looms II
Feb. 27, 2006 - Break Over, Deadline Looms
Feb. 06, 2006 - Risky
Picks
Jan. 30, 2006 - The
Future of Boston
Jan. 23, 2006 - High-Flying
Canucks
Jan. 16, 2006 - Home
Sweet Home
Jan. 09, 2006 - He's
Baaack!
Jan. 02, 2006 - Young
Pens Get Their Shot |
Dec. 19, 2005 - The
'New' Sabres
Dec. 12, 2005 - Shark
Outlook Upgraded to 'Buy'
Dec. 05, 2005 - Rejoice
Over Recent Movement
Nov. 28, 2005 - The
Most Underrated Fantasy Player
Nov. 21, 2005 - Chemistry
in Chicago
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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