October 8,
2007
New Islanders – In a
Word: Dominating
By Darryl Dobbs, TheFourthPeriod.com
Has Ted Nolan done it again?
Has he taken a mishmash cast of underachievers and molded them
together to form a cohesive, productive unit?
Two impressive wins over the Buffalo Sabres and it would seem
so. Nolan is making GM Garth Snow look like a brilliant man
for bringing Mike Comrie, Bill Guerin and Ruslan Fedotenko on
board.
Comrie will have a career season this year. I said it in my
pool guide. I said it in my ramblings. I say it every time
somebody will listen. That being said, his career high is 60
points and beating that total shouldn't be too difficult for
him.
I had figured 65 points or so. I should probably revise this
number. With four goals and six points in his first two
contests, Comrie is showing the stuff that made him a hot
commodity in fantasy leagues back in his Oiler days. Back
then, poolies saw a future in which he would regularly tally
85 to 95 points.
Maybe it's time to revisit that optimistic upside.
It's early in the season of course, but all the indicators are
there. He just turned 27 – a year commonly believed to be the
beginning of a player's prime. He is getting 18 or 20 minutes
of ice time per game. He tore it up in preseason as well. He
has obvious chemistry with linemates Guerin and Fedotenko.
The only problem is – his current fantasy owners have jacked
up the price. As well they should. I often preach the "buy low
and sell high" philosophy, but in Comrie's case I think he is
worth hanging onto unless somebody places a proven 80-point
player at your feet.
In the meantime, I have conservatively moved my expectations
of Comrie up to 70 points, Guerin up to 65 and Fedotenko up to
55.
Meanwhile...
...The Isles have placed rearguard Freddie Meyer on
waivers in what is likely an effort to clear a roster spot for
Bryan Berard. Berard would be an absolute steal off the waiver
wire, although there are always health questions. In a
rotisserie league, however, he will get his points early and
often and can always be replaced if and when he does go down.
...Alexei Ponikarovsky looked so good on the top line with
Mats Sundin and Nik Antropov that it is likely that Jason
Blake will remain on the second line. Barring an injury to one
of Sundin's linemates (and with Antropov, that's always a
possibility), Blake may find 30 goals and 60 points out of
reach for this season.
...The Calgary Flames have five goals in two games and
center Daymond Langkow has four of them. Langkow has been
seeing over 20 minutes per game and is back – and firmly
entrenched – on the first line.
...Kristian Huselius has seen 18 to 19 minutes of ice time
per game, for those of you who were considered about his
relationship with head coach Mike Keenan.
...The up/down, up/down career of Vaclav Prospal is
continuing. The 32-year-old Tampa forward has had seasons of
55, 79, 54, 80 before dropping to 55 again last season. Can
you guess where I had him pegged in my fantasy hockey guide?
He has four points in two games, so his expected resurgence is
clearly on track.
For more
fantasy tips, visit www.dobberhockey.com
Sept. 24, 2007 -
The Future of Oil Country
May 14, 2007 -
Non-Playoff Teams Summer Outlook: III
May 07, 2007 -
Non-Playoff Teams Summer Outlook: II
Apr. 30, 2007 -
Non-Playoff Teams Summer Outlook: I
Apr. 09, 2007 -
Eastern Playoff Preview
Apr. 02, 2007 -
A Case for the Defense
Mar. 19, 2007 -
Transplanted Oilers Look Good on the
Island
Mar. 12, 2007 -
A Case for the Defense
Mar. 05, 2007 -
Fantasy Hockey Potpourri
Feb. 26, 2007 -
Kovalchuk turnaround has finally
arrived
Feb. 19, 2007 -
Trade Buzz – Fantasy Impact, Part III
Feb. 12, 2007 -
Trade Buzz – Fantasy Impact, Part II
Feb. 05, 2007 -
Trade Buzz – Fantasy Impact, Part I
Jan. 29, 2007 -
Bulin Wall Crumbling?
Jan. 22, 2007 -
Dan Boyle: Underrated, but One of
the Best Fantasy Defensemen |
Jan. 15, 2007 -
Back on Track
Jan. 08, 2007 -
Leafs Youngsters get Chance to Shine
Jan. 01, 2007 -
Is the Suffering Finally Over?
Dec. 18, 2006 -
Malone Finds Timing
Dec. 11, 2006 -
Erat Breaking Out
Dec. 04, 2006 -
Pavelski Becoming This Year's
Bernier
Nov. 27, 2006 -
Radulov Gives Sneak Preview
Nov. 20, 2006 -
Need Penalty Minutes?
Nov. 13, 2006 -
Broken Ankles/Feet This Year's Groin Injury
Nov. 06, 2006 -
Fantasy Surprises After the First
Month
Oct. 30, 2006 -
Eight Games (and Counting)
Oct. 23, 2006 -
The Magical 10th Game
Oct. 16, 2006 -
Pitkanen Becoming an Elite Fantasy
Rearguard
Oct. 09, 2006 -
Out of the Shadows
Oct. 02, 2006 -
Was McDonald's season a fluke? |
Dobber's
Fantasy Tips exclusively appear Monday's at
TheFourthPeriod.com.
Comments/Concerns/Criticisms/Compliments: rotohockey@rogers.com
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