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October 15, 2007
Two Promising Surprises
By Darryl Dobbs, TheFourthPeriod.com 

Just two weeks into the NHL season and there are more than a few surprise producers around the league. Here is what you can expect from two of them, in both the long and the short term.

Six games into his NHL campaign and Carolina's Jeff Hamilton knows his role. With approximately 12 minutes of ice time per game, but six minutes of powerplay time – he is there to boost the offense. Hamilton has been on the point for the majority of the power play time – he leads all 'Canes in that department by a wide margin. Four of his six points were with the man advantage.

With Carolina's powerplay in the top seven in the league right now, you know that they will continue with this arrangement even if Hamilton were to go pointless for five games. They will keep him as their quarterback and it would take a colossal slump to remove him from there.

A point-per-game is obviously a little much to expect from Hamilton this season, but a high-level powerplay quarterback will generally produce in that 50- to 65-point range.

Barring one of those colossal slumps, that is where you can expect Hamilton to wind up. In the meantime, he makes a great short-term pickup as a depth center. It's just too bad he that he will likely not get rotisserie consideration as a defenseman...

If Niklas Hagman hasn't caught your attention yet, allow me to point him out to you. The 28-year-old has seven points in six games, including five goals. On a team desperate for offense, this is coming from an unexpected source. He was a big scorer over in Finland and when he arrived in the NHL, the upside at the time was considered to be that of a second liner capable of potting 65 points. However, after five seasons of not even posting 30 points, he has long been written off by poolies.

He is clicking on a line with Brenden Morrow and Mike Ribeiro and is also seeing time on the second powerplay unit. His production will depend on how long his linemates can stay healthy. Since Dallas will be hard-pressed to boast a 65-point player this season, it is unreasonable to expect Hagman to get to that level.

For the short term, he is another good one to grab off the waiver wire. By the end of the season, however, I would be surprised if he reaches the 45-point mark. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't watching him closely. Just to make sure.

For more fantasy tips, visit www.dobberhockey.com

Oct. 08, 2007 - New Islanders – In a Word: Dominating
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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