March
17, 2008
Buy Low – An Early Look
at 2008-09
By Darryl Dobbs, TheFourthPeriod.com
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As the 2007-08 campaign draws to
a close, I’ve noticed some keeper-league owners growing
increasingly sour over certain players.
These players are almost
certain to come back strong next season – or finally have that
long awaited breakout. Let’s take a look:
Thomas Vanek, Buffalo: No surprise here. He is an
85-point player in a 65-point player’s body right now. If you
can get him for a 75-point guy, make the offer.
Production next season: 85 points |
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Rod Brind’Amour, Carolina:
My favorite “sell high” player of the last three seasons is
now a “buy low” player. His age (37) and his injury (ACL) have
a lot of poolies jumping ship on this guy. If you own him –
don’t waste your time shopping him; you’ll get nothing for
him. If you don’t own him and think you can contend next
season, I have no doubt that he could be had for a pick. Keep
this in mind: he has three years left on his big contract.
Production next season: 65 points
Gilbert Brule, Columbus: A bust? Sure, let’s write a
21-year-old off as having no fantasy future and no upside. Or,
we could be reasonable and give him a couple more years. Brule
will show signs of what is to come next season, before a big
breakout the following year.
Production next season: 35-40 points
Production 2009-10: 65-plus points
Jiri Hudler, Detroit: Fantasy owners don’t have a lot of
patience. If a player doesn’t notch 60 points by his second
season, he often gets dumped for cheap in fantasy leagues. You
should be flying around Hudler’s owner like a vulture.
Production next season: 65 points
Ales Hemsky, Edmonton: He had seasons of 77 and 53 points
and is on pace for 69. His fantasy owner no doubt considers
him an 80-point guy now. That’s your cue to make the phone
call. It may not be next year, or even the year after – but
within three years this guy will explode like Vincent
Lecavalier did last season. Remember, many people were
starting to label Vinny as an 80-point player.
Production in one of the next three seasons: 100 points
Rostislav Olesz, Florida: Once upon a time, there was a
top-10 draft pick who made the NHL full time as a 19-year old
and put up seasons of 21, 21, 16 and 29 points. Almost every
fantasy owner I know bailed on him and lived to regret it when
Olli Jokinen posted 65 points. Now, Olesz will never be a
Jokinen – he doesn’t have that ability to avoid injury – but
he could be just as adept a producer. With his third
consecutive sub-35-point season, Olesz could be had for a
song.
Production in one of the next two seasons: 70 points, health
permitting
Andy McDonald, St. Louis: He’s perfect for the second
line, and with the arrival of T.J. Oshie and Patrik Berglund
next season, he will at least be shifted down to a 1B or 1C
type of pivot. His production as a Blue has dipped lately and
he is looking like a 60-point player. That should improve with
a better cast around him next year. His 50 points this year
will be an eyesore on someone’s team and they’ll be looking to
dump.
Production next year: 65 points
Alex Steen, Toronto: He doesn’t have a whole lot of upside
– perhaps 70 points at the very best – but Steen is showing
signs of hitting his stride. With a re-vamped Toronto lineup
(you know it’s going to happen), Steen will be a top-six
forward.
Production next year: 60 points
The Sedin Twins, Vancouver: I know one owner who is
whining about these players every day they don’t get a point.
If the twins finish with fewer than 75 points, that will work
out nicely if you don’t own them. These two are 85-point
players, so if you can offer a pair of 80-point forwards I am
sure they can be had.
Production next year: Henrik 83 points, Daniel 84 points – or
vice-versa
Eric Fehr, Washington: He missed most of the season with a
back injury and is still trying to find his groove; the Caps
need a natural right wing and also need his size up front. He
will probably land on the first or second line full-time.
Production next year: 55 points, with upside
Miroslav Satan, Unrestricted Free Agent: It can’t come
soon enough for his owners. He is a 65-point player who has
been languishing on the third line under Ted Nolan. He’ll be
34 next year and still has a couple of good seasons left in
him.
Production next year: 57 to 67 points, depending on which team
he signs with.
David Vyborny, Unrestricted Free Agent: Languishing under
Ken Hitchcock, and his value has not been helped by his
injuries this year. While 65 points the last two seasons was
probably over-achieving, Vyborny is still a serviceable 55 to
60-point player. He just turned 33, so he also has a couple of
good seasons in him.
Production next year: 55 to 60 points, depending on which team
he signs with.
For more
fantasy tips, visit www.dobberhockey.com
Mar. 10, 2008 -
The Selanne Effect
Mar. 03, 2008 -
Defensemen - Down the Stretch
Feb. 25, 2008 -
Trade Deadline - The Fantasy Lowdown Pt. 2 of 2
Feb. 18, 2008 -
Trade Deadline - The Fantasy Lowdown Pt. 1 of 2
Feb. 11, 2008 -
The Cavalry is Coming... But Do the Avs Need Them?
Feb. 04, 2008 -
Plekanec's Rolling Along
Jan. 28, 2008 -
At the All-Star Break...
Jan. 07, 2008 -
Leafs in World of Hurt
Dec. 17, 2007 -
Flashes of Promise
Dec. 10, 2007 -
Narrowing the Gap
Dec. 03, 2007 -
Passing the Torch
Nov. 26, 2007 -
Shifting Gears |
Nov. 19, 2007 -
Predators Back on Track
Nov. 12, 2007 -
Stepping Back
Oct. 29, 2007 -
The New Thrashers
Oct. 15, 2007 -
Two Promising Surprises
Oct. 08, 2007 -
New Islanders – In a Word:
Dominating
Sept. 24, 2007 -
The Future of Oil Country |
Dobber's
Fantasy Tips exclusively appear Monday's at
TheFourthPeriod.com.
Comments/Concerns/Criticisms/Compliments: rotohockey@rogers.com
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