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The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
November 24, 2003
Story by: Eric Theis
Admit it. No matter what your overall opinion
of the NHL's exhibition this weekend was, some
part of you enjoyed the spectacle put on at the
Heritage Arena Saturday. Perhaps it was the cold
weather, watching the Oiler alum shoveling snow
off the ice, or seeing Grant Fuhr still making
dynamic saves (for Fuhr, there is never such a
thing as an "exhibition" - he would
play the same way if his opponents were a group
of neighbourhood children); it all took me back
to a much simpler time. While watching the Edmonton-Montreal
all-star game, I was able to project back to a
time when for me, hockey was just a game. I recalled
memories of my first hockey jersey (Edmonton),
my first set of equipment (used of course), learning
to skate backwards (which I could never really
get the hang of - hence my decision to play goal),
and it was great.
That feeling lasted right up to around 6:30.
Then it was to hell with simplicity - I had a
fantasy championship to win after all. So much
for nostalgia. Good luck this week, and keep emailing
me your fantasy hockey questions at fantasy@hockeylink.ca.
The Good
Martin Rucinsky 3 GP, 2 G, 4 A, + 5
LW - New York Rangers
Having Rucinsky on your fantasy roster, is akin
to receiving a box of chocolates without the benefit
of that nifty map in the box that lets you know
which confection is what. As a result, it is a
matter of luck and chance as to what you get when
you reach into the box. When Rucinsky has been
healthy (which he usually isn't) and in a game
mentally (which he usually isn't), Rucinsky can
be an offensive threat - Rucinsky has recorded
four 20+ goal campaigns in his career. However
that leaves 8 seasons where he did not: Rucinsky's
inconsistencies have see him play on 5 different
teams over his 12 years in the NHL, including
2 stints with the Rangers. It is interesting to
note however, that two of his highest point-per-game
totals ( 0.70 currently, and 0.87 in 01-02) came
with the Rangers; with New York this year, Rucinsky
has managed to play his way onto the top scoring
line with Alexei Kovalev and Bobby Holik. The
potential pay out for fantasy owners could be
numbers that approach Rucinsky's career best,
if he can stay healthy and focused.
Todd Bertuzzi 3 GP, 1 G, 5 A, 3 PPP, 4 PIM, +3
RW - Vancouver Canucks
I might as well etch Bertuzzi's name into this
column permanently, as Bert does not show any
signs of slowing down this season. If fact, if
his history can be trusted, Todd is only going
to get better. His current pace puts him at 102
points for the year; an improvement of 5 points
from last season's total, while equaling his best
numbers for power play points. In fact his current
offensive projections have Bertuzzi finishing
1st in the NHL in points, something not entirely
unreasonable if Bert can stay healthy.
Brett Hull 3 GP, 3 G, 2 A, 2 PPP, 1 GWG, +4
RW - Detroit Red Wings
Entering the season, age was a key question in
predicting how the Red Wings would fair this year,
and much of that line of inquiry was leveled at
Brett Hull. While there is no doubting Hull's
playmaking or goal scoring ability, he spent less
time on the ice than of the Red Wings' other legitimate
scoring forwards - clearly a product of advancing
age. As well, Hull can change from hot to cold
faster then he can swap citizenship, and while
he had a good week, it is worth noting that he
has had only one power play point over his last
6 games.
Marian Hossa 4 GP, 1 G, 5 A, 4 PPP, -3
RW - Ottawa Senators
In a season in which can so far be considered
a write off, Hossa remains one of the few positives
for the underachieving Senators. He maintained
his point-per-game plus gait in spite of a foot
ailment, to say nothing of the Senators dismal
1-2-1-1 performance over their last 4 games. His
+/- has suffered as a result, but the exchange
of poor +/-, for Hossa's achievement in other
fantasy categories is a no-brainer.
Martin Brodeur 2 GP 2 W, 1.00 GAA, .951 SV%
G - New Jersey Devils
I will go out on a limb and suggest that Marty
B. might soon make people rethink who is the all-time
best NHL goaltender. The Devils owe Brodeur much
of the credit for their current 10 game unbeaten
streak: the Devils netminder has allowed more
than 2 goals just once in those 10 games, while
leading the NHL in goals-against-average and wins,
and sitting within the top 10 in all other goaltender
categories. Brodeur is to an NHL team, what an
ace pitcher is to a baseball team: Brodeur, of
his own accord can stop a loosing streak, or prolong
a winning run. That is why he has 3 Stanley Cup
rings. Those who drafted Brodeur over other, more
highly touted backstops going into the season
are enjoying the last laugh.
Stephen Weiss 3 GP, 2 G, 2A, 2 PPP, 1 GWG, -1
C - Florida Panthers
The small-framed center for Florida is starting
to turn some heads this season. Not able to crack
the Panthers lineup out of camp this fall, Weiss
has record 8 points in the 9 games since he was
recalled from San Antonio (AHL). It is unlikely
that Weiss, in only his second full NHL season,
will continue on a 70 point pace; while he has
great speed and natural hockey instincts, he plays
for a Panthers team that averages 2.16 goals per
game (not helped by an anemic power play), while
allowing almost half a goal more per game to the
opposing team. Fifty points is not unreasonable
for Weiss, and if your team can take the hit to
+/- that owning a Florida player will contribute,
have a look.
Honourable Mention:
Mark Recchi 3 GP, 3 G, 1 A, 3 PPP, 1 GWG, 2 PIM,
+1
RW - Philadelphia Flyers
Bringing balanced scoring and depth to Philly
from the forward position, Recchi is having something
approaching a rebirth this season. While he is
long past his 127 point season in 92-93, he will
probably best last year's totals. Keep in mind
that part of Recchi's offensive achievement comes
as a result of his linemates, Tony Amonte and
Jeremy Roenick; the latter of which is likely
to miss several games this week and next with
a back ailment.
John Grahame 1 GP, 1 W, 1.00 GA, .962 SV%
G - Tampa Bay Lightning
Neither Tampa Bay goalie has allowed the other
to be declared the consensus starter; part of
the reason Tampa Bay has done so well through
20 games. Grahame's numbers are better than his
counterpart, Nikolai Khabibulin, and Grahame also
enjoys the support of Lightning coach John Tortorella.
If the "Bulin Wall" starts to crumble,
Grahame is a sure thing to upstage the big Russian.
Frantisek Kaberle 3 GP, 0 G, 4 A, 3 PPP, 4 PIM,
+4
D - Atlanta Thrashers
Bringing new meaning to the term "power
play specialist," 8 of the elder Kaberle's
11 assists have come with the man advantage, good
enough for 3rd amongst all NHL defensemen - and
he is still +6.
Mats Sundin 3 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 1 PPP, 4 PIM, +1
C - Toronto Maple Leafs
Shaking off his early season troubles, Sundin
is once again into a scoring groove for the Leafs.
Now if only his wingers could:
1) stay healthy
Or
2) not suck
The Bad
Patrick Lalime 3 GP, 1 W, 2 L (1 OTL), 3.21 GAA,
.859 SV%
G - Ottawa Senators
For a goalie that has become known for durability,
focus and superb technique, Patrick Lalime has
played like the antithesis of himself. He will
recover, but will it be in time to stop Ottawa's
downward spiral. There is more than enough time;
the question is whether anyone on the team will
be able to mentally regroup. If you own Lalime,
there is no choice but to grit your teeth and
bear it.
Alexei Yashin 3 GP, 0 G, 0 A, -1
C - New York Islanders
It wouldn't seem like winter if Yashin hadn't
suddenly gone ice cold. Well, at least he has
all that money to keep him warm.
Josef Vasicek 4 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 2 PIM, -3
C - Carolina
Vasicek had 8 points by October 30th, a point-a-game
pace. Since then he has managed just 3 points
over 12 games, including 1 lousy point over his
last 9. Predictably, Vasicek has played himself
off of Carolina's top line, and into fantasy obscurity.
The Ugly
Andy Delmore 3 GP, 0 G, 0 A, - 2
D - Buffalo Sabres
Brought over from Nashville in the off season
to help kick start Buffalo's offense, Andy Delmore
has won exclusive rights to the title of "Biggest
Fantasy Bust" through the first quarter of
the season. Delmore has exactly one point through
16 games, despite being given quarterbacking duties
for the Sabres power play, and initially receiving
good ice time. I say initially, because Delmore
found himself watching 6 games from the press
box, a healthy scratch from October 30th - November
8th, and again on the 19th. Delmore got an assist
in his first game back, but then immediately reverted
back to form, going pointless in every game since.
For fun I ran Delmore's on-pace numbers for the
season: 76 GP, 0 G, 5 A, - 4, 100 PIM - all this
for the bargain price of $1,000,000 a season.
Amazingly enough, 29.6% of fantasy hockey league
teams still have Delmore on their rosters? If
you are one of those 29.6%, give me a call. I
have this bridge in Brooklyn I'm trying to get
off my hands.
Questions or comments about this, or another fantasy
article? fantasy@hockeylink.ca
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