The Fantasy Shopping List
October 31, 2003


Story by: Eric Theis

If your fantasy team is like mine, you have already started to key in on where you went very, very wrong in your draft, or where the fantasy gods have decided to grant you a team of Pintos, competing in a league or Vipers. But enough with the analogies; you need answers, help to get your team back on track, earning points rather than giving them up. The Fantasy Shopping List breaks down the hot fantasy performers still available in fantasy leagues (because most likely Ilya Kovalchuk is not still available), and the spin on how they can help, and hurt your team. Good luck this week, and see you next time at the Fantasy Shopping List.

Frantisek Kaberle Power Play Points, Assists

Atlanta, D
Percent Owned - 35.1%

Why you should pick him up:

Kaberle is spending more time on the power play, which when teamed with the likes of Ilya Kovalchuk, has translated into 6 Assists, 4 of them on the power play, and he sits at a very impressive +5 for an Atlanta team playing with defensive responsibility.. To put those numbers into perspective, he is tied in points with elite defensemen Nic Lidstrom, Rob Blake, Chris Pronger and Sergi Gonchar, and has shown himself to be the Kaberle to own thus far.

Why you shouldn't:

The tragedy surrounding the death of Dan Snyder has quite justly shifted attention away from the fact that this young Atlanta team has been playing over their heads. Kovalchuk is a phenom, but phenoms can be shut down if they represent the only scoring threat for a team. The well of points could dry up suddenly, and with it Kaberle's utility.

Marc Savard Goals

Atlanta, C
Percent Owned - 84.1%

Why you should pick him up:

Savard played at a level that makes him capable of amassing 25-35 goals this season. He plays on a line with Slava Kozlov, and Ilya Kovalchuk, a line which has produced 17 of the Thrashers 26 goals this year, and he has produced points in all but two of Atlanta's games this year. A lack of quality support, or injuries has limited Savard's production over his career, but those difficulties appear to be in Savard's past. This could be a breakout year.

Why you shouldn't:

In 8 seasons, Savard has played in 70 or more games only 3 times, and his career high in points was 65 (in 2000 with Calgary). As well, for the same reasons mentioned earlier, a one line team does not endure over a season, as they can be too easily matched up against by teams who study game film. Pick him up if you need the goals, but keep your eye on him if he and the team start to flounder.

Marik Malik Plus Minus, Assists

Vancouver, D
Percent Owned - 45.1%

Why you should pick him up:

The current plus/minus leader in the NHL, who plays for a team who can put up some great offensive numbers might be someone to look at to help your team. Although never a scoring threat in his career, Malik has always played a sound defensive game, and is great at moving the puck out of his own end. Expect him to continue to produce this season.

Why you shouldn't:

Other than his lack of scoring, Malik has no significant downside. The injury to Brent Sopel (groin) on Tuesday night opens up the possibility that Vancouver Coach Marc Crawford will juggle his defensive pairings to compensate - which might mean that Malik find himself separated from current partner Ed Jovanovski.

Paul Mara Assists, Power Play Points

Phoenix, D
Percent Owned - 81.8%

Why you should pick him up:

His 9 points, including 8 helpers is good enough for second best amongst all NHL defensemen. 4 of his assists have come on the power play, which Mara receives regular ice time on, and he is + 1 for a team that is collectively - 2 after 9 games this season. In deep leagues, Mara's production can definitely be an asset, if he is still available.

Why you shouldn't:

The Coyotes have shown great inconsistency, typical of a rebuilding team stocked with young players learning their craft. The rough translation of this is that Phoenix will get scored on, mercilessly some nights. Keep in mind your plus/minus when acquiring Mara.

Ales Hemsky Assists, Power Play Points

Edmonton, RW
Percent Owned - 82.9%

Why you should pick him up:

Hemsky entered this season as the most talented player, that no fantasy team was bound to draft. He has remained under the radar with fantasy owners thus far, but that trend could change quickly. With Mike Comrie still holding out in Edmonton, Hemsky has played on the Oilers top line alongside Ryan Smith, and has responded with a team high 8 points (4 on the power play), and a game winning goal through 9 games.

Why you shouldn't:

Hemsky is still very young, and is subject to all of the struggles that befall sophomore players. The pressure of being put on Edmonton's top line may weigh heavily on the youngster, who has yet to play a full NHL season.

Andrew Raycroft Wins

Boston, G
Percent Owned - 69.1%

Why you should pick him up:

When starter Felix Potvin stumbled out of the gate this season, Raycroft was there to pick up the pieces, posting three wins and one tie in 5 games. His 1.65 GAA, and .944 SV% has helped Boston to its 6 - 2 - 2 start thus far, and has shown management that he is ready to be the number one for a team without a start backstop for several seasons.

Why you shouldn't:

Potvin has rebounded with a win and a tie in Boston's last two games, allowing only a single goal (in overtime) out of 61 shots faced. At this point, Raycroft might be the goaltender of the future, but not the present in Boston.

Jamie McLennan Save %, GAA

Calgary, G
Percent Owned - 66.6%

Why you should pick him up:

With Roman Turek already missing significant time off due to injury, McLennan has received the lions share of starts for Calgary in net. In that time he is 4-2, with a 1.61 GAA, a 914 SV%, and one shutout.

Why you shouldn't:

Calgary is not going to threaten anyone for a playoff spot based on their play this season. The team has only 18 goals for so far, which will not win many games for the Flames, nor accrue many wins for a fantasy team. Mix in an unclear starting goal situation when Turek does return, and the number of wins McLennan could get for a team shrinks even more.

Chris Simon Penalty Minutes

New York Rangers, LW
Percentage Owned - 11.5%

Why you should pick him up:

Love it or hate it, penalty minutes count in fantasy hockey. A hard fact is that this stat is largely overlooked by owners, yet simple attention to this category could turn a losing week into a winning one for a fantasy team. Not every team can have a Todd Bertuzzi or Bill Guerin (noted point studs with high PIMs), so most teams have to look elsewhere. Chris Simon of the New York Rangers currently leads the NHL with 62 PIM, in addition to sitting at a tidy + 2, and even chipping in 4 assists to boot. More importantly, Simon is not a goon inserted periodically into his team's lineup for toughness, having played in all 8 of the Rangers games. This means that a fantasy owner will not waste a roster spot inserting Simon into the lineup, only to have Simon watch the game from the press box.

Why you shouldn't:

Does any time really have the space to add a PIM magnet? Most of us are trying win across so many other offensive categories that there is no where to put a Chris Simon-like player.