First off, I would just like to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and I hope you have a great holiday season!
Stock Rising - This is where you'll find players that you may find on your waiver wire or sitting on your bench. These are players that could bring in big returns if traded now. Ultimately, its up to you whether you believe they'll stay valuable or if you should try to cash in on them now. I wouldn't recommend dropping an established player to acquire these players. These are guys that ideally, would round out the bottom half of your roster.
Buy Low - Players in this section don't mean you should try to sell them or just flat out waive them. All of the players in this section are players that are in a slump and you should try to trade for. These are guys that are talented and will come around eventually.
Sell - If these players are on your team, you're much better off checking the waiver wire or trading them.
Stock Rising
Pekka Rinne (5%) - The youngster from Finland has finally been given the opportunity to shine and is doing a great job so far. He's currently 7-2 with a 2.28 GAA and 3 shutouts. Those 3 shutouts have been in the last 6 games. We could be seeing the next Miikka Kiprusoff.
(Photo by Reuters Pictures)
Loui Eriksson (50%) - I know, most of you are saying, "who?", but believe it or not Eriksson is tied for 5th in the NHL with 18 goals this year. He's currently on pace for 44 goals this year, which I'm sure is better than your 5th defenseman or 12th forward.
Travis Zajac (25%) - The Devils are a hot team right now, no pun intended. The depth of their forwards, the outstanding play of Scott Clemmensen and the emergence of their young players have really come into play. Playing alongside Zach Parise, Zajac has been a pretty steady contributor. Most of the time when Parise scores, Zajac has a helper so if you need a player to sponge points of an elite player, Zajac is your man.
Viktor Kozlov (24%) - When Alexander Semin went down with an injury... again, the Caps turned to Kozlov to take his spot on the top line. They're not regretting it. Kozlov has 3 goals and 3 assists in his last 5 games. If you need a player give you a short term boost, he's an ideal fit. However, once Semin is back or nearing a return, make sure to cash out on him.
Jeremy Williams (2%) - Playing on the third line with Jason Blake and Dominic Moore, you'd think he's just some checker that doesn't have much value, but Williams is working hard and producing. He scored a goal in each of his first three games and has 5 total in 7 games. The Leafs don't have a lot of talent, so he does get time on the power play. If he continues to produce he'll find himself on a scoring line and you'll find yourself with a diamond in the rough.
Buy Low
Vincent Lecavalier - This can't last forever. It won't last forever. Vinny to far too talented to let this go on forever. The Lightning captain is currently on pace for 29 goals and 37 assists. Maybe his surgically repaired shoulder is bothering him a bit, but I don't see that affecting his game that much. As the section says, buy low, because now is the perfect time to snatch him from a frustrated owner.
Marian Gaborik - Once again Gabby will be shut down for a couple games by the team so he can rest his injured groin. This may be the last straw for some of his owners that are simply tired of putting up with injury problems and not look at the fact that Gaborik has 3 goals and 2 assists in 6 games. He maybe injured often, but when he plays, he plays great. Now may be the best time to acquire him.
Corey Perry - He's an up and down player and he is just now coming out of a down swing where he went with just one assist in 6 games. He has a goal and 3 assists in his last three games. Get him now before he becomes untouchable again. Then sell him when his value is high for a more consistent player.
Olli Jokinen - Playing in the desert has slowed down his game a bit. Or maybe its just adjusting to the wild wild West that is the problem. Either way, Jokinen isn't playing like himself, but I think he's starting to come around now. He went into a four game slump recently and didn't record a single point, but racked up a goal and 2 assists last night in Colorado. He's far too good to let slumps last for too long. Try to snatch him up now because when its all said and done, he'll have close to 40 goals.
Marty Turco - Is it safe yet? Kinda. Turco isn't all the way back, but he's heading in the right direction. After getting murdered in October and most of November, Turco has started to turn things around. He has a 6-2 record with a 2.59 GAA. He has occasional relapses, but for the most part he has been pretty solid in net as of late.
Sell
Craig Anderson - After telling all of you to "BUY BUY BUY", I'm now telling you to "SELL SELL SELL". Anderson has lost the starting role to incumbent starter, Tomas Vokoun. It was a good ride while it lasted.
Pascal Leclaire - Sorry Pascal, but there's a new sheriff in town and the kid goes by the name of Steve Mason. Leclaire has only played in 2 of the last 12 games and in both of those games he got shelled.
Sergei Zubov - Zubby is done for the year guys, so you 51% out there that still have him can drop him for a defenseman that will actually play in an NHL game this season.
Maxim Afinogenov - Almost a month ago, I told everyone to drop this guy and 52% of fantasy leagues didn't listen to me. When he's not a healthy scratch, he's on the fourth line. He has one assist in 9 games this month with a minus 4 rating. Move your mouse to the top of your roster page, click on drop player and then choose the check box next to his name. You'll feel better. Trust me.
Posted
Dec 24 2008, 12:00 PM
by
Nick Fruscello