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
Rene Bourque (25%) - No, he's not on the Iginla line, but yes, he does have value. He's been quite solid over the past couple months, scoring 8 goals in 13 games last month and has 3 points in 4 games, this month. He may not be playing with Iginla now, but the way Keenan keeps shuffling lines, its only a matter of time.
David Booth (35%) - I hate to keep bringing this guy up, but if he played for anyone other than the Panthers, like a Canadian team, he would get a lot more recognition. Since coming back from his shoulder injury, he has racked up 10 points in his last 8 games and is currently on pace for a 36 goal season. Not bad for a guy that you're probably getting off waivers.
Michael Frolik (0.6%) - Here's a guy you may not want to pick up now, but someone to keep in mind. The Panthers first round pick in 2006 has received more ice time with all the injuries that the Panthers have had and is making a good impression. He had 11 points in 14 games in December and has 2 goals in his last 3 games this month. He's a guy that will get better with age.
Dwayne Roloson (20%) - If you have a hole in your goaltending and need someone to fill it short term, Rolo is your man. Last month, he finished with 5-2 with a 2.58 GAA and a .920 save percentage. His hot streak has continued into this month with a 2-0 record and 1.55 GAA. I don't expect this to last forever, especially on the Oilers, but like I said, its a good short term solution.
Jonathan Quick (8%) - Speaking of good short term solutions for goalie, the newest tough-to-crack goalie for the Kings is available in 92% of ESPN fantasy leagues. He finished December with a 1.72 GAA and has a 0.92 GAA this month. You won't get a ton of wins from a Kings goalie, but he'll do well in everything else.
Buy Low
Jean-Sebastien Giguere - I hate to beat a dead horse here, but Giggy has traditionally done well in the second half of the season and right now, his value is pretty low with how well Jonas Hiller is playing. A disgruntled owner may part with him pretty easily in exchange for a goalie that is getting regular playing time.
(Photo by Chris Carlson / AP)
Jose Theodore - I have a strong feeling that Washington will have a very strong second half and part of that feeling is because of Theodore. He's only given up 2 goals or less in each of his last 5 games and its been against some playoff caliber teams. Washington plays against their own division a lot more in the second half of the season as well.
Jason Spezza - There's a lot of trades rumors swirling around him right now. Most have him going to Calgary. If that happens, he'll be in a much better situation playing on a team that goes all out on offense and doesn't pay much attention to defense. Till then, he's a good to have now while he's on a line with Heatley and Alfredsson.
Derek Roy - After starting the season incredibly slow, Roy has picked up the pace and is a point machine. He has 33 points in his last 30 games and is currently riding a three game point streak.
Sell
Marian Gaborik - Well at least its finally over. The healthy - injured - healthy - injured saga is over and Gaborik is done for the year. He's safe to sell and pick up someone that can help. I did recommend him at the beginning and I stand by what I said. He may have had injury problems in the past, but he played 77 games last year. Plus, injury prone pasts mean nothing. Marty Brodeur played in 70+ games for 10 years straight, then went down with an injury this year. Hopefully this surgery will fix his injury problems once and for all and we can see this exciting player resume his career.
Paul Kariya - Speaking of exciting players out for the year, Paul Kariya is done for the season. Its a rough year for small, speedy wingers.
Gary Roberts - Yeah, he's tough. Yeah, he's physical. Yeah, he's not going to help your fantasy team. Even when he gets healthy again.
Steven Stamkos - Sorry, but he's going to have to go back on the sell list. Until Tampa Bay figures out what they're doing, its best to stay away from the promising rookie.
Posted
Jan 07 2009, 01:51 PM
by
Nick Fruscello