Fantasy Hockey Notes 2/6/2009

With football season over and baseball still a couple months away, all we have is hockey.  So this week you'll get a double shot of fantasy hockey notes.   

Tim Connolly - Do you remember back when Jagr was on the block and everyone wondered what the Pens would get in return for him?  I recall the name Tim Connolly coming up many times in trade rumors.  That trade never happened and instead we got Kris Beech... <cough>.  Anyways, since that time Connolly has moved on to the Sabres and is posting some impressive numbers.  He scored 55 points in 63 games in 05-06, 40 points in 48 games in 07-08 and has 10 goals and 8 assists in 18 games this year.  As you can tell from the games played there, he's not exactly an iron man.  He's one of those "Can you imagine how good this guy would be if he wasn't hurt?!" kinda guys.  He's your man, if you're desperate or just want to take a chance on someone that can cash in big.

(Photo by David Duprey / AP)

Jean-Sebastien Giguere - Jiggy was finally back in the lineup last night, but gave up 3 goals on 33 shots to the Predators in a 4-2 loss.  Its tough to jump to a rookie over a proven all star veteran, but Giguere isn't doing anything special when he's in there and Hiller is giving them the best chance to win.

Pekka Rinne - The talented rookie from Finland has finally taken over the starting role in Nashville.  His record isn't impressive, but the rest of his numbers are (2.27 GAA, .920 save percentage).  He was on the "Buy Low" section back on Christmas Eve and if you took my advice then, you're reaping the benefits.  If you didn't, what are you waiting for?

Chris Osgood - I don't like to beat up on any Red Wings, especially one that's done so much for the organization, so I won't.  But I will say this, if you have Osgood on your fantasy team right now let me just say, "Welcome to the 2008-2009 season!  A lot has happened in the first four months of the season.  One important bit of news you missed is that the clock has struck midnight for Chris Osgood and he has turned back into an average, at best, goaltender".  He's 17-4, which is impressive, but it has everything to do with the team around him.  A .880 save percentage isn't going to cut it in professional hockey.

Corey Perry - After just scoring only two goals in the entire month of December (13 games), Perry has gone on a goal scoring explosion with 8 in his last 12 games.  As long as he's on the Getzlaf line and I can't imagine why he wouldn't at this point, he should be a steady goal scorer for you and could hit the 40 goal mark if this continues.

Andy McDonald - I keep reading that he's close, but I have yet to actually see him on the ice in a game.  The latest is that he's close and should return to the lineup soon.  Great, so informative.  Even though he is on the Blues, he had a fantastic start to the season and in all likelihood will finish it on another team.  He could be a big player come fantasy hockey playoff time.

Marty Turco - After having a dreadful first half and scaring off a lot of owners, Marty has come on strong.  His numbers have been getting better and better each month and the Stars are suddenly in the playoff race again.  I consider Turco to be an elite goalie and if you have the opportunity to acquire him, I would do it.  Coach Tippett is making good on his promise to play Turco in every remaining game this season and just that alone makes him valuable.

Martin Biron - From Marty Turco to Marty Biron.  Biron has really been up and down this season, mostly down and is now in danger of losing his job to Antero Niittymaki (you better believe I copied and pasted that name).  Niittymaki has better overall numbers and has been getting the majority of the starts.  Biron owners better pay close attention to this.

Sean Avery - Believe it or not, Avery may be back on the ice soon and it could be with his old team, the New York Rangers.  They have expressed an interest in acquiring him from the Stars and I have to believe the Stars will want to unload him, so this is a very doable move.  Avery's missed quite a bit of time, so he probably won't be too effective on the scoresheet, not that he ever was, but where he's most valuable is penalty minutes and it won't matter how much time he missed to contribute to those numbers.  If you're in need of a goon, a really good one is about to become available soon.