Fantasy Hockey Analysis

Fantasy Hockey Scouts: The Fantasy Five - Week 9

#1 Give 'em a Look

Logan Couture was a highly regarded point producer in the OHL that was drafted 9th overall by the Sharks in 2007 but we really started to take notice when he put up 53 points in 42 games in his rookie AHL season last year. His 1.26 pts/gm for an AHL rookie was a number that nobody had put up since Jason Spezza did it back in 2002/03. So we had high hopes for Couture coming into this year but figured it might take him some time… well he’s proven to be a quick learner as he easily leads NHL rookies in goals (13) & shots (93) and is just one point behind Jeff Skinner for the lead in rookie points.

Others worth a look: Ryan Malone (TB – LW), Matt Carle (Phi - D), Roman Hamrlik (Mtl – D) and Corey Crawford (Chi – G)

We got a pair of Senators for you: Peter Regin was thought by many to be a great breakout candidate this year as he looked to be ready for a spot on the top line. Well he did find himself on the top line but then didn’t know what to do with it as he only has one goal on the season, just one point over his last 11 games and has been a healthy scratch the past two games. Milan Michalek was supposed to be the prize in the Heatley trade but he suffered through an injury-plagued 34 point season last year. Well things aren’t getting an better for him this season as he has only one goal in his last 15 games and is on pace for only 30 points for the season.

Others worth a boot: Brad Boyes (StL – RW), Anton Stralman (Clb – D), Dan Girardi (NYR – D) and Mike Smith (TB – G)

Patrick Kane was taken into the boards awkwardly on Sunday night and left the game after the opening shift with an ankle injury. The Hawks haven’t given many details but what they have said is that he’ll likely be out for three weeks, maybe longer. Bad news if you’re relying heavily on Kane but this could have been much worse so consider yourself fortunate.

The battle for the crease in Washington is one of the most important ones for fantasy GMs to keep an eye on as if one goalie emerges as the clear #1 then they instantly become one of the best fantasy goalies in the league. With Semyon Varlamov hurt early, Michal Neuvirth carried the mail and started the year going 12-3-0 but he’s struggled a little lately. Since Varlamov returned he’s started five of the past seven games and he’s 4-1-0 with a 1.59 gaa & .946 sv%. It looks like it will be Varlamov’s net for a little while but this one is likely to go back-and-forth a few more times this year.

A must read for you stat-heads out there is Behind the Net, where Gabe Desjardins and others break down hockey to its most simple form, check that, to the minute details giving you all the Corsi, PDO and zone start data you can handle. Some of it is really too deep for fantasy leagues but a lot of it is applicable.