ASK SLAM!
By CHRIS NICHOLS -- SLAM! Sports
Hey Chris, awesome column. I have Thibault on IR (and Theodore, Roloson, Raycroft active) in a Y! H2H non-keeper league counting G,A,PIM,+/-,PPP,SHP,GWG + W,SVP,GAA,SO. I've been offered Mogilny from one person, Heatley from another. I would like more help at RW, especially come pool playoffs, but would be concerned if one of my starting G's goes down. Of these 3 players who would you rather have in reserve?
Thanks!
Patrick
Patrick: The answer I emailed you is different that the answer I'm now going to give. The latest info has Dany Heatley coming back a month earlier than originally projected. Since he will now be back right around the All Star break, I'd trade Thibault to get Heatley. Even if Heatley takes a few weeks to get going, he'll be worth more than Thibault and Mogilny combined.
Should I drop Weekes and pick up McLennan, other goalies are Hasek and Theodore. Also is it time to cut bait on Koivu and maybe pick up Jason King. Other centers are Yzerman, Spezza, and Datsyuk. Finally Hemsky is available should I drop v. Kozlov, brunette, or Zetterberg to get him.
Weekes is way more valuable than McLennan, but Theodore is more valuable than Weekes. Drop Weekes for Theodore. Koivu has been producing really well, so definitely keep him. Zetterberg is the most valuable of the next group, so don't drop him. Hemsky at this point is equal to the other two guys.
Chris: For d-men I have Gonchar, Klee and Pitkanen....top FA's are pretty slim with Tarnstrom, Van Ryn, Berard, Tanabe, Markov, Boyle, Johnsson (Philly), Leopold and Desjardins being the only guys with any value....should I stick with what I have or pick up one of these FA's and drop one of my current D?
Thx-J
I would drop Pitkanen and grab Boyle, who has been scoring a few points lately. Tarnstrom is another possibility, but you'd have to stomach his +/-.
Great columns Chris: Your advice has now moved my team into 1st in a points only pool. We have a redraft once a month where we can drop a player and draft another. I'm looking at making a trade offer to give up Lindros & Bondra to get Demitra & Antropov in return. I can then drop Antropov @ our redraft and draft someone who will get me 50 points. What do you think ? Cheers D
Sounds like a plan. Demitra should definitely outscore the guys you're giving up.
Thanks again for the help. I'm in a 10 team H2H keeper with typical scoring. I have a tough call to make (although in reading your columns I think I know what you'll say). I've been offered Hasek for Kolzig straight up. I currently have Cujo,Kolzig,Eshe and Dunham. It seems like a no-brainer but if Kolzig stays hot or gets traded to a contender and Hasek sits out until the playoffs(or close to them),with a lock-out looming that would probably re-retire Hasek...I'm not sure which would be better long or short term. Your help is greatly appreciated.....
J in STL
If Kolzig gets traded to a contender, he'd obviously have a lot more value. As you know, I advise anyone against having Kolzig on their fantasy team, but that is purely a reflection of the team - not of Kolzig. I would chance a shot at Hasek and give up Kolzig, but I could also understand just keeping Kolzig on the bench in case of a trade. Cujo is getting the starts until Hasek's groin heals anyway. Bottom line - if it's my team, I make the deal. Get Hasek and lock up Detroit's goaltending, no matter what happens.
Hi Chris: In a roto league with most stats counted. Sitting in third but goalies killing me. Esche, Hackett and Nabokov. Been offered Modin, Linden and Khabibulin for Esche and Tkachuk. Not likely to make this deal but wondering about a counter of Hackett and Tkachuk for Khabibulin and Alfredsson or Kovalev? Appreciate your thoughts. Thanks for the great columns!
Don't do it. Tkachuk is not someone you should really ever trade in a PIM league, period. Esche and Khabi have similar value right now and both will likely be stuck in a platoon situation for the rest of the season, barring a trade by either team. I'd stand pat with the Philly goalies unless you're absolutely convinced they'll trade for someone else.
Keep up the good work and thanks for always responding. I was thinking of trading Shanny for Kariya, but since I'm a Avs fan, currently own Forsberg, Blake and Selanne am I trying to add to a "favorites" collection or help my team? PIM count and Shanny seems more durable but it would be fun to own as well as watch that duo of Kariya and Selanne! Also what do you think of Samsonov, not as a swap for Shanny, just overall. Thanks..Bob.Y.
Given Shanny's great PIM totals and generally high point totals, I'd avoid making that deal. That said, part of the fun in fantasy is having some favorite players on your team. I'd personally keep Shanny.
Samsonov: fantastic talent who has stunk this season until recently. Sammy will have a big second half if Boston can see clear to keep Sammy-Thornton-Murray together most of the time.
My pool looks like it will be won based on a close race in +/- and PPP. Which defenseman (Poti, Leopold, Hill, Tarnstrom, Berard, Tanabe, Zhitnik, Jillson) would you recommend to be a force on the power play and will at least hold his own on the +/- ?
James from San Antonio
Tarnstrom's +/- cancels him out immediately. Right now, I'd hope that Tom Poti's recent success will carry on.
Which goalie would make a better pickup at this point, Turek or Dafoe? I'm ok for now with Lalime, Esche and Burke in goal, but I'm looking for some depth or possible trade bait. Hopefully Burke will get traded to a good team and get to start.
Thanks again!
Assuming both guys are playing with the same teams for the rest of the year, Turek is the best bet. Calgary has the best defensive situation for a goalie and Turek has a better shot at taking the number one job.
Have a fantasy hockey question? Drop me a line at
chris_nichols@canoemail.com. I do my best to answer all questions within 24 hours, depending on the volume of emails. Please keep the questions short. Your fantasy questions may be answered in our Ask Slam! section.
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