ASK SLAM!
By CHRIS NICHOLS -- SLAM! Sports
Chris: Kudos again on the best advice on the web. Thanks particularly for talking me out of dropping Satan a few months ago. My league counts goals, assists, +/-, special teams goals and assists, and wins, GAA and save %. Just got the news that Turek will be starting the next 10 (got it an hour too late to keep McLennan out of my lineup this week). Going to drop McLennan (already have Cloutier, Jiggy, and Grahame) and wanted your advice on a replacement. I have Steve Thomas coming off IR this week, or I could go instead for Zherdev (leaning this way), Ribeiro, Langkow, S. Walker, T. Hunter, Jokinen, or Modin. What do you say?
Otto
Dropping McLennan is a good idea. I'm a big fan of Zherdev and he's certainly been hot lately, but Walker is a safer pick right now. If Zherdev does this for a few more weeks, then maybe he's worth adding. There's no question Zherdev is the more talented of the two guys, but his consistency at the NHL level is something we're not sure of just yet.
Hi Chris: I just did a trade and am feeling horrible about it. I think I get fleeced. I traded Nash/Redden for Shanahan. Lay it on me, how bad was this trade?
Thanks, Greg
You overpaid for the name, for sure. Nash has a legitimate chance to win the NHL goal scoring title this year and he contributes in the same general range of PIM's and SOG as Shanny. Shanny gets more assists, but Redden is way too much to pay for it. The upside is that Shanny is a proven performer, so it's not like you got nothing in the deal.
Prospal has been dropped in my league & I was wondering what you thought his value is.
I really don't think he's worth too much for this season, although he'll likely still have a hot streak left in him. The Ducks have to go on a winning streak and rack up some points at some point.
I'm in a Yahoo Head 2 Head and I'm languishing in 6th place. My goalies are Brodeur, Esche, Fernandez, and Cechmanek, who are solid, but I need help offensively. I've been offering all of my Gs for an upgrade offensively except Brodeur, and no one is biting. I've been offered Lidstrom and Sakic for Brodeur--should I do this and ride on my other goalies, or stick with Brodeur and try to upgrade in other ways?
Thanks, Jonathan
If you can secure either Hackett or Roloson via trade, I'd make the deal. Brodeur is the best, but Sakic and Lidstrom would be a good addition to help your offensive totals.
Chris: A team in my league would like to trade me for Jovanovski or Redden. I am last in goals, assists, pp/shg, pen. Who would you trade from his team? Who would you add to the trade from my team to help get one of his better players? His team:Iginla,Morrow,Havlat,Hossa,Doan,Kovalev,Murray,Datsyuk,Comrie,LangkowMy team:Modin,Sundin,Hejduk,Dvorak,Avery,Weight,Prospal,Hunter,Simon,Gaborik,Kozlov, Jovanovski,Redden,Sopel,K.Johnsson,Kaberle,Leopold
I would not deal Jovo or Redden and make sure you hang onto Hejduk. Try to deal a few of your mid-level guys for a stud that is under-performing now. Target a guy like Modano, Thornton, etc.
Hi Chris: Great Column. I have a situation in goal right now with Turek coming off IR I need to make a move, which of these players should I drop? Turek, Joseph, Khabibulin or Grahame, Goalie categories are GAA, save %, Wins, SO, saves
Thanks for the help
You may want to keep Turek on IR for the next few weeks and see how the situation in Calgary plays out. All of the goalies you have carry value.
Hey Chris: Great article I went from 5th to 1st. Ok I picked up Souray when Visnovsky was on the IR. He is off IR and I have Souray and Pronger. Should I drop Visnovsky? Or try to package deal him with Morrow?
-Joe, Montreal/Sacramento
Try a package deal or just keep him on the IR for now. Souray and Pronger should be a great tandem for you the rest of the way.
Hi Chris...Miikka Kiprusoff is a Free Agent in the Yahoo league that I am in right now. I am looking to either pick him up or try and trade for another goalie. My question is do you thing that Kiprusoff will get a lot of starts with Turek back now and play like he was playing? Or should I maybe set my sights on another goalie?
Thanks again :) Chad
That's a popular question these days. Turek is going to start all of the games until Kipper comes back from injury. If Turek plays well, he may be able to keep his outright starting job. If he struggles, there could be a platoon situation or Kipper may get more starts. All of this will depend on how Turek plays. The bottom line is that Calgary would be better off trading Turek if there were any takers, which there probably won't be. Calgary could then use that money for other players and have Kipper as the starter.
What do you think about Heatley, MacInnis and Jason Allison this year.
Allison is unlikely, but possible.
MacInnis is unlikely, but possible. (He was just fitted for a corrective contact lens for his bad eye).
Heatley is still set to return around the All-Star game. Since Atlanta is actually announcing his return date range, chances are he is progressing really well. Don't expect miracles right away, but if anyone can produce after this kind of injury -- it's Heatley.
Chris, your column has become daily sustenance for my fantasy team. I am doing very well in first place as a result. I have four great goalies in Aebischer, Lalime, Prusek and Cechmanek. Are any of them worth dropping for Robert Esche? Thanks for the great advice as always.
Jared, Troy, NY
Well, Esche will surely get more starts than Prusek and have equally nice numbers. Plus, Esche has the chance to claim the number one job outright if Hackett continues to struggle. The downside to that is that Philly could still trade for another goalie to replace Hackett, which would leave Esche as a platooner at best.
Keeping Prusek would at least let you start both Ottawa goalies on any given night.
My team - I grab Esche.
Chris, are you still feeling like Gaborik will put up some numbers this year? I can pick him up and put him on the bench for the rest of the year if I have to. I don't think he will go like this for the rest of the year. A hot streak has to come.
Thanks Jesse in MINNY
It depends on who else is on your team. Gaborik's production, or lack there of, has been frustrating. If you only have fantasy garbage on your bench, go ahead and add Gabby. If you have guys that are contributing now, you may want to leave him on the FA pile for now.
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.
