Welcome back to another exciting edition of The Puck Stops Here. Check back this weekend for discussion on the Tampa Bay Lightning Situation. “Between the Tackles” author, Mike Colligan, feels strongly and wants to voice his opinion. Let me give my two cents.
The first mistake was hiring Melrose. He has been out of professional hockey for over a decade and commentating on ESPN doesn’t enhance any coaching skills (I am ignoring the two games he coached in the UHL). I don’t understand what made him so desirable in the first place. In his only three seasons in the NHL, he only won 82 games out of 216 games. His run to the Stanley Cup? That was his first season, coaching someone else’s team, riding Gretzky’s coattails, and got out coached. I love Barry Melrose and the style of hockey he believes in but he should never have been in charge to begin with.
The second mistake was spending money in all the wrong places. Tampa’s spending situation this summer was ridiculous. They overpaid for everyone and targeted all players who hit their ceiling and can’t match previous production. The only smart move this summer was drafting Stamkos. The entire situation is a joke and the smartest move would have been to fire the GM who is making these decisions. Ok, I hope I didn’t steal any of Mike’s thunder. Let’s move on to some fantasy points.
Steve Stamkos, C, Tampa Bay: Getting back to Stamkos, he is getting some ice time with Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis, both regular strength and on the power play. Stamkos has done nothing yet this season and has been disappointing, but getting ice time with St. Louis and Vinnie may cure his slow start. The talent on that line is mind-boggling. Stamkos will get better as the season grows older and he becomes more comfortable, if he does end up on the top unit, Stamkos will be valuable. For now, play the wait and see game.
Pavol Demitra, C, Vancouver: Demitra started slowly with only 3 points in 6 games before losing time to yet another injury. After missing just under a month, he has 5 points in 3 games including a power play goal and assist. He is currently skating with the Sedin twins and anyone who skates with the twins always produces. He has also found himself running one of the points on the power play. I bet he misses another 10 to 15 games throughout the season, but if he can stay healthy long enough to continue playing with the twins then Demitra is definitely worth owning.
Ondrej Pavelec, G, Atlanta: I have seen fantasy writers on many other websites touting Pavelec as the next big thing and to pick him up while Lehtonen is injured. Don’t buy it! Pavelec does have talent and played well in the AHL, but that is the AHL. He hasn’t done anything worthwhile this season and wasn’t that great last year either. He has won a few times but the peripherals haven’t been and won’t be great. Atlanta won’t win with defense and Pavelec’s peripherals will suffer because of it. Let someone else have Pavelec.
Danny Sabourin, G, Pittsburgh: While you are passing on Pavelec, keep an eye on Sabourin. Marc-Andre Fleury is day to day in Pittsburgh and Sabourin is performing well in his absence. Fleury’s injury sounds like the groin or hamstring variety and the Pens will be very cautious with him. I expect Fleury to sit out at least another week or two to allow him to fully recover. Sabourin will continue to play well as the Pens continue to hit their stride. Think Ty Conklin last year, just without as many games played. If you own Fleury, I recommend picking up Conklin, I did.
Philippe Boucher, D, Pittsburgh: Yeah I know, I have been very Penguin-centric recently, but it is because they are pretty newsworthy. Boucher is another big story. GM Ray Shero recently sent Darryl Sydor to Dallas in exchange for Boucher. Many remember a couple very productive seasons a few years ago while running Dallas’ top power play unit and there is no reason to think he can’t reproduce this. Boucher is practicing significantly with the top power play unit and even had a few shifts with the unit in his first game with the team. Boucher will find himself on the top power play unit at least until Whitney returns in a few weeks and may hang on to it until Gonchar returns around late February. If you need a 4th defenseman, Boucher is your answer. If you don’t, keep an eye on him and pull the trigger if he clicks with Evgeni and crew.
As with any SportsJudge.com article, feel free to post a comment or question. Until next week, The Puck Stops Here.
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