I hope everyone was able to read Mike Colligan’s Dollars and Sense yesterday afternoon. He touched on a “loophole” in the NHL’s current CBA. The biggest change in this CBA, and cause of the lockout, is the inclusion of a salary cap. However, what GM’s are finding out, is that they can tinker with dollar amounts to help take advantage of the cap. If this isn’t addressed, it can lead to major problems down the line causing the NHL to fall even further behind the other major sports.The biggest issue will be the richest teams in the biggest markets being able to manipulate the salary cap. It will be a lot easier for the Rangers or Red Wings to cough up a chunk of a few million dollars to buy out the final years on a long-term contract. Bad planning can also cause teams to tank, like we see with the Islanders now. Multiple teams attempting to try out longer-term contracts and failing will spell trouble for the entire league. Kudos to the creative GM’s for figuring this out, but the NHL needs to get it under wraps sooner rather than later.
The Sergei Gonchar watch can finally begin. The Penguins have released a three-week timetable for him to return to action. This is huge. Not only would you have Gonch for the playoffs but you could also have him for the stretch run to make the playoffs. Check for him on your waivers, he needs to be added immediately. As far as his ability, I am betting he returns close to his previous form by the start of fantasy playoffs. However, there is a chance he comes back step behind. Remember, he had major shoulder surgery. This is like shoulder surgery on a 33 year-old pitcher, there is a strong likelihood he won’t be the same.
I mentioned Dustin Brown last week as a player you should probably add. At this point he has become a player you must add. In his last 10 games, he has six goals and four assists along with 4 PIM and is a plus six. The plus six definitely won’t continue, but his strong production should remain right around a point per game pace and he should come close to one penalty minute per game. Brown seems to be growing as a player with every new season, and this year is no exception. With a lack of depth at wing, Brown should definitely be owned in almost all situations.
I hate to recommend a center to you because there is so much depth, but Andy McDonald should be back pretty soon. He suffered a fractured ankle and, other than getting back in shape, there should be no lasting ill effects. Before the injury, Andy Mac was producing above a point per game and is one of the strongest power play centers in the game. He was most likely kept on someone’s IR, but double check to make sure. Don’t be afraid to throw out a below market value offer in hopes of catching a “sleeping” owner.
I never thought I would suggest this as he is one of my most hated players, but I can’t argue with production. Jason Blake has found his scoring touch and should be picked up. Blake is on a five game point streak and has seven goals and seven assists in his past eight games. While Toronto is a pretty bad team, Blake has been able to hover around an even +/- over the course of the season. Ride the hot streak while it lasts, but don’t be afraid to part ways once he cools down.
Don’t look now but sophomore phenom Kyle Okposo is starting to heat up a little. If he continues this play, you will want to grab him...After being pretty unreliable through December, Jose Theodore has started to play well consistently. If you need a little goalie help, Jose may be your answer...Cal Clutterbuck is exceptional for a few reasons. His name is the best in hockey right now, he fights a lot, and he wears a visor. The visor is a big no-no for fighters and violates even the most obvious un-written rules of hockey, but he is still fighting nonetheless.
As always, please feel free to leave comments or questions. Until next week, The Puck Stops Here.
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