Fantasy Hockey Pickups: Week 2

Week 1 is in the books, and now it's time to set your team up for your week 2 match ups. In Week 2, you can begin to get a feel for how your players will (or will not) score for you. Injuries plagued week 1 and if you had any players that were injured last week, or have any under producing players, you may want to consider some of these guys to fill in.

Forwards

Sean Avery - LW (NYR): Avery has returned from injury and based on his performance Monday night should be a decent fantasy option. Avery has some offensive skills and has been known to get more than his fair share of PIM. Avery is available in 81% of Yahoo Leagues

Eric Belanger - C (MIN): Eric Belanger had 4 A & 4 PPP last week. Belanger was moved up to center the first line with Havlat and Sykora. This upgrade should help increase his numbers. Belanger is available in 97% of Yahoo Leagues.

Steve Bernier - RW (VAN): Steve Bernier had 1 G & 2 A last week and with Daniel Sedin out, Bernier will be poised to take his spot on the first line. Being on the top line with a great passer like Henrik should increase his numbers. Bernier is available in 95% of Yahoo Leagues.

Andrew Brunette - LW (MIN): Andrew Brunette had 2 G, 2A, & 3 PPP last week. Brunette is a good option if you are looking for PPP. He is available in 85% of Yahoo Leagues.

David Clarkson - RW (NJ): Clarkson had 6 PIM & 2 PPP last week. Clarkson is a good option for those looking for PIM, while still giving that occasional offensive output on the power play. Clarkson is available in 74% of Yahoo Leagues.

Mike Fisher - C (OTT): Mike Fisher last week had 2 G (both GWG), centers a line with Daniel Alfredsson and Alex Kovalev. Fisher should provide some decent offensive numbers and plays regularly on the PP. He is available in 89% of Yahoo Leagues.

Sam Gagner - C (EDM): Gagner had 2 G & 2 A in his first 4 games and has been moved up to second line. Look for him to continue to provide decent numbers. Gagner is available in 88% of Yahoo Leagues.

Jussi Jokinen - LW (CAR): Jokinen had 5 points and was a +3 last week. Jokinen isn't a proven offensive player, but seems to be on a hot streak now. For those of you in deeper leagues, you may want to consider picking him up now while he's hot. Jokinen is available in 93% of Yahoo Leagues.

Defensemen

Matt Carkner - D/RW (OTT): Carkner was a +3 last week and had a fight. Carkner has filled the role of enforcer for the Senators and could be counted on for a fight every now and then. He is also labeled as D/RW so you can use that to your advantage by using him at both places. Carkner is available in 98% of Yahoo Leagues.

Matt Carle - D (PHI): Carle had 6A, 3 PPP, & 6 PIM last week. Carle currently leads all defensemen in points and should continue to provide decent numbers. He is only available in 27% of Yahoo Leagues.

Michael Del Zotto - D (NYR): Del Zotto had 4 points last week, all on the power play. Del Zotto plays on the top PP unit and has capitalized on that opportunity. He will continue to provide great PPP. He is still available in 61% of Yahoo Leagues.

Victor Hedman - D (TB): Hedman had 6 PIM and was a +4 last week. He led all Lightning players in ice time. Will all that time on the ice, he should be able to capitalize and provide fantasy owners with numbers. Hedman is available in 71% of Yahoo Leagues.

Stephan Robidas -D (DAL): Stephan Robidas had 4 points last week and was a +7. Robidas will provide some decent offensive numbers and should help in the +/- category as well. Robidas is available in 63% of Yahoo Leagues.

Ryan Whitney - D (ANA): Whitney had 4 points, 8 PIM, and was a +4 last week. Whitney seems to be getting back into the groove after a disappointing season last year. Whitney will provide great numbers for all fantasy hockey scoring categories. Whitney is only available in 48% of Yahoo Leagues.

Goalies

Pascal Leclaire - G (OTT): Pascal Leclaire last week got 2 wins and had a 1.49 GAA & .942 SV%. After dropping his first game, Leclaire bounced back and had 2 solid starts. Leclaire overall is 2-1-0 with a 2.34 GAA & .918 SV% and he seems to be back on the up swing. Leclaire should get most of the starts in Ottawa and would be a decent everyday play. He is still available in 35% of Yahoo Leagues.

Jon Quick - G (LA): Jon Quick has started every game for the Kings so far and won 3 games last week. Quick is the undisputed starter and with the whole team playing so well as of late, Quick should be a good play every night. Quick is available in 45% of Yahoo Leagues.

Notable Injuries

Pierre-Marc Bouchard - LW (MIN): Headaches - DTD as of 10/6. Impact: Bouchard was slated to be the 2nd line center and has only played in 1 game so far. Hopefully this isn't a long term injury as Bouchard provides great assists numbers. Even after Bouchard gets back on the ice it may take in a while to get back into the groove. Hold on to him a bit longer and see how he progresses before considering dropping him.

Johan Franzen - RW (DET): Torn ACL - IR as of 10/9. Impact: Franzen will be out 4 months, place him on your IR.

Jonas Gustavsson - G (TOR): Groin - IR as of 10/8. Impact: Gustavsson hurt his groin in his 1st start of the year. He looks to be out at least until 10/24. With the Leafs and Toskala struggling, Gustavsson should see a lot of action once back on the ice.

Mike Modano - C (DAL): Ribs - DTD as of 10/5. Impact: It is unknown when he will return to the ice. You may want to look for other options for him for this week.

Joe Pavelski - C (SJ): Lower Body - IR as of 10/5. Impact: Pavelski will be out until at least late October. Place him on your IR.

Daniel Sedin - LW (VAN): Broken Foot - not officially placed on IR yet. Impact: Looks to be out 4-6 weeks. Hopefully Daniel will be able to recover quickly but for now, place him on your IR.

Sheldon Souray - D (EDM): Concussion - DTD as of 10/9. Impact: Looks to be out for at least this week, you will want to bench him this week.

James van Riemsdyk - LW (PHI): Head - DTD as of 10/8. Impact: Should be ready to go by the end of the week.

Dennis Wideman - D (BOS): Shoulder - DTD as of 10/10. Impact: It is not clear when he will return, you may want to look for other options for him this week.

Good luck with your match-ups this week. Keep your eye on some of these guys if you are in need because most of them should be available.

[Manson Seto's Fantasy Hockey Update appears every Tuesday morning at 9am]

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