What we lost when the NHL lost Opening Night

11 Oct
2012
by in Fantasy Hockey, General

If professional sports are one of our most celebrated forms of escapism, then Opening Night is like the first moments of an intoxicating daydream.

It renews us, it tantalizes us; it's when hope is sold to us and we willfully devour it, eager to believe. It's when the cancer of pessimism has yet to spread beyond the perpetually jaded.

Beginning Thursday night, the Opening Nights for NHL teams will be passed over rather than played, their scheduled games canceled in the current schedule format.

True, many of us believe that the dream has simply been deferred. That there will be 30 opening nights around the NHL at some point, rather than seeing the entire season die on the vine. But those games will be marinated in the bile of a labor war. Opening Night demands a clean sheet of ice; the lockout will have left it chipped, stained and sluggish, and no superficial groveling "THANK YOU FANS" advertisement near the blue line can obscure the flaws.

It'll be called Opening Night, but it won't be Opening Night. We've lost Opening Night this season.

We've lost the weeks of steady transition from the summer shopping spree to the preseason to the finalized roster, as players you've never heard of and rookies you've yearned to see earn their right to play. Also lost: New line combinations, which are as alluring to a hockey fan as a reinvented classic entrée is to a foodie.

We've lost those gloriously tacky red carpet entrances for the players. Cheesy and presumptuous? Totally. Honoring our pasty-faced ice heroes as they awkwardly strut through lines of fans like they were at the premiere of the latest "Twilight" movie? There's just something very hockey about it.

We've lost the fanfare around the arena; the extra mile to which teams go in order to make the first night of the season feel like an event rather than a pedestrian regular-season game. Who knew bag pipes and face-painters and a terrible local cover band was the recipe for comfort food?

We've lost the kinetic combination of the home arena's fresh intro music and video — either setting the tone for the season, or the latest source of ridicule for cynical puckheads — segueing perfectly into the boys skating out faster than they would for any other regular-season home game.

We've lost the player-by-player introductions, in which Ben Lovejoy and Evgeni Malkin share the same spotlight, if not the same ovation:

We've lost the thrill of seeing Rick Nash in his New York Rangers jersey or Jaromir Jagr as a member of the Dallas Stars for the first time, the progression of their NHL careers interrupted by Nash looking like a billboard on skates in Davos and Jagr slumming it with HC Kladno.

We've lost the hours counting down to game time, like a child anxiously hoping for Christmas morning to arrive.

We've lost that spiritual moment right as the puck drops, when thousands of fans in the building and watching across the continent allow last season to slip into memory's abyss and embrace the new. The moment of rebirth, of hope and the unknown. (Of course, that moment will itself tumble into the abyss once it becomes apparent your team doesn't have the goods.)

We've lost the thrill of seeing Alex Ovechkin or Ilya Kovalchuk score their first goals of the season, because they've already done so in Russia.

We've lost that first fight that we all know was set up by the fourth-line lunkheads during warmups just because it was Opening Night.

We've lost the reunion of fans, friends, co-workers, teammates and peers that occurs on Opening Night when the congregation reconvenes in the local church. Some might not come back, depending on the lingering bitterness from the lockout. Those that do won't immediately engage in the annual conversations about what's happening on the ice — at least not until after they angrily renounce what happened during the lockout.

We've lost the chance to make sure they didn't [expletive] with our PA announcer, goal horn or goal song.

We've lost that moment as the final horn sounds, when no matter the result we know that there are 81 more chances for them to either get it right or keep it going. We've lost it because we might not have 82 games this season; or, if we do, it'll be in a condensed, non-traditional form that leads to an imperfect schedule.

We've lost the point in the NHL season that's furthest away from having to see the commissioner hand out the Stanley Cup through cascading boos.

We'll gain some of these back when the lockout ends and the season openers begin. But they'll feel perfunctory or diminished, a forced rite of passage rather than a celebration — well, outside of Los Angeles.

But that's what lockouts and strikes do across the landscape: They shake us violently from our daydream, reveal that escape only goes as far as the dollar can carry you.

We've lost Opening Night this season, and with it our equilibrium.

The standard calendar defines the official starting point for winter as Dec. 21.

Hockey fans know better.

Tags: , , , , , moment, , Opening Night
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How the NHL helped Jaromir Jagr play for his Czech League team

21 Sep
2012
by in Fantasy Hockey, General

Jaromir Jagr made his debut with the Czech League's Kladno Knights on Wednesday, picking up an assist in a 3-2 defeat at the hands of H.C. Slavia. He was joined by fellow NHLers Tomas Plekanec, Jiri Tlusty, Marek Zidlicky, Roman Cervenka, and Vladimir Sobotka.

But the debut of this band of Czech talent almost didn't happen. The morning of the game, the players' transfer cards had still yet to be approved, and they began to worry that they might have to sit the night out. That would have been a nightmare, considering the thousands upon thousands slated to come watch.

A majority owner in the franchise, Jagr took to the phones in an attempt to prevent the crowd from shouting "What, no Jagr?" And he was able to do so, thanks to some eleventh-hour cooperation from the NHL brass. From the New York Times:

To expedite the process, Jagr had made a late phone call Tuesday to his former Rangers teammate Brendan Shanahan, who is now an N.H.L. vice president.

"I have to say thanks to Brendan Shanahan who helped me a lot," Jagr said. "Shanahan did a great job and put Gary Bettman and Bill Daly on the phone, and eventually we were able to play."

There's a lot to discuss in this short section. First, it's definitely interesting to note that Bettman and Daly personally helped to resolve the transfer card issue ahead of the game.

That seems especially generous, considering the beating the NHL is taking over its treatment of the players.

"I think the anger and frustration comes from knowing what the owners are capable of under the guidance of Gary Bettman," Ryan Miller told the Globe & Mail Friday, perhaps insinuating they were capable of murder most foul.

And agent Allan Walsh feels the league is just stewing over the player exodus. "NHL hates it that players playing in Europe... NHL wants players sitting at home," he tweeted.

But if the NHL were truly as spiteful as some are saying, wouldn't it have made more sense to cackle at the issue and wash its hands of it? Why, this act of cooperation seems downright... nice.

Granted, the alternative could have led to a massive PR debacle, had it gotten out. It would have made the NHL look spiteful and small, for one.

Then this story would have this header instead:

Additionally, it would have supported the transfer card controversy Dmitry Chesnokov discussed on Tuesday, which was subsequently denied by the IIHF.

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly also distanced the NHL from this issue. When asked how much of a role the NHL plays in the IIHF decision on transfer cards, he responded, "None, either directly or indirectly."

Unless Jaromir Jagr is asking to be done a solid.

Follow Harrison Mooney on Twitter at @HarrisonMooney

Tags: brendan shanahan, Czech League, , , , , , , phone,
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NHL 2012-13 Campaign Preview: Dallas Stars

18 Sep
2012
by in Fantasy Hockey, General

Yes, indeed, despite the promise of impending labor Armageddon and a prolonged work-stoppage, your friends at Puck Daddy are previewing the 2012-13 NHL season (whenever the heck it starts). Why? Because this is the most important election in the history of all-time ever, and you need to know the candidates — like the Dallas Stars.

Under new ownership (Tom Gaglardi) and with a new bench boss (Glen Gulutzan), things remained the same in Big D as the Stars missed out on the playoffs for the fourth straight season.

It all started well as Dallas opened up 11-4-0 and sat second in the Western Conference on Nov. 11. But that night, defenseman Alex Goligoski broke his thumb and missed almost a month of action. During his absence, the Stars went 4-7-1 and fell to eighth in the conference, a spot they would hover around for the remainder of the season. While Goligoski was out of the lineup, goaltender Kari Lehtonen, who was 13-4-1 at the time, missed over a month with a groin injury.

You see where this is going? Injuries stopped the Stars from building on their early season momentum and rather than making strides toward the playoffs, the team was instead moving in the direction of the trainers' room.

Over the summer the Stars brought in experience and skill hoping to make waves. Is it enough to find a spot in the West's top eight?

"Seriously, What the Hell is Jagr Doing Here?"

There weren't many players on the Stars roster last season that were born in the 1970s, but within the first few days of the free agent market opening on July 1, two more were added. Signing separate $4.5 million deals, 40-year olds Jaromir Jagr and Ray Whitney will provide over 40 years of professional experience and playmaking ability.

Uber-pest and fan favorite Steve Ott was shipped to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for center Derek Roy. With Mike Ribeiro getting a new address in Washington, D.C., it'll be a new-look for the Stars' top six.

Also moving on were penalty killers Adam Burish (San Jose), Radek Dvorak (UFA) and Sheldon Souray (Anaheim). Adam Pardy was part of the Ott deal and Andrew Raycroft signed to play in Italy. Helping to re-fill the back line will be Aaron Rome, who signed a 3-year, $4.5 million deal after spending the last three seasons with the Vancouver Canucks.

At forward … Dallas finished 2011-12 22nd in the league with 2.49 goals/game and featured just three players -- Jamie Benn, Loui Eriksson and Michael Ryder -- with more than 20 goals. Bringing in Whitney, Jagr and Roy will help improve that area, as well as last season's 30th-ranked power play. After posting the worst power play success rate in franchise history (13.5-percent), Jagr and Whitney (20 power play points each) will be looked upon to help to keep the Stars away from the cellar -- and history -- again.

It's a contract year for both Ryder and team captain Brenden Morrow. In his first season in Dallas, Ryder led the team with 35 goals after back-to-back 18-goal campaigns with the Boston Bruins. Morrow, meanwhile, could make for an interesting trade chip should GM Joe Nieuwendyk need to make improvements. The 33-year old is coming off a 57-game, 26-point injury-filled season. He's a heart and soul guy who's been through the great times and more recent bad times in Dallas, and one you'd love to have on your team. But with the pressure of needing to turnaround the franchise, Nieuwendyk must go forth with improving the team if the right offer comes along, even if it means dealing away another fan favorite, who happens to be the captain.

Once Roy returns healthy, he's expected to be an offensive aid unless his surgically-repaired shoulder continues to give him issues. After that, the offensive depth on the Stars is lacking. Can Eric Nystrom chip in double digit goals again? Will any youngsters like Reilly Smith and Cody Eakin earn a place in the lineup?

On defense … they won't wow you, but there's some stability there between Alex Goligoski, Trevor Daley and Stephane Robidas. The season started going off-kilter once Goligoski broke his thumb in December, but he recovered -- even earning himself a 4-year, $18.4 million extension -- and continued producing before fading down the stretch. He was quarterback on a struggling power play and was the only Stars blueliner to play over three minutes a game with the extra man. Seeing James Neal score 40 goals in Pittsburgh won't make that trade any easier to digest.

Daley and Robidas will again by the reliable, minute-munching veterans. Rookie Brenden Dillon could fight for a roster spot after a strong year with Texas of the AHL.

Another youngster who could make an impact is Philip Larsen, who stepped up once Nicklas Grossman(n) was dealt to the Philadelphia Flyers. But at 22, will he need a few years of development first in order to be effective at the NHL? Aaron Rome was brought over from the Vancouver Canucks to fill a bottom-pairing role and provide a physical presence along with Mark Fistric. Sheldon Souray's booming shot from the back will be missed, as will his contributions on the penalty kill.

In goal … Kari Lehtonen became a changed man when he was dealt from Atlanta to Dallas. He committed himself to a conditioning program that turned him from a walking injury into a legitimate NHL goaltender -- one that earned him a fat 5-year, $29.5 million extension. In his two full seasons with the Stars Lehtonen has started 68 and 59 games, respectively, his most since the 2006-07 campaign. His groin injury in December didn't affect the rest of his year as Lehtonen posted career bests in goal-against average (2.33) and save-percentage (.922).

Spelling him during that month out of the lineup was Richard Bachman, owner of the NHL's coolest mask this season. Bachman stepped in and won five of his first eight NHL starts and split the rest of the 2011-12 season with the Texas Stars of the AHL and spot duty with the big club.


Pantera wrote this song for the Stars that's really easy to follow and gets the message across simply.

Ownership is finally stable. GM Joe Nieuwendyk can finally go about his business without worrying much about the cost of a free agent, especially after watching Brad Richards last summer walk to a giant pile of money waiting for him in New York City. Despite three playoff-less seasons, does Gaglardi give Nieuwendyk a bit more time to show improvements? And what kind of effect will the new CBA have on the Stars going forward?

Glen Gulutzan enters his season season behind the bench with a new assistant in Curt Fraser. Former assistant Willie Desjardins will coach the club's AHL squad, which could bode well for the future. It's a relatively inexperienced coaching staff, but that's not always a detriment. Gulutzan showed at times last season that he's still learning on the job, but that he's also up for the challenge of succeeding at the NHL level. He gained two teachers on the ice in Jagr and Whitney, who will help in the development of the team's younger players.

Jamie Benn will drive this team offensively. Currently an unsigned restricted free agent until this lockout mess is settled, Benn is looked upon as the future of the franchise and at 23 years old, is still getting better. Many expect big things from him this season, which also means...

Loui Eriksson will remain the league's most underrated player for the fifth year running, but one who could take the biggest leap is Benn, thanks to one Jaromir Jagr. Claude Giroux had a career season with the Philadelphia Flyer with Jagr on his line. The 40-year old Czech has settled into the "wise old sage" role in his hockey golden years and if he can instill into Benn what he did for Giroux, than the 23-year old will see his numbers rise for a fourth consecutive season and potentially put him on a grander stage in the eyes of many around the NHL.

The Stars were looking for change and brought in Derek Roy, shipping out noted shift-disturber Steve Ott in the process. Nine days after dealing for Roy, the Stars learned that he required shoulder surgery that would put him out until November. The injury lingered throughout the season, allowing him to produce just 44 points in 80 games for the Sabres. The 29-year old Roy is entering a contract year and once healthy will need to prove that he's worth a richer contract.

[Male voice]

"Glen Gulutzan is one of the best young coaches in the NHL. The question is, how young?"

"Some people say as young as 12 years old.

"But the Dallas Stars won't release Glen Gulutzan's birth certificate. If he even has one."

"What are you hiding, Glen Gulutzan? Besides all of your action figures set in the coach's office ..."

There's some optimism and skepticism heading into the 2012-13* campaign for the Stars. Eriksson and Benn will only get better. Lehtonen has proved doubters wrong since coming to Dallas. But what of those 40-year old dinosaurs in Jagr and Whitney? Can they both provide adequate production -- something they've been able to do in their previous NHL stops -- while meshing with new linemates? Is the blueline strong enough defensively to keep them in playoff contention in always tough Western Conference?

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Fantasy Hockey: A look at who’s moved on and who’s still unsigned

03 Sep
2012
by Dobber Hockey in Fantasy Hockey, General

Continuing with the week's series of fantasy-related content, I'm taking a look at the free agents who have signed with new teams - and where some of them should be targeted at the draft.

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Key movers

A fresh start can be a good thing. But sometimes that reliable comfort zone that we were in turns out to be better after all. Hockey players are no different.

Jaromir Jagr, Dallas Stars

A solid return last season, but time to call a spade a spade - he played with one of the best players in the NHL and he had trouble staying healthy. Jamie Benn is a great player and still getting better - but he's no Claude Giroux.

Bottom line: Even if Benn turns into Giroux, that wonky groin of Jagr's ain't going away anytime soon. Pass.

P.A. Parenteau, Colorado Avalanche

He tallied 120 points over the last two seasons when, let's face it, 29 other NHL teams would have never given him an opportunity. So there is a heavy sense of doubt in fantasy circles. Now the Avalanche hope that he clicks with Matt Duchene the way he clicked with John Tavares.

Bottom line: Fantasy owners seem to be exaggerating in their minds the terrible blow his production will suffer from losing Tavares as a linemate. He could probably be taken in the middle rounds and will be a steal at that point thanks to his assists and penalty minutes.

Zach Parise, Minnesota Wild

Parise is going to see better numbers. A lot better. But will it match the hype? He had 94 points before (2008-09) and the improved Minnesota Wild sure look like they have the roster around him to get him back up there. A point per game is more likely, making him a high second-round draft pick.

Bottom line: In all likelihood he'll be drafted in the first round. The hype thing, remember? So you probably don' t have to worry about it.

Brad Boyes, New York Islanders

Give Boyes credit for finding one of the better teams for potentially turning his career back around. His numbers have been sliding into fantasy irrelevance and nothing turns that around better than an open spot on the line of a star player.

Bottom line: High risk and low reward. At best he gets 55 points.

Bobby Butler, New Jersey Devils

Butler is just unproven enough to be intriguing. If he sticks in the NHL it will be because he's scoring goals. But his two-way contract means no guarantees.

Bottom line: High risk and low reward, but at least with Butler you can drop him at the start of the season if he doesn't make the team. Whereas with other players (like Boyes) you have to wait a couple of weeks, costing you other opportunities.

Matt Carle, Tampa Bay Lightning

The emerging Viktor Hedman needs someone to share the power-play load and Marc-Andre Bergeron either seems to be injured, or inconsistent. Enter Matt Carle, who comes to Florida having played 244 of the last 246 games, with offense in the steady 35- to 40-point range in each of those three seasons.

Bottom line: Getting back into that range is the absolute minimum. He's only now entering his prime.

Jason Garrison, Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks got themselves a top, albeit underrated, defensive specialist. But they suckered for paid a premium because he scored 16 times last season. He'll get all the power-play time that he wants in 2012-13, but it matter much on the scoreboard.

Bottom line: Worth letting others trip over themselves to draft.

Jiri Hudler, Calgary Flames

Glass half full - Hudler owners have been dying for him to get onto a new team and get all the ice time and PP time he could ever want.

Glass half empty - Hudler is no longer playing with Henrik Zetterberg.

Bottom line: I don't think there is a lot of wiggle room up or down with Hudler's production. Don't overrate.

Olli Jokinen, Winnipeg Jets

The fantastic emerging line of Bryan Little, Blake Wheeler and Andrew Ladd is not breaking up anytime soon. But that still leaves Evander Kane as a potential linemate for Jokinen. So although he won't get first-unit power-play time, his even strength linemates are a match to what he had in Calgary (often Jarome Iginla and Curtis Glencross).

Bottom line: I call this one a wash (new situation versus old), unless Kane busts out like we know he can. Definite upside.

Guillaume Latendresse, Ottawa Senators

Still only 25, if Latendresse can put his concussion issues behind him then he has the prime of his career still ahead. With 33 goals in his last 82 games, you can see what Latendresse has to offer. The issue is, it took him three years to get in those 82 games.

Bottom line: It's a good situation for him in Ottawa, but the risk is the same as it would be in any city. Too risky to draft any higher than the final few rounds.

Peter Mueller, Florida Panthers

Mueller was a potential star, after dominating the WHL and then posting 54 points as an NHL rookie. He showed even more promise upon being traded to the Avalanche, posting 20 points in 15 games. But concussion and neck injuries have stalled any further progress and when he did play last season he seemed tentative. The Panthers are taking a chance on him, but it's low risk and he will be tried in the top six.

Bottom line: The upside is much higher than that of Latendresse, so depending on your needs he could be selected in the late middle rounds.

Benoit Pouliot, Tampa Bay Lightning

If Pouliot progressed in his career any slower, he should be a 65-point player by 2047. But this is the first time that he is entering a season with a real shot at a second-line spot.

Bottom line: I think he makes a great late-round draft pick and a safe 40-point bet with upside for 50.

Mikael Samuelsson, Detroit Red Wings

The aging and oft-injured Swede was a 40-point player in Detroit in his first go-round, and he became a 50-point player in Vancouver. He rejoins the team where he enjoyed the most career success, culminating in a Stanley Cup. But if Gustav Nyquist is the real deal, then Samuelsson will find himself out of the top six.

Bottom line: Risk. You should assume that he slips back to being a 40-point player - and that's assuming he stays healthy.

Alexander Semin, Carolina Hurricanes

Joining a re-vamped Carolina lineup was a good move for Semin, and the team's style of play will be a much better fit for his game than Washington's stifling defense from last year. He'll also probably line up with Jeff Skinner.

Bottom line: The hype-machine is in overdrive for this guy, but his production may actually match. I think he makes a great second-round pick in most formats, and he should actually slip that far too.

Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild

Another much-hyped signing, the former seventh overall pick (2003) is coming off a career-high 46 points. Most poolies will draft him as if he's now a 55-point player, which probably won't be the case. He's a top all-around defenseman, not an offensive specialist.

Bottom line: Worth drafting as your No. 3 defenseman, or perhaps your No.2. But most poolies will take him as their first. Let them.

Sheldon Souray, Anaheim Ducks

This contract shocked me. He couldn't get a two-year deal a year ago, nor could he get a contract worth even $2 million. Then he has a six-goal season and gets a raise of more than double? And for three years, when he's 36 years old? I smell buyout in 2013.

Bottom line: At least he dates hot chicks.

Steve Sullivan, Phoenix Coyotes

The Coyotes are hoping that lightning strikes twice with their signings of aging vets. Ray Whitney sure panned out. But Sullivan is a different animal altogether. He's struggled with injuries over the last few years, and was used sparingly last season.

Bottom line: If the coach manages him properly, he could have another healthy season, which would mean 40 points. But there are better options out there, even in the reserve/bench rounds.

Tomas Vokoun, Pittsburgh Penguins

I wouldn't even consider Vokoun for my third tier. While he'll definitely see more starts than your typical Pittsburgh backup, the fact of the matter is that Marc-Andre Fleury will see at least three-quarters of them.

Bottom line: Draft in the final round only if you believe that Fleury letting in beach balls against the Flyers in April was the start of a downward spiral.

Ray Whitney, Dallas Stars

One of the biggest surprises of last season couldn't possibly repeat that, Which is why you'll probably get him for at a reasonable spot in the middle rounds. I drafted him late last year in my roto league - it's like fantasy owners have been waiting for Whitney to falter, but it doesn't seem to happen.

Bottom line: He'll slow down, but not so much as to justify how far he'll sink in your draft. He'll probably be a late/middle round steal.

Wojtek Wolski, Washington Capitals

After a promising 65-point season as a 24-year-old, things unravelled quickly for Wolski as Colorado, Phoenix and New York each grew tired of his lack of physical play. In New York he was quickly knocked down to the third line, which is like putting on your shiny new Nike Airs and then laying brick. Once in Florida, he started off fine on the top line, but when Kris Versteeg returned, Wolski was back to bricklaying.

Bottom line: If there are no expectations on him beyond producing points, Wolski could flourish playing with Mike Ribeiro or Nicklas Backstrom. But don't bank on it. His high risk/high reward status pushes him to the bottom rounds.

Key players still unsigned

Jason Arnott

Arnott will be 38 in the fall and his body is wearing down from all the injuries over the years. He's coming off a 34-point season buried deep in a lineup that preached stifling defense. So there is some hope for a rebound over the 40-point mark.

Bottom line: Not worth drafting.

Shane Doan

The steady veteran will be 36 in the fall, and he will don either the Phoenix, Pittsburgh, New York or Vancouver jersey in all likelihood. He's coming off of a 50-point season playing what is considered a less-than-ideal system for players who want big offensive numbers.

Bottom line: If he's drafted in his usual spot, he could be a steal if he joins another team.

Kristian Huselius

It's easy to forget Huselius because he's played so little over the past two campaigns. But the last time he was healthy, which was three seasons ago, he posted a solid 63 points. He's still only 33, so if his injury woes are behind him he could certainly get back up there.

Bottom line: He'll fall to the late rounds, making him a great steal for you by that point.

Andrei Kostitsyn

Early prediction - Kostitsyn will get 40 points. In the KHL. The inconsistent Kostitsyn is a second-liner at times, or an AHLer at other times. Teams probably don't want to commit to the contract that he wants.

Bottom line: Do not draft unless an NHL contract is signed, sealed and delivered. And even then, he's a bench pick.

Petr Sykora

In his return to the NHL, on what began as a training camp invite, Sykora posted an impressive 44 points. Wherever he ends up, probably New Jersey again, look for more of the same.

Bottom line: If those kinds of numbers are worth having on your team, draft accordingly.

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Completely lockout-proof, take a look my seventh annual fantasy hockey guide. Tips, projections, sleepers, advanced stats breakdowns and more - updated until the puck drops.

Dobber is the resident fantasy hockey know-it-all for Puck Daddy, and founder of Dobber Sports - which includes DobberHockey, DobberProspects, DobberFootball and DobberBaseball. You can follow him on Twitter @DobberHockey

Tags: , , Hudler, , , Minnesota Wild, , , , specialist
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Fantasy Hockey: Breaking down the top NHL wingers

29 Aug
2012
by Dobber Hockey in Fantasy Hockey, General

Continuing with this week's series of fantasy-related content, we'll take a look at some of the wingers in the year ahead.

The Obvious…

Again, I won't get too in-depth here. If you don't know what to expect from these guys, then you probably clicked the wrong link by accident…

Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks - He had 23 assists because the stars around him had off-years. But his 37 goals and 277 shots tell me that his year, at least, wasn't so 'off'.

Milan Lucic, Boston Bruins - Steady numbers, last two years.

Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville, Buffalo Sabres - Offense centers around these two vets.

Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames - Until we actually see a big decline, don't expect one.

Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes - C/LW eligible, and playing with his brother…gold!

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Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks - Sharp is steady as she goes and Kane also has his range - 66 to 88 points his entire career.

Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche - An all-around player who should improve steadily throughout his 20s.

Loui Eriksson and Jaromir Jagr, Dallas Stars - Jagr may take a small hit this year, but Eriksson has proven to be very consistent.

Johan Franzen and Valtteri Filppula, Detroit Red Wings - See 2011-12.

Jordan Eberle, Edmonton Oilers - Should match last year's breakout, and then some.

Tomas Fleischmann and Kris Versteeg, Florida Panthers - Last year was a coming out party for both of them. Look for a repeat.

Zach Parise, Minnesota Wild - After a season off, last year's numbers were to be expected. Now it's time for 75-plus points again.

Max Pacioretty, Montreal - The go-to winger on the Habs, clicking nicely with David Desharnais and Erik Cole.

Martin Erat, Nashville Predators - Consistently inconsistent. Has hot/cold streaks like nobody's business, but in the end his range is steady at 49 to 58 points.

Ilya Kovalchuk and Patrik Elias, New Jersey Devils - You've seen these stars long enough to know what they bring.

Matt Moulson, New York Islanders - Still improving each year as his superstar buddy John Tavares comes into his own.

Rick Nash and Ryan Callahan, New York Rangers - A new city for Nash will mean another 10 points, just don't have your heart set on 80. He can do it, just don't bank on it. Callahan's production has leveled off now.

Scott Hartnell, Philadelphia Flyers - A repeat of the perfect fantasy season is a lot to expect, but no reason why he can't at least come close.

James Neal, Pittsburgh Penguins - Fortunes ride on Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby. If either one stays healthy, Neal will repeat.

Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks - You know what you're getting here.

T.J. Oshie, St. Louis Blues - Oshie has potential for more, but in St. Louis points may be capped at 60.

Martin St. Louis and Teddy Purcell, Tampa Bay Lightning - Lots of gas in the tank of the former, and the latter still has a bit more to give.

Joffrey Lupul and Phil Kessel, Toronto Maple Leafs - The dynamic duo will thrive again, as long as Lupul stays healthy.

Daniel Sedin and Alexandre Burrows, Vancouver Canucks - Sedin may not get back to 100 points again, but he's a steady 80-plus points while Burrows is a steady 50-plus.

Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals - Two words: Re Bound.

Andrew Ladd, Winnipeg Jets - He's established his range now.

Boom or Bust

Marian Hossa, Chicago Blackhawks

It's simple. If Hossa avoids injury, he proved last year that he can flirt with a point per game. That's a big, fat, doubtful 'if'. You say 75 I say zero…or I say 75 and you say zero. Either one of us could be right.

Taylor Hall, Edmonton Oilers

Three injuries in his young career that have taken him out of the lineup for significant chunks of time. That's a bad sign, especially given his hard-core style of play. And Hall's tremendous upside makes his value very high in fantasy hockey. Too high for me to risk a pick in the round I would need to take him.

Peter Mueller, Florida Panthers

A concussion away from perhaps calling it a career. Yet he took care of his last one very well. The intrigue here is what we saw last year from Tomas Fleischmann when Florida took a chance on him. Mueller is a very talented player, but it all comes down to health. Probably best not to draft him until the 'bench' rounds, if at all. If someone else takes a chance on him earlier, good for them.

Devin Setoguchi, Minnesota Wild

With all the gold that just fell into Minnesota's lap, you'd think that Setoguchi would benefit at least a little bit. Then again he's had plenty of good linemates over the last three years and has yet to see a 42-point season during that time.

Brad Boyes, New York Islanders

It's been a slow, steady walk down Suckitude Lane for Boyes, who is coming off a career-low 23-points. Either he plays with Tavares or he doesn't is like saying he either gets 23 points or 50-plus.

Martin Havlat, San Jose Sharks

Havlat has undergone a rigorous offseason regimen in which he has been practicing getting on and off the ice via hopping the boards. He's almost got it nailed and should be ready for puck drop. If not, it could be a long season for Havlat owners.

Andy McDonald, St. Louis Blues

He only played 60 games or more once in the last four seasons. So yeah, it comes down to health.

Nazem Kadri, Toronto Maple Leafs

The patient Toronto fan will tell you that the 21-year-old Kadri is right on track. Unfortunately, those fans don't exist. Either he shows something this year, or the pitchforks come out. Hey, I'm just the messenger.

Wojtek Wolski, Washington Capitals

Put Wolski with talented linemates and he'll produce. Put him with scrubs and expect him to check and that's like hooking up a plow to your Ferrari and taking it out into the field. You'll know by November how the Caps will use him.

Surging

Bobby Ryan, Anaheim Ducks

It's looking as though Ryan could be traded at some point. Draft him like he'll be a first-line player on a new team by midseason.

Alexander Semin and Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes

One has a lot to prove while the other is coming off of a tough, injury-plagued season. They are potentially linemates, which would make up one of the best second lines in hockey.

Magnus Paajarvi, Edmonton Oilers

Use the term "surging" very loosely here. All this means is that Paajarvi got the short end of the stick last year, and should be a candidate to get 35 points or more in the season ahead. From my fantasy guide:

"He didn't get the bounces he needed in order to maintain his position on the roster. Team shot percentage when he was on the ice was almost the lowest in the league at 3.56%. A couple of those pucks go in, ice time doesn't get reduced…positive domino effect that would have changed everything. Point is — don't give up on him."

Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings

He had 45 points in his last 43 regular season and playoff games. He won't be a point-per-game guy, but this at least shows that he has a hell of a lot more to give.

Colin Wilson, Nashville Predators

The Preds have rushed Wilson and put far too much responsibility on his shoulders early in his career. Oh wait, no it's the opposite of that. Look for a career high, as his ice time ekes upward. Patience will be rewarded.

Kyle Okposo, New York Islanders

If Boyes fails, then the Isles will turn to Okposo for the right wing on the big Tavares line. So yeah, the Isles will turn to Okposo for the right wing on the big Tavares line.

Jakub Voracek, Philadelphia Flyers

Claude Giroux will do to Voracek what he did to Jaromir Jagr. No, not extend his career. I meant in terms of production. Take Voracek and assume 55-plus points, and when he gets 70 try to keep your eyes inside their sockets.

Mikkel Boedker, Phoenix Coyotes

How long are the Coyotes going to keep Boedker in check? Well, for as long as they have other options, such as Ray Whitney and Shane D - oh. Yeah, so this is the year.

Blake Wheeler and Evander Kane, Winnipeg Jets

Each of these young stars have more to give. You haven't seen their peak yet, not even close.

Don't overrate

Teemu Selanne, Anaheim Ducks

Usually, you're playing with fire when you predict a big drop for the ageless superstar. But the time has finally come. His points-per-game dropped from 1.10 to 0.80 last season, and at the age of 42 I'd be surprised if he topped 60 points.

Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins

Marchand had better production when Rich Peverley was out of the lineup. Now that Peverley is healthy - and Nathan Horton, for that matter - Marchand is out of the power-play mix.

Marcus Foligno, Buffalo Sabres

Think you've found your sleeper? With 13 points in 14 games it was certainly a nice debut for Foligno, but it's out of character. He should be a fairly productive player, but if you count on 50 points as a rookie you will be disappointed.

Jiri Hudler, Calgary Flames

A new team! Finally! Hudler is out of the shadows of his talented Detroit brethren. Actually what he is, is off the Henrik Zetterberg line. That's an ouchy. Should still do well with added ice time, but the loss of Zetterberg is tough so don't expect miracles.

Andrew Shaw, Chicago Blackhawks

An impressive rookie last year in many facets of the game, but his 23 points in 37 games may be overstating what his role will be. I think he'll get 40 points, but don't see many more than that.

Jamie McGinn, Colorado Avalanche

After eight goals in 17 games for the Avs and a 20-goal season overall, McGinn may be overrated. Because the bottom line is, who are the Avs going to give the PP time to? David Jones and PA Parenteau? Or Jamie McGinn? I'd put my money on the money. We all know that highly-paid Jones and Parenteau aren't there to kill penalties.

Vinny Prospal, Columbus Blue Jackets

His consistent up/down trend hasn't failed me in a decade. This is a "down" year. That's all I need.

Carl Hagelin, New York Rangers

The speedster made a big splash in his NHL debut, notching 37 points in 54 games. But then he ended the year with a point in 10 games, and in the postseason he managed just three in 17. When Marian Gaborik returns (late November), Hagelin is out of the top six.

David Booth, Vancouver Canucks

Another quote from my fantasy guide:  " Booth has just 83 points in 163 games since being out with a concussion back in 2009. Before the hit, he had 103 in 154."

Sleepers

Rich Peverley, Boston Bruins

Peverley posted a career high 0.74 points-per-game average in 2011-12, really coming into his own. He thrives on virtually any line, and prior to last year's injuries (which included a sprained MCL), he had played over 200 straight games.

Jiri Tlusty, Carolina Hurricanes

So the Hurricanes added Jordan Staal and Alexander Semin, it doesn't mean the steadily-improving Tlusty takes a step back. He's out of the top six, but will be the first player slotted back in there when there's an injury. He showed some chemistry with Eric Staal, so he may worm his way back on that line anyway. Regardless, at 24 he's just entering his prime and he now has a 17-goal season under his belt. The next step is 20 or 25.

Michal Frolik, Chicago Blackhawks

Undraftable. I'll make that clear from the start. But be very quick with the WW trigger finger if this guy ever gets traded or even gets an opportunity. Frolik had 11 minutes of power play time last year - total. Eleven minutes…for a player who doesn't offer a whole lot outside of the power play!  There's no justice when Scott Gomez gets 2:20 per game of PP time…and Frolik gets 10 seconds per game.

Cam Atkinson, Columbus Blue Jackets

He played the last 22 games with the big club and ended the season with 10 points in six games. I've been on the Atkinson bandwagon for over a year now, but even I'm surprised at how quickly he's adapted to the pro game.

Bobby Butler, New Jersey Devils

Butler shouldn't be drafted unless he makes the team out of training camp (two-way contract). But he should be plucked quickly off the wire at the first sign of life. His M.O. is scoring goals, so any NHL time he gets should be on a scoring line. He'll do nothing if he's expected to be a checker, but will surprise if he gets to play with the likes of Elias or Kovalchuk.

Brayden Schenn, Philadelphia Flyers

With Sean Couturier established as a center, Schenn has been bumped to the wing. And with Jagr off to Dallas, all the wingers slide up a notch on the depth chart. Now Schenn is in the top six, and after seeing what he did in the postseason, it's clear that he's primed for a breakout.

Ryane Clowe, San Jose Sharks

This guy increased every year he'd been in the league - until 2011-12. His production slipped after a facial injury and he later admitted playing through a concussion. Now healthy, a rebound is in store to the tune of 55 or 60 points.

Benoit Pouliot, Tampa Bay Lightning

The slowly improving Pouliot was acquired to play on the second line with Vincent Lecavalier. This doesn't mean that he'll be a 60-point player, but he should get the opportunity to notch 40 or more, including 20 goals.

Completely lockout-proof, take a look my seventh annual fantasy hockey guide. Tips, projections, sleepers, advanced stats breakdowns and more - updated until the puck drops.

*Note: Rookies will have their own column later in the week.

Sign up your Yahoo! fantasy team and league today.

Dobber is the resident fantasy hockey know-it-all for Puck Daddy, and founder of Dobber Sports - which includes DobberHockey, DobberProspects, DobberFootball and DobberBaseball. You can follow him on Twitter @DobberHockey

Tags: , , , chicago blackhawks, drop, , , , , , Voracek
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Yahoo! Fantasy Hockey: The Top 100 players for 2012-13

27 Aug
2012
by in Fantasy Hockey, General

We don't know exactly how much hockey, if at all, we'll see this season, but while we sit and wait for Donald Fehr and Gary Bettman to come to an agreement fantasy hockey has arrived.

Registration is open for the 2012-13 NHL season and you can jump in a mock draft at any time before your regular league holds theirs.

[Also: Predicted NHL conference standings for 2012-13 season]

New for 2012:

New Commissioner Tools

  • Import traded draft picks from last season
  • Set a keeper deadline and allow fantasy managers to declare keepers
  • Approve keepers and assign them to your draft

Polls

  • Add a poll to your league message board
  • Reach quick consensus on league issues
  • Add up to 10 voting options

Playoff Reseeding
Reseed your championship bracket automatically so the highest seeds always play the lowest seeds

Predetermined Random Draft Order
Randomize your live draft order before your draft date

Configurable Draft Pick Times
Change the time allowed per draft pick to speed up or slow down your live draft

Topic Pinning
Keep your most important league topics at the top of the message board

After the jump, your top 100 players for 2012-13, according to the Y! Fantasy Hockey staff.

1. Steven Stamkos
2. Evgeni Malkin
3. Claude Giroux
4. Sidney Crosby
5. Alex Ovechkin
6. Henrik Lundqvist
7. Corey Perry
8. Daniel Sedin
9. John Tavares
10. Jonathan Quick

Giroux was No. 54 in the Y! rankings last year and after a 93-point campaign he gets the No. 3 spot. Can he repeat his success with Jaromir Jagr in Dallas? Concern for Crosby will always be there with his concussion history. He had two comebacks last season and potted 37 points in 22 games. Would you take him higher than No. 4 in your league?

[More: Beleaguered Blue Jackets unveil new 'NWA' attitude]

11. Pekka Rinne
12. Zach Parise
13. Ilya Kovalchuk
14. Phil Kessel
15. James Neal
16. Rick Nash
17. Scott Hartnell
18. Jimmy Howard
19. Jason Spezza
20. Henrik Sedin
21. Tuukka Rask
22. Patrick Sharp
23. Eric Staal
24. Tyler Seguin
25. Erik Karlsson
26. Anze Kopitar
27. Taylor Hall
28. Cory Schneider
29. Milan Lucic
30. Bobby Ryan
31. Jordan Eberle
32. Jarome Iginla
33. Ilya Bryzgalov
34. Jaroslav Halak
35. Patrick Kane
36. David Backes
37. Henrik Zetterberg
38. Jonathan Toews
39. Gabriel Landeskog
40. Mike Smith

41. Nicklas Backstrom
42. Cam Ward
43. Carey Price
44. Kris Letang
45. Patrick Marleau
46. Brad Richards
47. Martin St. Louis
48. Jeff Skinner
49. Kari Lehtonen
50. Mike Richards
51. Dustin Byfuglien
52. Thomas Vanek
53. Zdeno Chara
54. Logan Couture
55. Braden Holtby
56. Ryan Miller
57. Marc-Andre Fleury
58. Loui Eriksson
59. Marian Hossa
60. Joe Thornton
61. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
62. Brian Campbell
63. Joe Pavelski
64. Wayne Simmonds
65. Matt Duchene
66. Roberto Luongo
67. Evander Kane
68. Dan Boyle
69. Alexandre Burrows

70. Jason Pominville
71. Craig Anderson
72 . Max Pacioretty
73 . Shea Weber
74. Martin Brodeur
75. Johan Franzen
76. Jamie Benn
77. Dany Heatley
78. *Nail Yakupov
79. Dustin Brown
80. Alex Pietrangelo
81. Matt Moulson
82. Brad Marchand
83. Danny Briere
84. David Clarkson
85. P.A. Parenteau
86. Ray Whitney
87. Justin Williams
88. Jordan Staal
89. Ryan Suter
90. Shane Doan
91. Devan Dubnyk
92. Ryane Clowe
93. Patrice Bergeron
94. P.K. Subban
95. Tyler Ennis
96. Ryan Getzlaf
97. Alexander Edler
98. Drew Stafford
99. Teemu Selanne
100. Ryan Callahan

*rookie

Sign up your team and league today.

We'll have plenty of fantasy hockey coverage this week, including posts by Dobber, who'll be back for another season with us.

Any surprises in the Y! list? Who's too high? Who's too low? Anyone not crack the top 100 that you believe deserves to be there?

Tags: , Donald Fehr, Fantasy Hockey, , Import, , , , Registration, seasonSet,
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Scott Hartnell’s 6-year deal with Flyers: Shrewd pre-CBA move or bad business?

20 Aug
2012
by in Fantasy Hockey, General

In signing Scott Hartnell to a 6-year, $28.5-million contract extension, I suppose there's a bit of astonishment and/or ridicule expected for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Here's Ed Snider, Big Voice on the owners' side of collective bargaining, signing yet another player to a long-term deal that sneaks their salary in under the CBA wire. You know, because the system is so inadequate that it was imperative to get Hartnell and Wayne Simmonds locked into 6-year deals before it expires …

But that scorn shouldn't be transferred to Hartnell, who has earned every bit of that $4.75 million he'll earn annually beginning in 2013-14 and continuing through his 37th birthday.

Now, $4.75 million annually for a player that's broken 30 goals twice (including last year's 37) and 60 points the same number of times might be viewed as overpayment.

I don't see it that way. He gets that and more as an unrestricted free-agent next summer, salary rollback be damned; hell, if P-A Parenteau is a $4 million a year player after being John Tavares's wingman, what does Hartnell deserve for having meshed well with both Jeff Carter and Claude Giroux with the Flyers?

Part of the wager here with Hartnell is that he's going to be a top-line player with Giroux for a good portion of that contract; which, conversely, is a wager that Jaromir Jagr wasn't more of an engine for that line's success than he's often given credit.

Well, save for Hartnell himself, to Dave Isaac of the Courier Post:

Although he started out the year on the fourth line, he quickly found his way to the top unit with Claude Giroux and Jaromir Jagr, where they all flourished.

"I have a lot left in the tank," said Hartnell, who will be 37 when the deal expires in 2019. "Last year was a good example. I give Jaromir Jagr a lot of credit for my success last year.

"I was more in-tune practicing with him than I was at any point in my career."

But projecting Hartnell's offensive numbers, which should wane anyway as he reaches his mid-30s, misses a more significant number when it comes to this contract: 147.

As in 147 PIMs on average over the last five seasons. That's enforcement, agitation and tone-setting from a vital forward on some very successful Flyers teams. That's the ability be as effective running his yap as he is running opponents:

From the Hartnell Down thing to the unbridled enthusiasm at the All-Star Game and the Winter Classic, who he is and what he does is infectious for the Flyers. (Granted, for some opponents it's like Ebola …)

Tags: , Claude Giroux, , , , , , , , scott hartnell, the Flyers, the Philadelphia Flyers,
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Jaromir Jagr in a Dallas Stars jersey: Awkward, considering it’s the wrong sweater (PHOTO)

16 Aug
2012
by in Fantasy Hockey, General

All this hullabaloo about the Collective Bargaining Agreement has helped obscure some of next season's most significant storylines. Like, for example, the fact that Jaromir Jagr is in the Western Conference and will play for the Dallas Stars.


Nope. Still does. Not. Compute. (Full Gallery Here.)

Jagr visited the offices of Sport in the Czech Republic, holding a video chat with some lucky readers and strapping on a Dallas Stars sweater for perhaps the first time. Wrote Jagr on Twitter: "Me in a Dallas Stars jersey for the first time! An old one but a good one. Got it in the Sport newsroom I visited."

As Jagr pointed out, apparently the news hasn't hit Eastern Europe yet that (a) the NHL doesn't wear Koho and (b) the Stars haven't worn this style of jersey since 2007.

So yes, technically, this is Jaromir Jagr posing in a Dallas Stars jersey for the first time. It's just a little more "Stu Barnes" than "Jamie Benn."

s/t iSport, via Sarah Baicker


Tags: , Collective, , Full Gallery Here., hullabaloo, , jersey, , , sweater, the Western Conference
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Jaromir Jagr on lockout plans, his time in Philadelphia and signing with Dallas

03 Aug
2012
by in Fantasy Hockey, General

The Summer Olympics in London is the main event of the year. It is not a surprise that it has attracted all sorts of celebrities so far. New Dallas Star Jaromir Jagr is one of them. Just like Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, who became a pretty big tennis fan recently, Jagr was spotted around the Wimbledon tennis courts with his girlfriend, Inna. Apparently, Jagr is such a fan of tennis that some games he watched through a fence surrounding the Olympic tennis courts.

Our good friend Pavel Lysenkov sent along some pictures and a few quotes from Jagr about his summer, his plans for the possible lockout, the Philadelphia Flyers and the Stars.

"Right now I am training with HC Kladno," Jagr told Lysenkov. "I will play there if there is a lockout in the NHL… It's been a while since I last played in front of my home fans. And I also promised my father that I would play for Kladno. Besides, I am also the owner and the general manager of the team."

Jagr's move to the Flyers last summer was seen as a surprise by many. Some people, myself included, wondered if Jagr "still had it" to compete at the NHL level. He did, and he really enjoyed it in Philadelphia.

"I really liked it in Philadelphia, I wanted to stay there. But the Flyers started hunting for the big players on the market — Zach Parise, Ryan Suter. They needed some money under the cap and they said 'Wait a little, Jaromir…' And I didn't want to wait. This is when Dallas came through."

"I really liked it," Jagr repeated himself. "I played with [Claude] Giroux and [Scott] Hartnell on the same line, I was getting points. But an injury prevented me from showing everything I had. It's my own fault. During practice I did a routine that I shouldn't have."

"I have never seen a team like the Flyers. Everyone keeps together. Players understand the coach immediately. The year was such that there was nothing to complain about. We played some wonderful hockey. Just remember the series against Pittsburgh in the first round."

Asked if the move to the Stars was simply a case of money — Jagr would play only where he is getting paid more — he replied: "What does money have to do with it? Other NHL clubs offered more! It's just Dallas is ready to rely on me, promised me a spot on the top line."

Ilya Bryzgalov is set to attend the Olympic Games soon. The two now-former teammates won't meet in London, though, as Jagr is going back home to the Czech Republic this week.

"It's too bad we won't see each other here," Jagr said. "We would have talked about space!"

Tags: , , , , , New Dallas Star Jaromir Jagr, , , , , the Flyers
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