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 'Good chance' Sundin to debut Wed.
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Mats Sundin, C VAN |
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| News: Mats Sundin believes there's a "good chance" he'll debut for the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night in Edmonton. The 37-year-old center is nine months removed from his last game in a 17-season NHL career. He signed as a free agent Dec. 18 and joined his new team in Vancouver on Dec. 30. Sundin didn't have his first full practice with the Canucks until Monday. "If nothing changes until (Wednesday) morning I think it should be a good chance I'll play (Wednesday)," Sundin said after a second practice Tuesday. "If not, then obviously Friday at home against St. Louis." The long-time Toronto captain has been reunited in practice with Kyle Wellwood, a former linemate with the Maple Leafs, and young speedster Mason Raymond. He's also been working on the second power play unit. "Of course, you're looking forward to get back playing the game," Sundin said. "But at the same time I want to make sure I'm ready physically so I can stay in the lineup and not come back too quick and get hurt." |
Analysis: The 6-foot-5 Swede has 555 goals and 766 assists in 1,305 career games. "(Wednesday) hopefully will be his first game of what we are all hoping is going to be a successful run here," coach Alain Vigneault said. "The only way to get him to the pace the NHL is at right now is to put him in and put him in gradually and let him work through the little inactivity." Sundin has the potential to be a point-per-game player with the Canucks and Vancouver didn't sign him to just act as a wallflower. He will get his scoring chances and hopefully he will make an impact right away. Sundin will debut during Fantasy Week 14 (Jan. 5-11) and Fantasy owners might want to rev up to insert him into lineups for Week 15 (Jan. 12-18). |
  Hemsky still out a while
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Ales Hemsky, RW EDM |
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| News: The Sports Xchange reports that Oilers RW Ales Hemsky remains sidelined with a concussion. It was originally believed that Hemsky would only miss a couple of games, but now it's more likely that he'll be out a couple of weeks. He was injured Dec. 28 and hasn't even been on an exercise bike since. "I don't really want to go down the path of what his progress is, but he's still unlikely for a while," coach Craig MacTavish said. "All cases are different. He'll have to listen to his body. We're going to be very patient to ensure that when he gets back he's completely ready." |
Analysis: Hemsky is a must-start Fantasy forward when healthy, but this injury looks like it might linger for a while. Bench him in all formats until he's back healthy again. |
 Koivu could return Saturday
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Saku Koivu, C MON |
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| News: The Montreal Gazette reports that Canadiens C Saku Koivu (foot/ankle) skated Tuesday and could return to action as soon as Saturday. |
Analysis: Koivu is one of the Canadiens' top centers when healthy and usually a decent No. 3 Fantasy forward. Expect to get him back in your lineup for Fantasy Week 15 (Jan. 12-18). |
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Sullivan aiming for Sat. return
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Steve Sullivan, RW NSH |
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| News: The Tennessean reports that Predators RW Steve Sullivan, who last played an NHL game on Jan. 22, 2007, could return to action on Saturday vs. the Blackhawks. "If everything goes really well ... I am not going to rule out Saturday," Sullivan said Monday. |
Analysis: Sullivan hasn't played since the 2006-07 season, but did average 67.3 points over his previous three seasons and could be a productive Fantasy option once he returns to the ice. If you have a vacant spot in deeper leagues, you could pick Sullivan up just in case he does return to prominence. |
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Sturm to undergo surgery
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Marco Sturm, LW BOS |
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| News: The Boston Herald reports that Bruins LW Marco Sturm will undergo left knee surgery soon and will be out indefinitely. |
Analysis: Until this season, Sturm was a pretty durable player, so it looks like this year has just been one of those unfortunate things. He's worth holding on to in deeper leagues, but don't waste a spot on him in 10-team formats. |
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Gaborik has successful surgery
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Marian Gaborik, RW MIN |
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| News: Wild RW Marian Gaborik has begun rehabilitation from surgery on his left hip. The Minnesota Wild reported late Monday the operation to repair a torn labrum and damaged cartilage went "as expected." Gaborik started rehab immediately after the procedure in Colorado, done by the same specialist who performed a similar operation on his right hip last summer. Groin pain persisted for Gaborik this season, and he played in only six games before being diagnosed with a deficiency in his hip. |
Analysis: The Wild wanted Gaborik to try to play through the pain this season, but he elected surgery instead, further incensing an organization that isn't a big fan of his. Gaborik is estimated to need 10 to 14 weeks to return. He can begin skating in six weeks, near his 27th birthday. He is in the final year of his contract. He is only worth holding on to in keeper and deeper seasonal leagues. |
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Forsberg skating with old team
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Peter Forsberg, C COL |
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| News: The Denver Post reports that free agent C Peter Forsberg has been skating in Sweden with his old team, Modo. |
Analysis: Forsberg is clearly going to try and give an NHL return one more shot, but there is no concrete timetable yet. Continue to hold on to him in deeper leagues if you can afford to waste a roster spot on him, as he could be very valuable if he does return this season. There are no guarantees, though. |
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Auld winless in seven outings
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Alex Auld, G OTT |
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| News: Senators G Alex Auld stopped 22 shots during a 4-2 loss to the Sabres Tuesday. Auld fell behind 3-0 after Derek Roy scored his 14th goal 5:29 into the second period. Buffalo wouldn't score again until Thomas Vanek salted the game away with an empty-net tally with 26 seconds left. Auld hasn't won in seven outings (0-5-2). |
Analysis: The only good news to come out of Tuesday's loss is that Auld allowed less than four goals for the first time in seven appearances. He has hit a real rough stretch as of late and that has opened the door for Martin Gerber to steal some starts. Auld could very well get his unquestioned starting goalie title back with a solid run, but until that happens, he is a low-end Fantasy option. The Senators TG is at best a No. 2 Fantasy option. |
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Miller opens 2009 with three wins
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Ryan Miller, G BUF |
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| News: Sabres G Ryan Miller stopped 31 shots during a 4-2 win Tuesday against the Senators. He never trailed as Buffalo stormed out to a 3-0 lead. Ottawa made it close with a pair of second-period goals from Jason Spezza, but Miller put Ottawa away by stopping all 11 shots he faced in the third. He has won three straight starts and four of five. |
Analysis: Miller has opened the new year with three straight wins and is starting to establish his himself in net again. He hasn't allowed more than two goals during his recent winning streak and looks like the All-Star caliber goalies we have come to know. Continue to treat him and the Sabres TG as high-end Fantasy options. |
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Volchenkov not active Tuesday
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Anton Volchenkov, D OTT |
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| News: Senators D Anton Volchenkov missed a second straight game Tuesday against the Sabres because of a shoulder injury. He remains questionable heading into Thursday against the Bruins. |
Analysis: Volchenkov only returned to the lineup Saturday against the Maple Leafs after missing a few games with an upper-body injury. Perhaps he re-injured the same ailment. Either way, Volchenkov is one of the Senators' top defenders and they could be without him for awhile. Volchenkov is best used in Fantasy leagues that reward heavily for short-handed stats when healthy. |
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Kuba continues to miss games
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Filip Kuba, D OTT |
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| News: Senators D Filip Kuba (groin) did not return to action Tuesday against the Sabres. He has missed the last seven games and remains questionable heading into Thursday against the Bruins. |
Analysis: Ottawa hasn't said much about Kuba's return date, so we wait anxiously for his return. Kuba has been solid in his first year with the Senators and is a viable Fantasy defenseman when healthy. Just don't expect a lot of goals. |
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Flu keeps Lydman in press box
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Toni Lydman, D BUF |
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| News: Sabres D Toni Lydman was not available Tuesday against the Senators because of the flu. He remains questionable heading into Friday against the Rangers. |
Analysis: The flu shouldn't keep Lydman out for long, so this is no reason to panic. While he does have two points in five games, Lydman has scored just once this season and continues to contribute very little on offense despite being a top-logging defenseman. Lydman is best used in Fantasy leagues that reward heavily for short-handed stats. |
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Sekera doesn't miss a game
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Andrej Sekera, D BUF |
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| News: Sabres D Andrej Sekera was in the lineup Tuesday against the Senators after leaving Saturday's game with an undisclosed ailment. He didn't have a point in 24:01 of ice time and finished at minus-1. |
Analysis: Sekera is one of the Sabres' top-logging defenseman, but has just three points in his last 17 games. He was doing well early in the season, but has since cooled down. He has minimal Fantasy appeal until he gets back on his feet. |
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Numminen plays through illness
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Teppo Numminen, D BUF |
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| News: Sabres D Teppo Numminen was able to play Tuesday against the Senators after missing Monday's practice with an illness. He didn't have a point in 16:50 of ice time and finished at plus-1. |
Analysis: Numminen has had little offensive production since opening the season with an assist in four straight games. His best days are behind him and the 20-year veteran has minimal Fantasy appeal when healthy. |
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Rivet back with no points Tuesday
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Craig Rivet, D BUF |
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| News: Sabres D Craig Rivet returned to the lineup Tuesday against the Senators after missing 11 games with a shoulder injury. He didn't have a point in 19:34 of ice time and finished at plus-1. He also spent two minutes in the penalty box. |
Analysis: Rivet doesn't have a point in nine straight games. He still doesn't have a goal this season and hasn't provided Buffalo with the offensive lift they were looking for when they traded for the veteran defenseman. Consider Rivet a low-end Fantasy option until he gets back on track. |
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Nokelainen back from 10-game absence
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Petteri Nokelainen, C BOS |
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| News: Bruins C Petteri Nokelainen returned to the lineup Tuesday against the Wild after missing 10 games with a shoulder injury. He didn't have a point in 7:14 of ice time and finished at even. |
Analysis: The Bruins use Nokelainen as a lower-line forward when healthy, but he is one of those players more important to his real team than Fantasy owners. It's still safe to ignore him in Fantasy. |
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Ward kept off the ice Tuesday
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Aaron Ward, D BOS |
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| News: Boston D Aaron Ward did not play Tuesday against the Wild after leaving Saturday's game with what coach Claude Julien said was a "charley horse." He is questionable heading into Thursday against the Senators. |
Analysis: Charley horses can either be a bruise or cramp, so the injury doesn't sound too severe. However, it is of little importance to Fantasy since Ward is not a big-time offensive producer when healthy. |
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Hnidy hit with puck in forehead
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Shane Hnidy, D BOS |
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| News: Boston D Shane Hnidy was hit in the forehead Tuesday against the Wild blocking Cal Clutterbuck's shot early in the second. He dropped to the ice, got up quickly and headed straight to the locker room. He returned in the third period. Hnidy didn't have a point in 14:41 of ice time and finished at even. |
Analysis: Hnidy has managed six points in his last 16 games and has been able to cash in recently on some of Boston's success. However, he is still more of a defensive presence and really should only be treated as a low-end Fantasy reserve. He also has Fantasy value in leagues that reward heavily for short-handed stats. |
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Bouchard has assist in four straight
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Pierre-Marc Bouchard, RW MIN |
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| News: Wild C Pierre-Marc Bouchard tallied an assist and finished at even in 18 minutes Tuesday against the Bruins. He now has an assist in four straight games, but hasn't scored since Dec. 20 (seven games). |
Analysis: Bouchard hasn't been his reliable self in 2008-09, but this recent four-game run gives us hope that he is ready to turn his season around in the second half. Bouchard has marginal scoring skills, but is a solid passer and worth using as a No. 4 or No. 5 Fantasy forward when the matchups are favorable. |
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Zidlicky scores Wild's lone goal
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Marek Zidlicky, D MIN |
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| News: Wild D Marek Zidlicky scored a second-period power-play goal during Tuesday's 1-0 win against the Bruins. Skating on its third power play in the opening 6 1/2 minutes of the second, Minnesota grabbed a 1-0 lead when Zidlicky beat goaltender Manny Fernandez with a slap shot inside the right post from the point. It was his fifth goal of the season and first since Dec. 3. |
Analysis: Zidlicky came into Monday's game with no goals and two points in his previous 13 games. He hit a real offensive wall after posting nine points in 13 November outings. Minnesota brought Zidlicky in during the offseason to add some offense along the blue line. He will get his chances to score and put assists on the board, but he still remains more of a No. 3 or No. 4 Fantasy defenseman at this time. |
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Fernandez has 1st loss since Dec. 10
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Manny Fernandez, G BOS |
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| News: Bruins G Manny Fernandez allowed just a Marek Zidlicky power-play goal Tuesday, but it was enough to doom him in a 1-0 loss to the Wild. Fernandez came away with 23 saves and faced more than five shots only in the second period. However, he was still named the Third Star of the Game. |
Analysis: Fernandez lost for the first time since Dec. 10, but was good enough to win his sixth straight decision. Fernandez usually gets one start per week as a backup to Tim Thomas, but likely could start for most NHL teams. He is winning enough to pass as a viable low-end No. 2/high-end No. 3 Fantasy goalie. The Bruins TG remains a high-end Fantasy option. |
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Backstrom nets consecutive shutouts
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Niklas Backstrom, G MIN |
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| News: Niklas Backstrom stopped 28 shots for his second straight shutout and fifth of the season to lead the Minnesota Wild to a 1-0 win over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night. Backstrom faced just 15 shots in the first two periods before the onslaught began in third period. But he stayed strong in net and stopped all three of Boston's power-play attempts. |
Analysis: Backstrom is starting to get hot again after slumping for most of December. He has won three straight starts and five of seven. He hasn't allowed more than three goals in 12 outings and continues to perform at a high level. Treat Backstrom as a No. 1 Fantasy goalie. The Wild TG also has high-end Fantasy value. |
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Veilleux out with illness
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Stephane Veilleux, LW MIN |
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| News: Wild C Stephane Veilleux was not in the lineup Tuesday against the Bruins because of an illness. He remains questionable heading into Thursday against the Flyers. |
Analysis: Veilleux scored three times in December, but is still not a top offensive threat for the Wild. He has never managed more than 20 points in a season and has limited Fantasy appeal when healthy. |
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Blues not going to rush Kariya
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Paul Kariya, LW STL |
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| News: Blues left wing Paul Kariya had left hip surgery on Monday and could miss the rest of the regular season. "We haven't ruled him out, but what's the sense of rushing something as serious as this?" team president John Davidson said Tuesday. "I think he'll be back to 110 percent, whether it's late this season or next season. Probably next season." The surgery was performed in Vail, Colo., and Kariya will stay in Colorado to begin rehab. |
Analysis: Kariya had two goals and 13 points in the Blues' first 11 games before injuring the hip Nov. 5 against Anaheim. An MRI had revealed injuries in two spots in the joint area of the left hip. Davidson said the surgery repaired a torn labrum inside the joint along with "some bone work." "He'll be 100 percent a long time before camp," Davidson said. "He'll be back to being Paul Kariya that should be better than he has been for years." The 34-year-old Kariya is in the second season of a three-year, $18 million contract. Kariya is only worth holding onto in long-term keeper leagues this at this time because it's unlikely he will play again this season. |
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P. Dwyer sent back to AHL
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Patrick Dwyer, RW CAR |
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| News: The Hurricanes have sent RW Pat Dwyer down to the AHL. |
Analysis: Dwyer has been up and down a couple of times this season. He is nothing more than organizational depth and can be ignored in Fantasy formats. |
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Tollefsen comes off IR
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, D CLB |
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| News: The Blue Jackets activated D Ole-Kristian Tollefsen from IR on Tuesday. He had been there since knee surgery in mid-December. |
Analysis: The 24-year-old Tollefsen, a native of Norway, has one assist and 31 penalty minutes in 12 games with the Blue Jackets this season. He has appeared in 138 career NHL games with the club, scoring four goals with six assists and 267 penalty minutes since the 2005-06 season. He has no Fantasy value when healthy. |
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Novotny placed on injured reserve
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Jiri Novotny, C CLB |
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| News: The Blue Jackets have placed C Jiri Novotny on injured reserve. |
Analysis: Novotny has been active for 26 games this season and has only four points to show for it. He has no Fantasy value at this time. |
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J. Staal without a goal in nine
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Jordan Staal, C PIT |
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| News: The Sports Xchange reports that Penguins C Jordan Staal has gone nine games without a goal. |
Analysis: Staal is having an OK year with his assist number already just six short of his career-high 16, but his rating of minus-5 and his zero short-handed points are dragging him down. He remains just a low-end option in the deepest of Fantasy leagues. |
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Crosby struggling on power play
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Sidney Crosby, C PIT |
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| News: The Sports Xchange reports that Penguins C Sidney Crosby has scored only one power-play goal in his last 32 games. |
Analysis: Look, no matter how much Crosby is struggling, you have to leave him in your Fantasy lineup, simple as that. You know the one week you bench him he'll have 10 points. |
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Zigomanis placed on IR
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Mike Zigomanis, C PIT |
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| News: The Sports Xchange reports that Penguins C Mike Zigomanis (shoulder) has been placed on injured reserve. The news came Sunday, and it seemed like a relief to coach Michel Therrien, who had grown tired of answering questions about Zigomanis, who has not played since Dec. 3. |
Analysis: Zigomanis is one of those players more important to his real team than Fantasy owners when healthy, so continue to ignore him. |
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Weight day-to-day with leg injury
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Updated 1/6/2009 |
| Doug Weight, C NYI |
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| News: The Sports Xchange reports that Islanders C Doug Weight sat out Monday's game in Edmonton and is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury to his lower right leg. |
Analysis: Weight has had a great season under first-year coach Scott Gordon and continues to show he still has gas left in the tank. While he is not an elite scorer, Weight has posted 25 assists and is worth looking at as a low-end Fantasy forward in deep formats when healthy. Monitor his progress during Fantasy Week 14 (Jan. 5-11). |
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Prust's jaw still sensitive
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