News:Sami Lepisto (leg) will play against Detroit on Saturday, Chicago Sun-Times writer Adam Jahns reports.
Analysis:Sami Lepisto is unlikely to make a fantasy impact, but his return gives the Chicago defense a slight boost as the playoffs approach.
News:Sami Lepisto (leg) skated Sunday, Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Analysis: This was just Sami Lepisto's second time skating since suffering the injury on March 8. There's no timetable for his return, but Lepisto seems to be progressing along.
News:Sami Lepisto (leg) will be out "a bit," CSN Chicago's Tracey Myers reports.
Analysis: With just three points in 25 games for the Blackhawks, Sami Lepisto's absence won't mean much.
News: Lepisto signed a one-year deal with the Blackhawks on Friday, the Blackhawks' official site reports.
Analysis: Lepisto played for the Coyotes and Blue Jackets last season. He'll provide depth for the Blackhawks defense. The Hawks moved to sign Lepisto, because restricted free agent Chris Campoli and the Hawks couldn't agree to a contract. As a result, the team will look to trade Campoli. Lepisto should be used on the Hawks' third defensive line, playing mostly on the left side behind Duncan Keith and Niklas Hjalmarsson.
Three Assists For Lepisto In Blue Jackets Win Saturday
News: Lepisto racked up three assists in Saturday's 5-4 OT win over the Wild.
Analysis: The assists are his first points in eight games since joining the Blue Jackets, and perhaps not coincidentally all three helpers came after Grant Clitsome left the game in the second period with a knee injury. If Clitsome is sidelined for any length of time, Lepisto could have some short-term value.
News: Lepisto was dealt along with Scottie Upshall to Columbus for Rotislav Klesla and Dane Byers, TSN.ca reports.
Analysis: Lepisto is now on his third organization and has become a depth d-man. Don't look for much production out of him with the Blue Jackets.
News: For the second consecutive game, Lepisto was a healthy scratch for the Coyotes on Saturday.
Analysis: So far, Lepisto has only appeared in three games for the Coyotes. After having a respectable season in 2009-10, Lepisto looks like he is relegated to the seventh defenseman role.
News: Coyotes D Sami Lepisto had his first career goal in Saturday's win over the Rangers.
Analysis: Lepisto is a plus-8 in his last six games, which shows he hasn't hit the rookie wall yet in his first full NHL season. He remains just a low-end Fantasy option for the time being.
News: Coyotes D Sami Lepisto failed to record a point and finished at minus-1 in 14:23 of ice time on Thursday against the Kings. He also spent two minutes in the penalty box. He has only one point in his last nine games and no goals in 28 appearances.
Analysis: Lepisto does have a career-high five points in 2009-10, but this is the most extensive action of his NHL career. Coach Dave Tippett has taken a liking to the young blueliner and is willing to develop him at the NHL level. However, until Lepisto starts lighting up the scoreboard, he has minimal Fantasy appeal.
News: The Coyotes acquired defenseman Sami Lepisto from the Washington Capitals on Saturday in exchange for a fifth round draft choice in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
Analysis: Lepisto, a 2004 third-round pick, totaled zero goals and four assists in seven games with the Capitals in 2008-09. He had four goals and 38 assists with Hershey of the AHL. The restricted free agent is a solid puck-moving defenseman and could play an integral part in 2009-10, if the Coyotes keep him under contract. Lepisto is merely a low-end Fantasy sleeper Draft Day.
News: Capitals defenseman prospect Sami Lepisto is currently on a four-game point streak for Hershey of the AHL. Lepisto has one goal and four assists during his recent run after getting no points in his previous eight games. On the season, he has four goals, 16 assists and a plus-8 rating in 39 games.
Analysis: Lepisto has played 14 games for the Capitals over the last two seasons, but the 24-year-old Fin just can't break the roster full-time. He had a career-best 41 assists last season for Hershey and is definitely a developing player. But Lepisto should only be owned in long-term Fantasy leagues.
News: Capitals D Sami Lepisto has been returned to the AHL. "I played a lot of minutes. I feel a lot more confident, especially over there [in the NHL]," said Lepisto, according to the Patriot News. "That's the difference I noticed [from last season]. More mature, I guess."
Analysis: Lepisto is an up-and-coming youngster, but his value lies solely in keeper formats at the moment.
News: The Capitals have called up D Karl Alzner and D Sami Lepisto from the AHL to cover for various injured players.
Analysis: Alzner is a great long-term keeper option and even has some value in super-deep seasonal formats because of his potential. Lepisto is also an up-and-coming youngster, but has less value than Alzner.
News: The Washington Post reports that Capitals have cut D Tyler Sloan, D Sami Lepisto, D Grant McNeill and G Simeon Varlamov from camp Thursday.
Analysis: None of these players have any Fantasy value, so continue to ignore them.
News: Twelve days after being called up from the AHL, Capitals D Sami Lepisto found himself back in Hershey, Pa. on Wednesday, according to the Washington Times, after being sent back down.
Analysis: Lepisto hadn't played much since being called up and will get much-need experience playing in the AHL rather than sitting on the bench with the Capitals, says the Times. Continue to ignore him in all formats.
News: Washington recalled D Sami Lepisto from Hershey (AHL) on Friday. Lepisto promptly recorded his first NHL point with an assist on Brooks Laich's second goal in the 4-1 win over the Atlanta Thrashers.
Analysis: The 23-year-old has three goals and 37 assists for the Bears and was be paired with Milan Jurcina. Lepisto also has some value in keeper formats, but won't contribute much this season.
News: Capitals RW Eric Fehr and D Sami Lepisto have been sent down to Hershey of the AHL, according to the Washington Post.
Analysis: Fehr had one assist in six games this season with Washington, and had only returned from a back injury a couple of weeks ago. He was a first-round draft pick in 2003 and has some value in keeper formats. Lepisto also has some value in keeper formats, but won't contribute much this season.
News: The Washington Capitals have assigned Dean Arsene, Scott Barney, Sean Collins, Andrew Gordon, Jamie Hunt, Andrew Joudrey, Quintin Laing, Sami Lepisto, Chris McAllister, Grant McNeill, Patrick McNeill, Jason Morgan, Travis Morin, Steve Pinizzotto, Grant Potulny and Steve Werner to Hershey of the AHL on Wednesday.
Analysis: None of these players are expected to make a splash in Fantasy Hockey this season.
