News:Mike Rupp scored twice in Monday's NHL Winter Classic win over the Flyers.
Analysis:Mike Rupp was easily the most unlikely source of offense on the ice, having posted just one goal in 14 games this season. Any offense the Rangers get from the veteran grinder is a bonus to his checking presence on the ice. Both goals were snapshots from well away from the crease.
News:Mike Rupp (knee) is expected to return to the lineup for Saturday's game against the Coyotes, The Bergen Record reports.
Analysis:Mike Rupp is ready to go after missing the previous 22 games with the injury. He was a full participant at practice the last three days, but he'll likely need a game or two to get back into full playing shape. The Rangers have not announced where Rupp will play, but expect him to find a spot on either the third or fourth line.
News:Mike Rupp (knee) has been cleared for contact, Andrew Gross of the Bergen Record reports.
Analysis:Mike Rupp took part in Tuesday's morning skate, and will he will not play in the game the same evening, there is a chance he could return to the ice for Saturday's game against the Coyotes.
News:Mike Rupp (knee) will not travel with the team to Buffalo, team's official Twitter page reports.
Analysis:Mike Rupp will miss Saturday's game but hopes to begin contract drills next week. He underwent arthroscopic knee surgery early in November but could return before the end of the calender year. He doesn't hold much fantasy value outside of penalty minutes.
News:Mike Rupp (knee) practiced Wednesday and is making progress, the Rangers' official Twitter feed reports.
Analysis:Mike Rupp is okay to practice but says he isn't quite ready for contact yet. He added that he isn't "far from battles", though.
News:Mike Rupp (knee) skated Friday for the third straight day, Andrew Gross of the Bergen Record reports.
Analysis:Mike Rupp increased the intensity of his workout Friday, indicating both he and the medical staff are comfortable with how his knee is recovering after Nov. 9 surgery. Rupp is approaching the 4-to-6 week timetable he was given after undergoing the procedure, but the Rangers have yet to announce a target date for his return to game action. If he continues progressing as expected, look for Rupp to return to action before the end of the month.
News:Mike Rupp underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Wednesday, the Rangers' official Twitter feed reports.
Analysis: The surgery addresses a meniscus tear in his left knee, and the recovery time is estimated four-to-six weeks. Mike Rupp's knee has been a problem for sometime, not playing since October 24. Rupp has only one goal to this point in the season.
News: The Rangers placed Mike Rupp (knee) on injured reserve Saturday, Newsday's Steve Zipay reports.
Analysis:Mike Rupp will undergo surgery next week, and though the team will not have an estimate on his recovery timetable until after the procedure, it's safe to assume he will miss several weeks.
News:Mike Rupp will have arthroscopic surgery on his left knee next week, Steve Zipay of the New York Newsday reports.
Analysis:Mike Rupp will be out indefinitely but the team will know after the surgery how long he will be sidelined. Sean Avery will start in his place Saturday against Montreal. Rupp only has one point (goal) in the seven games he has played in this season and can probably be dropped from most fantasy rosters at this point.
News: Coach John Tortorella said Mike Rupp's lingering knee issue is becoming a concern, ESPNNewYork.com reports.
Analysis: Tortorella said Mike Rupp will visit a doctor Monday and will not play against the Sharks. He added that the team is "having discussions" about the best course of action to take, but would not comment on whether the injury will require surgery. The Rangers recalled Andre Deveaux from the minors to take Rupp's place in the lineup.
News:Mike Rupp (knee) is not expected to play in Saturday's game against the Senators, according to the Rangers' official Twitter page.
Analysis: It appears Mike Rupp will miss his second straight game Saturday. He remains day-to-day for the time being.
News:Mike Rupp returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday to rest a nagging knee injury, ESPN.com's Katie Strang reports.
Analysis:Mike Rupp said the soreness in his knee comes and goes, so he's trying to rest the injury whenever possible. He'll keep playing before now, but he may not be 100 percent.
News: The Rangers signed Rupp to a three-year, $4.5 million contract Friday, according to The Daily News.
Analysis: The Rangers are very familiar with Rupp, having played against him with Pittsburgh and New Jersey. Although his fantasy value remains low, his type of physical game could fit perfectly on the Rangers' fourth line with Brian Boyle and Brandon Prust.
News: The Penguins and Rupp have been unable to reach agreement and the big forward appears set to test free agency Friday.
Analysis: Rupp offers some toughness, size and can play decently alongside top-line players, but his package doesn't help fantasy owners very much.
News: Rupp ended a month's-long points drought Monday, posting a goal in the loss to Boston.
Analysis: Rupp's value comes through the intangibles he brings to Pittsburgh in checking and defensive play, statistics that don't translate well to the fantasy world.
Penguins' Rupp: Not Scoring Often Like Last Season
News: Rupp, who set a career high with 13 goals last season, has one goal and two assists through 15 contests.
Analysis: Rupp simply does not shoot often enough to be a habitual goal scorer for the Pens. Instead, he's a good source of hits, and offers little more to fantasy players than penalty minutes.
News: Penguins C Mike Rupp scored a goal during Thursday's game against the Flyers. Rupp scored the Penguins' fourth and final goal 12:08 into the third. It was his 11th goal and second in seven games.
Analysis: Rupp put himself on the Fantasy map when he recorded a hat trick on Nov. 30 and was doing quite well in late November and early December. But as expected, his hot streak ended. Rupp is a good defensive forward, but he has low-end Fantasy appeal in standard formats.
News: It's one thing to give up a hat trick to Sidney Crosby -- but Mike Rupp? Never before in an NHL season had Rupp scored more than six goals, yet he netted three on Monday night to lift the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 5-2 victory over the New York Rangers and a sweep of the home-and-home series. Crosby chipped in two goals and an assist just two days after his hat trick and two assists carried the Penguins to an 8-3 win against New York on Saturday in Pittsburgh. "He scored kind of every which way you could," Crosby said of Rupp, who has a career-best eight goals this season. "He was a presence all night." About 5 1/2 minutes before Rupp scored his second goal to snap a 2-2 tie in the third period, he was helped off the ice. Rupp appeared to injure his left knee when he was shoved from behind into the boards by defenseman Dan Girardi and banged his leg. His first goal gave Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead in the second period and his second made it 3-2 with 8:46 remaining. That one came on an end-to-end rush up left wing. Rupp's first NHL hat trick was sealed with an empty-net goal with 1:40 remaining. "I just relaxed," Rupp said. "Usually I'm not going to throw that puck down without a two-goal lead."
Analysis: Rupp said his leg felt better after he walked on it, but went to have it checked out after the game when it tightened. This was far from his biggest hockey moment. Rupp scored twice for New Jersey in Game 7 of the 2003 Stanley Cup finals, including the winning tally, but this certainly cracked his personal list. "It feels good that it comes in a win," said Rupp, who has 35 goals in 363 NHL games. "Nothing is worse than when a guy has an opportunity to get a hat trick and the team loses." Rupp is having a fine first season with the Penguins and could very well set new career highs across the board. But we still aren't sold on him just yet. Rupp still has minimal Fantasy appeal and can be used in leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
News: Penguins C Mike Rupp scored a goal and finished at plus-1 during Monday's game against the Panthers. Evgeni Malkin set up the tying goal with 2:32 left from behind the net. After holding the puck for a while, he lost control of it but was able to jab it to the front of the net, where Rupp poked it between Tomas Vokoun's legs. "Both defensemen on each post seeing [Malkin] behind the net with the puck, they got a little mesmerized by him," Rupp said. "They went after him and left me alone in front. I figured if I just hang in front the puck is eventually going to get there. He just made a great play to me."
Analysis: Rupp was an assist shy Monday of earning a Gordie Howe hat trick. Surprisingly, he already has five goals this season and has been an unexpected source of offense for Pittsburgh. While he is on pace for a career season, we aren't getting excited since Rupp won't join the NHL's elite any time soon. Rupp still has minimal Fantasy appeal.
News: Penguins C Mike Rupp scored his fourth goal of the season in Tuesday's win over the Ducks. Rupp's career high is six goals.
Analysis: Rupp is a lower-line forward with the Pens, but has really managed to find the net on a consistent basis early this season. Don't expect this hot start to last though, as he's only managed one season of double-digit points in his career. Continue to ignore him in the majority of leagues.
News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Penguins coach Dan Bylsma has set his scoring lines for Friday's game at Columbus, the first without Evgeni Malkin. Chris Kunitz, Sidney Crosby and Bill Guerin will remain on the top line, while Jordan Staal, Ruslan Fedotenko and Chris Bourque will be on the second unit. Matt Cooke and Craig Adams will be fixtures on the third line, with Pascal Dupuis, Mike Rupp, Eric Godard and Chris Conner rotating in the final spot.
Analysis: This move really only affects the value of Staal, who will move up into the scoring lines in the place of Malkin. You might want to get Staal active in more than 47 percent of leagues for Fantasy Week 5 (Nov. 2-8). Everyone else retains their original Fantasy value.
News: Penguins C Mike Rupp scored a goal and finished at plus-1 during Wednesday's game against the Hurricanes. Rupp had given the Penguins the early lead when he took a short pass from Evgeni Malkin to set up a 2-on-1 rush, then skated in on Cam Ward to flip the puck by him at the right post at 14:24. It was his first goal of the season.
Analysis: Rupp happened to be on the ice with Malkin during a line change Wednesday and is not a regular to the scoring lines. He is a pretty much a checking-line presence. Rupp is best used in Fantasy leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
News: The Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins added a little grit to their checking line Wednesday with the addition of forward Mike Rupp. The former New Jersey Devil signed a two-year, $1.63 million contract.
Analysis: Rupp has totaled three goals and six assists in each of the last two seasons for the Devils. He also had a career-high 136 penalty minutes in 2008-09. Rupp is pretty much just a checking-forward and has Fantasy value in leagues that reward heavily for short-handed stats and PIM.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Devils forward Mike Rupp is ready to test the free-agent waters. "I'm three weeks away from July 1 and I feel that I've paid my dues and deserve to see what other teams think about me as well as the Devils," Rupp said. "I owe that to myself and the family. Right now, that's kind of my mindset. I haven't heard anything otherwise from New Jersey."
Analysis: Rupp has spent the last three seasons in New Jersey, totaling nine points in each campaign. He had three goals and six assists in each of the last two seasons. Rupp, who had a career-high 136 penalty minutes and 16 majors in 2008-09, has primarily been a checking-line forward in his career. Even if he leaves the Devils, he isn't going to be much more than a Fantasy flier in leagues that reward heavily for PIM Draft Day.
News: Devils C Mike Rupp assisted in Tuesday's win over the Senators, ending a 12-game point-less streak.
Analysis: The 6-5 Rupp is primarily just an enforcer for the Devils when he dresses. Continue to view him as just a flier in leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Devils RW Mike Rupp, irked at the Kings taking some physical liberties Saturday night, pounded Matt Greene. It was Rupp's third fight in the last two games. Rupp is one player who could be in trouble with the arrival of Brendan Shanahan, who agreed to join the Devils Saturday.
Analysis: The 6-5 Rupp is primarily just an enforcer for the Devils when he dresses and that's why he is on the chopping block when Shanahan arrives. Continue to view Rupp as just a flier in leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
News:The Sports Xchange reports that Devils C Mike Rupp, who had one point, an assist, in his first 19 games this season, is 3-1-4 in his last six games, a stretch interrupted by two games as a healthy scratch.
Analysis: Rupp is usually nothing more than an enforcer for the Devils, but he's suddenly chipping in on the offensive end lately. Keep an eye on him over the next week or so if you're in a league that rewards PIM.
News: New Jersey C Mike Rupp picked up 20 penalty minutes against the Flyers on Saturday. Rupp was given 5 minutes for fighting Riley Cote in the 1st period, 5 more minutes for fighting Arron Asham in the 2nd period and a 10-minute game misconduct penalty in the 2nd after the fight with Asham.
Analysis: Rupp is one of the Devils' lower-end forward, and when he does dress, he usually plays on the checking line. He is merely an enforcer for New Jersey and has little to no Fantasy value.
News: Devils C Michael Rupp did most of his talking Tuesday against the Hurricanes with his fists. He didn't record a point in 3:42 of ice time, but fought twice and spent 10 minutes in the penalty box. He is now at 50 penalty minutes on the season with eight major penalties.
Analysis: Rupp is one of the Devils' lower-end forward, and when he does dress, he usually plays on the checking line. He is merely an enforcer for New Jersey and has little to no Fantasy value.
News: Devils C Michael Rupp scored his first two goals of the season Tuesday in a 4-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The fifth-year forward, who scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal for the Devils in Game 7 of the 2003 finals, notched his first of this season during rare power-play time. The 6-foot-5 center scored to make it 1-0 at 8:54 with his first goal since March 30, 2007. "Obviously, it's been a long time," Rupp said. "The last 10, 12 games, it felt like I have had opportunities and it feels good to finally put them in, I guess."
Analysis: With only two goals this season, Rupp is obviously not worth considering in any Fantasy formats.
News: RW Mike Rupp dressed for the first time in 11 games and played only 4:47 against the Rangers Sunday.
Analysis: Rupp is only worth a look in the deepest of Fantasy leagues at this point.
News: Rupp (undisclosed injury) was able to play in Monday's afternoon game in Ottawa. He was scoreless in 4:49 of ice time, playing in just seven shifts.
Analysis: Rupp is only worth a look in the deepest of Fantasy leagues at this point.
News: Devils RW Mike Rupp left the ice in the second period Saturday after colliding with Panthers D Ruslan Salei. Rupp logged just 5:37 of ice time, taking one shot and finishing with an even rating.
Analysis: Rupp hasn't been much of a factor since entering the league in 2002-03. He is day to day, but when healthy, he is not a recommended Fantasy option.
News: The New Jersey Devils re-signed Ds Andy Greene and Johnny Oduya to two-year contracts and they also kept W Michael Rupp, inking him to a two-year deal.
Analysis: Greene and Oduya are worth using in deeper Fantasy leagues, while Rupp's Fantasy value will be minimal with wings of his caliber a dime a dozen in 2007-08.
News: Michael Rupp and Travis Zajac scored late in the second period Friday to lead the Devils to a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Analysis: Despite the goal on Friday, Rupp is not a recommended option in most Fantasy leagues.
News: Mike Rupp scored his third goal of the season early in the first period of Sunday's game at Montreal.
Analysis: Despite the goal, Rupp is not a recommended Fantasy option in most leagues.
News: Michael Rupp was scoreless in just 7:03 of ice time with a minus-1 rating in Tuesday's game at N.Y. Rangers.
Analysis: Rupp has just one point in 12 games this season and therefore is not a recommended Fantasy option.
News: Blue Jackets C Mike Rupp had surgery Friday to correct an irregular heartbeat.
Analysis: When healthy, Rupp is not a useful option in Fantasy Hockey. If you had him on your roster for some reason, drop him immediately.
News: Michael Rupp is out indefinitely due to an irregular heartbeat. "I’ve had this condition my whole life," Rupp told the Columbus Post-Dispatch. "It’s completely normal. A lot of athletes have it, and a lot of regular people have it, too, and don’t even know about it. I need a procedure done that will rid me of it forever. I’ll have the procedure and that’ll be the end of it."
Analysis: When healthy, Rupp is not a useful option in Fantasy Hockey. If you had him on your roster for some reason, drop him immediately.
News: Michael Rupp (foot) was able to play in Thursday's game at Colorado, but he managed to go scoreless in just eight shifts and 4:07 of ice time.
Analysis: Rupp does not see enough playing time to warrant Fantasy consideration in any league.
News: The Columbus Dispatch reports Michael Rupp (broken left foot) is 100 percent recovered from his injury and will be back in the lineup on Thursday at Colorado.
Analysis: While this is great news for Rupp and his one percent of Fantasy owners in CBS SportsLine.com leagues, not many people will even notice his return.
News: The Columbus Dispatch reports that tests on Tuesday revealed that Mike Rupp suffered a broken left ankle against the Rangers Monday. "He’s a big guy and his physical presence has helped us, especially on the road," said team president Doug MacLean. "I expect he’ll be out through the Olympic break."
Analysis: The break runs from Feb. 12-27, so Rupp is likely out four to six weeks. He had really turned it up recently, but even when healthy, he doesn't have much Fantasy value as a power forward without much of a scoring touch. Center Mike Hartigan will probably get called up from Syracuse of the AHL Wednesday to take his place on the roster. Hartigan isn't worth picking up in most Fantasy leagues because he shouldn't see too much ice time.
News: Michael Rupp has seen his ice time dwindle recently, as he saw only 6:14 of ice time in Thursday's game in St. Louis.
Analysis: Rupp has failed to record a point in 15 games this season with Phoenix and Columbus. He has showed promise in the past, but is not someone to consider in any Fantasy league right now.
News: Michael Rupp part of a five-player trade on Saturday with the Blue Jackets. He joins teammates Jason Chimera and Cale Hulse in Columbus for veteran Geoff Sanderson and minor-league Tim Jackman.
Analysis: Rupp joins his third team after stays in New Jersey and Phoenix. He has plenty of talent, but has been sort of an enigma. See how he gels with his new teammates before taking a chance on him in larger Fantasy leagues.
News: The Coyotes exercised their option on Michael Rupp on Thursday.
Analysis: Rupp posted 12 points in 2003-04 splitting time between New Jersey and Phoenix. He might continue to produce better numbers, but he is a few years off from making a splash in most Fantasy leagues.
News: The Arizona Republic reports that Mike Rupp (shoulder) is out indefinitely and might miss the rest of the season. He will be out at least two weeks.
Analysis: Rupp was recently traded over from New Jersey. He does not warrant holding onto in any leagues.
News: Michael Rupp suffered a shoulder injury late in the third period of Tuesday's game at Los Angeles and is out indefinitely.
Analysis: The club recalled Jason Jaspers from Springfield of the AHL to take his roster spot.
News: New Jersey sent Mike Rupp and a second-round pick to Phoenix for Jan Hrdina Friday.
Analysis: Rupp has not done enough this season to warrant Fantasy consideration.
News: Michael Rupp has been impressive during the preseason and he might be paired with veterans Jeff Friesen and Jamie Langenbrunner to start the season, according to the Newark Star-Ledger.
Analysis: If Rupp can continue his strong preseason, he might be worth a look in the later rounds on Draft Day.
News: Rupp was recalled from Albany of the AHL on Monday. He scored two goals in his NHL debut. Monitor his progress. He has no Fantasy value, but might be useful in keeper leagues if his offensive output continues.
Analysis:
