News:Tim Stapleton, who is currently a unrestricted free agent in the NHL, is thriving in the KHL.
Analysis: He's playing for Dinamo Minsk and has 11 goals and eight assists. Those 11 goals match his entire output from 2011-12 when he toiled as a third and fourth liner in Winnipeg.
News:Tim Stapleton did not score a point and managed just a single shot on goal in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Vityaz.
Analysis: He has 13 points in 16 KHL games this season and seems to have taken things up a notch in the scoring department. With no end to the NHL lockout in sight, it looks like we may have to wait a while to see if Tim Stapleton's increased production holds up in North America.
News:Tim Stapleton agreed in principle to a contract with Dinamo-Minsk of the KHL, the Winnipeg Sun reports.
Analysis:Tim Stapleton recorded the best season of his four-year career in 2011-12, recording 11 goals and 16 assists in 63 games. A native of Illinois, it's certainly possible he returns stateside after a stint in Russia.
News:Tim Stapleton extended his point streak to five games on Saturday by recording Winnipeg's only goal in a loss to Nashville.
Analysis: Despite the recent bump in production, Tim Stapleton is still receiving fourth line minutes and as such, is liable to fall off his current pace at any moment.
News: In addition to recording an assist, Tim Stapleton netted Friday night's game-wining, overtime goal versus the Capitals. The American-born forward now has 25 points on the year.
Analysis: Though 2011-2012 has been Tim Stapleton's most successful NHL campaign to date, his offensive production is still a way's off from being that of a bona fide fantasy weapon.
News:Tim Stapleton sustained an injury to his lower-body in the second period of Friday night's game at Calgary. He did not return to action.
Analysis: More to come on Tim Stapleton's status as it becomes available.
News:Tim Stapleton notched three points in a single game for the first time in his career Tuesday night, assisting on three scores in Winnipeg's overtime loss to Philadelphia.
Analysis: Though the veteran American can certainly make the most of a scant nine minutes of playing time, savvy fantasy owners know that a forward not on his club's top two lines rarely makes for a reliable fantasy choice. Despite Tuesday's impressive outing, Tim Stapleton is no exception to the rule.
News:Tim Stapleton, having missed the team's last nine games with a lower body injury, scored one of five Jets goals Saturday while assisting another.
Analysis: Though Saturday's game will do wonders to bolster Tim Stapleton's confidence coming off of injury, a two point night is not something you should expect to see from him very often.
News:Tim Stapleton, who has missed the Jets' last nine games due to a lower body injury, will return to the lineup Saturday against the Penguins, TSN.ca reports.
Analysis: The Jets will get a boost to their forward ranks with Kyle Wellwood also returning. Tim Stapleton appears headed for fourth-line duty with Alex Burmistrov and Antti Miettinen.
Jets' Stapleton (Lower Body) Scratched For Thursday
News:Tim Stapleton (lower body) will not suit up Thursday in Washington, Paul Friesen of the Winnipeg Sun reports.
Analysis:Tim Stapleton does not produce, statistically speaking, at a level that would make him worthy of fantasy consideration upon his return.
News:Tim Stapleton, out since Jan. 19 with a lower body injury, will not play Tuesday against the Leafs, according to TSN.ca.
Analysis: At least the Jets will get Evander Kane back to boost their forward ranks. Tim Stapleton is considered very close to a return, with Thursday at Washington still being a possibility.
News:Tim Stapleton (lower body) practiced Tuesday morning and is considered a game-time decision versus the Leafs, Kirk Penton of the Winnipeg Sun reports.
Analysis: By the looks of things, Tim Stapleton will make his return to action either Tuesday in Winnipeg or Thursday in Washington.
Winnipeg's Stapleton (Lower Body) Questionable For Tuesday
News:Tim Stapleton (lower body) aims to make his return to action Tuesday versus Toronto, TSN's Rick Ralph reports.
Analysis: Though head coach Claude Noel will appreciate the added depth at forward, Tim Stapleton is not a smart fantasy play with just 14 points all season.
Jets' Stapleton (Lower Body) Stays Behind For Tuesday Road Game
News:Tim Stapleton (lower body) did not travel with the Jets for Winnipeg's Tuesday night road contest in Philadelphia, the team's official site reports.
Analysis: If, for some reason, you have Tim Stapleton in your fantasy lineup, make sure he is not starting against the Flyers.
Winnipeg's Stapleton (Lower Body) To Sit Out Monday
News:Tim Stapleton (lower body) did not make the trip to Raleigh for Monday night's game against the Hurricanes, Kirk Penton of the Winnipeg Sun reports.
Analysis: Even when healthy, Tim Stapleton does not make for a consistent, productive fantasy option.
News:Tim Stapleton will miss Saturday's game due to a lower body injury, Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun reports.
Analysis: Further details of Tim Stapleton's setback were not immediately available, so consider him day-to-day for now. Stapleton has recorded 14 points in 37 games this season, including three (2G, 1A) in seven games this month.
Winnipeg's Stapleton Notches Seventh Goal Of Season
News:Tim Stapleton found the back of the net Thursday for the seventh time this year.
Analysis: Relegated to Winnipeg's fourth line, there simply is not enough ice-time here to make for a viable fantasy start. Though Tim Stapleton does a decent amount with what little usage he gets, he can not be counted on to produce at a consistent pace.
Jets' Stapleton (Illness) Questionable For Tuesday
News:Tim Stapleton (illness) was on the ice for the Jets' practice Monday, Ted Wyman of the Winnipeg Sun reports.
Analysis: Though the American in his fourth season has turned up his offensive production over the Jets' past few games, Tim Stapleton is not a viable fantasy option. He simply does not see enough ice time to make an impact in any statistical category.
News:Tim Stapleton (illness) was a late scratch for Saturday's game in Buffalo.
Analysis:Tim Stapleton's flu-like symptoms were unfortunately timed, as the young forward was coming off one of his best games of the season. The Jets do not play again until January 10, hopefully giving Stapleton ample time to recover.
News:Tim Stapleton recorded the game's first goal Wednesday as the Canadiens bested the Jets 7-3.
Analysis:Tim Stapleton's recent promotion to Winnipeg's second line, a line that includes the team's best offensive weapons in Evander Kane and Blake Wheeler, has payed early dividends. Though the American in his fourth season still remains a questionable fantasy play, he is certainly one player to keep an eye on.
News:Tim Stapleton will play center between Evander Kane and Blake Wheeler on Winnipeg's second unit Thursday, Daily Faceoff reports.
Analysis: Good things tend to happen to forwards who play alongside team goals leader Evander Kane. Additionally, Blake Wheeler has more assists this season than any other Jet, so Tim Stapleton could be in for an increase in points opportunities.
Jets' Stapleton Records Goal, Assist Against Avalanche
News:Tim Stapleton brought his season points total to nine Tuesday, recording a goal and an assist in a 4-1 victory over Colorado.
Analysis: While the center in his fourth season has now tallied two goals in the last three games, his fantasy value remains questionable. He plays on Winnipeg's fourth line and is unlikely to produce at his recent pace for the remainder of the season.
News:Tim Stapleton made his season debut Saturday against Phoenix, the Winnipeg Free Press reports.
Analysis:Tim Stapleton slapped two shots-on-goal and ended up even in plus/minus. He recorded seven points (5G, 2A) in 45 games last season, a career high. It is unclear what kind of role Stapleton will play for the Jets this year, but it is unlikely that he will be an offensive threat.
News: The Jets placed Tim Stapleton on waivers, WinnipegSun.com reports.
Analysis:Tim Stapleton has only 10 points in 55 career NHL games. Even if he makes his way back on an NHL roster, his fantasy value remains minimal.
News: Stapleton, scored his fourth goal of the season in the Thrashers 4-3 shootout win over the Flyers on Thursday.
Analysis: Stapleton is beginning to prove he can be a regular in the NHL, but it's too late in the season to even consider putting him on your roster at this point.
News: Stapleton notched the opening goal of the game in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Devils.
Analysis: Stapleton's goal gives him just four points on the year, that's a good reason to keep him off your fantasy team.
News: Stapleton notched the game-winning goal in the Thrashers' 3-2 overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes.
Analysis: Stapleton now has three points in 30 games this season. Do the math and it's obvious he's not worth any fantasy consideration.
News: Stapleton scored at the 1:38 mark of the overtime period Wednesday night to send Atlanta to a 3-2 win over Carolina.
Analysis: He's not known for his scoring prowess (two goals in 30 games), but it was a big goal Wednesday night as Atlanta looks to get back in the playoff hunt.
News: The Thrashers recalled Stapleton from AHL Chicago on Wednesday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Analysis: Stapleton was sent down earlier in the week, but it did not take the Thrashers long to bring him back up to the big club. Stapleton will serve as insurance until one or a couple of the club's injured forwards are healthy enough to return to action.
News: The Thrashers have assigned Stapleton to AHL Chicago, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Analysis: Stapleton is headed back to the minors, with Evander Kane having been activated from IR on Friday.
News: The Thrashers will recall Stapleton from AHL Chicago, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Chris Vivlamore reports.
Analysis: Stapleton has appeared in 10 NHL games this season (no points), but has otherwise spent most of his time in the AHL.
News: Stapleton has been returned to Chicago (AHL), Ben Wright of the Blueland Blog reports.
Analysis: With Nik Antropov coming back from IR to play in Sunday's game against Montreal, Stapleton was deemed expendable.
News: The Thrashers recalled Stapleton from AHL Chicago on Thursday, according to the Thrashers' official website.
Analysis: The Thrashers just sent Stapleton down Tuesday, but they decided to bring him back after placing Nik Antropov (undisclosed) on IR Thursday. Stapleton will resume his reserve forward role.
News: The Thrashers sent Stapleton to AHL Chicago on Tuesday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Analysis: Stapleton did not record a point in eight games with the Thrashers this season.
News: Stapleton will be in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Capitals, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Analysis: The Thrashers placed Stapleton on waivers Friday (he cleared Saturday), but with Evander Kane out they'll need Stapleton against the Caps. "We will switch our lines around a little bit," coach Craig Ramsay said. "We'll find a place to put him."
News: The Thrashers placed Stapleton on waivers Friday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Analysis: Stapleton just signed with Atlanta four days ago, but he did not appear in a game. He will report to AHL Chicago if he goes unclaimed by another team.
News: Stapleton agreed to a contract with the Thrashers on Tuesday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Analysis: Stapleton played in six games with the Thrashers last season and recorded two goals. He will serve as a reserve center but will likely only be activated if injuries keep any of the players ahead of him on the depth chart out of action.
News: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the Thrashers have sent D Chris Chelios and C Tim Stapleton to the AHL.
Analysis: Neither of these guys has any Fantasy value when up with the Thrashers.
News: The Atlanta Thrashers have assigned nine players, including forwards Joey Crabb and Jason Krog, to AHL Chicago. Also assigned to Chicago were forwards Spencer Machacek and Tim Stapleton, defensemen Arturs Kulda, Grant Lewis, Paul Postma and Mike Vernace and goaltender Drew McIntyre.
Analysis: Crabb had nine points in 29 games with Atlanta last season. Krog signed with the Thrashers as a free agent after playing in four games with Vancouver last season. Machacek is one of the Thrashers' top prospects, while Kulda, Lewis and Postma are also among Atlanta's top 20 prospects. Still, most of these guys are just organizational depth and have little to no Fantasy value.
News: The Thrashers signed restricted free agent Tim Stapleton to a contract Friday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Analysis: Stapleton scored one goal in four games with the Maple Leafs last season. He was part of the trade that brought Pavel Kubina to Atlanta in early July. He had 28 goals and 79 points in 70 games with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) last season, his first back in North America after spending two years overseas. Even if Stapleton makes the NHL roster in 2009-10, he will be nothing more than a low-end Fantasy reserve Draft Day.
News: The Maple Leafs have traded defenseman Pavel Kubina and forward Tim Stapleton to the Thrashers in exchange for defenseman Garnet Exelby and forward Colin Stuart.
Analysis: Stapleton is still a restricted free agent, so Atlanta must work out a new contract to keep the former Finnish League star. Stapleton returned to North America in 2008-09 after spending the previous two years in Finland. He had 28 goals and 79 points in 70 games with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) and just one goal in four games with the Maple Leafs. Even if Stapleton makes a NHL roster in 2009-10, he will be nothing more than a low-end Fantasy reserve Draft Day.
News: Maple Leafs C Tim Stapleton scored his first career goal 15:28 into the first period of Saturday's game against the Senators. He was playing in just his second game since being recalled from Toronto of the AHL.
Analysis: Stapleton had 16 goals and 38 assists in 51 games for the Marlies. It was his first season back in North American after playing the last two years in Finland. Stapleton could get some PT down the stretch, but he is likely to produce marginal numbers. He has very low-end Fantasy appeal until further notice.
