News: The Blue Jackets released Fritsche from his professional tryout Saturday, the Columbus Post-Dispatch's Aaron Portzline reports.
Analysis: Fritsche was a long shot from the beginning, and a concussion in camp didn't help his chances. His next stop might be Europe.
News: Fritsche, who spent all of last season in the AHL, will be in camp with the Blue Jackets on a tryout agreement, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
Analysis: If he doesn't make the NHL roster (and he likely won't) Fritsche seems inclined to continue his career in Europe rather than back in the minors.
News: The Columbus Dispatch reports that former Blue Jackets C Dan Fritsche has signed an AHL contract with the Syracuse Crunch. Fritsche was in camp with the Thrashers, but didn't make the squad.
Analysis: Fritsche has 34 goals and 42 assists in 256 career games with Columbus, the New York Rangers and Minnesota. Fritsche has never been an important Fantasy player, so continue to leave him on waivers.
News: The Thrashers have released two players, including goalie Manny Legace. The 36-year-old Legace appeared in one preseason game for Atlanta, stopping 25 of 27 shots against Carolina. He was cut Monday along with forward Dan Fritsche.
Analysis: Fritsche had one assist in five preseason games for the Thrashers. He has 34 goals and 42 assists in 256 career games with Columbus, the New York Rangers and Minnesota. Fritsche has never been an important Fantasy player, so continue to keep him on waivers.
News: The Thrashers have invited forward Dan Fritsche and defenseman Mark Popovic to training camp on a tryout basis.
Analysis: Atlanta is pretty set at forward and on defense, but it never hurts to look at a few other options. Even if Fritsche or Popovic make the team, we don't expect them to make great Fantasy impacts. It's safe to ignore them in all formats.
News:The Sports Xchange reports before taking off with the Wild for New York, center Dan Fritsche joked he would consume 10 Red Bulls in preparation for Minnesota's game Tuesday with the Rangers. Fritsche was jettisoned by New York in January after he was a scratch in all but one game for the Rangers from Nov. 30 to Jan. 29. Since arriving in Minnesota in a swap for defenseman Erik Reitz, Fritsche has played in all 26 games for the Wild. "You want to show them how I'm playing in Minnesota and what I can do," Fritsche said of playing against the Rangers. "You want to prove yourself. You almost want to show them what they traded. I'm sure every player thinks that way when they play old teams." Fritsche had a quiet game, however, with no shots on goal in 15 minutes.
Analysis: Fritsche, 23, has been a nice addition to a Wild team that lacks depth. He entered Tuesday's game with three goals and four assists in 25 games. He's gotten power-play and penalty-kill time, but after being saddled for much of his time in Minnesota on the fourth line, he's suddenly expected to see significant ice time now that center Mikko Koivu is out with a knee injury. He has moved to his natural center position from right wing and is excited. "Not only am I looking forward to playing a lot, I'm looking forward to the responsibility that's on my shoulders," Fritsche said. "It's the final (nine) games. It's the stretch run. You can't ask for a more crucial time to be given this type of responsibility." While Fritsche might be needed at center, he doesn't have nearly the talent of Koivu. He still has minimal Fantasy appeal.
News: Minnesota C Dan Fritsche scored his third goal of the season on Sunday against the Blackhawks on Sunday. Fritsche tied the 2:45 after Chicago opened the scoring with a power-play goal on a deflection in the air that withstood a video review. Parked in front of the crease, Fritsche redirected Pierre-Marc Bouchard's shot from the top of the slot. The puck struck Fritsche's stick, ruled to be at crossbar height, and caromed downward past goalie Cristobal Huet.
Analysis: Fritsche made his Minnesota debut less than a month ago and has already produced three goals for the team as a reward for their confidence in him. He also has three assists on the NHL season which is less than a month old for him. He is still a low-end option despite a strong start in the bigs.
News: Minnesota C Dan Fristsche scored his second goal of the season on Thursday against the Flames. He now has five points on the season with two goals and three assists.
Analysis: Fritsche made his debut less than a month ago with the Wild and has done very little since. In fact, this was his first point of any kind. He remains irrelevant in Fantasy despite scoring the goal.
News: Forward Dan Fritsche made his debut with the Wild Friday against the Oilers after being acquired from the New York Rangers in a trade Thursday for defenseman Erik Reitz. He didn't have a point in 11:52 of ice time and finished at even.
Analysis: Fritsche had a goal and three assists in 16 games for the Rangers this season. Fritsche could provide depth up front for Minnesota, but has minimal Fantasy appeal since he isn't a big-time offensive weapon.
News: The Minnesota Wild traded defenseman Erik Reitz to the New York Rangers on Thursday for left wing Dan Fritsche.
Analysis: The 23-year-old Fritsche tallied four points in 16 games with the Rangers this season. A 6-foot-1, 204-pound native of Parma, Ohio, Fritsche has played in 222 career NHL games over five seasons with Columbus and New York. Fritsche could provide depth up front for Minnesota, but has minimal Fantasy appeal.
News: The Rangers have waived C Dan Fritsche.
Analysis: Fritsche has been a healthy scratch for most of this season and has just four points in 16 games. He has no Fantasy value at this time.
News:The Sports Xchange reports that Rangers LW Dan Fritsche, who had been benched in 20 straight games, finally played in Tuesday's win over the Ducks.
Analysis: Fritsche, in his first season with the Rangers, has been lost in the shuffle since arriving in a trade from Columbus. Until he is a regular, it's safe to ignore Fritsche in Fantasy.
News: Rangers LW Nigel Dawes and C Dan Fritsche both had two assists and a plus-2 rating during Wednesday's 5-2 win against the Devils.
Analysis: Fritsche, in his first season with the Rangers, finally posted his first points Wednesday after being held scoreless in his first six games. Fritsche has been lost in the shuffle since arriving in a trade from Columbus and is often a healthy scratch. Until he is a regular, it's safe to ignore Fritsche in Fantasy.
News:The Sports Xchange reports despite shuffling his forward roster often during the first month of the season, Rangers coach Tom Renney seems to have settled on a regular lineup, with C Patrick Rissmiller and LW Dan Fritsche the healthy scratches for the last several games. "It's tough. We've got a couple of good guys who aren't playing right now," Renney said. "But I can't worry about that, I've got to win hockey games. But who's to say those guys wouldn't help us do the same thing. One at a time."
Analysis: Rissmiller and Fritsche would probably be in the same situation had they been playing on other teams, but it is even worse in New York since the Rangers are loaded with top forwards. Until Rissmiller and Fritsche are regulars, it's safe to ignore them in Fantasy.
News: LoHud.com reports that Rangers coach Tom Renney has switched up his lines for Thursday night's game against the Thrashers. Scott Gomez will center Markus Naslund and Chris Drury on the top line, while Brandon Dubinsky will center Aaron Voros and Nikolai Zherdev reuniting as the PlayStation line on the second scoring unit. The third line will consist of Dan Fritsche centering Nigel Dawes and Ryan Callahan, while the fourth line will be Fredrik Sjostrom, Blair Betts and Colton Orr.
Analysis: This move by Renney isn't anything too drastic Fantasy-wise, although Ryan Callahan and Nigel Dawes drop off the scoring lines. They only have minimal Fantasy value anyway. Naslund, Gomez and Zherdev remains solid starts in all formats, while this move might help Drury get back involved, so he has some value as a mid-level starting Fantasy forward. Voros is the only other guy with any Fantasy value, and his lies only in deeper leagues.
News: The New York Rangers agreed to terms with restricted free agent forward Dan Fritsche on Tuesday. The 23-year-old Fritsche had 10 goals and 12 assists in 69 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season. The 6-foot-1, 206-pounder had 29 goals and 34 assists in 206 career games with Columbus. The Parma, Ohio, native was originally Columbus' second-round choice, 46th overall, in the 2003 draft. He was acquired with Nikolai Zherdev from Columbus in exchange for Fedor Tyutin and Christian Backman on July 2.
Analysis: Fritsche hasn't shown much offensive potential in the NHL so far, so continue to ignore him in all Fantasy formats.
News: The Blue Jackets traded enigmatic RW Nikolai Zherdev and C Dan Fritsche to the New York Rangers for D Christian Backman and D Fedor Tyutin on Wednesday.
Analysis: Zherdev put up a career-high 61 points last season. He was only owned in 32 percent of leagues at the beginning of the year, but finished the campaign owned in a solid 87 percent. He is a solid low-end starting forward in most formats and could have an even better season in 2008-09. Tyutin is a decent young blue-liner, but shouldn't be drafted except in the deepest of formats. Fritsche put up only 22 points last season and should continue to be ignored in all leagues. Finally, Backman has never been much of an offensive producer in his four full NHL seasons, so ignore him too. All in all, Zherdev is the only one worth worrying about in this deal.
News: Blue Jackets center Dan Fritsche will miss the rest of the regular season after breaking his hand in a game at Detroit. Fritsche, who has 10 goals and 12 assists in 69 games this season, was injured in the second period of Columbus' 3-1 loss to the Red Wings on Wednesday night. The Blue Jackets recalled forward Alexandre Picard on Thursday from Syracuse of the AHL. He had seven goals and 11 assists in 47 games with Syracuse this season, after missing the first 18 games due to a knee injury.
Analysis: Fritsche's 2006-07 season ended with a wrist injury. The 22-year-old hasn't had much luck so far in his young NHL career. Release him in all formats at this time.
News: According to the Columbus Dispatch, Blue Jackets C Dan Fritsche is having surgery Thursday to set a broken bone in his left hand and is out for the season.
Analysis: Fritsche's 2006-07 season ended with a wrist injury, so the 22-year-old hasn't had much luck so far in his young NHL career. Release him in all formats at this time.
News: Blue Jackets C Dan Fritsche injured his hand in the second period and did not return in Wednesday's 3-1 loss at Detroit. The severity of the injury is unknown at this time and he is questionable for Saturday's rematch with the Red Wings.
Analysis: Fritsche posted points (2 goals, 3 assists) in three of the last five games. For the season he is up to 10 goals and 12 assists, but remains nothing more than a low-end Fantasy reserve at this time.
News:Dan Fritsche assisted on goals by Rick Nash and Manny Malhotra and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Calgary Flames 3-0 for their second straight win on Tuesday night. Columbus won three of four and is now seven points out of the eighth playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Analysis: Fritsche has points (2 goals, 3 assists) in three of the last four games. For the season he is up to 10 goals and 12 assists, but remains nothing more than a low-end Fantasy reserve at this time.
News:Dan Fritsche scored his ninth of the season to tie it at 1 for the Columbus Blue Jackets, but made a costly mistake in the extra period. Fritsche turned the puck over in his own zone, which resulted in Andrew Cogliano's snapshot overtime goal, his 12th of the season.
Analysis: Fritsche scored his first goal in 14 games to match both goals and assists with nine for the season. He is nothing more than a low-end Fantasy reserve at this time.
News:Dan Fritsche made his way back into the Blue Jackets lineup and quickly picked up an assist on Fredrik Modin's goal just 21 seconds into Tuesday's game against Phoenix. Fritsche also had three shots on goal and played 13:50 minutes.
Analysis: Fritsche remains buried on the forwards depth chart in Columbus and is playing about 13 minutes per game. He is nothing more than a low-end Fantasy reserve at this time. He is good for a few points per month.
News: Blue Jackets C Dan Fritsche practiced on Monday and was "flying around the rink" according to the Columbus Dispatch.
Analysis: Fritsche remains buried on the forwards depth chart in Columbus and is playing about 13 minutes per game. He is nothing more than a low-end Fantasy reserve at this time. He is good for a few points per month.
News: Blue Jackets D Dan Fritsche sat out his first game with a lower back sprain.
Analysis: Fritsche remains buried on the forwards depth chart in Columbus and is playing about 13 minutes per game. He is nothing more than a low-end Fantasy reserve at this time. He is good for a few points per month.
News: Blue Jackets RW Dan Fritsche is almost certain to miss Thursday's game in Chicago, after straining his lower back Tuesday, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
Analysis: Fritsche remains buried on the forwards depth chart in Columbus and is playing about 13 minutes per game. He is nothing more than a low-end Fantasy reserve at this time. He is good for a few points per month.
News: Blue Jackets C Dan Fritsche tallied an assist and finished at even during Saturday's game against the Sharks. It was his fifth assist but his first point in six games.
Analysis: Fritsche remains buried on the forwards depth chart in Columbus and is playing about 13 minutes per game. He is nothing more than a low-end Fantasy reserve at this time. He is good for a few points per month.
News:Dan Fritsche's goal in the second period Friday gave Columbus a 3-0 lead and left Wild fans groaning in disbelief. With nobody pressuring him, Minnesota defenseman Brent Burns mishandled the puck in front of his own net, allowing Fritsche to swoop in and score a gift goal. It was Fritsche's third goal this season and second in five games.
Analysis: Fritsche remains buried on the forwards depth chart in Columbus and is playing about 12 minutes per game. He is nothing more than a low-end Fantasy reserve at this time.
News: Dan Fritsche scored for Columbus during Saturday's 2-1 win over the Sharks. Fritsche stole the puck at the blue line and worked a give-and-go with Manny Malhotra into the slot before shooting over Evgeni Nabokov's glove. It was his first goal of the season.
Analysis: Fritsche is a long ways away from being a viable Fantasy option and should only be considered a Fantasy reserve at this time.
News: C Dan Fritsche and D Rostislav Klesla each posted two assists and two shots on goal in Tuesday's game at Chicago and C Jiri Novotny posted a pair of goals in the 7-4 win over the Blackhawks.
Analysis: Despite the two-point games for the young trio, each of the players are only worth a look in the deepest of Fantasy leagues. The Blue Jackets are back on the ice Thursday night against the Blues.
News: The Columbus Dispatch reports veteran Michael Peca (groin), who has yet to make his regular season debut, was skating with Gilbert Brule and Dan Fritsche in practice on Monday.
Analysis: This might be the third line combination for Wednesday's game against the Coyotes. Fritsche's Fantasy value remains limited to the deepest of leagues unless he gets onto one of the top two scoring lines.
News: Dan Fritsche (wrist) finished his season on injured reserve due to his wrist ailment.
Analysis: Despite missing 23 games, he still managed career-highs across the board in all offensive categories. We expect a jump in Fantasy value heading into 2007-08 as long as he can stay healthy.
News: The Columbus Blue Jackets will be without four top players - and possibly a fifth - for the rest of the season. General manager Doug MacLean said Wednesday that goaltender Pascal Leclaire (knee), defensemen Duvie Westcott (concussion), Bryan Berard (back) and forward Dan Fritsche (lacerated wrist) will miss the Blue Jackets' final 16 games. MacLean said Berard is out indefinitely with a recurring back problem that caused him to miss the second half of last season and most of this campaign.
Analysis: Leclaire, Westcott, Berard and Fritsche no longer have any value in seasonal leagues now they won't play the rest of the season. Leclaire and Fritsche are probably the only two players worth holding onto in long-term keeper leagues. Berard is too much of an injury-risk at this point in his career.
News: The Columbus Blue Jackets placed Dan Fritsche (lacerated wrist) on injured reserve on Monday. The Columbus Dispatch reports that the injury was only minor and required just a few stitches to close.
Analysis: Fritsche will be sidelined for at least a week and it sounds like he has dodged a huge bullet after this injury.
News: According to the telecast during the Predators-Jackets game, Dan Fritsche was forced to leave Sunday's game against Nashville due to a lacerated wrist. He was headed to the hospital to get stitched up.
Analysis: We'll check back on the severity of the injury, but it sounds like he will be missing some time. Get him reserved in all larger leagues for Fantasy Week 22 (Feb. 26-March 4) if you have healthier alternatives.
News: The Columbus Dispatch reports coach Ken Hitchcock mixed up his lines with the return of Nikolai Zherdev from a severe chest cold. Nikolai Zherdev joined Sergei Fedorov and Fredrik Modin on the top scoring line. Dan Fritsche is centering the second line with Rick Nash and David Vyborny.
Analysis: The third line consists of Anson Carter-Jason Chimera-Alexander Svitov and the checking line is made up of Gilbert Brule-Manny Malhotra-Jody Shelley. Fritsche's value is limited to larger Fantasy leagues despite tremendously talented linemates.
News: The Blue Jackets' checking line was the difference in Friday's 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres in Nationwide Arena. RW Dan Fritsche scored the game-winning goal. C Manny Malhotra and LW Jason Chimera each had two assists. All three players finished with plus-2 ratings.
Analysis: Despite the game-winning goal, Fritsche remains useful only in the largest of Fantasy leagues.
News: Dan Fritsche, Aaron Johnson and Manny Malhotra scored in Tuesday's game against the Blues. Anson Carter added two assists in his first game back after missing seven with a shoulder injury.
Analysis: Despite the goal, Fritsche remains useful only in the largest of Fantasy leagues.
News: Blue Jackets RW Dan Fritsche scored his seventh goal of the season Thursday in a 7-4 loss to Detroit, setting a career high. He had six in 59 games last season. Fritsche hadn't scored since Dec. 16 in Dallas.
Analysis: Fritsche should be used as a No. 4 Fantasy center at this point.
News: Rick Nash and Dan Fritsche each scored twice and the Blue Jackets set a franchise record with five power-play goals to beat the Ottawa Senators 6-2 on Sunday night. "Everyone's buying into the system Coach Hitchcock has put in," Fritsche said. "It makes it so much easier."
Analysis: Fritsche has three goals, seven points and a plus-4 rating in the past four games. It appears he is starting to live up to his immense potential and coach Ken Hitchcock is getting the most out of the young player. We still only recommend him as a No. 4 Fantasy center at this point until he can produce these type of results on a long-term basis.
News: Dan Fritsche had a pair of assists with a plus-2 rating in 14:42 of ice time in Tuesday's game at Colorado.
Analysis: Fritsche has a goal and four assists in the past two games to follow up a six-game scoreless streak. He remains useful only in the largest of Fantasy leagues at this point until he starts producing these kind of results more consistently.
News: Dan Fritsche scored a goal and added two assists with a plus-2 rating and three shots on goal in 18:06 of ice time in Saturday's game at Edmonton.
Analysis: Despite the big game, Fritsche entered with a six-game scoreless streak and is still only worth starting in larger Fantasy leagues at this point.
News: Dan Fritsche scored a goal and added two assists with a plus-2 rating and three shots on goal in 15:00 of ice time in Thursday's game at St. Louis.
Analysis: Fritsche broke a six-game scoreless drought. Despite the big performance, Fritsche is not a recommended option in most Fantasy leagues.
News: RW Dan Fritsche returned to the ice for Columbus on Friday after missing four games with a shoulder injury.
Analysis: Fritsche is not a recommended Fantasy option in most leagues.
News: The Columbus Blue Jackets placed Dan Fritsche on injured reserve due to a left shoulder injury.
Analysis: When healthy, Fritsche is not a recommended Fantasy option in most leagues. The injury will open up more playing time for Gilbert Brule in the short-term.
News: C/RW Dan Fritsche left Monday's win over Phoenix in the first period after suffering a shoulder injury. Fritsche did not return, but the extent of the injury is not known. Such an injury is a concern for Fritsche, as he's had operations on both shoulders in recent years to correct a birth defect which allowed both shoulders to become dislocated. It hasn't been an issue for the last few years, however.
Analysis: Fritsche will have until Saturday to rest his injury, as that is the next time the Blue Jackets take the ice. When healthy, he is not a recommended Fantasy option -- especially since he dropped down to the fourth line anyway -- in all but the largest of Fantasy leagues. If this injury lingers, the Jackets might have to use C Gilbert Brule more.
News: Dan Fritsche left Monday's game against Phoenix in the first period due to a shoulder injury and he was unable to return.
Analysis: Fritsche will have until Saturday to rest his injury, as that is the next time the Blue Jackets take the ice. When healthy, he is not a recommended Fantasy option in all but the largest of Fantasy leagues.
News: Dan Fritsche was returned to Syracuse of the AHL on Wednesday, as the team will likely recall a wing just in case David Vyborny (charley horse) cannot go on Friday at Detroit.
Analysis: Fritsche is a decent keeper prospect in larger Fantasy leagues.
News: Dan Fritsche was recalled from Syracuse of the AHL on Tuesday to replace Nikolai Zherdev (knee) on the active roster.
Analysis: Fritsche is not a recommended Fantasy player.
News: Dan Fritsche has been recalled from Syracuse of the AHL on Sunday to replace Michael Rupp (irregular heartbeat).
Analysis: Fritsche might get regular time, but he is not worth any Fantasy consideration.
News: Dan Fritsche was assigned to Syracuse of the AHL, as the team wants him to get more playing time. "Danny was playing three or four minutes over the last two or three games," coach Gerard Gallant told the Columbus Post-Dispatch. "He’s got to play a lot more hockey than that."
Analysis: Fritsche should be dropped from all Fantasy leagues, unless you play in one using AHL players. He might be back at some point, but he has minimal Fantasy appeal.
News: Dan Fritsche was assigned to Syracuse of the AHL on Tuesday and the team recalled Ben Simon.
Analysis: Neither of the two players have any Fantasy appeal.
News: The Columbus Dispatch reports that Dan Fritsche has been moved all around this season, from top-line winger to second-line center, to fourth-line center where he currently resides, in between rough-and-tumble wingers Jody Shelley and Steven Goertzen. "Danny has always been full of energy, and he has always worked hard," coach Gerard Gallant said. "But I think he has become a smarter player, and he’s beginning to realize that he can play in the league."
Analysis: Gallant believes that Fritsche, a second-round pick in 2003, will eventually be a second-line center, with the potential to score 15-20 goals a season. But for now, he will work the fourth line. He has only one goal since scoring two on opening night.
News: Dan Fritsche (concussion) was able to play in Wednesday's game against the Penguins. He was scoreless with a shot on goal in 10:38 of ice time.
Analysis: Fritsche is only worth using in larger Fantasy leagues.
News: Dan Fritsche is currently sidelined by a concussion and according to the new league rules, he will miss at least one week of action.
Analysis: If you have Fritsche starting for some reason in larger leagues, reserve him immediately.
News: Dan Fritsche was recalled from Syracuse of the AHL on Monday.
Analysis: Fritsche was sent down to Syracuse to get a little extra work during a week-long layoff due to a quirk in the schedule for the Blue Jackets.
News: Dan Fritsche was one of a group of seven players assigned to Syracuse of the AHL on Friday. The move is not so much a demotion as it is a chance to keep the young players fresh, since the Blue Jackets do not skate again until Thursday against the Islanders. "It's simply a situation with a week off, and with us not skating due to all of our bumps and bruises, we wanted to keep them playing," general manager Doug MacLean said. "We'll recall the guys again on Monday."
Analysis: Fritsche will be back in the lineup for the upcoming week with the Blue Jackets, so don't consider this a bad thing. However, with a limited amount of games, you might want to keep him and all Blue Jackets reserved in cumulative leagues.
News: The Columbus Dispatch reports Dan Fritsche (ankle) will be out at least a month due to a high ankle sprain.
Analysis: Fritsche may have a fractured right leg and that would likely force him out until December or January. Drop him from all Fantasy leagues.
News: Dan Fritsche left Sunday's game in the first period at Los Angeles due to an ankle injury.
Analysis: Fritsche is considered day to day. Keep him reserved in all larger Fantasy leagues.
News: Dan Fritsche got off to a good start in Wednesday's opener at Washington, beating Olaf Kolzig for a pair of goals.
Analysis: Fritsche's offensive output was all the Blue Jackets got in the opening game loss. We'll see how he fares against Miikka Kiprusoff on Friday night in Columbus against Calgary before getting too hyped up about his Fantasy value.
News: The Columbus Dispatch reports Dan Fritsche was sent back to the Sarnia Sting of the OHL.
Analysis: Fritsche played well in the recently completed World Junior Championships and will get a chance to make the club in training camp next season.
