The first few weeks of the Fantasy Hockey season are always intriguing, especially when it comes to the waiver wire.
It's arguably the most fluid time of year because the interest is still pretty heavy and everyone is still in contention.
The beginning of the season is instrumental for relative unknowns or sleeper candidates. If they have a breakout game, then owners flock to add him immediately. Sometimes it's a raging success. Other times, we regret making such a quick decision.
For instance, take Rangers center Brandon Dubinsky. After a late-surge during his rookie season in 2007-08, Dubinsky stormed out of the gate in 2008-09. He posted three goals in his first five games and had 12 points in 13 October outings. His Fantasy value was also escalated for the fact he played in the nation's largest media market.
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| Can Brandon Dubinsky maintain his fast start over the long haul? (US Presswire) |
There was a lot of heartbreak involved for Fantasy owners, who thought they had a key waiver-wire addition.
The 2009-10 season is a week old and Dubinsky is up to his old tricks. He has two goals, two assists and a plus-5 rating in three games. He is centering a line with Vaclav Prospal and Marian Gaborik, and seems the better for it.
But Fantasy owners likely aren't sure what to make of Dubinsky's hot start with what happened to the burgeoning center last season.
"I can't hide behind that 'young thing,' as an excuse," Dubinsky told the New York Post. "I'm no rookie, so to me they're young guys and I'm not. I've got to be one of the guys leading the way."
We actually feel really upbeat about Dubinsky's outlook since he is playing with a talent like Gaborik, who was a key free-agent signing. Don't forget when Dubinsky first came up, he had the chance to play alongside Jaromir Jagr.
Dubinsky is one of a handful of players that is garnering a lot of attention on the waiver wire for his captivating start. While we wait to see what unfurls with the Rangers center, there are still other players being added in Fantasy with uncertain futures.
With that in mind, we felt this was the perfect time to play a little Fantasy Tribunal. This is where we are the judge, jury and executioner in evaluating a player's Fantasy fate.
Michael Del Zotto, D, N.Y. Rangers
Analysis: The Rangers ranked 29th on the power play in 2008-09 and their struggles came from a lack of a blue-line presence. After wasting money on Wade Redden last season, the Blueshirts decided to look at some of their prospects for help, including Del Zotto. The 2008 first-round pick is an excellent offensive blueliner and the Rangers are willing to deal with his defensive shortcomings as long as he produces on the power play. Del Zotto has three points (two goals) in three games and sees most of his playing time on the man advantage. Verdict: Sign him up
Dustin Penner, LW, Edmonton
Analysis: Penner's first two years with the Oilers have been very frustrating after his controversial signing in the summer of 2007. His inconsistent play often put him in the doghouse under former coach Craig MacTavish and was an easy target in the media. His play hit an all-time low in 2008-09 as he managed just 17 goals and 39 points in 78 games. Penner is off to a nice start in 2009-10 now that Pat Quinn is behind the bench. He has a goal in each of his first two games and three points. He is also at plus-3. However, Penner is still on the Oilers' third line. He also hasn't reached 50 points since totaling 84 as a rookie in the AHL in 2005-06. Verdict: Don't waste your time
Mike Comrie, C, Edmonton
Analysis: Comrie returning to Edmonton seemed as unlikely as Jon and Kate Gosselin ever reconciling their differences. Comrie said some nasty things about Edmonton after his first stint with the team came to an end earlier this decade. However, when no one else would take a chance on Comrie, the Oilers came knocking and it's been a perfect match. Comrie led Edmonton with 10 points (seven assists) in five preseason games and already has two points (one goal) in two games. Comrie hasn't been this efficient since he scored 30 goals in 2005-06 with Phoenix. Comrie has 30-goal potential, but his biggest hurdle will be avoiding the injury bug. Verdict: Keep an eye on him
Andrew Brunette, LW, Minnesota
Analysis: There were a few variables concerning Brunette as the 2009-10 season kicked off. The two biggest issues were how he would perform coming off major knee surgery (torn ACL) and how he would adjust to Todd Richards' offensive system. Thus far, Brunette has put the doubters to bed. He has a goal in each of his first two games, including the game winner Tuesday against Anaheim. He hasn't looked hobbled at all, but we are still a little hesitant with Brunette because he started well last season (five points in three games) before leveling out. The opportunity is there for the veteran forward, but does he still have 70-80-point potential? Verdict: Keep an eye on him
Brooks Laich, C, Washington
Analysis: Laich has been one of the most added players off the waiver wire and with good reason. He opened the season with two goals against Boston and is riding a three-game point streak (three goals, three assists). He has done most of his damage on the power play with four points (one goal). Laich has solidified his spot as a top-six forward in Washington and is coming off a season in which he had career highs in goals (23), assists (30) and points (53). However, Washington still has its stars in Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green. Laich does need to help pick up the lost production of Viktor Kozlov and Sergei Fedorov, but Washington still has enough other role players to contribute. Laich should get 20 goals for a third straight season, but he won't be a point-per-game player. Verdict: Tweener. He is worth adding in larger formats, but we would be shocked if he progresses past a No. 5 Fantasy forward.
Matt Carle, D, Philadelphia
Analysis: Carle has slipped down the Fantasy rankings the last two seasons after he posted 42 points in his breakout year with San Jose in 2006-07. Carle came into the season with just 41 points in 138 games since 2007-08. Well, he seems to have erased all those nasty memories thanks to six points (five assists) in his first three games this season with the Flyers. It was highlighted by a four-assist game Tuesday against the Capitals. In order to get maximum effort from his blue line, Flyers coach John Stevens has split up Kimmo Timonen and Chris Pronger. Carle is skating with either player on most nights and that means extra scoring chances. Verdict: Sign him up
Ondrej Pavelec, G, Atlanta
Analysis: Pavelec has an excellent opportunity to emerge as Atlanta's starting goalie with Kari Lehtonen (back) on injured reserve. Atlanta is fed up with Lehtonen's fragile state and could be willing to move on if they find an decent solution. Don't forget that is how Steve Mason won his starting job in Columbus. The Blue Jackets gave Mason a chance in net when Pascal Leclaire went on IR for the millionth time and the rest is now history. Pavelec won in the opener against Tampa, made 36 saves and posted a .923 save percentage. The Czech has been considered a potential goalie of the future much like Mason was and could steal the spotlight with Lehtonen sidelined. Verdict: Sign him up
Rostislav Klesla, D, Columbus
Analysis: The Blue Jackets failed to land a top offensive blueliner in the offseason after targeting the likes of Sergei Zubov, Marc-Andre Bergeron and Mathieu Schneider. They pretty much went into the season with the mentality that they needed to coach up the talent left on the roster. The early results have been pleasant, especially the play of Klesla. The Czech blueliner endured an injury-riddled 2008-09 and was limited to 34 games. He has come out of the gate on fire, with a goal in each of his first two games and three points. He is playing the role of offensive defenseman quite well. Unfortunately, we have trouble backing a player that has never managed more than 22 points as a NHLer and hasn't shown this much offensive gusto since he was a junior hockey player in 2000-01. Verdict: Don't waste your time
James Neal, LW, Dallas
Analysis: The 2005 second-round pick (33rd) made quite an impact as a rookie in 2008-09. He finished second on the team with 24 goals and helped pick up the slack for Brenden Morrow, who went down after 19 games with a torn ACL. With Morrow returning in 2009-10 and a new coach behind the bench (Marc Crawford), we had our doubts about what Neal might bring to the table. Through the first week of the season, Neal has been one of the NHL's most efficient scorers. He is converting 25 percent of the time and has three goals in two games. He opened the season with two goals against Nashville and added a short-handed tally Tuesday against Edmonton. We highly doubt Neal will be among the NHL's top goal scorers at season's end, and he could easily be on our list of players to avoid since he has never had a 30-goal season in his career. However, Crawford's coaching skills could make Neal that much better of a player. Verdict: Keep an eye on him
Radim Vrbata, RW, Phoenix
Analysis: After setting a career high with 27 goals, 29 assists and 56 points in 2007-08 with the Coyotes, Vrbata took a three-year deal with Tampa Bay prior to last season. He didn't last long with the Lightning for two reasons -- differing philosophies and yearning to be closer to his wife, who was due to give birth back in the Czechoslovakia. Vrbata vowed to make his return to the NHL, which he has in 2009-10 after the Lightning let him out of his contract. Vrbata is back with the only team that would have him -- Phoenix -- and he's already prospering. He has two multi-point outings and three goals. Vrbata is in his comfort zone with the Coyotes and should be a key contributor on a team trying to find its identity. Verdict: Sign him up
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