Nov. 4, 2009

Faceoffs: Are you joking with Jokinen?

By Ross Devonport | Senior Fantasy Writer
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Editor's note: Our Ross Devonport and Michael Hurcomb read, write and analyze everything Fantasy Hockey on a daily basis for CBSSports.com. They agree and disagree on a variety of subjects on a weekly basis and will share their opinions on Fantasy-relevant topics each week.

Which struggling veteran do you feel is on the decline?
Ross Devonport	Michael Hurcomb
I guess Olli Jokinen counts as a veteran with his age (30) and his 10 full years of experience. The former Panther and Coyote struggled to just 57 points last season, and he's off to another slow start in 2009-10 with two goals and four assists in 12 games. He's currently playing on the third line in Calgary with David Moss and Fredrick Sjostrom, two guys who have never hit the 40-point mark in their careers. It looks like Jokinen is just stuck in a bad place for the moment and there's no way he should be starting in 66 percent of leagues. If he can somehow find his way back to the scoring lines, his value could rise though.	To see Brian Rolston owned in 55 percent of Fantasy leagues is a little perplexing. He has really struggled since joining New Jersey in 2007-08. He was a 30-goal producer for three years running in Minnesota from 2005-007 and that catapulted him up the Fantasy rankings. The fact he was reunited with Jacques Lemaire, his coach in Minnesota, signaled a possible rebirth in 2009-10. But let's not forget that Rolston was a center in Minnesota and he is playing on the wing with the Devils. He is also no longer a top-line player. Rolston's heyday is behind him.

Which player do you feel Fantasy owners should start trusting more?
Ross Devonport	Michael Hurcomb
After eight straight years of fewer than 25 points, Wild C Eric Belanger is off to a stunning start in 2009-10 with 12 points in 14 games and an even plus/minus rating. When you consider that all of the other top nine scorers on the team have a minus rating, that is a very impressive stat. I'm not sure if the veteran can keep things up for an entire season, but he's certainly worth trusting in deeper leagues right now until he shows some signs of slowing down.	I've been on the Antoine Vermette bandwagon since he was traded from Ottawa to Columbus last season. He was kind of floundering with Ottawa as he was playing out of position on most nights, but Columbus brought him in to play his natural position of center. Vermette thrived offensively in that role during his junior days and he is starting to play up to his potential. Vermette has totaled 25 points (10 goals) in 29 regular-season games with Columbus. That kind of output deserves more attention than being started in 44 percent of leagues.

Keep or sell: Dustin Penner?
Ross Devonport	Michael Hurcomb
Penner had 84 points in his one AHL season, but success in the minors is no guarantee of doing the same kind of thing in the big leagues. However, the fact Penner put up a solid 29 goals in his rookie season should tell you that he certainly has the offensive skills to be a point-per-game guy. Sometimes, all it takes is a coaching change to spark a player to take things to the next level, and it appears Pat Quinn has found that spark. I would hold on to Penner for the time being.	Penner has really come into his own under Pat Quinn, who seems to be pushing all the right buttons with the veteran forward. I understand why Penner was a key addition in Fantasy after his torrid October. But do you really think he is going to finish with projected totals of 52 goals and 109 points? While I'm pretty sure Penner will break 50 points for the first time in his career, I don't think he will get near 19 points in a month again. I say sell and get as much value as you can.

Take your pick of Predators goalies: Dan Ellis or Pekka Rinne?
Ross Devonport	Michael Hurcomb
I would go with Rinne, because, while both have eight starts a piece this season, Rinne's goals-against-average is far superior to Ellis', just like it was last year. The interesting part is that Ellis is making $1.75 million this season to Rinne's $725,000, but both are in contract seasons. That might make Preds management give both an even amount of starts in 2009-10 so they can get a solid look at who they want to bring back for next season.	The Predators goalie situation is always tricky because coach Barry Trotz seems to go through netminders as fast as a clean pair of trousers. The situation always seems unsettled, and if you aren't performing, he doesn't mind replacing you in net. I thought Rinne put all that to bed with his second-half tear in 2008-09, but Ellis came to camp prepared and remains in the picture. Still, I like Rinne because he is a proven workhorse. He was a top AHL goalie before getting his call to the NHL and that helped him transition last season. He should eventually overtake Ellis, again.

Do you agree with Ross or Michael? Send your thoughts to DMFantasyPucks@cbs.com and we'll post the best responses. Be sure to put Attn: Fantasy Faceoff in the subject field. Include your full name, hometown and state.