Black Friday! And you know what that means. Discounted pricing? Probably. But who cares—it’s mailbag time! The following is a selection of questions that you tweeted @Sportsnet after we put out the call. (Be sure to follow @DobberHockey on Twitter for more fantasy hockey insight.)
I rank the goalies the way you lay them out. Frederik Andersen is a proven stud on a top team. Sure, the Anaheim Ducks are underachieving, but I believe in market corrections over the long term. As for Sergei Bobrovsky, he’s a second-half stud as we see year after year when the Columbus Blue Jackets surge and take a run at a playoff spot. Of the three, Jones is the least proven and his team is probably over-achieving a little.
Gianina on Twitter
Love the highly-specific, detail-laden questions like this one. Here’s what you do, Gianina – shop one and try to land a winger or a defenceman. Probably solved!
This was sent in prior to Carey Price getting injured again, but in case the answer is still useful: I would trade neither. Can’t beat two stud goaltenders, assuming Price isn’t out for long. I’d be fine going all season weak at forward if my two netminders are nailing all the goalie categories. Especially if it’s a 6×4 roto league.
No, he’s not worth a pickup for six weeks. He may be worth a waiver grab for one week, and then play it week-to-week as he keeps performing. But if you have to keep players for six weeks after you claim them, then I would not use that on Devante Smith-Pelly.
While it’s easier for me to say this thanks to the two points that Alex Galchenyuk tallied shortly after you tweeted in the question, I believe it even without those points. He’ll be a top producer in this league. This is just his fourth NHL season and he’s on pace for a career-high of 53 points. I happen to think he’ll be up in that 57-60 range before it’s all said and done. And that’s a nice step up from the career-high he set last year, which was a nice step from his career high the season prior. Galchenyuk may not be exploding up the scoring race quickly enough for some poolies, but he’ll still get there.
https://twitter.com/MELonNation/status/669642158362726401
I have no faith in Mark Giordano for this season. I suspect his biceps injury is doing something to hinder his production because this is not the same player. As for Sean Monahan, he finished last season with 62 points but I think most experts figured he would regress just a little as his linemates Jiri Hudler and Johnny Gaudreau slow. Monahan’s current pace (56 points) is probably about right, with some hot and cold streaks mixed in.
As for Nick Foligno, I think he’s a 70-point player with Ryan Johansen on his line, and a 55-point player on another. His current pace is for 36 points, so I expect an increase in production soon. He has points in each of his last three contests.
I’m assuming there are some decent players available on the wire and that you have unlimited transactions. So I would do away with Valtteri Filppula, David Perron and Marian Gaborik. I would keep a short leash on Jason Pominville and Mike Green (give them until Christmas). And I would shop Patrice Bergeron, Anthony Duclair and Frans Nielsen as they’re over-achieving a little.
Players that you own who will have a strong next 50-60 games: Anze Kopitar and Bobrovsky. Do not trade either of those two. And hold onto John Tavares with your life!
This is your sophomore slump right here. After 63 points last season, Filip Forsberg‘s on pace for 43. While I’m comfortable with him regressing this year, I certainly don’t think it will end up as low as that. Can you use 55 points? That’s about where I see him at, and then a nice rebound in 2016-17.
No question Bobrovsky. Always take the goalie and always rate the goalie slightly higher than the skater. Besides, in his last 10 games he has seven wins and a 2.26 GAA and 0.925 SV%. He’s clearly back on track. A great tool for calculating goalie numbers like that over a certain time span is here.
I like Connor Hellebuyck better, for both long- and short-term.
Bobby Ryan is on pace for a career-high 75 points and is coming off of a nine-game point streak that ended Wednesday night. His shot percentage and team shot percentage are all high, though. Generally speaking, his 5-on-5 SH% sits between 8.5 and 9.5. Right now it’s 13.28 per cent, which is 40-50 per cent higher than expected. Part of that is his own improved shooting, but generally speaking his rate of production will slip. I’d be surprised if he reached 70 points. That’s my long-winded way of saying yes, sell high.
Derek Stepan all the way. I’m not buying this Adam Henrique stuff. Then again, I’m not buying what any of the New Jersey Devils are selling… so take that how you will. But Henrique’s shooting percentage is at 20 per cent, which is high even for him. He’s also taking far more shots than we’re used to seeing out of him. Something will give.
I think the Winnipeg Jets will want to go with Michael Hutchinson initially, but Hellebuyck will get a look soon. And when he does, I think he’ll ‘wow’ everyone. By Christmas I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hellebuyck running with it. He’s my favorite goaltending prospect in hockey.
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