November 12, 2009

Jeff Angus

2009-11-12

Dobber’s weekly Puck Daddy article is here. As always, it is a must-read.

 

The Leafs have recalled Carl Gunnarsson (what an awesome hockey name). Komisarek may miss a few games with his lower body injury.

 

Matthew Corrente will probably make his NHL debute with the Devils tonight. He is off to a great offensive start in the AHL this season (11 points through 15 games). I wrote about him in the summer as a guy to watch in keeper leagues.

 

Tom Pyatt has been promoted to the Habs second line with Plekanec and Kostitsyn for the game tonight.

 

Buy low on Bryan Little. I see him being shopped and dropped so much right now. He has had a slow start but Atlanta has a very strong offense, especially now with Kovalchuk’s return immenent. Last week I was saying to buy low on the proven Blues (Boyes and McDonald), but it is too late for that now.

 

Puck Daddy talks about the 10 most significant goals of the past decade here. Awesome read.

 

As for Kariya, I am not sure. After a good start to the season, he has been a ghost. He can’t get much worse, but after watching him play recently, I am not sure he can get much better either.

 

So it looks like Kovalchuk did make the trip to NY tonight. Sticking with that game, Lundqvist is starting after missing a few with a mystery injury.

 

Manny Legace allowed four goals on 30 shots in his debut with Carolina. The ‘Canes lost their 13th straight… Taylor Hall watch?

 

Kovalchuk didn’t travel with Atlanta to New York, so he won’t play tonight. However, there is a chance he will suit up tomorrow. I’ll update when I hear something.

 

Joni Pitkanen missed the game last night with the cold. I hear it was a new strain of the H1N1 called “suckitis.”

 

Mike Green had a two-point night. He needs a few more of them to get back on pace for what many of us expected out of him.

 

Jonathan Ericsson led Detroit’s defense in ice time, logging 23 minutes. Lidstrom saw just over 16 minutes. You know it is a blowout when…

 

Eric Fehr had a goal in regulation time, but he played less than 10 minutes. I really like Fehr and think he still has big time upside, even with the back injuries that have slowed down his development. He needs to get steady top-six minutes and I doubt that is in Washington, though.

 

The smooth-skating Kyle Cumiskey had a goal and played close to 22 minutes last night. He will take some time to get the offensive thing down, but he is such an impressive skater that he should be a solid 30-40 point defenseman at some point in the future. If you want to know what skating should look like – watch him.

 

John Madden saw close to 19 minutes in ice time – he will have to shoulder some of the load offensively with Bolland out. Madden isn’t the answer, but his compete level is a perfect fit for the young Hawk team.

 

Zach Parise had two points and is quietly going about poking holes in the off-season theory that players can’t produce under Jacques Lemaire. Parise will become the first player to EVER score 90+ points on a Lemaire-coached team.

 

Marty is being Marty again. Another game, another win. The Devils are like the Atlanta Braves (not the current Braves, though). New faces, it doesn’t matter, they just continue to win.

 

Erik Ersberg had a strong game last night, and the Kings have a back-to-back situation tomorrow and on Saturday, so expect him and Quick to split them.

 

Steve Mason has been rudely introduced to the two words no young NHL player wants to hear: sophomore slump. Mason had a night to forget against Detroit on Wednesday, allowing eight goals on 27 shots. Ken Hitchcock briefly put in Mathieu Garon, but he returned Mason to the nets. Not really sure why – maybe to punish the team for embarrassing their goalie? Mason was pretty steamed after the game; due in large part to the mock jeering that was rained down on him from the Columbus fans.

 

After a slow start, Cristobal Huet is looking good. He made 25 saves in a 3-2 win last night, and Chicago will play him a lot as long as he doesn't cost them games. If you think the Hawks are a good team now, wait until Marian Hossa returns. Huet is money in the bank for 40 wins on this team (hell, Dan Cloutier would be as well).

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Speaking of Hossa, he is getting close to taking some contact during practice and in drills. Sounds like he is still on schedule for a late November return. Hossa, Kane, Toews, with Campbell and Barker/Seabrook on the point? Yes please!

 

Clarke MacArthur hit Oiler forward Liam Reddox from behind last night, and was promptly kicked out of the game. To me, it looked like an unfortunate play where MacArthur was expecting Reddox to lean on him, but instead he caught an edge and MacArthur ended up pushing him into the sideboards. He may get a short suspension due to the recklessness of the play, but I don't see any intent or maliciousness from MacArthur here.

 

Daniel Sedin suffered what appears to be a bit of a setback. He left the Canucks on the road after joining them there, returning home to Vancouver to have his broken foot re-evaluated. Don't expect him back before November 20th.

 

Jose Theodore was yanked after allowing a few early goals against the Islanders. Varlamov played very well replacing him, and will most definitely be starting the next game for the Caps. Varly – keep your glove up! The kid has so much upside but it looks like he is playing with a lead glove sometimes.

 

Dwayne Roloson had another great game for the Islanders. He did allow four goals (on 41 shots), but he gave and has been giving a poor team a chance to win so far this season. The Oilers made a mistake letting him go – he clearly is still a very solid goaltender who has lots of gas left in the tank. I own him in a few leagues as a 3rd/4th goalie for spot duty. He can steal games (and the Isles will need him to do this often).

 

The Isles got scoring from a myriad of sources. Okposo is out with the H1N1 flu. Right now he is far and away their best forward, but they have some balance up front and compete hard each game. I'd avoid them from a fantasy perspective (besides JT, Okposo, and Streit, obviously), but it is nice to see a team compete over its head thanks to effort and determination.

 

Alex Semin recorded the "Semin hat trick" (can I patent that one?) – two goals and an awful giveaway, leading to a goal the other way. (Semin also had an impressive 11 shots on goal.)

 

Ryan Miller continues his superhuman play with a gem against the Oilers. He is currently 10-2-1 and probably helping many of you to get off to torrid starts in your respective pools.

 

Funny line from Chris Botta (Isles blogger) – the Isles current record is 6-6-6 (conspicuously absent this season is Miroslav Satan). Their next game? Friday the 13th!

 

Denis Grebeshkov injured his knee last night and flew back to Edmonton to have it evaluated. Count him out for the rest of the road trip.

 

New Canuck lines tonight: Henrik centering Raymond and Kesler, and Wellwood centering Burrows and Samuelsson. They need Daniel back so some order can be established!

 

Jan Hejda, Columbus' stalwart on defense, was an ugly –4 last night. Not a good night for anyone in a Blue Jacket sweater…

 

In case you missed my post on the message board yesterday, DownGoesBrown (Leafs blogger), created an absolutely hilarious NHL suspension flow chart. It is a must see! Check it out here.

 

To those of you who were patient with the Blues – kudos. That team is way, way too skilled up front to continue the slump forever. Someone needs to notify Kariya he is now allowed to start trying, though!

 

More coming in the morning!

 

MacArthur hit here:

 

 

 

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