Fantasy Hockey Mailbag - September 2012
 

Fire away! Questions will be answered on here and in the ramblings this week.

Goalies
 

Which of these young goalies do you like in a keeper? Matt Hackett, Kevin Poulin, or Richard Bachman. Who do you see taking the next step into full-time starter the fastest.

In three years, who do you like more out of these Dallas guys? Rank if you feel like it :)

Chiasson
Stransky
A.Smith
R.Smith

And these SJ goalies...

Stalock
Sateri

Also, just wanted to say that in the last year or so your writing has gotten noticeably better. Not just the quantity, which in itself is impressive, but also the quality. It's a pleasure reading your work. Keep at it :)

Looking at my roster, prospects included, who would you trade for Markstrom straight up? If not straight, what package would you offer up?

One of the hot debates recently has been who will center the Sabres top line. I'll give you the choices of Ennis, Hodgson, or other. Who do you think and why?

I was going to ask if in a standard category and position keeper league drafting today you would place Rask as a top 10 goalie. Howver, you did just that in your " Top 10 Keeper League Goaltenders." If drafting a keeper today, please explain what you see in Rask over proven vets like Luongo and Fleury.

As always, thank you for the response.

Brian Gionta
 

I see that Brian Gionta has drop again in the Top 300 Player rankings and now sits at a lowly #270. His projection in the Guide is also very low. Is there a reason for this that I'm missing? I believe his bicep has healed and I'd expect him to play on Montreal's 2nd line and PP unit.

Is it out of the question to hope that he returns to his 46-50 point days?

I traded Kulikov and Grigorenk for Byfuglien in my points only keeper, good move?

What is your prediction for Halak this year in terms of wins and shutouts and how big of a threat is Elliott?

Rank'em, points only, 4 years from now:

Yakupov - how many points?
Granlund - how many points?
Galchenyuk - how many points?
Tarasenko - how many points?

Give me a nominee for the James Neal Award.
Definition: Awarded to a player that hits 80pts even though they've never previously eclipsed 60pts in one season.

________________

ps. Check your email. You are too exalted to receive PMs from us townsfolk.

Poulin long term, Bachman short term. Hackett I am less sure of - I know Goldman likes him a lot, but he has to beat out both Backstrom and Harding (as things stand right now).