Fantasy Hockey Mailbag - The Lockout is Over Edition

[angus]

What are your thoughts on Dallas prospects Reilly Smith and Tomas Vincour for both this season and going forward? Will they play in the NHL? Will they get a chance on a scoring line/PP time?

Vincour is hurt as of right now. Smith has been playing great lately - like his upside, may get a shot at earning a spot in Dallas. Really smart offensive player. Vincour's upside is 3rd line at the NHL level.

[angus]

Kesler? When?

I protected him, but I can replace him with Derek Roy. What to do?

I don't think it will be as long as we are hearing. My guess - early Feb.

[angus]

For me in a keeper league, I am interested in Nino Niederreiter, after his terrible rookie year. Many have given up. But he had a limited role and terrible line mates. What are your thoughts on Nino going forward after him putting up Point per game pretty much in the ahl during the lockout? Does he get onto the isles lineup sooner? Does he find himself next to tavares?

He's been great this year. I still consider him a very good prospect.

I don't see him playing with JT or Moulson (Boyes is likely), but he should be on the team this year.

[angus]

Realignment for 2013-2014, yes or no?
Will the previous plan still hold?

Yes. Not sure if they are sticking with that, but from what I have heard realignment is 100 percent yes.

[angus]

How do you think Andy MacDonald, Berglund and Tarasenko will do in St. Louis this shortened season?

And, who wins the Stanley Cup?

I generally avoid Blues forwards (outside of Backes). Who knows how the line combos will sort themselves out. Andy Mac will get guaranteed PP time, but his health is a risk. Berglund - who knows. I've been expecting a breakout for three years.

Is Tarasenko confirmed to be coming over?

[angus]

Hi ! In a one year league, points only, 12 teams, we play 6 def and 12 forwards

My time to draft : who would you choose (1) among this group :


Mikhail Grabovski
Bryan Little
Daniel Briere
Jason Garrison

Thanks in advance

Grabovski.

[angus]

Justin Schultz has been tearing up the AHL this season, though I believe it'll be next to impossible to replicate his scoring prowess in the NHL. Where does he end up for points this season and going forward?

0.5 PPG this year, and long term he should be a 45-60 point d-man.

[angus]

traded versteeg and a low pick for kesler, for the long-term, as this is a tanking year for me - did i give up too much in consideration? what's kesler upside next year?

Not at all - great trade. Kesler should be considered a 20-30 goal, 60-70 point center with solid peripherals.

[angus]

I hold the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th overall picks this year in my 10 team draft. (Last two picks of the first round and first two picks of the second).

My keepers going into the season are:

5/12 F
1/6 D
1/2 G

Assuming 1 of the picks I spend on a goalie, which combination of the following players would you draft with the remaining 3 picks:

(salary cap league)

Pavelski (4)
Stepan (.875)
B Schenn (.9)
Voracek (3.5)
D Brown (3.5)
Wheeler (2.65)

Yandle (5)
Enstrom (4.5)
Streit (4.1)
Hedman (3)
Faulk (.84)

Im currently leaning towards Enstrom, Faulk and one other, maybe Yandle.

Yandle for sure. Faulk as well - great value. I like Wheeler a lot, too. You need defense more, though. Your picks make sense.

[angus]

I have been fairly high on Connauton and have a chance to acquire him in a trade but I'm a little worried about the season he's having with the Wolves-

31gp 9 points and -12

What are your thoughts on him? Is this a case of a bad Wolves team? Even at that he is the 3rd best scoring D.

AHL stats are hard to translate sometimes - the Wolves don't score a whole lot. Connauton isn't NHL ready yet, but his defensive game has improved. He's playing more of a defensive role than in past years which may explain the decline in scoring.

[penguins87]

Hi Angus,
Can you provide some advice on keepers for the 12-13 season? We are completely redrafting for 13-14 so this is the last year for this team.
- Salary Cap league
- ESPN pts league: Goals, Assists, Hits, Blocked Shots, +/-

I am thinking of keeping the following forwards. Would you consider replacing any of the below with Tyler Seguin?
- Ryan Getzlaf
- Taylor Hall
- Phil Kessel
- James Neal

I have 2 spots available at D. I am leaning towards keeping Niklas Kronwall & Brent Seabrook. Would you recommend replacing either with Tobias Enstrom or PK Subban?

Goalie: Leaning towards Kari Lehtonen over Hiller or Holtby.

Thanks...Go Pens.

[angus]

A more general question:

Do you think the shortened season benefits players who traditionally perform better in the second half?

Hypothesis 1: these players Don't have the stamina/drive/inclination to put the pedal to the metal until the playoff race is in sight. If so, these players may over-perform their usual.

Hypothesis 2: For whatever reason, these players don't hit their groove until they play 30-40 games. If this is the case, they may under-perform.

I don't. I think you can throw that out the window. I think it benefits players who have trained properly or been playing over in Europe. Others are playing catch up.

[shevyx]

The detroit forward situation is in question. Will brunner be a top 6 next to zetterberg? If detroit go out and acquire omark, do you see omark playing with zetterberg and producing? Whete does nyquist fit in? Do you see him playing in top 6 this year?

[TheWhale]

In a points only league where goals and special team points are weighted slightly more, who would you ratehr have: Benn or Kopitar?

[27Blue]

Is Tarasenko confirmed to be coming over?

http://en.rsport.ru/hockey/20130107/638599585.html