Time to cut bait on Vrbata?
This is not for the league in my signature.
I've been keeping Vrbata on my roster because of the elite shot totals, the PPPs, and the potential for better point production. He's picked it up lately (6 points in 7 games, 4 PPPs), but his PP time is getting pretty erratic... and his TOI has dropped. His +/- is killing me too.
I have Larkin marinating on my farm team. I've been hesitant to make the switch because cutting Vrbata means being hung with $2.25 of his salary, and he provides more shots and PPPs than Larkin does. However Larkin is on fire, and starting to shoot more. His +/- is stellar, and I have to think that some better PP opportunities could soon follow.
Despite being stuck with the salary penalty for cutting Vrbata, I'd still be clearing over $1 million in salary cap room by replacing him with Larkin (entry level deal).
It should also be noted that I'm currently one of the top teams in the league, both statistically and in overall record. Shot totals are one of the best. Plus-minus has been very bad. PPPs are about league average.
So I'm looking for some thoughtful analysis of the situation, not just "Larkin is awesome, make the move!" Do I gain enough from Larkin, to make up for possibly losing on the shots and PPPs? Any signs that Vrbata is due for some positive regression?
16 Team Keeper League. Head-to-Head. Daily moves. Keep 10. Roster 20. Keepers in Bold
Positions: 2C, 2LW, 2RW, 2F, 5D, 1Skt, 2G, 4 Bench
Skaters: G, A, PPP, PIM, SOG, HITS, BLKS, FOW Goalies: W, GAA, SV%
C: MacKinnon, Couturier, Eriksson Ek, McCann (LW), Cizikas, Carrick
LW: Kaprizov, J.T. Miller (C), J. Robertson, Colton (C)
RW: Perron (LW), T. Moore
D: Carlson, Ekblad, Letang, Dumba, Lindell, Siegenthaler
G: Hellebuyck, Vejmelka
Prospects: Turcotte, Raty, Holtz, N. Robertson, M. Bourque, Lundkvist, Soderstrom, Sandin, Addison