Crosby practices with his team for the first time since his latest setback [TSN]
Predators proud to call “Partner” friend [USA Today]
Archive for the ‘Featured’ Category
February7
Time Out!
Before we move into the short fantasy week that was, it seems only fitting to look back on the NHL’s All-Star draft and weekend in the Senators hometown of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
In a world where we as sports fans often criticize athletes for their selfishness and reckless behavior on and off the field/court/ice, I cannot help but question the public’s views on Alexander Ovechkin’s choice to skip out on the NHL’s 2012 All-Star game in Ottawa this weekend.
I personally do not see what is wrong with Ovechkin pulling out for the reason he has stated. He is serving a 3-game suspension for his hit on Penguins defensemen Zbynek Michalek. The suspension runs through the All-Star game and Ovechkin feels he does not “deserve” to be a part of the game.
I am hearing a lot of people, in and out of the media, saying that this is wrong and that he should not be skipping out. That players that are voted in should be going, apart from injuries, no ifs, ands or buts.
From my point of view, this seems like a very responsible move by a top player in the league that does in fact have a history of “dirty” hits. Yes, this could be a perfect opportunity for Ovechkin to take the easy way out and avoid having to participate but, conspiracies aside, I have no problem with this move from Ovechkin.
January23
Power Ranking: January 23rd
Another week of the 2FB Power Rankings brings us a new batch of teams moving up, and some familiar faces at the top. The Red Wings have clawed their way into first this week, and the Rangers continue to dominate the Eastern Conference. Check out where your team stacks up this week. The NHL has a light schedule this week before the All-Star break and as a result the Power Rankings will return two weeks from today.
1. Detroit Red Wings — (32-15-1) — 65 pts.
The Red wings are Red Hot! Winners of 6 Straight and have won 16 straight on home ice. For those of you that have been to Joe Louis in Detroit you know that when that barn is full there might not be a better atmosphere in hockey. The self proclaimed ‘Hockeytown’ lives up to its name. In a city struggling as a result of the downturn in the economy and in the car industry, they will always have their Wings.
#Notinourhouse
(Cover image by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
With the NHL All-Star draft only a week away (January 26th), I thought I would offer my first-half fantasy winner, loser, bust and sleeper awards. And for those of you that cannot identify the difference between loser and bust, in my opinion, the bust’s season is beyond repair. No, Marc Savard is not a candidate. Goaltenders have been excused from this portion.
Lets begin!
WINNER
Evgeni Malkin (Pit): With 22 goals, 30 assists, 34 PIMs, 18 PPP, 6 GWG and a +7 plus/minus rating, Malkin has proven to be the best overall fantasy performer so far this season. He also has managed to do all this while missing 7 of Pittsburgh’s games and with the majority of the teams other top playmakers on the shelf with their own injuries. Props to those of you who drafted Geno this season.
LOSER
Bobby Ryan (Ana): I was expecting big things from the Ducks forward but as the team has struggled, Ryan has followed suit. The left-winger has only managed 28 (17-11) points on what is arguably the best line in hockey. He has also only accumulated 25 PIMs, 3 PPP, 1 SHP, 1 GWG and a -5 plus/minus rating. Inexcusable for a high-end fantasy player and draft pick. His season is not entirely lost but it is definitely not what owners had wished for.
BUST
Mike Green (Was): I know he has been injured most of the year but let’s tell it like it is; Mike Green is one of the biggest busts in recent fantasy hockey memory. For the last 2 years he has been touted as the one of the top fantasy defensemen in the league and both years, especially this year, he continues to find ‘DTD’ or ‘IR’ next to his name. Injuries or not, this guy is as big of a bust as they come.
SLEEPER
Joffrey Lupul (Tor): Yes, James Neal and Erik Karlsson would have been fabulous choices here as well but honestly, at the beginning of the season, who expected what we are getting out of not only the Maple Leafs, but journeyman Joffrey Lupul? Not even Leaf fans did. 20 goals, 28 assists, 40 PIMs, 14 PPP, 3 GWG and a +3 plus/minus rating is pretty darn good for a guy that was probably picked up off of the waiver wire. Did someone say keeper?
And there you have it, my mid-season fantasy hockey awards (good and bad). Do you have any other choices? Agree or disagree with mine? Send us your opinion on Twitter to @2ForBoarding or @DBraemer, leave us a comment on our 2FB Facebook page or in the comments section below.
(Trade of the Week, your fantasy stars, busts, and sleepers are all after the jump!)
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