The forwards have been picked through…and now we are at the end of the line…so to speak…..if there is one defenseman and one goalie you have to have outside any fantasy Top 10…who would they be? People always say there is a surprise or three….well how about two.
I took a deep look at defensemen in general…all sorts of intangibles in the fantasy world…of course the big one is penalty minutes. The D slot usually always includes one guy that can rack them up without fighting. The second intangible is shots on goal. Looking for the guy that will fire from anywhere and actually hit the net is also a huge plus. The third intangible is +/-….as overrated a stat as it really is; most fantasy leagues use it in their scoring categories. The player that best combines the three can make a difference in your league from week to week…you would be surprised. Goals, assists and points of all sorts are great but fantasy leagues always have those little categories that make a big difference. So who did I find that best combines these little intangibles??
The answer indeed is this guy…….
Francois Beauchemin (D) — Anaheim Ducks
Could he be the next Pronger? Possibly.
With Chris Pronger on his side…..Beauchemin is a cinch to be the player that best combines these three rather odd intangibles. Also, he will add the occasional boost to the Power Play with his deceptively fast point shot. He has 6 points in 10 games and 27 shots in 10 games…which projects out to around 200 shots over an 82 game season. The Penalty Minutes aren’t there yet….but he did have 40 of his 49 PIMs over the final 40 games last season. So the feisty edge is there..and with Pronger his d-man mentor…the +/- will be there as well. I expect a 40-45 point season…a +20 and 175 shots from this bruiser of a defenseman who can play 30:00 a night and not get tired.
And now the goalie I feel that is ready to take that next step into the upper echelon or at least the top 10 of goalies. Here’s the guy……
Pascal Leclaire (G) — Columbus Blue Jackets
Could he indeed be the next breakout Quebecois netminder?
The answer may just be yes and it may just be by the end of this season. After two years that can be best described as growing pains. Leclaire has made a determined effort to better acclimate himself to being a starter. So far this year, the transition into an top level starter is looking more and more complete each week. In 5 starts, Leclaire is 3-2 with a 1.61 GAA and .936 save percentage. Oh yeah, did I mention he has three shutouts already? I do like how much better he is playing the puck this year…combine that with the improved knowledge in shooter tendencies and the Blue Jackets may have really just finally found the goaltender that will start for them for the next 10 seasons. Just don’t look at that haircut of course!
Next week we are delving into the wilderness….looking at some LSHL and Stevens League standings…and begin what will be the dog days of the fantasy hockey season….including such topics as when to cut bait, when to panic, and when to pull the trigger on that blockbuster trade that will change your team. See you next week!
