As I get ready for a little Holiday Fantasy Jamboree at Noon PT….time to take a quick look before hockey gets going again tomorrow at what could catch your fantasy eye from now till the All-Star break. Keep in mind, this is a long period of time. We do not take breathers like here….at least until April.
So what could happen in one month’s time? Well quite a lot…considering it is one sixth of your fantasy hockey season or more….depending on your format. This is just a what to look for….sort of like window shopping but without the thrills of actually going out there. We have some scenarios for you…the Fantasy Hockey GM.
We are going to find out what Malkin and Crosby are made of in the next month. A home and home with Boston (Dec.30th and Jan 1st), a few Rangers matchups and a meeting at Philly again highlight their schedule along with a battle against Washington. Now Crosby did get a little help to end his goal-less streak but for him to be the fantasy stud 1a that people need him to be…he will have to step up and so will Malkin (1b) if they expect to not only hold off Alexander Ovechkin but to help Pittsburgh climb the standings or they may really be in a panic situation for the playoffs come February. If you have one of these two studs on your fantasy team….you will need a big month surely from these guys.
My projections (points):
Crosby — 18
Malkin — 21
Not done just yet of course…not by a long shot! People have asked can Scott Clemmensen and the Devils continue their hot run? This one is tough. The Devils play Pittsburgh tomorrow night then go on a 3 game road trip for New Years (NYR, Blues, Stars) and then it only gets harder from there. Add in a six game road trip with stops on the West Coast (LA, ANA, and VAN) and this will be no walk in the park for Clemmensen and the Devils. This is Clemmensen’s stats now…11-4-1 with a 2.22 GAA and .922 save percentage. Those gaudy numbers will now be put to the test. Where will they be a month from now? I am not sure but here is a guess based on what the Devils have been doing lately.
Clemmensen (Record at ASB)
15 games played (projected to start 12)
Record: 7-4-1
GAA: 2.45
Save %: .920
Now that is not too shabby if the numbers hold up. Now to answer some questions real fast before we go enjoy the holiday ham!
Who will get more starts? JS Giguere or Jonas Hiller?
Jonas Hiller….as bad as this is to say…..Hiller is more resillient right now at the current time.
Will Tom Renney continue to kill fantasy owners?
Yes! He may drive some Fantasy GM’s to drink. Think I am kidding? Look at what he is doing to some Ranger fans right now. My good buddy Derek Felix will attest to it.
Will Vincent Lecavalier “snap out of it”?
I do not think so at least until the trade deadline where he may find a new home (Montreal calling or somewhere else?). He does not like playing in Tampa and the environment is toxic. Time to get out while the ownership plays monopoly with the team.
Enjoy your holiday dinners everyone and good luck with your fantasy teams!!!!
