This adage is actually quite true. Some Leafs and particularly Islander players have actual fantasy value. This may sound shocking given their records. However, with the approach of their respective coaches (glove tap to Steven Ovadia of Puck Update), you can find some diamonds in the rough. I kid you not…this is not a joke of a blog post.
There are several players on the Islanders that can help your fantasy team despite their winless overall record (0-3-3). For one John Tavares has 7 points and Kyle Okposo has 6 points. Those were kind of expected. However, the emergency of Matt Moulson was definitely not. We have had this kid on notice since the preseason and I would look out. Scott Gordon will keep feeding him the ice time because he can rack up points. Say what you want about Gordon but committing to the youngsters is not only entertaining to the fans but fantasy owners everywhere.
Moulson has seen anywhere from a 10-20% spike in ownership in leagues since the start of the season and that number is likely to go up some more. Sometimes players on the losing teams actually can help you out with your fantasy team. Not every player is the cause of a team’s demise as everyone knows. Oh by the way veterans like Streit and Weight (at least until he is traded — insert rumor here) are still very viable fantasy commodities at this time of year. Oh by the way the top line on the Island is a +2 which does not sound like much but at least it is positive.
This is also a but of an add in but Moulson and Tavares have 2 PPG’s each. That top line has also combined for 69 shots (11.5 per game from the top line). Not too shabby if you ask me. Furthermore, there is much upside to this trio. Look the Islanders are not going to challenge for anything but the basement in the Atlantic but surely you can find a fantasy home for their players.
Inevitably we go to the flipside of this post….the Toronto Maple Leafs. Their 0-6-1 start (giving up 32 goals in 7 games) probably makes you sicker than sick if you are a Leafs fan. However if you love the fantasy hockey…there are players that have some use. Hard to believe but true? I was shocked to even find out that there was an offensive identity on this team. But hey I have been wrong before. To err is human!
Now there are some very crooked plus/minus numbers on this team because of the start but there is one in the positive direction. That belongs to Alexei Ponikarovsky. Surely four points does not sound like much but he does have three goals and a shocking +5. Mind you there are already five players with a -5 or greater on this team. The shot total at 19 is decent and the 8 Pims are somewhat helpful as well. Imagine that…a player on the Leafs with some fantasy value. Now do not go running all at once to the waiver wire. Ponikarovsky is probably a 3rd or 4th option at this point.
There are a couple other bright spots. I mean even Matt Stajan has 3 PPG’s though he cannot do much else. Ian White has four points along with Niklas Hagman and Mikhail Grabovski have four points. There is a rumor that even that Kaberle guy (not a trade rumor yet) has four as well. So despite the bad numbers….even some Leafs players can at least aid a fantasy team a bit.
However in the grand scheme of things….the Islanders youngsters have a little more fantasy potential than some of the older Toronto counterparts. Just some food for thought on a sunny Monday.
