Fantasy Hockey ONE gets a little assist today after a morning technical glitch…here we go. Thanks to Daniel Dobish of Rotoexperts and take it away…..
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If you have been sweating out a potential suspension for Montreal Canadiens RW Erik Cole, you’re in luck. His hit against New Jersey Devils D Adam Larsson over the weekend did not even require a hearing, and he will remain in the lineup. That’s great news for Fantasy owners, as Cole has been red hot lately. While he was blanked in that game against the Devils Saturday, Cole still has managed six goals and 10 points with 10 penalty minutes (PIM) over his past 10 games. That’s outstanding production, especially for those in leagues which reward PIM.
The news wasn’t as good for Boston Bruins LW Milan Lucic, who is in hot water with the NHL again. Head of discipline, Brendan Shanahan, saw Looch for the second time this season thanks to a hit against Philadelphia Flyers C Zac Rinaldo. Lucic plowed Buffalo Sabres G Ryan Miller in a game earlier this season, which ended up leaving the netminder with a concussion. However, no punishment was meted out there. However, he received a one-game suspension this time around, which is likely due to his history.
Lastly, Calgary Flames LW/RW Rene Bourque also had a disciplinary hearing after driving Chicago Blackhawks D Brent Seabrook head-first into the boards during Sunday’s lopsided loss. Bourque was given a major penalty and a game misconduct, and Seabrook was unable to return to the game due to an undisclosed upper-body ailment. Bourque drew the ire of a very busy NHL office, picking up a two-game suspension. Reserve him.
INJURIES
As mentioned above, Seabrook is dealing with an upper-body injury. It’s just speculation, but Seabrook has had three concussions during his NHL career. He was plowed head-first into the boards, and he was helped off the ice and immediately to the dressing room. He should be reserved in all formats at least through the holidays. We’ll likely re-visit this one next week.
Winnipeg Jets C Bryan Little (back) suffered what is likely a contusion after blocking a shot with his back Saturday night against the Anaheim Ducks. He was forced out of the game in the first period and was unable to return. Since everyone is hush-hush about injuries in the NHL these days, it’s probably best to reserve him to be on the safe side. He might have a simple contusion, or he might have a more serious ailment. We won’t know until at least Tuesday, which is when the Jets skate next. If your lineup deadline is earlier than that, it’s obviously too risky to play him.
The Philadelphia Flyers are dealing with a pair of injuries to their young Cs, Sean Couturier (head) and C Brayden Schenn (concussion). Couturier was released from the hospital Sunday after passing baseline concussion tests. He was hit in the back of the helmet by a puck in the 6-0 bludgeoning Saturday against the Boston Bruins. Meanwhile, Schenn hasn’t skated since mid-week, and is not on the team’s road trip which continued Monday at Colorado. Avoid both for Fantasy purposes.
THINGS TO WATCH
Those high-flying Florida Panthers, leaders of the Southeast Division by a mile, take a trip through the Northeast later this week. We’ll get a look at more intel on the Cats after seeing them handle a back-to-back situation at Ottawa and Boston. … Keep in mind there are no NHL games Saturday and Sunday due to the holiday break, so rest up and get ready for when play resumes Monday. It will be great for a long of day-to-day type guys, who have extra time to mend.
SLAP SHOTS
Toronto Maple Leafs bench boss Ron Wilson, citing the need more “balance,” has moved C Tim Connolly, a more defensive-minded player, to the top scoring line with Ws Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul. He supplants C Tyler Bozak, who had been playing pretty well of late. It doesn’t necessarily kill Bozak’s Fantasy appeal, but it doesn’t help, since the Leafs don’t exactly have four balanced lines. … Remember of all of the bellyaching about Calgary Flames RW Jarome Iginla, and all of his detractors wondering if he had lost it after a slow start? Iginla has five goals and 12 points with a 36 shots (SOG) over his past nine games. … If you’re looking for a stopgap rearguard this week, Columbus Blue Jackets D Fedor Tyutin might be a good option. He has four assists over his past two games, including three helpers in Sunday’s setback in St. Louis. … The return of Edmonton Oilers LW Taylor Hall has sent LW Ryan Smyth tumbling down to the third line. Smyth has just one assist over his past six games, and no goals in 10 contests dating back to Nov. 25. … Detroit Red Wings RW Todd Bertuzzi is quietly having a resurgence, posting two goals, six points and a plus-5 rating over his past five games.
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As always Weekly Slapshot comes hard at people tonight at 9:30pm ET with special guest Ian Gooding of Kuklas Korner. It should be a fun show and as always you can follow us on Twitter.
