So we’re almost at the quarterpole of the hockey season which means about a third of the fantasy hockey regular season is done and over with. The question comes up…you are in the middle of the pack and not sure what to do. Do you go big and try to make that big splashy trade to try and catapult your way up in the standings? Or do you stand pat? Even further, can you make a few small moves that gets your team into playoff contention. The first goal of any fantasy hockey player is simple…get your team in the playoffs. As anyone knows, the dominant team doesn’t always take home the trophy when it is all said and done.
What if you go big and try to make that huge move? Say trying to move a Sundin for a Luongo or something like that. Usually a defensively strong player needs offense and vice versa. Occasionally, an elite player is traded just for a shakeup…I still remember a certain Forsberg for Brodeur trade I made a few years ago. My friend Nick is still kicking himself in the nuts for that one…even to this day. Every league I have been in…I have always seen one blockbuster trade in a season..and really as to its effectiveness….it is about 50-50 honestly. It truly is a crap shoot if I have ever seen one. For example, I remember trading for Doug Gilmour and Dave Andreychuk (I saw an opportunity) and that really hurt my fantasy team…the player I traded away was some guy named Hasek (I had 2 very good goalies at the time)…man that hurt!
What if you try and stand pat? Conventional wisdom sometimes thinks this is the worst way to go. If you are waiting for players to get healthy…you may just be surprised to realize other players will and can get hurt. It came back to haunt me in one of my keeper leagues last year where yes, I squeaked into the playoffs…eeked out of the first round. When I got to the semis, I had 1 player hurt and by the end of the week I had five…I was completely screwed because I had very little depth. There is nothing more frustrating than knowing you hada chance to do something but thought against it. There were players in free agency that I knew would bust out but I hesitated and paid for it dearly. Other GM’s also beat me to the punch claiming the players I wanted later on. Sometimes being ahead of the curve is great but it is also a curse at the same time. Know when to use your fantasy intuition and know when not to…it is an essential balance.
What if you try and make smaller moves and trades? I still think this is the best way to go to work your way into contention and up to playoff status. There are moves that can be made that just supplement your team depth…and close some small holes that can become bigger ones due to injuries, trades, etc. Players like a Bryzgalov, Zubrus, and even Todd White (centering Hossa and Kovalchuk can’t hurt) will help your team. For deeper stretches, try Garon, Havlat (injury risk), and even James Sheppard (yes the Sheppard has flocked again!). You never know some of these guys may just wind up saving your season.
Next week…we are going to go back and take a little look at The Stevens League as well as the LSHL standings…give our movers and shakers and take a look at what will transpire as the month of December approaches. Until then, enjoy the fantasy hockey and the fun has only just begun!
