You asked for it and as a Thanksgiving gift from us to you, we bring the controversy because being nice is just no fun. These are the players we are not thankful for. Some are not going to like these and maybe a lot of you but basically it is what it is. This may become a Thanksgiving tradition at some point.
It is our way of “giving the bird” to these players who have killed fantasy hockey rosters and their teams with poor play. There is a pain that literally gives nightmares to the unfortunate and worse a heartburn that never seems to go away.
What we have below is the nominees for each grouping (Forwards, Defense, Goalies). Then we will make our decisions. Okay let’s down to business here before the turkeys run off and do their own thing.
Our three #TeamTurkey forwards are 1. Kyle Okposo 2. Dustin Penner and 3. Ville Leino (Yes Eric Staal got himself off the bubble). So our three defensive nominations for #TeamTurkey is officially 1. Lubomir Visnovsky 2. Paul Martin and 3. Victor Hedman Place your bets! We need nominees for goalie however….let us have it!
Forward Gobble……..
Kyle Okposo, RW, NY Islanders — Okposo had so many expectations going into the season and then the season started. When your first line Right Winger has no goals and then is scratched three games in a row, what else is left? Now he did have a three point night on Wednesday (including his first two goals of the season). However, the confidence of management and maybe the fan base in him has eroded a good deal. His ATOI is nearly four minutes off from what it was two years ago when he had a 52 point season. Six points in 16 games for a guy who was expected to be a 50-60 point player will cause people to get at least a good bit miffed. Remember it was three in 15 before the outburst against Philadelphia.
Dustin Penner, RW, LA Kings — Penner was quoted in training camp as saying he was more in shape than ever. The only shape he has given fantasy owners is the look of a regressing forward who is the square peg in the round hole in LA. Three assists in 14 games just is never going to cut it and he has looked a shell of his former self. Remember he had six points in 19 games last year with LA after the Edmonton trade. Penner is practically a fantasy waste of space and now injured to top it all off. Run away from him.
Ville Leino, LW, Buffalo Sabres — Leino has not worked out very well in Buffalo as his five points in 21 games will attest. One breakout season does not and should never get you PAID! He only averaged 1.4 shots per game last year in his career 53 point year but is at 0.86 shots per game now (9 bagels). When a guy that does not hit and does not grind cannot score, he is against another fantasy waste of space.
Dishonorable Mentions: Eric Staal (CAR), David Booth (FLA/VAN)
Winner: Dustin Penner (LA Kings)
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Defensive Duds………..
Lubomir Visnovsky, D, Anaheim Ducks — We shall keep this short. Visnovsky turned 35 and hit some kind of strange brick wall after 67 points last year. Four points in 16 games with a -7 is not the only reason why Anaheim has been awful but this guy should have a few more points, don’t you think? ONE goal is not enough and now he is still out almost a month with an injury. Will he come back better off? Something tells me that may take awhile. Lower your expectations!
Paul Martin, D, Pittsburgh Penguins — Choices like these are tough but we swing a broad sword here. Martin makes $5 million a year and does not play like even an average defenseman at this point. The dropoff was noticeable last year and is now just blatant this season. When you have four points in 23 games and are a -10, there is little good that can be said. The nicest thing that can be said here is go fish elsewhere for a good fantasy defenseman.
Victor Hedman, D, Tampa Bay Lightning — Yes there have been injuries in Tampa but it does not excuse Hedman’s poor play. While the -4 is not outrageously bad, the two points in 17 games can be considered like a foul stench that keeps growing. Hedman was expected to progress maybe up to the 35 point plateau this year but he is projected for seven points. SEVEN! No assists, bad lapses of judgment, and regression have deep sixed this season so far.
Dishonorable Mentions: Christian Erhoff (BUF), Kevin Bieksa (VAN)
WINNER: Lubomir Visnovsky (Anaheim Ducks)
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Goalie Gaffes……….
Steve Mason, G, Columbus Blue Jackets — It is not necessarily fair but with expectations does come well….expectations. Columbus was expected to be better and whether it was all Mason’s fault, the Blue Jackets were horrific (3 wins in first 16 games). The goalie is 3-12-1 with an .875 save percentage and 3.63 GAA. Yes the team defense has been very below average but some of the goals Mason has given up have been inexcusable (the 2 gaffes in the last 33 seconds against Ottawa still baffles me). If you are still stuck with Mason, why are you? When he comes back from “rest”, what Mason will we see? Who knows and who cares.
Dwayne Roloson, G, Tampa Bay Lightning — Again the team defense has to be blamed somewhat but Roloson is showing serious signs of aging. While he can produce the occasional gems, more times than not the old Rolo is just not there. His 3.46 GAA and .887 save percentage somehow translate to a 6-6-1 record. He has been yanked in at least four of his 12 starts which is never a good sign ladies and gentlemen. Can he bounce back? Sure. Can you afford to wait? That is another question.
Semyon Varlamov, G, Colorado Avalanche — Varlamov started off well enough but is “lost in the woods” like Ilya Bryzgalov was. He was 5-3 with a sub 2.50 GAA and a nice save percentage but has gone 0-6-1 since giving up 27 goals or almost four a game. His save percentage has only been at or above .900 twice in that span. Varlamov has not played well or had the ability to even steal games while J.S. Giguere has been the better netminder. His 1-7 home record is the worst in the NHL but his 4.00 road GAA and .878 save percentage is scary. When will he snap out of it? It better be soon. Fantasy owners are going insane here.
Dishonorable Mentions: Craig Anderson (OTT), Ondrej Pavelec (WPG), Roberto Luongo (VAN)
WINNER: Steve Mason (Columbus Blue Jackets)
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Well there are our choices. We will see you tomorrow…..have a great night!
