The trade deadline is fast approaching, and odds are your fantasy league's deadline isn't far off either. If you're in need of a blueline boost, but can't afford to pay the big bucks for a Lidstrom or Pronger, the following options might be available:
Comment: Sure, Atlanta stinks, but Enstrom's been a nice surprise for the Thrashers. Of course, he's been a brilliant surprise for fantasy owners. Drafted in the eighth round, 23-years-old, first year in North America...this kid has ice in his veins. He gets major ice-time in all aspects of the game and benefits from moving the puck up the ice quickly to support snipers Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa. Recently he even tied a career high with six blocked shots in a game. He's only going to improve, regardless of what Atlanta does at the trade deadline. Be quick on scooping him up though — he should open up the eyes of the less-knowledged fantasy owner during the NHL Young Stars competition.
Comment: Any fantasy owner would love to cash in on the Alexander Ovechkin sweepstakes. The kid is unstoppable, and everyone on the ice benefits, including rookie Mike Green. The numbers speak for themselves: 14 goals, good for first amongst all defensemen. He gets powerplay time, which means he gets Ovechkin time, and his PIM is strong enough to support heavy statistic fantasy leagues. He's young and, with the Washington Capitals seemingly improving more every day, will improve along with his teammates. Mike Green may be the biggest surprise on defense this year.
Comment: A first-round selection in 2005, Niskanen is finally starting to live up to his billing. He's firmly planted on the first powerplay unit with Stars' mainstay Sergei Zubov and is improving with every game. He's got the hands and vision to be a dominant puckmoving defenseman in the NHL, and if it's to be believed that Dallas is for real atop the Western Conference standings, his +/- should only continue to improve along with his ice time.
Comment: The "other one" on Tampa Bay, Boyle recently returned from a long-term wrist injury that saw him miss all but five games this season. He'll be a great pickup for those short in offense from the blue line, but don't look for him to add any PIM or +/-. He will get a lot of play on Tampa Bay's powerplay, so look for him to gobble up assists on Vincent Lecavalier's goals. With the horrific play of the Tampa Bay Lightning so far this season, Boyle may have fallen through the cracks with his long absence. He makes a decent pickup or replacement if others are injured.
Comment: Much like Boyle, McCabe has been absent long enough for previous owners to drop him, making him a swift pickup for your blue line. Of course, if you have any Maple Leafs' fans in your league, you may already be too late. Fans have been waiting for McCabe to get back into the lineup and spell Pavel Kubina from No. 1 minutes, and may have jumped the gun. When healthy, McCabe will give you great offensive stats, an even keel on the +/- and decent PIM. He looks to return to action within the next couple of weeks, so scoop him up while you can.
Comment: It must've been a pretty suave move to pick up this Stanley Cup defending champion before the 2007-08 season started. Neidermayer had retired, the Ducks were the team, and Beauchemin's play last spring strengthened with every game. Unfortunately, he hasn't gotten off to the start most expected this year and has since been dropped by many fantasy owners. With Neidermayer finally returning from retirement, Beauchemin has seen his powerplay time cut down considerably and dropped to the second unit on 5-on-5 play. If you picked this guy up early hoping to feast off Stanley Cup stats, drop him before it's too late. He may find his game again, but it will be buried in limited ice time.
Comment: Matt Carle has caught a case of the sophmore struggles. In 2006-07 Carle was spoken of as a rookie-of-the-year candidate, but this year there's been nary a whisper amongst fantasy owners. Most likely owners have risen their expectations on him much too high, assuming all rookies will improve on their stats from their inaugural season. Unfortunately, as with most defensemen, their numbers dictate the struggles and successes of their club. San Jose has had trouble scoring, with anyone not named Thornton having unable to put the puck in the net, and the point men have suffered. Last year's 11-goal, 31-assist, plus-nine rating will not be attainable this year, but with the trade deadline looming, San Jose looks to add some thunderous offense which will only help the kids on defense.
Comment: So, what happened to this guy? He was slated as a top-two defenseman for the resurgent Avalanche, but hasn't put up the numbers required. Especially in the goals department, where he's well off his pace of 14 goals the previous two seasons. The Avalanche have been hit hard by injuries, and are only managing to stay afloat with Jose Theodore's recent turn-around in net. With all that, though, there's hope on the horizon. Ryan Smyth and Joe Sakic will return to this team and bolster the powerplay, and hopefully will infuse an offensive game that was reminiscent of the old Colorado Avalanche, with Liles benefiting greatly!
Comment: Who knew Jacques Lamaires would allow his Minnesota club to score goals? The Wild have been putting the puck in the net at a ridiculously high pace (for their standards), and guys like Burns have benefited. He's young and has already surpassed his previous 25-point total. He gets powerplay time and benefits from a healthy Pavol Demitra and Marian Gaborik. Minnesota's the real deal, and Burns is leading the charge on their blue line and, at 22, won't be a secret for very long.
Comment: The numbers speak for themselves. Though the New York Rangers have been struggling, Rozsival has been steady. He's second in the league in goals and gets great ice-time on a stacked, underachieving Rangers squad. A hit-from-behind by Ilya Kovalchuk shouldn't slow down the dependable blueliner, as he should help the Rangers overcome their inadequacies and fit firmly into the 2007-08 NHL playoff picture by season's end. Two years removed from a +32 campaign, look for Rozsival's numbers to improve and help your fantasy team in every aspect.
Comment: Who'd have thought the Nashville Predators would make a run at the playoffs this season? After all the ownership troubles, threats to move and player personnel scampering as far away from the Preds as possible, it's easy to forget there's some talent still on this roster. On the blue line, Zidlicky has been a stalwart. He'll give you great production on the powerplay (in the last nine games, six of his last seven points have been on the PP) and a lot of ice-time. With Nashville now rumoured to be looking to bolster their lineup at the trade deadline instead of blowing it up, Zidlicky might have a lower fantasy value to unaware owners who prefer the big names of Zubov, Lidstrom and Pronger.
J.P. Del Monte is UPDATE! National Hockey League editor.
ROOKIE RUNDOWN
TOBIAS ENSTROM
Atlanta Thrashers, DComment: Sure, Atlanta stinks, but Enstrom's been a nice surprise for the Thrashers. Of course, he's been a brilliant surprise for fantasy owners. Drafted in the eighth round, 23-years-old, first year in North America...this kid has ice in his veins. He gets major ice-time in all aspects of the game and benefits from moving the puck up the ice quickly to support snipers Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa. Recently he even tied a career high with six blocked shots in a game. He's only going to improve, regardless of what Atlanta does at the trade deadline. Be quick on scooping him up though — he should open up the eyes of the less-knowledged fantasy owner during the NHL Young Stars competition.
MIKE GREEN
Washington Canadiens, DComment: Any fantasy owner would love to cash in on the Alexander Ovechkin sweepstakes. The kid is unstoppable, and everyone on the ice benefits, including rookie Mike Green. The numbers speak for themselves: 14 goals, good for first amongst all defensemen. He gets powerplay time, which means he gets Ovechkin time, and his PIM is strong enough to support heavy statistic fantasy leagues. He's young and, with the Washington Capitals seemingly improving more every day, will improve along with his teammates. Mike Green may be the biggest surprise on defense this year.
MATT NISKANEN
Dallas Stars, DComment: A first-round selection in 2005, Niskanen is finally starting to live up to his billing. He's firmly planted on the first powerplay unit with Stars' mainstay Sergei Zubov and is improving with every game. He's got the hands and vision to be a dominant puckmoving defenseman in the NHL, and if it's to be believed that Dallas is for real atop the Western Conference standings, his +/- should only continue to improve along with his ice time.
ON THE RISE
DAN BOYLE
Tampa Bay Lightning, D Comment: The "other one" on Tampa Bay, Boyle recently returned from a long-term wrist injury that saw him miss all but five games this season. He'll be a great pickup for those short in offense from the blue line, but don't look for him to add any PIM or +/-. He will get a lot of play on Tampa Bay's powerplay, so look for him to gobble up assists on Vincent Lecavalier's goals. With the horrific play of the Tampa Bay Lightning so far this season, Boyle may have fallen through the cracks with his long absence. He makes a decent pickup or replacement if others are injured.
BRYAN MCCABE
Toronto Maple Leafs, DComment: Much like Boyle, McCabe has been absent long enough for previous owners to drop him, making him a swift pickup for your blue line. Of course, if you have any Maple Leafs' fans in your league, you may already be too late. Fans have been waiting for McCabe to get back into the lineup and spell Pavel Kubina from No. 1 minutes, and may have jumped the gun. When healthy, McCabe will give you great offensive stats, an even keel on the +/- and decent PIM. He looks to return to action within the next couple of weeks, so scoop him up while you can.
VANCOUVER DEFENSE
Comment: The Vancouver Canucks were simply awful in Jan. Roberto Luongo looked human, the Sedin twins and Naslund had a difficult time trying to carry this team and, looking at their defense, it's easy to see why. Vancouver plays a tight defensive game under coach Alain Vigneault, so it's no wonder the team has struggled with their top four defensemen all out for long periods. There is hope on the horizon though. Matthias Ohlund and Sami Salo have returned, giving the powerplay some much needed anchoring. Kevin Bieksa and Lukas Krajicek aren't far behind either. When this team gets all their defensemen in order, look for statistical improvement across the board. Especially with Matthias Ohlund, who will give you great powerplay numbers. This team is better than they've been playing recently, and it will show in the near future.
DON'T BOTHER
FRANCOIS BEAUCHEMIN
Ahaheim Ducks, DComment: It must've been a pretty suave move to pick up this Stanley Cup defending champion before the 2007-08 season started. Neidermayer had retired, the Ducks were the team, and Beauchemin's play last spring strengthened with every game. Unfortunately, he hasn't gotten off to the start most expected this year and has since been dropped by many fantasy owners. With Neidermayer finally returning from retirement, Beauchemin has seen his powerplay time cut down considerably and dropped to the second unit on 5-on-5 play. If you picked this guy up early hoping to feast off Stanley Cup stats, drop him before it's too late. He may find his game again, but it will be buried in limited ice time.
MATT CARLE
San Jose Sharks, DComment: Matt Carle has caught a case of the sophmore struggles. In 2006-07 Carle was spoken of as a rookie-of-the-year candidate, but this year there's been nary a whisper amongst fantasy owners. Most likely owners have risen their expectations on him much too high, assuming all rookies will improve on their stats from their inaugural season. Unfortunately, as with most defensemen, their numbers dictate the struggles and successes of their club. San Jose has had trouble scoring, with anyone not named Thornton having unable to put the puck in the net, and the point men have suffered. Last year's 11-goal, 31-assist, plus-nine rating will not be attainable this year, but with the trade deadline looming, San Jose looks to add some thunderous offense which will only help the kids on defense.
JOHN-MICHAEL LILES
Colorado Avalanche, DComment: So, what happened to this guy? He was slated as a top-two defenseman for the resurgent Avalanche, but hasn't put up the numbers required. Especially in the goals department, where he's well off his pace of 14 goals the previous two seasons. The Avalanche have been hit hard by injuries, and are only managing to stay afloat with Jose Theodore's recent turn-around in net. With all that, though, there's hope on the horizon. Ryan Smyth and Joe Sakic will return to this team and bolster the powerplay, and hopefully will infuse an offensive game that was reminiscent of the old Colorado Avalanche, with Liles benefiting greatly!
ALWAYS DEPENDABLE
BRENT BURNS
Minnesota Wild, DComment: Who knew Jacques Lamaires would allow his Minnesota club to score goals? The Wild have been putting the puck in the net at a ridiculously high pace (for their standards), and guys like Burns have benefited. He's young and has already surpassed his previous 25-point total. He gets powerplay time and benefits from a healthy Pavol Demitra and Marian Gaborik. Minnesota's the real deal, and Burns is leading the charge on their blue line and, at 22, won't be a secret for very long.
MICHAL ROZSIVAL
New York Rangers, DComment: The numbers speak for themselves. Though the New York Rangers have been struggling, Rozsival has been steady. He's second in the league in goals and gets great ice-time on a stacked, underachieving Rangers squad. A hit-from-behind by Ilya Kovalchuk shouldn't slow down the dependable blueliner, as he should help the Rangers overcome their inadequacies and fit firmly into the 2007-08 NHL playoff picture by season's end. Two years removed from a +32 campaign, look for Rozsival's numbers to improve and help your fantasy team in every aspect.
MAREK ZIDLICKY
Nashville Predators, DComment: Who'd have thought the Nashville Predators would make a run at the playoffs this season? After all the ownership troubles, threats to move and player personnel scampering as far away from the Preds as possible, it's easy to forget there's some talent still on this roster. On the blue line, Zidlicky has been a stalwart. He'll give you great production on the powerplay (in the last nine games, six of his last seven points have been on the PP) and a lot of ice-time. With Nashville now rumoured to be looking to bolster their lineup at the trade deadline instead of blowing it up, Zidlicky might have a lower fantasy value to unaware owners who prefer the big names of Zubov, Lidstrom and Pronger.
J.P. Del Monte is UPDATE! National Hockey League editor.