Just an update for those folks that were curious as to when the cities would be announced for the UFHLC this year. Well, they are now officially out:
Chicago: Saturday, September 24th
New York City: Saturday, October 1st
Buffalo: Sunday, October 2nd
So if you don't live or around those cities don't fret, there are also a gazillion Online Drafts that will be possible this year. Check out www.ufhlc.com for all of the latest and greatest.
Draft Guide Update
As mentioned on the main page, the FHW 2011-12 Fantasy Hockey Draft Guide has been pushed back, and won't be available until September 20th. We apologize for the inconvenience, but do assure you that this year's version (our 4th) will be the best one yet!!! I'm sure a few extra days to finish up on some new features would be a welcome addition from our loyal customers!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Update on FHW
Still plugging along, getting ready to re-launch FHW for the 2011-12 hockey season.
As mentioned several days ago, the fourth annual FHW 2011-12 Fantasy Hockey Draft Guide will be released this month. The official release date has now been confirmed: August 21st, 2011.
Also, the UFHLC (Ultimate Fantasy Hockey League Challenge) will be taking place in the United States, and a few cities have been confirmed:
New York City, September 10th
Buffalo, NY, September 11th
These drafts will allow some hardcore poolies to test their fantasy skills against some others, and see where they stack up, while also challenging for large cash prizes. More details will still be pouring out over the next few weeks.
As mentioned several days ago, the fourth annual FHW 2011-12 Fantasy Hockey Draft Guide will be released this month. The official release date has now been confirmed: August 21st, 2011.
Also, the UFHLC (Ultimate Fantasy Hockey League Challenge) will be taking place in the United States, and a few cities have been confirmed:
New York City, September 10th
Buffalo, NY, September 11th
These drafts will allow some hardcore poolies to test their fantasy skills against some others, and see where they stack up, while also challenging for large cash prizes. More details will still be pouring out over the next few weeks.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
The return of FHW
Fantasy Hockey Wire (FHW) is in the middle of reloading and being on top of the ball for the 2011-12 NHL season. With that being said, we are currently getting our site up to date in terms of pages that need to be revamped, so you might see some dead links, at least until the first week of August.
Also, more information will be made available over the next week or so, but FHW will be associated this season with the Ultimate Fantasy Hockey League Championship (UFHLC), which will be held in various cities throughout the United States.
More information will be provided in the coming weeks on the 2011-12 Fantasy Hockey Wire Draft Guide as well. The tentative release date is August 14th, 2011.
Also, more information will be made available over the next week or so, but FHW will be associated this season with the Ultimate Fantasy Hockey League Championship (UFHLC), which will be held in various cities throughout the United States.
More information will be provided in the coming weeks on the 2011-12 Fantasy Hockey Wire Draft Guide as well. The tentative release date is August 14th, 2011.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
FHW 2010-11 Fantasy Hockey Draft Guide Updated
The guide has now been updated to include some of the more recent signings that have taken place in the last week (Torres, Mitchell, Jones, MacArthur are all in there).
Also, some tidbits regarding the recoveries of such players as Jordan Staal, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Alex Burrows, and Daymond Langkow have also been provided.
There still hasn't been any word on the Ilya Kovalchuk contract in terms of an acceptance or a rejection. Considering the way this whole saga has unfolded the last two months, should any of us really be surprised that we don't have an answer?
Expect some more signings to trickle through in the next week or so, as teams get ready to get underway at training camp, and some players will be making decisions regarding their new homes.
Also, we still haven't seen some prominent RFA's get locked up yet either. Bobby Ryan, Peter Mueller, and James Neal are all still waiting on new deals.
The Oilers were able to lock up Gagner, leaving just Andrew Cogliano as the lone player left to sign on the dotted line. Expect him to get locked up pretty soon as well.
Also, some tidbits regarding the recoveries of such players as Jordan Staal, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Alex Burrows, and Daymond Langkow have also been provided.
There still hasn't been any word on the Ilya Kovalchuk contract in terms of an acceptance or a rejection. Considering the way this whole saga has unfolded the last two months, should any of us really be surprised that we don't have an answer?
Expect some more signings to trickle through in the next week or so, as teams get ready to get underway at training camp, and some players will be making decisions regarding their new homes.
Also, we still haven't seen some prominent RFA's get locked up yet either. Bobby Ryan, Peter Mueller, and James Neal are all still waiting on new deals.
The Oilers were able to lock up Gagner, leaving just Andrew Cogliano as the lone player left to sign on the dotted line. Expect him to get locked up pretty soon as well.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
5 Goalies Not to Bother Owning in Fantasy Leagues Anymore
This season, more than any other year, we are witnessing a changing of the guard, as numerous young stoppers are starting to make a name for themselves. However, there are only 30 possible starting jobs available in the league, so that means that some veterans will be losing their jobs, and have to settle for platoon situations, be relegated to back-up duty, and in the case of some, maybe not even a contract will be offered.
Here are 5 goaltenders that have seen their value change, and won’t be a factor in your fantasy leagues anymore come next year.
Marty Turco, Dallas: Yes, the veteran is still a Star after the trade deadline, and yes, he’s had some stellar games in the last few weeks including that outstanding effort against Washington. However, his numbers have been deteriorating for a couple of seasons now, and he isn’t getting any younger. It is possible that a team like Philadelphia might take a flier on him for next season, but chances are he’ll most likely land in a platoon situation somewhere.
Tim Thomas, Boston: It’s hard to believe that Thomas won the Vezina just last season, and now is toiling on the bench for the Bruins this season. At the same time, when your backup is one of the best goaltending prospects in the league, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. The development of Tuukka Rask has made Thomas expendable, and it’s hard to see another team take a chance on that kind of contract and money. Similar to Turco, he has an outside shot of still starting on a team that is desperate for goaltending, but otherwise, Timmy T will be just a back-up going forward.
Jose Theodore, Washington: Despite the fact that he’s been the main man between the pipes for the last couple of seasons on one of the best teams in the league, the writing is on the wall for the former Hart trophy winner, who will be an unrestricted free agent come July 1st. He probably would already be the back-up this season if Semyon Varlamov hadn’t got hurt earlier in the year. Theodore hasn’t produced great numbers for several seasons now, but still had value in terms of wins. Those will all go out the window come July.
Cristobal Huet, Chicago: Similar to Theodore, another goaltender that is considered mediocre for one of the best teams in the NHL. The main difference between Huet and Theodore is that Huet has greater periphery numbers than Jose does in Cap-Land. Despite posting quite solid numbers this season, Huet is considered the Achilles heel of a strong Hawks team, that doesn’t want to see its’ Cup dreams come crashing to a halt with Huet letting a weak goal in. He will be the go-to guy this postseason, but even if he delivers the Cup, there’s a good chance that Huet will be send out of here.
Jose Theodore, Washington: Despite the fact that he’s been the main man between the pipes for the last couple of seasons on one of the best teams in the league, the writing is on the wall for the former Hart trophy winner, who will be an unrestricted free agent come July 1st. He probably would already be the back-up this season if Semyon Varlamov hadn’t got hurt earlier in the year. Theodore hasn’t produced great numbers for several seasons now, but still had value in terms of wins. Those will all go out the window come July.
Pascal LeClaire, Ottawa: He is only 27 years old, so some might view this as a surprise. However, the astute fantasy owner will realize that the price the Senators paid to acquire the fragile goalie from Columbus last season (forward Antoine Vermette) was not worth it at all. LeClaire has only played one season that could be considered healthy in five years in the league, and that could be considered an aberration as he has failed brutally to show any consistency this year. Brian Elliott has proven that he can carry the load, so LeClaire could really be deemed expendable by the Senators, and should be deemed expendable by you going forward.
AV
Here are 5 goaltenders that have seen their value change, and won’t be a factor in your fantasy leagues anymore come next year.
Marty Turco, Dallas: Yes, the veteran is still a Star after the trade deadline, and yes, he’s had some stellar games in the last few weeks including that outstanding effort against Washington. However, his numbers have been deteriorating for a couple of seasons now, and he isn’t getting any younger. It is possible that a team like Philadelphia might take a flier on him for next season, but chances are he’ll most likely land in a platoon situation somewhere.
Tim Thomas, Boston: It’s hard to believe that Thomas won the Vezina just last season, and now is toiling on the bench for the Bruins this season. At the same time, when your backup is one of the best goaltending prospects in the league, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. The development of Tuukka Rask has made Thomas expendable, and it’s hard to see another team take a chance on that kind of contract and money. Similar to Turco, he has an outside shot of still starting on a team that is desperate for goaltending, but otherwise, Timmy T will be just a back-up going forward.
Jose Theodore, Washington: Despite the fact that he’s been the main man between the pipes for the last couple of seasons on one of the best teams in the league, the writing is on the wall for the former Hart trophy winner, who will be an unrestricted free agent come July 1st. He probably would already be the back-up this season if Semyon Varlamov hadn’t got hurt earlier in the year. Theodore hasn’t produced great numbers for several seasons now, but still had value in terms of wins. Those will all go out the window come July.
Cristobal Huet, Chicago: Similar to Theodore, another goaltender that is considered mediocre for one of the best teams in the NHL. The main difference between Huet and Theodore is that Huet has greater periphery numbers than Jose does in Cap-Land. Despite posting quite solid numbers this season, Huet is considered the Achilles heel of a strong Hawks team, that doesn’t want to see its’ Cup dreams come crashing to a halt with Huet letting a weak goal in. He will be the go-to guy this postseason, but even if he delivers the Cup, there’s a good chance that Huet will be send out of here.
Jose Theodore, Washington: Despite the fact that he’s been the main man between the pipes for the last couple of seasons on one of the best teams in the league, the writing is on the wall for the former Hart trophy winner, who will be an unrestricted free agent come July 1st. He probably would already be the back-up this season if Semyon Varlamov hadn’t got hurt earlier in the year. Theodore hasn’t produced great numbers for several seasons now, but still had value in terms of wins. Those will all go out the window come July.
Pascal LeClaire, Ottawa: He is only 27 years old, so some might view this as a surprise. However, the astute fantasy owner will realize that the price the Senators paid to acquire the fragile goalie from Columbus last season (forward Antoine Vermette) was not worth it at all. LeClaire has only played one season that could be considered healthy in five years in the league, and that could be considered an aberration as he has failed brutally to show any consistency this year. Brian Elliott has proven that he can carry the load, so LeClaire could really be deemed expendable by the Senators, and should be deemed expendable by you going forward.
AV
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Rating The Top Lines For All 30 NHL Teams
An interesting read, although it doesn't pertain as much to fantasy.
Take a look at what my fellow colleague believes are the rankings for the top lines for all 30 teams in the NHL.
The article is available at:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/362232-ranking-the-top-lines-for-all-30-nhl-teams
RJ
Take a look at what my fellow colleague believes are the rankings for the top lines for all 30 teams in the NHL.
The article is available at:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/362232-ranking-the-top-lines-for-all-30-nhl-teams
RJ
Friday, February 26, 2010
10 Struggling Players to Target in Keeper Leagues
The NHL trade deadline is just around the corner, and some teams will be loading up to make a run for the Cup, while others will be looking forward to next season. The same would apply to poolies who need to sell and acquire new bodies for next season and beyond. Below are 10 NHL players that are very young, and have really struggled this season, but should bounce back, and have great upside for the future.
Peter Mueller
Much has been made of the struggles of the young Phoenix forward, and he has been the subject of trade rumors all season. It’s quite possible that might all come to fruition in the next few days, as it’s possible that the former 1st round pick of the Coyotes could be moved. However, it’s easy to forget that he had 54 points in 81 games in his rookie season, and was always touted as a scoring winger that could play on the first line for any NHL team. After dipping to 36 points in 72 games last season, the 21-year-old Mueller has been downright awful this year, with only 4 goals and 16 points in 53 games. A change of scenery might pay immediate dividends, but even if Phoenix is patient with him, I believe he’ll rebound to be a productive forward in another year or two.
Jakub Voracek
The youngest player on this list, Voracek still is looking to establish himself as a consistent performer for the Jackets. He has mainly played on the second line all season, but has not seen enough minutes to make much of a difference. After registering 34 points in 80 games last season, the 20-year-old has matched that total after 62 games this season. A lot of his struggles could perhaps be tied to Ken Hitchcock, as under Claude Noel, Voracek has been more creative with the puck, and actually headed into the Olympic break with a modest 4-game point streak, tallying 6 points in the process. He could break out with a 60 point campaign as soon as next season.
Bryan Little
After breaking out in his sophomore year, Little came back to earth this season with a thud. He had 31 goals last season, and looked like he was well on his way to being a consistent 30-goal player with the potential to hit 40 a few times. The former 12th overall pick has only 10 goals in 57 games this season, and is not even close to his pace from last season. However, with Ilya Kovalchuk now out of the picture, look for Little to see a bit more ice time, he should return to the 30-goal mark in the future…permanently.
Patrik Berglund
The fourth player from the 2006 draft class on this list, the 21-year-old Swede is also only the second player on this list (along with Little) that wasn’t selected in the 1st round as a top 10 pick. However, that means little as Berglund is one of the most skilled players to come out of that draft class, if not the most skilled. He put up 21 goals and 47 points in his rookie season last year, and bigger and better things were anticipated this season. However, that has not been the case at all. The Blues forward has struggled immensely, and has even been a healthy scratch for a few games. However, he seemed to finally be seeing some ice time since Andy Murray was fired, and should come back strong next season. A 50-point season is a given, and he is capable of much, much more.
Thomas Vanek
The only true established player on this list, Vanek is still only 26, so he hasn’t even hit his prime yet. However, some have already given up on the 2-time 40 goal scorer. Vanek has scored at least 25 goals in all 4 of his seasons in the league. Currently, he is on pace for about 22, and has picked up his play a bit recently, so 25 still seems realistic at the end of the season. He is by no means over the hill, so don’t start peddling him off when his value is at its lowest point. Did I mention that he was only 26?
Carey Price
The 22-year-old Montreal goaltender is an unusual case at this point in his career. He has proven to be a winner in all of his previous levels of play, but had a meltdown last season when the Montreal fans got to him in the playoffs. At the same time, Jaroslav Halak has emerged as a #1 netminder this year, taking valuable starts away from Price and also outperforming him as well. Former GM Bob Gainey did not want to move the former 5th overall pick, as goalies with his ability rarely come along. However, something should be resolved by the summer at the latest, and Price’s value will rebound. Grab him now while you can, as he’ll be valuable whether he plays in Montreal or elsewhere.
Steve Mason
Another young goaltender on this list, the 21-year-old Mason has been even more of an enigma this season than Price. After shattering records as a rookie last season, the Calder winner has been anything but this season, as his numbers have been among the worst in the league for qualified starters. Overall, he’s not as good as he was last season, and definitely not as bad as he has been this season. He’s probably somewhere in the middle, which still makes him a solid top 15 goalie pick. Try grabbing him now before it’s too late. Similar to Voracek, Mason had started to play better under Claude Noel, posting a 3-1 record in his last 4 starts, and has allowed only 5 goals in those 4 games.
Erik Johnson
There are 6 guys on this list that were selected in the 2006 draft, and EJ is the class of that year, going 1st overall. The 21-year-old had a great rookie season, picking up 33 points in 69 games. However, he missed all of the 2008-09 NHL season with a knee injury, and then started off on fire this year, picking up 21 points in his first 30 games. He then went into a horrible slump, which included not scoring a goal for 31 games. Johnson had picked up his play heading into the Olympic break, as he had notched a point in 4 straight games. He’s not in the same league as Mike Green, Drew Doughty or Duncan Keith, but he definitely has the ability and potential to get there very soon. Try to grab him now if you can.
Cam Barker
On the day that a trade freeze was put into effect for the Olympic break, the Chicago Blackhawks traded Barker to the Minnesota Wild in a deal to shore up their blueline depth with a veteran in Kim Johnsson. That was a day that Barker owners should’ve been thrilled with, as the 23-year-old should now have the opportunity to pick up some points and play up to his potential. Only 23, a lot of people forget that Barker was the 3rd overall selection in the 2004 draft, picked behind a few guys you might have heard of in Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin. Last season, Barker hit the 40-point plateau, and more was anticipated this year. However, the emergence of Duncan Keith, along with the blueline depth in Brian Campbell and Brent Seabrook, made Barker expendable. He wasn’t really seeing much ice time, and rarely saw any PP time. In Minnesota, he will get ample time with the man-advantage, and should play close to 19-20 minutes every night. He should become a fixture in the 40 point range going forward, starting with next season.
David Krejci
After having a breakout last season by posting 73 points in 82 games, the 23-year-old Krejci has really struggled to get his groove going offensively this season, as he only has 31 points in 57 games at this point. However, he was the best player for the Czechs in Vancouver, and although his upside isn’t as high as others on this list, he does already have his one big season from last year. That means he at least has the capability to repeat those numbers, if not exceed them, down the road.
AV
Peter Mueller
Much has been made of the struggles of the young Phoenix forward, and he has been the subject of trade rumors all season. It’s quite possible that might all come to fruition in the next few days, as it’s possible that the former 1st round pick of the Coyotes could be moved. However, it’s easy to forget that he had 54 points in 81 games in his rookie season, and was always touted as a scoring winger that could play on the first line for any NHL team. After dipping to 36 points in 72 games last season, the 21-year-old Mueller has been downright awful this year, with only 4 goals and 16 points in 53 games. A change of scenery might pay immediate dividends, but even if Phoenix is patient with him, I believe he’ll rebound to be a productive forward in another year or two.
Jakub Voracek
The youngest player on this list, Voracek still is looking to establish himself as a consistent performer for the Jackets. He has mainly played on the second line all season, but has not seen enough minutes to make much of a difference. After registering 34 points in 80 games last season, the 20-year-old has matched that total after 62 games this season. A lot of his struggles could perhaps be tied to Ken Hitchcock, as under Claude Noel, Voracek has been more creative with the puck, and actually headed into the Olympic break with a modest 4-game point streak, tallying 6 points in the process. He could break out with a 60 point campaign as soon as next season.
Bryan Little
After breaking out in his sophomore year, Little came back to earth this season with a thud. He had 31 goals last season, and looked like he was well on his way to being a consistent 30-goal player with the potential to hit 40 a few times. The former 12th overall pick has only 10 goals in 57 games this season, and is not even close to his pace from last season. However, with Ilya Kovalchuk now out of the picture, look for Little to see a bit more ice time, he should return to the 30-goal mark in the future…permanently.
Patrik Berglund
The fourth player from the 2006 draft class on this list, the 21-year-old Swede is also only the second player on this list (along with Little) that wasn’t selected in the 1st round as a top 10 pick. However, that means little as Berglund is one of the most skilled players to come out of that draft class, if not the most skilled. He put up 21 goals and 47 points in his rookie season last year, and bigger and better things were anticipated this season. However, that has not been the case at all. The Blues forward has struggled immensely, and has even been a healthy scratch for a few games. However, he seemed to finally be seeing some ice time since Andy Murray was fired, and should come back strong next season. A 50-point season is a given, and he is capable of much, much more.
Thomas Vanek
The only true established player on this list, Vanek is still only 26, so he hasn’t even hit his prime yet. However, some have already given up on the 2-time 40 goal scorer. Vanek has scored at least 25 goals in all 4 of his seasons in the league. Currently, he is on pace for about 22, and has picked up his play a bit recently, so 25 still seems realistic at the end of the season. He is by no means over the hill, so don’t start peddling him off when his value is at its lowest point. Did I mention that he was only 26?
Carey Price
The 22-year-old Montreal goaltender is an unusual case at this point in his career. He has proven to be a winner in all of his previous levels of play, but had a meltdown last season when the Montreal fans got to him in the playoffs. At the same time, Jaroslav Halak has emerged as a #1 netminder this year, taking valuable starts away from Price and also outperforming him as well. Former GM Bob Gainey did not want to move the former 5th overall pick, as goalies with his ability rarely come along. However, something should be resolved by the summer at the latest, and Price’s value will rebound. Grab him now while you can, as he’ll be valuable whether he plays in Montreal or elsewhere.
Steve Mason
Another young goaltender on this list, the 21-year-old Mason has been even more of an enigma this season than Price. After shattering records as a rookie last season, the Calder winner has been anything but this season, as his numbers have been among the worst in the league for qualified starters. Overall, he’s not as good as he was last season, and definitely not as bad as he has been this season. He’s probably somewhere in the middle, which still makes him a solid top 15 goalie pick. Try grabbing him now before it’s too late. Similar to Voracek, Mason had started to play better under Claude Noel, posting a 3-1 record in his last 4 starts, and has allowed only 5 goals in those 4 games.
Erik Johnson
There are 6 guys on this list that were selected in the 2006 draft, and EJ is the class of that year, going 1st overall. The 21-year-old had a great rookie season, picking up 33 points in 69 games. However, he missed all of the 2008-09 NHL season with a knee injury, and then started off on fire this year, picking up 21 points in his first 30 games. He then went into a horrible slump, which included not scoring a goal for 31 games. Johnson had picked up his play heading into the Olympic break, as he had notched a point in 4 straight games. He’s not in the same league as Mike Green, Drew Doughty or Duncan Keith, but he definitely has the ability and potential to get there very soon. Try to grab him now if you can.
Cam Barker
On the day that a trade freeze was put into effect for the Olympic break, the Chicago Blackhawks traded Barker to the Minnesota Wild in a deal to shore up their blueline depth with a veteran in Kim Johnsson. That was a day that Barker owners should’ve been thrilled with, as the 23-year-old should now have the opportunity to pick up some points and play up to his potential. Only 23, a lot of people forget that Barker was the 3rd overall selection in the 2004 draft, picked behind a few guys you might have heard of in Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin. Last season, Barker hit the 40-point plateau, and more was anticipated this year. However, the emergence of Duncan Keith, along with the blueline depth in Brian Campbell and Brent Seabrook, made Barker expendable. He wasn’t really seeing much ice time, and rarely saw any PP time. In Minnesota, he will get ample time with the man-advantage, and should play close to 19-20 minutes every night. He should become a fixture in the 40 point range going forward, starting with next season.
David Krejci
After having a breakout last season by posting 73 points in 82 games, the 23-year-old Krejci has really struggled to get his groove going offensively this season, as he only has 31 points in 57 games at this point. However, he was the best player for the Czechs in Vancouver, and although his upside isn’t as high as others on this list, he does already have his one big season from last year. That means he at least has the capability to repeat those numbers, if not exceed them, down the road.
AV
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