Waiver Gems
1. Matt Stajan (CGY-C)
‘09-‘10 stat-line: 56gp, 16g, 25a, 41pt, -4, 30 pims
- What do you get when you put a pass-first center with a high hockey IQ and a decent skill set with Jarome Iginla? Well, if you’re Darryl or Brent Sutter or a Flames fan, you’re probably hoping that you get a big, much needed boost on offense. Matt Stajan made his Flames debut last night, and although he had a fairly solid outing, came up empty in the scoring column. But, there’s reason to believe Iginla’s newest sidekick will produce successfully throughout the Flames’ final 26 games. As mentioned above, Stajan possesses an above average mind for the game, which translates well when paired with a savvy goal scorer like an Iginla. While Stajan was marginally successful during his short-live time on a line with Phil Kessel in Toronto, he is much better suited to play with an Iginla veteran-type player who should be on the same offensive wave length as Stajan. Under normal circumstances, I’d say Stajan is a 50-55 point average second line center. His numbers this year are inflated somewhat (60-point pace) because of Toronto’s lack of depth at center, and now he finds himself in an even more enviable situation in Calgary. Over the Flames final 26 games, I’d expect 20 points from Stajan to go along with a plus in the plus minus column. He is owned in 24% of Yahoo leagues.
2. Mark Giordano (CGY-D)
‘09-‘10 stat-line: 56gp, 8g, 15a, 23pt, +3, 59 pims
- Who would’ve guessed that as of game 56 in Calgary’s season, their leading scorer amongst defensemen wouldn’t be the recently traded Dion Phaneuf or free agent signing Jay Bouwmeester, but 26-year old Mark Giordano? Giordano has been a consistent performer from day one during the 09-‘10 campaign, and has seemed to “figure it out” at the NHL level here in his third real NHL season. Having worked his way back onto the radars of fantasy poolies last season after bolting for Russia the year before, Giordano is now on pace to post 12 goals, 33 points, a plus rating, and 83 penalty minutes. For a depth fantasy defenseman, solid all-around stats like that are invaluable. Giordano’s game boasts its fair share of upside, too – he is an excellent skater, not afraid to mix it up, and boasts a very underrated offensive arsenal, including a hard shot from the point. With Phaneuf’s departure, expect Giordano to be the number one beneficiary. A 15 goal, 40 point season next year wouldn’t surprise me, in the least. He is owned in just 25% of Yahoo leagues.
3. Troy Brouwer (CHI–RW)
‘09-‘10 stat-line: 55gp, 17g, 12a, 29pt, +6, 36 pims
- Skilled winger with some upside? Check. All-star linemates? Check. Consistent supply of quality ice time? Check. Making his second appearance on this list, Chicago’s Troy Brouwer has continued to impress during his stint on Chicago’s top line with Patrick Kane and Jonathon Toews. Brouwer has banged home five goals during his last eight games, and has seen 20+ minutes in his last two contests. Drafted in the seventh round of the ‘04 draft, Brouwer busted out in his last year playing in the Western Hockey League, putting up 107 points and registering 49 goals. He followed this up with 141 points in 146 AHL games. As I said before, Brouwer has the potential to be a 50-60 point NHL player if he is placed in the perfect situation. This perfect situation has been granted to Brouwer, and he’s making the most of it. He is owned in just 14% of Yahoo leagues.
4. Matthew Lombardi (PHO-C)
‘09-‘10 stat-line: 52gp, 10g, 25a, 35pt, -3, 26 pims
- Matt Lombardi has been the subject of his fair share of intrigue amongst fantasy GM’s since entering the NHL with the Flames in the ‘03-‘04 season – and with good reason. The former Calgary third round pick possesses blazing – and I mean blazing – speed, to go along with the rest of a skill set which allowed him to register 57 goals and 130 points in his final season in the QMJHL. This year, he’s found himself playing alongside Shane Doan as the number one center out in the Desert, and is on pace to set career highs in assists and points. While I don’t envision Lombardi’s scoring potential to be as high as many others – I’d say he could top out at 65 in the right situation – I do see many seasons consisting of 55-60 points. If you’re in need of depth in your one year or keeper league, Lombardi is a solid option. He’ll get the ice time, has the necessary linemates (Doan, and with Scottie Upshall out for the season, Peter Mueller), and should produce fairly consistently at a 55-60 point pace going forward. Lombardi is owned in just 9% of Yahoo leagues.
5. Antero Niittymaki (TBL–G)
‘09-‘10 stat-line: 28gp, 12W, 9L, 5ot, .916sv%, 2.53gaa, 1so
- With such an emphasis placed on goaltending in several fantasy league formats, finding a solid depth goalie as a backup plan is often a necessity. If you’re looking for a third or fourth string tender with some upside on the waiver wire, Tampa Bay’s Antero Niitymaki is certainly a viable option. Best known for taking home MVP honors at the 2006 Olympics while playing for Finland, Niitymaki’s game is based off of coming out to cut down angles and challenging shooters – something he has been doing successfully all season long. While Tampa Bay’s defense is far from what anyone would term “good,” they have elevated their play of late, which should help Niitymaki’s already solid numbers. Mike Smith should still receive a decent amount of starts, but Niitymaki has been the better goalie for the majority of the season, and will continue to play as long as he and Lightning perform. I still see a lot of upside in his game, and am confident that he can eventually be an undisputed number one goalie, either in Tampa or elsewhere. Niitymaki is owned in 28% of Yahoo leagues.
Trade Targets
1. Keith Yandle (PHO-D)
‘09-‘10 stat-line: 56gp, 10g, 19a, 29pt, +10, 41 pims
- If you’re looking to add a young, up-and-coming defenseman to your fantasy squad – and let’s face it, who wouldn’t want a young, up-and-coming defenseman? – few options are better than the Coyote’s Keith Yandle. The 23-year old Massachusetts native is piecing together an excellent season for Dave Tippett’s squad. Yandle is currently on a torrid scoring binge which has seen him pot four goals and five points over his last four games, to go along with a +7 rating during that span. With Ed Jovanovski and Zbynek Michalek playing the role of shut down pair, Yandle is free from many of the burdens of going against the other teams’ top players, allowing him to post quality plus minus numbers here, early in his career. Yandle’s smarts and vision from the backend are elite, and he is often able to think two or three steps ahead of his opponent. Yandle’s offensive instincts will make him an offensive stud from the backline for years to come. The window of opportunity to obtain Yandle is slim, so now is the best time to make a move.
2. Jamie Benn (DAL-LW)
‘09-‘10 stat-line: 55gp, 10g, 13a, 23pt, -8, 32 pims
- In the early parts of the season, enough accolades couldn’t be thrown at rookie forward Jamie Benn. Playing alongside Mike Ribeiro and Brendan Morrow on the Stars’ top line to start the season, Benn put up some gaudy numbers which earned him praise from the media and fantasy poolies, alike. Well, as is often the case with young players – and especially rookies – Benn has hit the proverbial wall. Over his last 18 games, Benn has just three points, and has posted a -6 in the plus minus column. Ding, ding, ding – buy low candidate. Benn is a smart young player with good size and great hands, which will make him a surefire bet to be a 65-75 point player down the road. In his last couple of games, Benn has been moved to center on a line with Morrow and Steve Ott. It’s hard to tell if he’ll stick as a pivot, but he’ll be a successful NHL forward regardless. The best time to trade for Benn is now - his career will only be on the upswing from here on out.
3. James Neal (DAL-LW)
‘09-‘10 stat-line: 51gp, 21g, 18a, 39pt, -5, 41 pims
- Sticking with Dallas Stars young players mired in slumps; let’s talk about Whitby, Ontario native James Neal. After beginning the season with 18 goals and 34 points in 36 games while playing alongside Brad Richards and Loui Eriksson on the new Dallas first line, Neal’s offensive game has hit a similar roadblock to that of Benn. In his last 15 games Neal has just three goals and five points, in addition to a -9 plus minus rating and a meager six penalty minutes. Neal has the potential to be a 35-35-70 type of player, and can certainly hit those numbers playing along his housemate, Richards. Since the New Year, Neal has seemed to be less aggressive, and his power forward reckless abandon style of play has been significantly less evident. It is, however, just this second NHL season. The 22-year old will find a better level of consistency in the coming years. Like Benn, make a move now while his value is low.
4. Michael Cammalleri (MTL–LW)
‘09-‘10 stat-line: 56gp, 26g, 22a, 48pt, +10, 14 pims
- Now is about the time in the season where you need to take a good, long, hard look at how your keeper league squad is shaping up. If you think that you’re team is out of the running for a championship, it may be time to gear up for next year. A great way of finding some value in the trade market is to trade for injured players. Fitting this bill is Michael Cammalleri, who will be sidelined for six to eight weeks with an MCL injury. There’s not much to say about Cammalleri that isn’t already common knowledge – the guy is a very solid point producer. The 27-year old already has two 80+ point campaigns, along with two 30+ goal campaigns to his credit. Prior to sustaining his injury, the diminutive forward had posted five goals and nine points over his last seven games. If you’re out of the running this season, Cammalleri is an excellent player to target.
5. Sheldon Souray (EDM–D)
‘09-‘10 stat-line: 37gp, 4g, 9a, 13pt, -19, 65 pims
- Another player that will find himself on the shelf for an extended period of time, and possibly the season, is Oilers’ defenseman Sheldon Souray. Already mired in a horrendous season that has seen him notch just four goals, nine points and a horrendous -19 plus minus rating, Souray finds himself on the IR courtesy of a fractured hand sustained in a fight with Jarome Iginla. Souray was a buy low candidate before his injured, and he’s certainly a bargain buy now. The 33-year old defenseman has had more than his share of injuries, but is a rotisserie stud when healthy. He has scored 20+ goals during his last two full seasons, and has recorded over 60 points in the first of those two years and 50+ during the second. He is also a penalty minute and shot machine, having seasons of 116, 135, and 98 pims to go along with 202, 224, and 268 shots during his last three full seasons. While Souray’s injury history proves that he is a not a player to count on, he is a great addition for a team already set with some consistent fantasy producers on defense. If Souray is moved from Edmonton at some point during this season, or, more presumably, in the off-season, expect his value to increase. Now is a great time to acquire Souray for a minimal expense.