Keeper league GMs are constantly keeping an eye out for players being called up from their respective farm teams, hoping they will take advantage of an injury and get an opportunity to play top 6 minutes and PP time. The majority of these players are rookies and sophomores looking to get more than a cup of coffee and secure a regular spot on the roster.
With two weeks until the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and the March 3rd trade deadline approaching, certain rookies will see their ice-time increase and others may be sent back to the farm.
Rookies
Matt Beleskey Ana – LW 4th Rd (112th overall) 2006 draft
2009-10: 34GP 5-4-9, -7 19PIM 0PPP 74SOG
Beleskey was seeing 1st line minutes with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry but that has come to an end with the three player trade that took place last Sunday. The trade brought in Jason Blake who will fill in the last top 6 spot and as a result Beleskey was sent down to the ECHL. He might be brought up for a few more games this season but without top 6 minutes he has little fantasy value.
Dan Sexton Ana – RW undrafted
2009-10: 28GP 9-9-18, -1 14PIM 3PPP 65SOG
The undrafted Sexton was one of the feel good stories this season. He went from obscurity to potentially becoming a full time NHLer. With the return of Teemu Selanne from injury and the acquisition of Jason Blake, Sexton was sent down. He is more of a long-term project and if he pans out he could see top 6 minutes full time in 2-3 years.
Ryan O’Reilly Col – C 2nd Rd (33rd overall) 2009 draft
2009-10: 55GP 7-13-20, +8 14PIM 0PPP 85SOG
After posting 17 points in his first 24 games, O’Reilly only managed one point in his next 30 games. Despite his scoring slump, O’Reilly has been assured a roster spot by his coach who has praised his contributions to the team on both ends of the ice. O’Reilly has great long-term potential and should be stashed on your farm until he starts producing.
Michael Del Zotto NYR – D 1st Rd (20th overall) 2008 draft
2009-10: 57GP 6-18-24, -18 24PIM 15PPP 55SOG
With two-thirds of his points coming on the powerplay, it is safe to say that being taken off the powerplay will affect Del Zotto’s stats substantially. With Olli Jokinen joining the Rangers, coach Tortorella has decided to go with a five forward powerplay. If this continues, you may want to look at other options at the D position in deep one year league.
Evander Kane Atl – LW 1st Rd (4st overall) 2009 draft
2009-10: 54GP 11-10-21, +1 47PIM 0PPP 107SOG
The biggest UFA this season is Ilya Kovalchuk, who has been rumored to be leaving Atlanta. He is also the only natural LW ahead of Kane in the depth charts. Depending if Kovalchuk gets traded or what the Thrashers get in return; Kane could see top 6 minutes and more importantly powerplay time. The 18 year-old blue-chip prospect will be a star in the NHL one day but the process could be accelerated with the departure of Kovalchuk.
Jason Demers SJ – D 7th Rd (186th overall) 2008 draft
2009-10: 41GP 4-15-19, +10 12PIM 9PPP 43SOG
Demers has spent the season bouncing between the AHL and NHL. In his last three games he has put up four points and has shown that he has long-term fantasy value. Unfortunately he plays on a deep Sharks squad and when either Dan Boyle or Marc-Edouard Vlasic returns from injury he will most likely be sent back to the AHL.
Tyler Bozak Tor – C undrafted
2009-10: 12GP 1-6-7, +1 2PIM 1PPP 10 SOG
The departure of Matt Stajan along with the injury to Mikhail Grabovski has left the cupboard at the center position pretty bare in Leaf nation. The major benefactor is undrafted Tyler Bozak, who immediately centers the teams superstar Phil Kessel. What Bozak can accomplish in the next few weeks will determine his future fantasy hockey value.
Paul Bissonnette Phx – LW 4th Rd (121st overall) 2003 draft
2009-10: 35GP 3-2-5, +0 88PIM 0PPP 22SOG
Bissonnette started the season with 81 PIMs in his first 23 games (3.5 PIM avg/game) but has since only registered one fight and 7 PIMs in 12 games. He is the only true instigator on the team with 14 majors; the next player has two majors. It appears that the team is not willing to fight and until that philosophy changes Bissonnette has no fantasy value.