Fantasy Stockwatch

12/31/2009 12:03 PM -  Ian Gooding

John Tavares has only one point in his last nine games.

Contributed by Ian Gooding

 

Stock Rising

Kurtis Foster, D TB

Foster’s recent numbers are becoming harder and harder to ignore. You may remember Foster as the former Wild power-play QB whose career was sidetracked by a frightening leg injury. However, Foster has emerged as the Lightning’s most reliable point-producing defenseman with nine points (3g-6a) in his last eight games. With 15 points in 30 games this season, Foster has reached the 0.5 point/game mark, which seems to be the benchmark for rostering a defenseman in fantasy leagues. Foster is a solid replacement for an injured or underproducing defenseman.

Scott Gomez, C, MON

After being sidelined by injury earlier this season, Gomez is racking up assists like he usually does with assists in six of his last seven games. Sure, players like Gomez can be one-dimensional because of their lack of contributions in goals and peripheral categories. But his recent production is a good sign if you consider that Gomez was expected to center the Habs’ other free agent jewels this season (Mike Cammalleri, Brian Gionta). The re-emergence of Tomas Plekanec could cut into Gomez’s icetime through the season, however.

Tim Connolly, C, BUF

Like Marian Gaborik, Connolly is proving what he is capable of when he avoids getting injured. Because of his perpetual injuries, Connolly was nothing more than a late-round flier in fantasy drafts this season. But with a four-game point streak and 29 points in 39 games, Connolly is capable of near point-per-game numbers over a full season. Clearly his fantasy stock is much higher than it was at this time last season. But we’re always holding our breath waiting for the next injury.

Scottie Upshall, RW, PHX

Upshall is becoming a player that is worth a look for fantasy teams. On a team in which he is not exactly buried down the depth chart, he has recorded points in five of his last six games. Upshall also plays a robust style that should earn him around 80 penalty minutes this season. Unfortunately, he’s a little light in the power-play department with just a goal and an assist on the man advantage this season. What this means is that Upshall is best suited for deeper leagues.

Stock Falling

Jay Bouwmeester, D, CGY

J-Bo’s inclusion in this week’s Fantasy Stockwatch could be more about a Team Canada omission than an actual fantasy decline. But while we’re at it, let’s look at the numbers this season. Despite earning two assists and a +2 in his last three games, J-Bo (much easier to type than his full name) has just two goals and 14 assists in 39 games. J-Bo is probably better in the real-life game of hockey than the fantasy game of hockey, but let’s face it: Calgary’s defense, which was expected to be the pillar of the team, has been inconsistent, just like the team. Remember that J-Bo has exceeded 45 points only once, and that was four seasons ago.

Alexander Frolov, LW, LA

Unfortunately for his owners, Frolov’s healthy scratch benching earlier this season has not translated to improved results. A total of 24 points in 39 games is a mild underachievement, but the most telling stat has to be Frolov’s (-13) anchor on a much-improved Kings squad, matched only by Jack Johnson. Frolov may have some name value if you dangle him in a trade, but his point totals appear destined to decline for a third consecutive season (71 to 67 to 59 over the last three full seasons.)

John Tavares, C, NYI

As expected at some point, Tavares has hit the proverbial rookie wall. The Islanders’ super rookie has just a goal and no assists in his last nine games. The Isles’ offense has also struggled during that span with just 16 goals. Tavares owners should not panic, though, as he was a near point-per-game player through the first two months of the season. But it’s also worth noting that Matt Moulson has also been affected by Tavares’ lack of production with just an assist in his last nine games. Hopefully you read the December 12 Fantasy Hockey Roundtable. (Now if I only took my own advice!)

Travis Zajac, C, NJ

I was going to mention Zach Parise in this week’s column after a 12-game goal drought in December, but Parise scored two goals against Atlanta on Monday. So I’ll turn my attention to Zajac, who has assists in back-to-back games, but has not scored a goal in his last ten games. Sure, Zajac is not a goal scorer – he scored just 20 goals in a breakout 62-point campaign last season. But Parise’s lack of production has also affected Zajac, and coach Jacques Lemaire has been juggling his lines, using Patrik Elias with Parise. I acquired Zajac in a multi-player trade recently in the Yahoo Friends and Family league, since I could use Zajac’s plus/minus help and since I think that Zajac will turn it around. 

Opportunity Knocks

Jonathan Cheechoo, RW, OTT

It’s now or never for the former 50-goal scorer. The Daniel Alfredsson injury elevates Cheechoo on the depth chart, which could mean more icetime (17:49 against Montreal on Monday, but down to 14:35 against Colorado on Wednesday). I’m not suggesting that you add Cheechoo, who has a grand total of three goals this season. But if Todd Bertuzzi can return to his old form, then you never know what is possible. Just something I thought I’d point out.

Teddy Purcell, RW, LA

The Justin Williams injury meant that Purcell receives his opportunity to be on the Kings’ first line with Anze Kopitar and Ryan Smyth. In his first game on the first line on Monday, Purcell saw 19 minutes of icetime, although he was held without a point. Purcell has floundered on the third line with just six points in 37 games, but the opportunity for more points is definitely there for the former AHL star. Purcell is a speculative add in deep leagues for now, but be aware that the Newfoundlander has no points in his last six games, so his window of opportunity may be fading fast. It is also worth mentioning that first-liner Anze Kopitar, mentioned in a previous week’s article, continues to struggle with just two goals and four assists in 13 games this month.

Happy New Year!

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