The Goods: Spreading the Stockwatch

01/21/2010 3:18 AM -  Ian Gooding

Contributed by Ian Gooding

The first Tuesday edition of the Weekly Slapshot is in the books. We discussed some of the more interesting goalie situations, plus our usual cross-border banter. You can check it out by clicking here (it’s the Tuesday episode – Weekly Slapshot Express).

Because I never have time to sit down and type a full article anymore, I’ll try to provide my stockwatch information in installments. In other words, as it pops into my head.

My Brent Burns pickup yesterday morning in the Yahoo Friends and Family League generated some buzz, both on the message board and in Matt Romig’s most recent article. Burns may return as early as Thursday, and he’s available in a ton of leagues. Don’t let the plus/minus scare you, as the Wild have improved significantly from the early part of the season.

Opportunity knocks for Brandon Yip with the recent injury to Milan Hejduk. Yip has nine points in 13 games since his callup from the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL. The Avs haven’t slowed down yet, so the potential is there for some continued success.

Somebody has to log icetime in Jersey with Patrik Elias, and that somebody could be Rob Niedermayer. He won’t light the lamp like crazy, but it’s worth mentioning that the younger Niedermayer brother logged nearly 21 minutes of icetime on Wednesday. Dean McAmmond could also see an increase to his fantasy value.

If you thought the Wild stole Guillaume Latendresse from the Habs, think again. Benoit Pouliot, who went the other way in the deal, has eight goals in 13 games. The best trades are those that benefit both teams.

Alex Burrows was at it again on Wednesday with another goal and now has goals in seven of his past eight games. However, only three of Burrows’ 22 goals have been on the power play. We all know Burrows’ linemate Henrik Sedin is leading the NHL in scoring, but did you know that Daniel Sedin has one less point than Jarome Iginla in 19 fewer games? Iggy is nine games and counting without a goal. Team Canada fans have to hope he’s not a bust at the Olympics.

Meanwhile, the Oilers continue to find new ways to lose games. Devan Dubnyk wasn’t half bad on Wednesday until late in the game. Dubnyk still hasn’t won a game in five starts, but I have a feeling that he’ll be in the thick of the Oilers’ goaltending situation for the rest of the season. Jeff Deslauriers has been brutal recently in allowing at least four goals in each of his last four starts. This is a goaltending situation I’d stay far, far away from, but it’s worth mentioning for the truly desperate.

Finally, here’s an interesting article from the St. Catherines Standard about headshots. I really couldn’t have said it any better myself.

Time for bed. Good night (or good morning) from the West Coast.

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