Note to Readers: I would like to apologize for the lateness of today’s Fantasy Hockey Six-Pack and for the absence of the Six-Pack over the past few weeks. I have been extremely busy with my journalism course work and have regrettably fallen behind my committments. Alas, I am back today with a new post. I would also like to point out that the next Fantasy Hockey Six-Pack won’t appear until early January. Happy Holidays to everyone!
In today’s Fantasy Hockey Six-Pack, we look at three players who are heating up at just the right time and three players who are in a mid-December slump.
Three Players Hot as Arizona
F Phil Kessel, Boston Bruins- With 19 goals in 30 games, Phil Kessel is currently on pace for 50 goals and, if we exclude Malkin, Crosby and Ovechkin for the moment, has been quite simply the hottest young forward in the National Hockey League. The 2006 1st Rounder put up decent numbers in his first two years but he has really emerged as an offensive threat this season playing for the 1st place Bruins. Start Kessel in all formats right now because he is red-red-hot.
F Travis Zajac, New Jersey Devils- Often overshadowed by Zach Parise and Patrik Elias in Newark, Travis Zajac has to be given credit for much of the Devils success this year. Zajac does not have the breakaway speed of Parise or the panache of Elias but he is intelligent and hard-working. Zajac has 19 points in 27 games and should hit the 45-50 point mark this season. Start Zajac in all formats because he is really clicking with superstar Zach Parise.
D Shea Weber, Nashville- Quick, who’s leading the NHL in defenseman scoring? If you guessed Shea Weber, with 25 points in 30 games then you are correct. The Sicamous, BC native has been outstanding this season playing on a thin Nashville Predators squad and is part of possibly the best young defensive corps in the NHL along with Ryan Suter, Ville Koistinen et al. Dress Weber as your No.1 defenseman as he is in his element right now.
Three Players Cold as North Dakota
F Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning- Stamkos is a regular in the Fantasy Hockey Six-Pack doghouse but it’s because he continues to struggle mightily. The Lightning are one of the worst teams in the league and Stamkos would be better off if he had been sent back to the junior ranks weeks ago. Stamkos is not worther a flier in most leagues because he hasn’t found himself in the big leagues just yet.
F Mike Ribeiro, Dallas Stars- Ribeiro was one of the hottest players in the NHL only a month ago so what has happened? Does he miss playing with Brenden Morrow? Is he depressed? Ribeiro still has 22 points in 29 games but he has been awful in the month of December. Ribeiro-and the rest of the Dallas Stars for that matter- have lost their confidence. Ribeiro should be benched until he shows that he puts together a scoring streak.
D Phillipe Boucher, Pittsburgh Penguins- Acquired last month in a trade with the Dallas Stars, Phillipe Boucher has been persona non grata in Steeltown. Boucher returned on December 11 (scoring his first goal as a Penguin) after missing the previous six games with an injury but he has not found his form playing with the Pens. Boucher only has four points in 23 games and should not be dressed until he shakes off the early-season rust.
For Illegal Curve, I’m Ezra Ginsburg.
