Note to Readers: I apologize for not posting the Fantasy Hockey Six-Pack last night during my usual Sunday time slot. I was caught up doing homework and watching the 96th Coupe Grey Cup live from Montreal. Alas, I have this week’s Fantasy Hockey Six-Pack ready to go for today, Monday, November 24th! Congratulations to the Calgary Stampeders (especially Grey Cup MVP Henry Burris and Outstanding Canadian Sandro DeAngelis) on their winning their sixth Grey Cup title.
For this installment of the Six-Pack, we look at three players who are posting eye-popping numbers in some important statistical categories and three players who should be avoided because of their weak stats.
Three Players Who Are Shining (All stats courtesy of www.nhl.com)
1. D Willie Mitchell, Vancouver Canucks- “Big Willie” is currently ranked second in the National Hockey League with a +14 rating. He is big, composed and a leader on an underrated Canucks team. Mitchell has eight points (one goal, seven assists) and makes a good Number-4 defenseman on a fantasy hockey team, especially in pools that reward +/-.
2. F Kyle Wellwood, Vancouver Canucks- Sticking with the ‘Nucks, Wellwood is currently ranked second in the entire NHL with a 32% Shooting Percentage (25 shots, eight goals) Pick up Wellwood in larger fantasy leagues as he has been tremendous in the month of November.
3. D Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks- If you look at the current ATOI (Average Time On Ice) leaders, you will see familiar names like Dion Phaneuf, Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger and Zdeno Chara. Surprising to some, Duncan Keith is currently ranked third in that group averaging over 27 minutes a game. Keith has nine points but his strength is an all-around rough-and-tumble game. Dress Keith in larger mixed formats.
Three Players With Weak Numbers
1. G Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Anaheim Ducks- Record (7-7-2), 3.13 GAA. Sub-par numbers for the 2003 Conn Smythe Trophy Winner. Start Giguere at your own risk in the coming weeks as the Ducks continue to play inconsistently.
2. F Dustin Penner, Edmonton Oilers- Four goals in 18 games. Yikes. Penner has been called out by MacTavish already this season so let’s see if he can turn it around. Keep Penner on your bench for now but he’ll get his share of goals eventually.
3. F Sean Avery, Dallas Stars- Avery is currently leading the NHL with 77 penalty minutes. The only problem is he only has nine points and the team is struggling. Continue to dress Avery if your pool has an “enforcer” rule, but stay away from Avery in general pools as he spends too much time in the penalty box.
For Illegal Curve, I’m Ezra Ginsburg.
