Fantasy Watch: Buy/Sell

BUY

F Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks
Marleau struggled to begin this season, scoring only four points in the first month of the season. After averaging around a point per game the last two seasons, owners began wondering what was wrong with Marleau? Regulated to the bench on most fantasy teams, Marleau has since gotten hot, scoring six points in his last four games. While he still only has 11 points on the year, Marleau’s recent outburst shows that he can still be a consistent fantasy scorer. Due to a slow start Marleau’s overall points may dip a bit, but nonetheless, expect a big second half for the forward.

F Alexander Radulov, Nashville Predators
Radulov began this season in Nashville and after a slow start to his sophomore year, the forward was heavily criticized over poor conditioning in the off-season. After only scoring seven points in October,
Radulov has since gotten hot, as he has already eclipsed his point total from October. With three goals and eight points in November, it appears that the former first round pick has overcome his early season struggles. With the potnetial to be one of the NHL’s top players, Radulov has to have owners furious with only 15 points on the year. Try to see if you can make a deal for the forward as he is in line to have a big second half.

F Ryan Smyth, Colorado Avalanche
Smyth is having a disappointing season in Colorado, scoring only 13 points in his first 19 games. Nonetheless, if you can get Smyth for cheap in your league than do so. The forward has always been around a point per game pace player and should develop better chemistry with his line mates as the season goes on. Expect a significant turnaround for the former Oiler once he gets more comfortable playing in Colorado.

SELL

F Mike Comrie, New York Islanders
Comrie got off to a fast start this season scoring six points in his first two games, which had owners immediately checking the waiver wire for his availability. While he is currently averaging a point per game, Comrie’s scoring has become rather inconsistent as of late. With only two points in his last five games, Comire has failed to show the offensive burst that he displayed earlier in the season. Although the former Coyote may end up finishing the season with around 50+ points, it’s advised to trade him for a more proven scorer.

G Ilya Bryzgalov, Phoenix Coyotes
Bryzgalov’s stock may never get higher than it is right now. After being claimed off of waivers by the Phoenix Coyotes, Bryzgalov was named the starter for Phoenix’s next game and immediately posted a shutout. Although Bryzgalov will probably receive the bulk of the starts in Phoenix, owners should not expect this kind of performance regularly. When playing for a much more talented Anaheim team, Bryzgalov was nothing more than mediocre, as his 10-8-6 record in 2006 shows that he was only a decent backup. It’s advised to try and trade Bryzgalov now, because when the losses start coming, no one is going to take him.

F Jere Lehtinen, Dallas Stars
Lehtinen is currently Dallas’ second leading scorer with 19 points in 20 games. Receiving significant playing time on Dallas’ squad, Lehtinen’s sudden offensive has been a surprise to many. After having an off year last season, it was thought that Lehtinen’s stats would take another hit, as he is getting up their in age. On pace to eclipse his career high in points, it may seem silly to unload Lehitnen, but with his stock so high, now is the best time to do it. Already at age 34, Lehtinen has never scored more than 52 points in a season, and although it may look like he could break it, players of Lehtinen’s age always tend to slow down.

For Illegal Curve, I’m Jonny Remis