The Goods on Fantasy Hockey http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/fantasy/ en gooding74@shaw.ca Copyright 2013 2013-04-09T04:50:33+00:00 Trade Deadline Follow-Up http://kuklaskorner.com/fantasy/comments/trade-deadline-follow-up http://kuklaskorner.com/fantasy/comments/trade-deadline-follow-up Now that the trade deadline has passed, the new acquisitions should be settled in with their new teams. This is an opportunity to check in with these players to determine how their new teams seem to be using them and what their fantasy prospects are going forward. Now that the trade deadline has passed, the new acquisitions should be settled in with their new teams. This is an opportunity to check in with these players to determine how their new teams seem to be using them and what their fantasy prospects are going forward.

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]]> 2013-04-09T04:50:33+00:00 Ian Gooding Trade Deadline Eve http://kuklaskorner.com/fantasy/comments/trade-deadline-eve http://kuklaskorner.com/fantasy/comments/trade-deadline-eve Following some of the names that have been moved these past few days, trade deadline day could shape up to be a day with a lot of little deals. However, names like Miikka Kiprusoff, Roberto Luongo, Mark Streit, and Jason Pominville could make the day interesting. Here is an update on the most notable names that have changed teams so far with the likely fantasy implications. Of course, these evaluations are fluid given that the teams involved may not quite be done in stockpiling their rosters for a Stanley Cup run. At any rate, check back for further fantasy analysis as more deals will be made. Following some of the names that have been moved these past few days, trade deadline day could shape up to be a day with a lot of little deals. However, names like Miikka Kiprusoff, Roberto Luongo, Mark Streit, and Jason Pominville could make the day interesting. Here is an update on the most notable names that have changed teams so far with the likely fantasy implications. Of course, these evaluations are fluid given that the teams involved may not quite be done in stockpiling their rosters for a Stanley Cup run. At any rate, check back for further fantasy analysis as more deals will be made.

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]]> 2013-04-03T05:10:11+00:00 Ian Gooding Pick Six: March of the Penguins http://kuklaskorner.com/fantasy/comments/pick-six-march-of-the-penguins http://kuklaskorner.com/fantasy/comments/pick-six-march-of-the-penguins If you don’t think the Pittsburgh Penguins are the league’s strongest team right now (sorry Chicago Blackhawks fans), you might not know that their win against Montreal was their 13th straight. Even after two roster additions this week, the Penguins still might not be done with the trade deadline fast approaching. Two Penguins plus one potential Penguin highlight the latest fantasy hockey Pick Six. If you don’t think the Pittsburgh Penguins are the league’s strongest team right now (sorry Chicago Blackhawks fans), you might not know that their win against Montreal was their 13th straight. Even after two roster additions this week, the Penguins still might not be done with the trade deadline fast approaching. Two Penguins plus one potential Penguin highlight the latest fantasy hockey Pick Six.

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]]> 2013-03-27T03:58:12+00:00 Ian Gooding Pick Six: Out of their Minds http://kuklaskorner.com/fantasy/comments/pick-six-out-of-their-minds http://kuklaskorner.com/fantasy/comments/pick-six-out-of-their-minds In an abbreviated season, there were bound to be even more players than normal that would be performing well beyond their preseason projections. Some of these players may be available in your league, although this is more of an assessment of whether these players will continue a pace that is simply out of their minds, as well as a comparison with other noteworthy players. Just like an all-star team, I’ve selected a goalie, two defensemen, and three forwards. In an abbreviated season, there were bound to be even more players than normal that would be performing well beyond their preseason projections. Some of these players may be available in your league, although this is more of an assessment of whether these players will continue a pace that is simply out of their minds, as well as a comparison with other noteworthy players. Just like an all-star team, I’ve selected a goalie, two defensemen, and three forwards.

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]]> 2013-03-20T05:12:33+00:00 Ian Gooding Pick Six: Soreness in the Southeast http://kuklaskorner.com/fantasy/comments/pick-six-soreness-in-the-southeast http://kuklaskorner.com/fantasy/comments/pick-six-soreness-in-the-southeast Cam Ward and Jose Theodore owners haven’t exactly had it easy this season, even before the news that both goalies would be sidelined for much of what’s left of the fantasy hockey season. But when one door closes, another one opens – unless someone else beat you to the waiver wire for their possible replacements. Regardless, let’s find out how these replacements could shape up in the world of fantasy. Cam Ward and Jose Theodore owners haven’t exactly had it easy this season, even before the news that both goalies would be sidelined for much of what’s left of the fantasy hockey season. But when one door closes, another one opens – unless someone else beat you to the waiver wire for their possible replacements. Regardless, let’s find out how these replacements could shape up in the world of fantasy.

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]]> 2013-03-05T05:04:03+00:00 Ian Gooding Pick Six: Trade Winds Picking Up http://kuklaskorner.com/fantasy/comments/pick-six-trade-winds-picking-up http://kuklaskorner.com/fantasy/comments/pick-six-trade-winds-picking-up The 2013 season has been light on trades so far, so Tuesday could be considered a very active day in the trade department. The two trades involving three notable players would certainly not be considered blockbusters, but they could have at least a minor impact in fantasy leagues. The 2013 season has been light on trades so far, so Tuesday could be considered a very active day in the trade department. The two trades involving three notable players would certainly not be considered blockbusters, but they could have at least a minor impact in fantasy leagues.

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]]> 2013-02-27T05:24:27+00:00 Ian Gooding Experts League Update http://kuklaskorner.com/fantasy/comments/experts-league-update http://kuklaskorner.com/fantasy/comments/experts-league-update We are now one-third into the shortened season (gee, that went by quickly, didn’t it?). I'm not trying to brag, but I currently sit in first place in the fantasy writers Experts League, which I had first written about last month. In fact, I’ll probably jinx myself by bringing up my current perch atop the league. So what is the secret to my success? Luck, sweet luck. Luck be a lady, as Frankie would sing. A few players have turned out much better than I had expected when I drafted them. Which players would these be, and what are their prospects entering the remaining two-thirds of the season? We are now one-third into the shortened season (gee, that went by quickly, didn’t it?). I'm not trying to brag, but I currently sit in first place in the fantasy writers Experts League, which I had first written about last month. In fact, I’ll probably jinx myself by bringing up my current perch atop the league.

So what is the secret to my success? Luck, sweet luck. Luck be a lady, as Frankie would sing. A few players have turned out much better than I had expected when I drafted them. Which players would these be, and what are their prospects entering the remaining two-thirds of the season?

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]]> 2013-02-22T07:09:06+00:00 Ian Gooding Pick Six: Senator Shelved http://kuklaskorner.com/fantasy/comments/the-goods-senator-shelved http://kuklaskorner.com/fantasy/comments/the-goods-senator-shelved You read this column because you love fantasy hockey, but this hobby can break your heart (pick up on the Valentine’s Day theme yet?) when you receive news that your top player could possibly miss the rest of the regular season. Such is the case with Erik Karlsson, who suffered a laceration to his left Achilles on Wednesday against Pittsburgh. Fantasy owners who made Karlsson a first-round or second-round pick in drafts will need to find a way to move forward without his services. You read this column because you love fantasy hockey, but this hobby can break your heart (pick up on the Valentine’s Day theme yet?) when you receive news that your top player could possibly miss the rest of the regular season. Such is the case with Erik Karlsson, who suffered a laceration to his left Achilles on Wednesday against Pittsburgh. Fantasy owners who made Karlsson a first-round or second-round pick in drafts will need to find a way to move forward without his services.

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]]> 2013-02-14T05:56:13+00:00 Ian Gooding Pick Six: Thomas and His New Friends http://kuklaskorner.com/fantasy/comments/pick-six-thomas-and-his-new-friends http://kuklaskorner.com/fantasy/comments/pick-six-thomas-and-his-new-friends While the world waits for a Roberto Luongo trade (along with possibly many other deals) to happen, Luongo's onetime nemesis' time with the Boston Bruins has officially come to a close. Given that Tim Thomas is taking a year off to "reconnect with friends, family and faith", does this trade mean anything at all in fantasy leagues? While the world waits for a Roberto Luongo trade (along with possibly many other deals) to happen, Luongo's onetime nemesis' time with the Boston Bruins has officially come to a close. Given that Tim Thomas is taking a year off to "reconnect with friends, family and faith", does this trade mean anything at all in fantasy leagues?

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]]> 2013-02-09T21:04:58+00:00 Ian Gooding Pick Six: Super Rookies and Other Surprises http://kuklaskorner.com/fantasy/comments/pick-six-super-rookies-and-other-surprises http://kuklaskorner.com/fantasy/comments/pick-six-super-rookies-and-other-surprises So where are all the fans that said they’d boycott the NHL when it came back? Attendance doesn’t seem to be suffering in the NHL’s better markets, and fans have soaked in their favorite sport more than ever. Fantasy hockey is no different, especially in a shortened season in which teams can’t afford to go into lengthy slumps. As per usual, here are some names that have grabbed my attention in recent days. So where are all the fans that said they’d boycott the NHL when it came back? Attendance doesn’t seem to be suffering in the NHL’s better markets, and fans have soaked in their favorite sport more than ever. Fantasy hockey is no different, especially in a shortened season in which teams can’t afford to go into lengthy slumps.

As per usual, here are some names that have grabbed my attention in recent days.

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