Offseason Stockwatch 1.0

The Fantasy Hockey season has been over for a month, but there has still been plenty happening on and off the ice. Michael Hurcomb discusses some of the latest movers and shakers in this edition of Fantasy Stockwatch.

By Michael Hurcomb

May 13, 2008 at 4:57 am ET • 6 min read

The hockey season is only a month over, but plenty is still happening amid the NHL playoffs and world championships. Periodically this offseason,, we'll survey the Fantasy Hockey landscape and provide you with a list of players whose Fantasy value has increased or decreased.

	Johan Franzen, LW, Detroit Among all the elite NHL players, it is the 28-year-old Franzen who is the top postseason goal scorer. His 12 goals not only lead the pack, but it's also a franchise record for Detroit, which has a long and storied history. What makes this feat even more amazing is that he played through most of the semifinal round against the Avalanche with a concussion. Franzen hasn't just been red hot in the playoffs. He has scored a NHL-high 27 times since March 2. Franzen lit the lamp 14 times in March alone. In the previous five months, he combined for 12 goals. The Swedish native has a wicked slapshot and is finally putting it to good use. Fantasy owners will definitely reach for Franzen on Draft Day 2008, but don't forget he is still just the third horse behind Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk.
	Dominik Hasek, G, Detroit The writing is on the wall for the aging Czechoslovakian goalie. He was limited to just 41 regular season games because of injuries and the emergence of Chris Osgood, who inked a three-year extension in January, doesn't figure to help. When Hasek struggled after winning the first two games of the opening round against the Predators, he was pulled in favor of Osgood and hasn't returned. Osgood is 10-0 through Game 4 of the Western Conference finals and could emerge as the starter heading into 2008-09. If Hasek returns to Detroit next season, he might still have value as a low-end No. 1/high-end No. 2 Fantasy goalie. But he will be a huge injury-risk option.
	R.J. Umberger, C, Philadelphia Umberger has entered uncharted territory. For a player that never scored more than 20 goals in an entire season, Umberger has lit the lamp nine times in 14 postseason games. Playing on a line with breakout star Mike Richards has benefited the 26-year-old Umberger. He had a five-game goal streak (eight goals total) in the semifinal round against Montreal that propelled Philadelphia to a series win. But we caution Fantasy owners moving forward. Six of Umberger's 13 goals in 2007-08 came against one team -- Pittsburgh. Perhaps if he stays on a line with Richards next season, Umberger can experience great success. However, it's likely he gets bounced around. Umberger is improving as a player, but is still more of a No. 4 or No. 5 Fantasy forward.
	Evgeni Nabokov, G, San Jose Nabokov didn't have a terrible postseason, but it was disappointing to see him finish under .500 (6-7) after winning 46 games during the regular season. He posted a 2.18 postseason GAA, but allowed three or more goals six times. He did that only eight times in the final 27 regular-season games. Nabokov was playing well all season, but his performance really picked up in late February with the acquisition of defenseman Brian Campbell. He won 13 of his final 17 games with Campbell on the ice. Re-signing Campbell will be a top priority for San Jose and it will affect Nabokov's Fantasy value. He will be a No. 1 goalie regardless, but he will be the top option on Draft Day if Campbell is back in the fold.
	Ryane Clowe, LW, San Jose Clowe missed most of the 2007-08 season because of a knee injury he sustained in October. He returned late in the season and just in time for the playoffs. Good move on his part seeing how the left winger will be a restricted free agent this offseason. Clowe scored twice in Game 1 of the quarterfinal round against the Flames and posted a point in each of the first five contests. He struggled thereafter, but Clowe finished with five goals and four assists in 13 games. Clowe has totaled 44 points in 91 career regular season games. He has yet to play a full season in the NHL. Potential will get him drafted as a No. 4 or No. 5 Fantasy forward.
	Marian Gaborik, RW, Minnesota Gaborik had arthroscopic hip surgery right after a first-round exit against the Avalanche and it kind of told the story of his poor playoff performance (one point). The team said Gaborik dealt with the hip irritation all season as he totaled a career-best 83 points (42 goals). The surgery should alleviate the problem, and Gaborik is expected to be ready for training camp. We would throw some caution to the wind since Gaborik has been injury-prone during his career. Gaborik is one of the top skaters in the NHL when healthy and a must-have Fantasy option, but there is risk Draft Day if the surgery fails.
	Martin Straka, LW, N.Y. Rangers A lot was expected from the 15-year veteran when the season began, but he would only play seven games before a broken finger sidelined him. When he got back on the ice in late November, Straka looked like a lost player. Having tallied 70-plus points in his first two seasons with the Rangers, it didn't appear as though he would make it three straight seasons, and he didn't. A hamstring injury and concussion would also slow him down. However, Straka had a complete turnaround as soon as the calendar hit April. Including three regular season games and 10 playoff matches, Straka scored four goals and added 10 assists. Straka used the strong finish to boost his free agent value. Straka has been on the decline the last few seasons and no matter where he lands, there is some risk involved with drafting him in 2008-09.
	Dany Heatley, LW, Ottawa Heatley turned in one of the worst postseason performances. Heatley didn't score a goal, added just one assist and finished at minus-5 as Ottawa was swept out of the first round by the Penguins. He was neutralized by the Pittsburgh defense and was flat out embarrassed. Heatley did finish the season with 82 points, but it was a tale of two halfs. Heatley posted 56 points (23 goals) in his first 43 games before a shoulder injury sidelined him in January. When he returned in February, he finished with 26 points in 28 games and wasn't as explosive. Perhaps an offseason of rest will fix what ails Heatley. He is still a point-per-game threat and must-have Fantasy option on Draft Day.
	Niklas Kronwall, D, Detroit The 27-year-old Swede is the Red Wings' top scoring defenseman during their playoff run. It's kind of hard to imagine with Nicklas Lidstrom (nine points) and Brian Rafalski (10 points) on the same roster. Kronwall is having a breakout postseason after a career-best regular season. He is locked up long term with Detroit, so Kronwall will return to the second defensive pairing in 2008-09, but that's nothing to fret about. The late bloomer has developed into a solid No. 3 Fantasy defenseman.
	Jeff Halpern, C, Tampa Bay Halpern ruptured the ACL in his right knee during the world hockey championships in May and is expected to be sidelined until late December or early January. He also sprained his MCL and suffered a tear to the lateral meniscus. Injury is one of the consequences for letting players perform in non-sanctioned NHL events. Now, Halpern is likely to miss at least half of the 2008-09 season. It's a real shame since Halpern was expected to pay huge dividends next season for Tampa Bay. Acquired from Dallas in a deadline deal, Halpern had 10 goals and eight assists in 19 games with the Lightning. He could have been in for a career year with Tampa Bay in 2008-09, but now will be nothing more than a late-round, injury-flier on Draft Day.

Do you have a trade you'd like reviewed by our experts, or feel that we're missing someone from our Stockwatch? You can e-mail us at DMFantasyPucks@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Fantasy Pucks in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware we do not guarantee personal responses to all questions.