The time between the end of the preseason and the beginning of the regular season give the general managers and head coaches of teams time to sit around and think. They are going over film, crunching numbers and trying to figure out how to make their team better, making those last second tweaks to get ready for a run for Lord Stanley's Cup.
There have been a lot of surprises since the final game of preseason over the weekend. You might have noticed in our last Stockwatch that Pittsburgh's Jordan Staal was on the downturn due to his third-line status and the fact he would see a lack of power play time. Well, it's now Tuesday and guess what? Surprise! Coach Michel Therrien had a change of heart when he announced his final line pairings. Staal, who had been on the team's third line for a majority of camp, is now set to skate on the top unit on the left side of Sidney Crosby, with Petr Sykora filling out the top unit in Pittsburgh.
"I'm with (Crosby), so that's not a bad deal," a giddy Staal told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Therrien's little last-second shake-up really makes guys like me pull out our hair. And I don't have a whole lot left. Staal appeared headed to Fantasy purgatory, skating with Colby Armstrong and Ryan Malone on the third unit. Therrien also said pretty unequivocally that Staal would not see time on the power play unit. So what changed? Basically, just a lot of time to re-think the situation and put his best wings alongside his best player for the best chance to win.
So who makes up that second line with Evgeni Malkin? Well, Malone also receives a last-second bump from the third line to the No. 2 with Malkin. Those two will be skating with the 'Wrecking Ball', veteran Mark Recchi. Like Staal, Malone gets a little bump in Fantasy appeal as well. As far as CBSSports.com Fantasy leagues are concerned, owners started Staal in just 35 percent of leagues based on Therrien's previous statement, but his ownership still holds steady at 79 percent. Malone is now worth grabbing in most formats as a No. 4 or 5 forward. He is still available in 74 percent of CBSSports.com leagues.
Add of the week ... Jonathan Bernier, G, Los Angeles: A lot of our Canadian hockey fans might have noticed Bernier, as they caught the nationally-televised opener in London between the Ducks and Kings on Saturday. The 19-year-old goaltender was fantastic in his NHL debut, allowing just one goal on 27 shots. He looked a lot more impressive than Jason LaBarbera, who took the loss in Sunday's rematch. Bernier's ownership has shot up from nine percent to 40 percent and he is now our most added player in CBSSports.com Fantasy leagues.
Each Tuesday we will highlight players who might be available in your league and whether you should consider picking them up off waivers based on their recent performances. The players chosen are based on the percentage of ownership in CBSSports.com leagues.
Add 'em
Martin Gerber, G, Ottawa
Owned: 42 percent
Analysis:
The Senators are still not comfortable with the health of Ray Emery, who has been slow to rebound from the wrist ailment he
suffered midway through the 2006-07 season. The Sens are concerned so
much that Gerber will start the home-and-home against the Maple Leafs on
Wednesday and Thursday, as well as the Rangers game on Saturday in
Ottawa. Gerber's Fantasy value should skyrocket, as Emery's status is
uncertain at best.
Mikko Koivu, C, Minnesota
Owned: 53 percent
Analysis:
The Wild have placed the 'C' on the sweater of Saku Koivu's little
brother, as he will be the captain for the team this season. More
importantly, he is expected to skate on the team's top line with
sharpshooters Pavol Demitra and Marian Gaborik. As long as his two linemates can stay healthy, this
might be one of the most impressive lines in the Western Conference. By
default, Koivu should have career-highs in points if he sticks with the
dynamic duo.
Brent Sopel, D, Chicago
Owned: 32 percent
Analysis:
The veteran Sopel was in training camp with the Red Wings on a tryout
basis about a week ago. He appeared to be on the verge of a contract and
roster spot, but he did a total 360 and notified the team he was in
contract negotiations with another team. He then signed a deal with the
Blackhawks, as he'll have a better chance at a more prominent role.
He'll now quarterback the team's power play. However, the increase in
production might be offset by a drop in plus/minus rating.
Avoid 'em
Alexei Kovalev, W, Montreal
Owned: 47
percent
Analysis: Kovalev had a terrible season in 2006-07,
struggling with injuries and extended scoreless stretches. However, he
seems to have jelled with a couple of youngsters during the preseason.
Kovalev finds himself on the second line for the Habs with prospects Kyle Chipchura and Mikhail Grabovski.
We might be very wrong, as this might rejuvenate Kovalev early on.
However, we believe that as the youngsters make their initial foray into
the NHL, they will struggle, bringing Kovalev down before eventually
heading back up again.
Gary Roberts, W, Pittsburgh
Owned: 32
percent
Analysis: The biggest loser of all of those
last-second shake-ups in Pittsburgh might be Roberts. As it stands, the
feisty veteran is only worth using in Fantasy leagues that heavily
reward penalty minutes. Now, he might not even be worth using there.
Instead of skating on the team's second line with Malkin, he now finds
himself alongside the underachieving Armstrong and Erik Christensen. We're still hopeful Roberts can get back to at
least the second line, as nothing seems set in stone in the Steel City
right now.
Vesa Toskala, G, Toronto
Owned: 79 percent
Analysis:
There was a lot of promise during the hot days of summer when the Maple
Leafs traded for a No. 1 goaltender for the second consecutive
offseason. It appeared that Toskala was a lock, but after a very shaky
preseason with his new club, he is anything but the unquestioned starter
in Toronto. Head coach Paul Maurice has been mum on his starter for
Wednesday's game against Ottawa and it very well might be last season's
acquistion, Andrew Raycroft, who earns
the nod. Perhaps we're looking at a platoon early on, something Toskala
is used to from San Jose.
Others to monitor...
Tomas Plekanec, W, Montreal
Owned: 31
percent
Analysis: Plekanec had a tremendous preseason and is
quickly on the rise in CBSSports.com Fantasy leagues. Owners took notice
of his statistics, too, as he posted a team-best four goals and six
points. In fact, no other Canadien had more than two goals. He should
play a major role in the Montreal offense and appears primed for a
breakout season. Look for that ownership number to rise dramatically,
especially if he gets off to a blistering start.
Carey Price, G, Montreal
Owned: 28 percent
Analysis:
Surprise, surprise. The Canadiens brass were saying that Price was
likely to continue to receive seasoning at the AHL level, as that would
be more beneficial than serving as the backup with the big club. Well,
we're just as shocked as Jaroslav Halak
is right now, as the Czech was sent to Hamilton of the AHL and Price
will serve as the backup to Cristobal Huet.
He is still more of a Fantasy option in long-term keeper leagues.
Devin Setoguchi, W, San Jose
Owned: 14
percent
Analysis: Setoguchi, the eighth pick overall in the
2005 NHL Entry Draft, has won a roster spot with the San Jose Sharks
with a tremendous preseason. While he led the team in goals during the
exhibition season with five, will line up on either the second or third
line. Coach Ron Wilson named only his first and checking line, and
neither included Setoguchi. That's good news, as he has a chance to land
on the No. 2 line and perhaps compete for power play time.
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