The Red Wings sat atop the NHL world again in 2007-08 by bringing home their 11th Stanley Cup. When they added Marian Hossa in the offseason, many prognosticators were ready to hand the organization a 12th trophy before the 2008-09 campaign even kicked off..

While Hossa has been everything the Red Wings had hoped, the wild card thus far in '08-09 has been Jiri Hudler.

"There are lots of guys who skate and look good," coach Mike Babcock told the Detroit Free Press, "but nothing happens. And other guys don't even look that good, aren't that big, but lots happen. That's Hudler."

Hudler wasn't making much of an impact in his first six games as he had just one point. Babcock then removed him from being a top-six forward and challenged Hudler to get more aggressive. Hudler got the message.

Over his last 21 games, the Czech native has totaled 11 goals and 23 points. He has also become a mainstay on the team's power-play unit as he shares the team lead with Henrik Zetterberg in special teams points (13).

"He's so strong with the puck," Nicklas Lidstrom told the Free Press. "Sometimes you'll see players throw it away, but he's hanging on to it and making plays. He sees the ice real well, too, which helps him. He's not the biggest guy out there, but I still think he's brave -- he goes to the front of the net."

Hudler checks in at just 5-10 and 178 pounds, but he doesn't let his small hockey frame deter him from being aggressive in front of the net. Hudler's willingness to venture into high-traffic areas around the net has opened the door for ample scoring chances.

His development is starting to reflect that of teammate Tomas Holmstrom, who transformed his game by being a pest in front of the net.

"(Hudler is) never going to be a speedster, but he's very, very intelligent," Babcock said. "He's way tougher pound-for-pound than people give him credit for. He's hard on the puck. He steals pucks off guys. He's great around the net. A lot of guys won't go near the net -- they haven't got the courage to do that. He's always at the net."

Hudler is fourth on the team with 24 points. He trails Hossa (29), Zetterberg (26) and Pavel Datsyuk (25). He's in great company in Detroit and is quickly turning into another superstar for the Red Wings. It’s not like they don't already have enough.

Still, the trends show that Hudler could enjoy prolonged success in his third full NHL season. As a junior player, Hudler broke out in his third season with Vsetin HC (Czech) after being drafted in the second round by Detroit in 2002. And he once again had a breakout year in his third season in the AHL with Grand Rapids in 2005-06. Hudler had 96 points in 76 games that season and his 60 assists still stand as a franchise record.

"It's taken time, but I feel great," Hudler told the Free Press. "I felt really good last year, but now I'm more confident. I don't know what it is, but I feel better all the way around."

Add' Em

Ryan Whitney, D, Pittsburgh
Owned: 54 percent of leagues
Analysis: Whitney has been sidelined all season following surgery to correct a deformity in his foot that plagued him for most of the 2007-08 season. He has been skating for the last few weeks and finally returned to full contact practice. Whitney has been shooting for a mid-to-late December return since the surgery and it appears he will play before the New Year barring a setback. Fantasy owners looking for defenseman help will want to scoop up Whitney. The Pittsburgh defense hasn't been overly impressive helping out the offense, and Whitney is a player that sees the ice very well and can make the pass up ice. He is a much better player with Sergei Gonchar around, but since Gonchar could be out most of the season with a shoulder injury, Whitney could carry most of the points on the blue line for Pittsburgh.

Justin Williams, RW, Carolina
Owned: 56 percent of leagues
Analysis: I'm usually a little skpetical of players coming off major injury as Williams is following an early return from a torn Achilles'. He wasn't expected back until 2009, but he made a miraculous recovery and took to the ice in early December. The fact he took only six shots in his first three games is also a bit alarming for a player who easily scored 30-plus goals before missing considerable time the last two seasons due to injury. But here is the deal -- the Hurricanes don’t really have a reliable offense and Williams returned early to help infuse the NHL's 26th ranked scoring team (2.50 GFA). Once he gets over the mental aspect of returning from injury, Williams could be a nice Fantasy option in the second half.

Drop' Em

Mike Comrie, C, N.Y. Islanders
Owned: 17 percent of leagues
Analysis: Comrie is about to set to return from hip inflammation that has kept him out the last month. The Islanders were being cautious with the eight-year veteran after he experienced the setback with the surgically repaired hip. Comrie managed eight points in his first 14 games, but Fantasy owners should not jump through hoops to keep him on your roster. Comrie has flashed 30-goal capability in the past, but has never managed more than 60 points in a season and wasn't even a consistent top-six forward under coach Scott Gordon before his injury. Add to the fact that he might not be over his hip injury 100 percent, buying a player with more potential and injury-free is a better bet.

Avoid' Em

B.J. Crombeen, RW, St. Louis
Owned: 4 percent of leagues
Analysis: The Blues snaked Crombeen from the Stars after he was put on waivers in November and St. Louis' investment came up big Monday when Crombeen netted his first career hat trick against the Predators. He has scored five times in his last three games and has been a key part of the third line with Alexander Steen and Jay McClement. Coach Andy Murray has been pleasantly surprised with the trio and will keep them together for the time being. However that doesn't mean prolonged success for Crombeen. He has always been a solid two-way player dating back to his days in junior hockey, but Crombeen has more value to his team as a checking forward than top scorer. Crombeen should disappoint more than appease Fantasy owners.

Dustin Penner, LW, Edmonton
Owned: 42 percent of leagues
Analysis: The move to the Oilers' top line with Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky has paid huge dividends for Penner, who has four goals and five assists in his last eight games. He is finally living up to his free-agent potential, but Penner is still likely going to level out at some point. He is currently on pace for just 40 points and still projects as just a 20-20 player.

Watch 'Em

Matt D'Agostini, RW, Montreal
Owned: 14 percent of leagues
Analysis: D'Agostini came up in late November when Alex Tanguay was battling a minor neck injury and many believed he would be sent back to the AHL as soon as Tanguay was healthy. Tanguay has been in the lineup for several games and D'Agostini remains in the NHL. Not only is he still with the Canadiens, but he is skating on the top line with Saku Koivu and Andrei Kostitsyn. D'Agostini has scored in four straight games and is making a great case to stick around. Still, he is just a sixth-round pick and was only a 40-50 point player in the minors. We are not saying D'Agostini can't have a breakout run, but he isn’t likely going to stay on the Canadiens' top line the rest of the season. Also, we want to see how he responds at the first sign of adversity before recommending him in Fantasy.

Enver Lisin, RW, Phoenix
Owned: 4 percent of leagues
Analysis: Lisin has been back with the Coyotes since his recall in late November and has been one of the few Phoenix players producing. He has four goals and two assists in 10 games and has seen time as a top-six forward. He has seven points in 12 games with Phoenix and six points in 10 games with San Antonio (AHL). But much like D'Agostini, our only concern is Lisin's track record. Lisin hasn't been much of a player since being drafted 50th overall in 2004, but he finally might be in his breakout season. Let's give Lisin a few more weeks before buying the farm.

Andrew Ladd, LW, Chicago
Owned: 13 percent of leagues
Analysis: Ladd has opened December with a three-game point streak (two goals, five assists, plus-5 rating). He has as many points in December as he had in the first 22 games of the season. Ladd could easily be under the Avoid' Em section, but it will be interesting to see how he responds to his recent success. Ladd had 12 points (five goals) in 20 games with the Blackhawks last season after being acquired in a trade from Carolina. He has performed well in the Windy City, and let's not forget Ladd was the fourth overall pick in 2004. He has had a real crummy pro career to date, but perhaps Joel Quenneville can push all the right buttons to keep Ladd focused.

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