Lonely End of the Rink: “Doc, with the season half over I find myself fluctuating at the middle of the pack. 10 team weekly lock roto keeper league (keep 4). G, A, + -, PIM, SOG, PPP, SHP, Hit, W, GAA, SV%. In goal I have gone with the WAS tandem. Been o.k. lately, but as soon as I decided to go with it, it wasn’t pretty. I dropped Turco for Nabokov. Was hoping TAM would pick him up, but doesn’t look like it now. I need PIM, so I picked up Downie (unfortunately not in the line up this week). With Getzlaf going on IR I scooped up J. Staal. I could also use some + – (2nd to last). Been trying to pry Chara away from his owner using Enstrom or Kaberle with Selanne as bait (he needs A & PPP), but no go.
My team consists of: C – Franzen (rw), Krecji, J. Staal, Getzlaf (ir) LW – Heatley, Nash, Neal RW – St. Louis, Selanne, Downie D – Green, E. Johnson, Enstrom, Kaberle, Carlson G – Varlamov, Neuvirth, Nabokov.
FA’s – Rask, Nittymaki, Tavares, Pavelski, Savard, Martin, Suter, Pietrangelo
I also had thoughts of trading for Broduer and Parise (using him as a keeper for next season). Owner needs LW.
Any thoughts? Thanks again.”
Chris: Your goaltending should be strong in the second half and Nabokov is a lottery ticket that may or may not pay off. With your weekly lock format, he’s worth the bench spot now with the upside – potentially as trade bait down the line. Either way, Washington’s goaltending will likely largely dictate whether or not your team can climb up in the standings.
Tavares has been really hot for the last few weeks and he’s been doing it with a good +/- too, so he’s someone you should seriously consider getting in there. The problem is where? It’d be nice if you could package Krejci or Selanne in a deal, which would either free up a centre slot or let you move Franzen to the wing and put Tavares in there.
It’s too bad Paul Martin hasn’t chipped in many points lately because his +/- would sure help you and Johnson has been inconsistent with results, although he has come on a bit lately and hopefully that’ll continue.
As far as acquiring Brodeur and/or Parise, good question. Has Brodeur’s value fallen far enough that you could get him for James Neal? Or, since there are only four keepers per team, might the gamble of Erik Johnon’s future potential entice Brodeur’s owner more? Hard to say. Brodeur could certainly be one of your top four, although younger is better where possible. Getting either him or Parise will depend on where that owner is this season in terms of competing for this year’s title and what you have to offer. If Parise’s owner wants a LW, Heatley or Nash are too much to sacrifice since they’re healthy now and Parise may not play this year. Neal may not be enough, but maybe he would be. Never know until you ask. His recent slump isn’t likely helping things.
Get some talks going with the owners involved and if you need more help, you know where to find me.
