January 17th

Who’s Hot?

Eric Staal: playing for the streaky ‘Canes, Captain Eric Staal has been nothing short of spectacular in the month of January, notching a point in every contest. Currently riding an 8 game point streak, the Thunder Bay Native is on pace for a career year with 86 points. Clearly, elevating his shots on goal (165 on the season) was key for the former 2^nd overall pick as he continues to put the puck in the back of the net. Don’t let Staal’s -6 rating alarm you as he averages around 22 minutes a game, in addition to the fact that Carolina has let up 135 goals on the season. Don’t expect center’s numbers to plunge especially while his squad is pushing for a playoff spot.

Danny Briere: Playing on one of the most talented squads like Philly, it’s very easy to get caught up in the Carters and the Prongers, but one right winger has shown that he too belongs in that category. With 15 points (8 goals, 7 assists) in his last 10 games, the Gatineau native is sizzling while on pace for a career high 45 goals on the season. Playing on a line with Jeff Carter (38 points) and Claude Giroux (39 points) there is no doubt the whole line is contributing to the team’s success. However, the one putting the puck in the back in the net is the 33 year-old with 24 goals on the season (5^th in the NHL). Even if Briere starts slumping on the first line and gets demoted to the second line with Richards and Van Riemsdyk, like it has in past years, don’t expect his number to go down with that type of talent surrounding him!

Patrice Bergeron: After suffering a massive concussion in the 2007-2008 season, Bergeron has never really been the same. Well, he’s back! With 10 points in his last 6 games (6 goals, 4 assists), including a hat-trick) the former 2^nd round draft pick is on pace for a career changing year with 63 points. Posting a +16 rating even while notching 10 PPP, proves that when the Quebec native is on the ice, good things happen. Considering the Bruins success, even with Savard not producing, expect Bergeron’s numbers to stay relatively where they are, especially with the amount of time on ice he is getting from Claude Julien, with slight hot/cold streaks here and there.

Tobias Enstrom: Playing for one of the most surprisingly hot squads in the NHL, Enstrom, along with his defense partner Dustin Byfuglien, are leading the way. Currently tied for third place, in points, for all defensemen, the small 5 foot 10 Swede is currently riding a 6 game point streak in which he has 9 points (1 goal, 8 assists). Considering the season is only half over, and the former 8^th rounder is only 10 points away from tying his career high in points, expect Enstrom to have a career high in just about every category. The Thrashers are a young dynamic team and expect their best players (Ladd, Byfuglien, and Enstrom) to produce as they try and push Tampa out of the South East division.

Corey Crawford: In for the struggling Marty Turco, the young 26 year old Crawford has been carrying the whole Hawks squad on his back stopping 101 shots of 105 faced. While obtaining his 1^st and 2^nd career shutout in consecutive games, the Montreal, Quebec native has shown that he is capable of leading his team to the playoffs. Considering Turco is more experienced and was given the starting position at the beginning of the season, expect him to relieve Crawford when he begins fatiguing. With an outstanding defense squad, led by the veteran Keith, don’t hesitate to start Crawford in your lineups and take his current success while it stays. Who knows, with 15 wins in 25 games, the former 2^nd round pick might take over the slumping Turco’s starting position!

Who’s Cold?

Nathan Horton: After being acquired by the Bruins from Florida during the off-season there were high expectations for the former 62 point centerman. After starting the season off strong, Horton currently colder than ice with only has 4 points in his last 14 games. With 105 shots on goal on the season there is no doubt that #18 is trying to put the puck in the net, but things as of late are not going his way. However, there is still hope! With a +15 rating, clearly, good things do happen when Horton is on the ice. Don’t drop Horton, even though he is struggling as of late, because with a blink of an eye, especially with the hot Bruins, things can turn for the better!

John Michael Liles: After starting off the season with a nine game point streak and 29 points in the first 3 months of the season, Liles has cooled down with only 3 points in his last 13 points. On pace for a career high 56 points, Inidiana native is enjoying his ice-time for the hot Avs. With the return of Chris Stewart on the power play, you might see Liles’ number rise a bit, but for the most part he will stay a 50-60 point getter. In deep leagues, the former 5^th rounder is a steal, but in leagues with only 6-8 teams, one must ponder whether #4 is worth keeping.

Brian Gionta: Playing for the extremely streaky Montreal Canadiens, the team has turned to his line (Plekanec, Cammalleri, Himself) for goals for the most part of the season. However, with their right winger netting only 3 points in his last 11 games, the line has been slumping as of late. Luckily, the newly signed Wisniewski has been adding his dynamic 100 m/h shot to the power play. With a powerful 2^nd and 3^rd line, don’t expect Gionta’s numbers to reach where they were in New Jersey, but rather a 40-50 point getter. With 15 goals, the American is still on pace for a career high as a Hab, and expect his numbers to ajust according to the team’s success.

Duncan Keith: Considering the 27 year old is coming off a 63 point season, expectations could not have been higher, especially with the departure of Dustin Byfuglien on the point. Well, Keith has not lived up to those expectations, at least as of late. Notching only 2 assists in his last 11 games, the former Norris trophy winner is cold, to say the least. With an extremely talented Hawks lineup expect Keith’s numbers to rise, along with the team’s success, now that they have the injured Hossa, Kane, and Toews back in the lineup. 

Jonathan Quick: Playing for the Pacific division worst Los Angeles Kings, Quick has not been helping out his team letting in 14 goals on 11 shots (3.54 GAA, .857 Save %). Playing for a squad that lacks depth not only in their 3^rd and 4^th forward lines but also in their defense pairings, consisted only of youngsters Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson, Quick is having one of the worst seasons of his career. With already 4 shutouts halfway through the season, the 6 foot 1 goalie should be kept in deep leagues, however, in ones that are consisted of 20-24 goalies max, Quick should probably be sitting in the free agent pile waiting for him and his squad to heat up!

December 31st

December 31st

Who’s Hot 

Ryan Kesler: When analyzing a mighty squad such as Vancouver, it is very easy to get caught up in the Sedins and Luongo, but this Michigan native has proven that his name can also be thrown into the mix! Currently riding an 8 game point streak, with 14 points (7 Goals, 7 Assists); Kesler is on-pace for a whopping 79 points, which would indeed be a career high. Getting valuable time on the PP has also helped the former 2003 first round draft pick, as 14 of his 34 points this season have been with the extra man. Expect Kesler’s numbers to stay relatively where they are, because with a coach like Alain Vigneault, who has already shown his trust in Kesler, there just might be a chance that he takes the slumping Burrows’ spot on the first line with the Sedins!

Loui Eriksson: Playing on the top line with the red hot Brad Richards, Eriksson is doing just fine himself notching 12 points in his last 8 games. Playing for the Pacific division leading Dallas Stars, Eriksson is only 2 points shy of Richard’s 42 points for the team lead. With a +15 rating on the season, there is no doubt that when the Swede is on the ice, good things will happen. On pace for 85 points, a career high, the former 2003 draft pick is not only extremely talented when it comes to putting the puck in the net (16 goals on the season) but he is extremely conscience and sportsmanlike drawing only 4 minutes in penalties on the season. Considering Dallas’ surprising success, there is no doubt that if Eriksson continues to play on the first line and on the PP, he will continue to produce at a high pace!

Nicklas Lidstrom: Considering the 6 foot 1 Swede is 40 years of age, the expectations going into the 2010-11 season were not very high. Being that Lidstrom now has the second most points by a defenseman in the league; he has truly proven that age is but a number. Currently riding a 5 game point  streak (4 goals, 5 assists), the former 1989 draft pick has 13 points in his last 8 games, including a rare hat-trick. Playing for the talented Red Wings squad that includes names such as Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Cleary, and Franzen, the defensemen rarely get noticed, but when one notches 35 points in only 37 games, and is on pace for an outstanding 77 points, the Detroit fans must be appreciative.

John Tavares: Recently coming off an outstanding 6 game point streak, Tavares single handedly lifted his team to win 5 out of their last 7 games, placing them 6 points ahead of the struggling Devils’. Notching 7 points in his last 7 games, while playing for an extremely weak Islanders squad (who just recently traded their #2 defensemen to Montreal), is considered amazing. With Okposo, Streit, Weight, Hunter, and Mottau on the IR, Tavares has been left practically alone, to lift the struggling Islanders out from the last place spot in the league! With a -17 rating and the way the Islanders have been playing this year, don’t expect Tavares’ numbers to stay where they are and take advantage of current success while it stays. 

Bryan McCabe: Playing for the recently cold Panthers’ McCabe has been surprisingly hot notching 6 points in his last 6 games, leading all defensemen on his team with 19 points. Coming off a brutal November where he posted only 1 goal and 3 assists in 13 games, December has turned the Ontario native’s season 360 degrees. Maybe its McCabe finding his scoring touch or simply just the Christmas spirit, nonetheless the 35 year-old is sizzling while his squad is not, which is a good sign. Expect McCabe’s numbers to stay relatively where they are and when the Panthers regain their momentum, you might even see a bigger soar in the point department!

Who’s Cold

James Neal: Playing on the 1^st line with Louis Eriksson and Brad Richards for the majority of the season has favored well for the 23 year old notching 28 points in that period of time. However, when Marc Crawford decided to demote Neal to the third line trouble began. Neal currently has only 1 point in his last 9 games while posting a -1 rating. We have also seen his shots per game go down from approx. 4 to 2. Dallas has been a very productive squad all year, but for Neal it depends who is feeding him the puck. Watch to see on what line the Canadian is on in the future and place in your lineup accordingly. Nonetheless, Neal is on pace for a career year, but fantasy owners must be patient!

Thomas Vanek: Playing on the top line with Derek Roy and Jason Pominville, fantasy owners have seen Vanek’s numbers go through the roof with 24 points in the period of time. However, now with their best player out for the season, the whole Buffalo squad is in jeopardy. Without his star center man to feed him the puck, Vanek has only 1 point in his last 8 games while posting a -7 rating. Expect the Austrian’s numbers to rise a little bit but not to reach where they were with Derek Roy in the lineup. As for the Sabres’ success, well, all rests in the mighty hands of Ryan Miller!

Sergei Gonchar: Playing for an Ottawa squad without their star player (Jason Spezza) has not faired too well for the Russian defensemen who was already struggling to find his scoring touch. With only 3 points in the whole month of December and a -20 rating on the season, don’t expect Gonchar’s numbers to rise, especially without the presence of Spezza on the PP (where Gonchar has notched the majority of his points on the season). If he is not already dropped from your lineup, I strongly suggest you do so as the high expectations that were placed on Gonchar at the beginning of the season have not been met, and his line mate, Karlsson, has picked most of his slack.

Marc Savard: Out with a concussion for the whole months of August, October, and November, there was much optimism when Savard returned to the lineup on December 2^nd. However, posting only 4 points in his 12 games this season has been a disappointment, along with his -12 rating. Savard is truly not lacking any talent, notching 88 points in the 2008-09 season, but it seems that the March 7^th, 2009 incident (Savard knocked out from Matt Cooke cheap shot to the head) has forever changed the way the 191 pounder plays the game of hockey. Considering Boston’s mighty success this season, expect the Canadian’s numbers to rise once the the 1993 draft pick finds his scoring touch

December 18th

WHO’S HOT?

Anze Kopitar: The 6 foot 3, 219 pound, Anze Kopitar is absoloutly sizzling with 10 points in his last 6 games, 6 goals and 4 assists. The Yugoslavia native is a goal scoring machine, notching 14 goals on the season, with a projected total of 39, which would crush his career best. The former 1^st round pick is clearly not afraid to let one rip (no not in that sense!) as he currently has 33 shots in his last 12 games, totaling 105 on the season. Currently playing on the Kings’ top line, alongside the streaky Dustin Brown, expect Kopitar’s numbers to stay relatively high, but with the possibility of plunges here and there!

Ilya Kovalchuk: Starting the season ice cold, with only 10 points in the whole months of October and November, the former 1^st overall pick in the 2001 draft is currently riding a 4 game point streak with 7 points in his last 6 games. Playing on the top line, with the red hot Patrick Elias, the two are producing despite the fact that the Devils are 2^nd to last in the Eastern Conference. The Russian’s numbers are not even close to his potential (98 points in the 2005-2006 season) but the fact that he beginning to put the puck in the net is a good sign for the future!

Matt Duchene: Winners of 5 straight, the Avs are on fire. With Chris Stewart, Milan Hedjuk, and Peter Mueller sidelined with injuries, the squad turned to the 3^rd overall pick in the 2009 draft. The consistent 19 year-old has 7 points in his last 3 games, 4 goals 3 assists, and is projected to have a breakout year with 86 points. As long as the Northwest division leaders, there is no doubt that the sophomore’s numbers will go nowhere but up!

Sergei Kostitsyn: Starting the season with only 3 points in his first 19 games, there was speculation that the Belarusian would be sent down to the minors. As of late, the hot Sergei Kostitsyn pulled his season out of the gutter and has notched 10 points in his last 8 games, and is currently riding an 8 game point streak. Being separated from his brother Andrei during the off-season, no one was really sure if the 23 year-old could produce, but now that the Preds are hot, so is Sergei. For now, the streaky former 7^th rounder’s numbers are exceptional, but expect them cool down and heat up in comparison to the Predators success. 

Anders Lindback: The winners of 5 straight, the Preds can thank their Swedish rookie goaltender, who has been nothing short of spectacular. In for the injured Pekka Rinne, the 22 year old is currently riding a 5 game winning streak with a goals against average of 1.00 and a save percentage of .968, not to mention 2 shutouts. With 403 shots against in only 12, there is no doubt that the 207^th overall pick in the 2008 draft has been tested, but the true mind-boggler comes now that Pekka Rinne has been activated off the IR. No matter the decision of Barry Trotz, it is obvious that the young net minder has a great career to come!

WHO’S COLD?

Johan Franzen: Playing for the talented Red Wings squad, Johan Franzen has seen his fair of the back of the net (34 goals in the 2008-2009 season) but as of late “the mule’s” numbers have been alarmingly low. Held pointless in his last 4 games, there is question whether the 31 year-old will ever break the 60 point mark. Nonetheless, the former 73 overall pick is projected for 59 points, which would match his career high, but once again 1 point short of the 60 point barrier. In deep leagues, Franzen would be a steal, but in leagues with only 10 teams, you might want to consider other options.

Rick Dipietro: Being the starting goaltender for the league’s worst team is never an easy task, but letting in 18 goals in his last 4 games is no way to gain the sympathy of the Isles’ fans. With a current 4.09 goals against average and a .870 save percentage, in his last 4 games, there is speculation whether the 6 foot 1 219 pound Dipietro, has any more gas left in his tank at only the age of 29. Being injury stricken for the past two years, Dipietro hasn’t won more than 30 games since the 2006-2007 season. Considering the Massachusetts native was the 1^st overall pick in the 2000 draft, the expectations could not have been higher. The fact that the net minder has not hit the 40 win plateau in his career is a massive disappointment, and if he is not already in free agency, I strongly suggest you drop the under achieving Rick Dipietro.

Mike Green: Coming off an exceptional 76 point season, the expectations for the Alberta native were pretty high, and even Yahoo.com had him rated 12-overall going into the season. Well, to say the least, Yahoo has now dropped Green’s ranking to a horrific 118. There is no reason why the defense leader of the streaky Caps should be slumping this badly, other than the fact that he is having an “off” year.  Notching only 1 point in his last 11 games and Green could not be colder. Nevertheless, there is still hope for the former 1^st rounder, as he is posting a +7 rating on the season, not to mention, the fact that the Washington Capitals have gone 3-5-2 in their last 10 games. Keep Green in your lineup, and expect his numbers to rise!

Patrick Marleau: Playing on a line with superstars like Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley, the former 44 goal scorer, is coming of his career year (83 points). Scoring only 3 points in his last 12, the Canadian is ice cold. Considering the shark has a -17 rating on the season is never a good sign, but the slumping Marleau does have 112 shots on the season which is quite promising. Expect Marleau to turn his numbers around, but you might have to be quite patient!

December 11th

Whose Hot?

Sidney Crosby: Well, there's not much to say when a guy gets 50 points in only 30 games, while posting a 17 game point streak. Drafted first overall in 2005, by the Pittsburgh Penguins, the 23 year-old, has lived up to his high expectations. With 9 points in his last 4 games, "Sid The Kid" is projected for 136 points on the season, 71 goals and 68 assists. Without a doubt, that is a ridiculous goal, but with a +14 rating, there is no doubt that the Pens will keep on winning!

Sidney Crosby has 50 points on the season

Ryan Malone: In for the injured Steve Downie, the 6'4 224ibs 1999 draft pick has seen a lot more ice time and has not looked back. The hot Malone is currently on a 6 game point streak, with 8 points (4 goals, 4 assists) in his last 8 games. Playing on the first power play line, with Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis, don't except these impressive numbers to disappear anytime soon!

Ryan Malone has 22 points on the season

Ryan Clowe: Playing for the talented San Jose Sharks, The second liner is on fire with 9 points last 6 games. Playing his 6th year in the NHL, the 28 year-old is on pace for his fist season over 60 points. Considering the sharks are slumping, and yet the hot Clowe continues to contribute, feel free to amuse that the Newfoundland native will not stop producing anytime soon!

Ryan Clowe has 26 points on the season

Who's Cold

John Tavares: Playing for the league's worst New York Islanders, the former 1st overall pick is not fairing very well himself. The Ontario native, who stated off the season on fire, has cooled down with only 4 points in his last 10 games. Along with an alerting -17 rating this season, #91 is not excelling in the shot department either, averaging only 2 shots a game. With one of their top players not producing, don't expect the Isles to jump back into the playoff race anytime soon!

John Tavares has 14 points on the season

Phil Kessel: Playing for the worst team in the North East Division, the former 60 point performer, is only projected for 45 points this season. With a staggering -10 rating, the former 1st rounder has been slumping as of late and will look to rebound from his horrific 9.6% shot percentage. Being the leader of his team, Kessel needs to up his numbers in order to push his team into playoff contention.

Phil Kessel has 16 points on the season

Injury Report

• Shawn Horcoff (Dec. 8th) - Right MCL - Out 8 weeks (No Surgery Required)
• Andy Mcdonald (Dec. 5th) - Concussion - Out Indefinitely
• Steve Downie (Dec. 3rd) - High Ankle Sprain - Out Indefinitely
• Pekka Rinne (Dec. 3rd) - Left Knee - Out Indefinitely
• Ales Hemsky (Dec. 2nd) - Groin - Out Indefinitly

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