NHL Fantasy Files Vol 6: Captain Canuck On The Mend

While you shouldn’t expect Hudler's point production to increase, a steady spot on the Detroit powerplay will give him more points during the man advantage.

Scott Walker (CAR—RW)

With Justin Williams on the injured reserve list the Hurricanes have to be happy to have Scott Walker back in the lineup.

Walker missed the beginning of the season due to hand surgery, but since returning to the ice he has six points in nine games—five in the last five games.

Walker is playing close to 20 minutes per game on a line with all-stars Ray Whitney and Rod Brind’Amour.

Walker’s crash and bang style means he is injury prone, but when he’s healthy he can get 50 points and 100 penalty minutes. If your league rewards penalty minutes Walker is worth a look.

Bobby Ryan (ANA—RW)

Keeper League Alert!

Sidney Crosby entered the NHL with much fanfare in 2005 after being drafted first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Anaheim Ducks were much more cautious with second overall selection Bobby Ryan.

Since being drafted in 2005 Ryan posted two 100-point seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, and a spent a season and a half in the AHL where he earned a point-per-game.

It would appear that general manager Brian Burke simply did not want to give the young stud a chance. Last year he played 23 games for the Ducks, got 10 points but was sent back to the Portland Pirates.

The Brian Burke era is ending in Anaheim but the Bobby Ryan era is just beginning. An injury to Francois Beauchemin opened up the cap space for him to join the Ducks. There is no reason to expect him to play another game in the minor leagues.

Ian White (TOR—D/RW)

The Toronto Maple Leafs began the season with ten defencemen under contract. Two years ago Ian White was considered to be a keystone piece of Toronto’s future. This October he found himself watching games from the press box.

A thin Maple Leaf offence led Ron Wilson to experiment with the speedy defenceman on the wing. And Ian White and responded to the experiment better than anyone could’ve expected.

White is playing on the Leafs third line Jason Blake Dominic Moore. He has seven points through nine games and is on pace for a 50-point season. He does have some offensive ability. He scored 32 goals in one season as a defenceman for the Swift Currrent Broncos. I do not expect he will stay on pace for 50 points but he should get at least 30 points which warrants him a spot as your squad’s fourth defenceman.

If he qualifies as a defenceman in your league pick him up… now. The poor man’s Dustin Byfuglien is currently owned in only 8% of leagues, but because you read the NHL Fantasy Files he should be owned in yours.

***AUTHOR'S EDIT***

Nov 25th, 9:26AM: Because Colaiacovo was traded, White will shift back to the Leafs blue line for a week or two. When Van Ryn returns to the blue line White will be back on right wing, and when he is, he's worth owning.

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