NHL Fantasy Files: Week 8

 
One of the easiest ways to improve your NHL fantasy team is to scoop up players immediately after they come off the injured reserve list.

This method can be risky, as players coming back from long-term disability can be rusty out the gates—or worse, can re-injure themselves.

But even in these worst-case scenarios, chances are you’ll be no worse off than you were before. So generally, it's worth the risk to snag those injured sleepers.

This week I start my column with three players coming off the injured list whom I'd recommend picking up...

FORTUNES RISING

 
Kyle Wellwood (TOR – C)

Wellwood sees the ice like no other Leaf. Not even Mats Sundin is as gifted with the stick as is little Kyle Wellwood.

Kyle’s creative puck-moving skills open up the Leafs in the opposition's end, creating chances that wouldn't be there with a different player on the ice.

Wellwood is currently playing on a line with sell-high candidate Nik Antropov and rookie Jiri Tlusty. I suspect it's only a matter of time before coach Paul Maurice shifts Kyle to the Leafs' top line.

Alexei Ponikarovsky is a waste with the first unit, and plays much better with longtime linemate Antropov. 

Wellwood also distributes the puck well. Jason Blake and Sundin are both scorers. Blake leads the Leafs with a whopping 92 shots on goal (fifth in the NHL), but has only managed to bury two pucks.

He needs better chances, and Wellwood is the obvious solution.

Jamie Langenbrunner (NJ – RW)

Like Wellwood, Jamie Langenbrunner is returning from sports hernia surgery.

With the departure of Scott Gomez, the Devils are going to rely more heavily on Langenbrunner this season. He may have been dropped in your league because of his injury, but now's the time to scoop him up.

If Langenbrunner can remain healthy (hernia problems do have a tendency to linger), I project that he'll finish the season with close to 50 points—not a bad tally for only 60 games played.

That number may jump to 60 points if Langenbrunner can develop some chemistry on a line with Patrik Elias.

Bryan Berard (NYI – D)

Shrewd sophomore GM Garth Snow took a chance on the oft-injured Berard, who started the season with four points in five games before hurting his groin. 

While Berard sat on the shelf for six games, the Islanders power play went 2-for-21 in his absence. 

Coach Ted Nolan can't wait to get his power-play quarterback back—and neither can fantasy owners. 

As long as Berard is healthy, he should be in your lineup.

Michael Ryder (MON – RW)

Don’t look now, but Michael Ryder is scoring again!

After being demoted to the fourth line by coach Guy Carbonneau, Michael did some soul-searching and found himself.

With four points in his last four games, Ryder now has 10 points on the season—and looks determined to get back on track for another 60-point campaign.

Steve Bernier (SJ – RW)

There was a point last year when Steve Bernier and Milan Michalek were viewed as the future of the Sharks organization.

Then other rookies started to hog the limelight, and Bernier was somehow lost in the shuffle.

Now Bernier has learned how to fight—and has developed quite a rivalry with the Phoenix organization.

If you’re looking for PIMs, Bernier is a great spot-start when the Sharks play the ‘Yotes—as they do on December 7th. He even has the ability to chip in a few points on the side.

If you're planning to pick up Bernier, wait until the end of week, as the Sharks only play once this week.

David Perron (STL – LW)

18-year-old David Perron just played his 10th game for the Blues, which means he’s on the roster for the remainder of the season.

With eight points in 10 games, Perron has probably already been picked up by a keen fantasy manager in your league. If he's slipped under the radar, now's the time to grab him.

Jonas Hiller (ANA – G)

With the departure of Ilya Bryzgalov, Jonas Hiller becomes the No. 2 man between the pipes for the Ducks. 

Hiller is at least worth picking up as a handcuff for managers who own Giguere—and worth a closer look in deeper leagues where goaltending is scarce.

Hiller boasts a record of 76-43 for Davos of the Swiss Elite League. He signed with the Ducks in the offseason with the understanding that he'd be the primary backup to Giguere.

Brian Burke proved this weekend that he's a man of his word.

FORTUNES FALLING
 

Andrew Raycroft (TOR – G)

Raycroft recently shut out the Buffalo Sabres—but he once again found himself bested by Vesa Toskala, who proceeded to shut out the Ottawa Senators.

Toskala has cemented himself as the top netminder in Toronto. Raycroft will continue to challenge for starts, but it appears that Toskala will not relent.

Try to move Raycroft now, while he’s still platooning with Toskala—and emphasize his shutout over the Sabres as a sign that he’s turning a corner.

There might be one Leaf fan in your pool who will bite.

Sergei Federov (CLB – C)

With nine points in his last 10 games, Federov appears to have found new life under coach Ken Hitchcock.

Federov hasn’t been a fantasy asset since he left the Red Wings in 2003, having put together a string of subpar seasons with both Anaheim and Columbus.

Look at this recent hot streak as an opportunity to sell high if you can. Remember, he started the season with only three points in nine games.

Marc-Andre Bergeron (NYI – D)

Despite scoring six points in 11 games, Bergeron continues to reside in Ted Nolan's doghouse.

On occasion, he's even found himself watching the game from the press box, due to his lack of defensive discipline.

With the return of Berard to the Islanders' power play, it's likely this will happen more often.

Last season, Bergeron netted 14 goals and 46 points, placing him among the top 20 scoring defensemen. Someone in your league desperate for defense will take a chance on him. Let that sucker deal with the frustration of his repeated benchings.

Jere Lehtinen (DAL – RW)

Jere Lehtinen has played his entire 12-year career with the Dallas Stars, and has never had more than 52 points in a season.

With 18 points in 19 games, he's currently on pace for an 80-point season.

Need I say more? Sell high.

Several key fantasy contributors are still on the shelf with injuries.  Who will I include in next week's installment of the NHL Fantasy Files?

Stay tuned...