NHL 2010/2011: Biggest Fantasy Flops -- Week One
Fantasy hockey is one of the most exciting things about hockey season. You get to make a team and watch it as though you are the real general manager. In my league, we can make cuts, trades and signings throughout the season. Before you begin this slideshow, I just want to let you know that these stats are up to date at the time of this writing. Whether or not they are up to date at the time of publishing is yet to be determined.
The thing about fantasy hockey is that a lot of us (myself included) put a lot of emphasis on players that we probably shouldn't. I'll be honest, I made one big mistake in this year's fantasy hockey draft. Currently, I'm sitting in third out of nine players. It's not bad, but it could be better.
On this list I will go through 15 players who are probably hurting you more than they are helping. Whether they aren't playing well enough or aren't living up to expectations, each of these players is on this list for a reason. Hopefully you enjoy! Please comment on my rankings and tell me which players are letting you down this early in the season.
One other thing to note is that the season is still incredibly young. Just because these players aren't getting it done now doesn't mean that they won't be playing well in a couple of weeks. At the end of each slide I will also give you my verdict. What should you do with this player? Read more to find out.
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No. 15 -- Mike Green
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No. 15 -- Mike Green of the Washington Capitals
Games Played: 4
Goals: 0
Assists: 1
Points: 1
+/-: +4
Mike Green is supposed to be one of the premier offensive defenseman in the entire league. He has scored 50 goals over the last two years. If you took Green in your draft, you were probably expecting an offensive dynamo who was going to score and be effective on the power-play. Unfortunately, this far into the season, Mike hasn't put up the numbers that we are used to. While I understand that his early-season injury woes have played a part, it's still not what many people were looking for fantasy-wise. He has been counted on over the last two years.
While it is probably too early to say whether or not Green will pick it up, I would still harbor some concern if I was Green's owner in my pool. Hopefully he can put the puck in the net before time continues.
My Verdict: KEEP
No. 14 -- Anze Kopitar
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No. 14 -- Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings
Games Played: 4
Goals: 0
Assists: 3
Points: 3
+/-: +2
Anze Kopitar is a great center in this league. I have a hard time putting him on this list. The thing with Kopitar this season is that he has yet to light the lamp. Three assists in four games is great for a lot of players. The problem here is that Anze Kopitar is the heart of the Los Angeles offense. Hopefully he manages to pick it up really quick. The Kings need him if they want to have any shot this season.
There is no doubt in my mind, Kopitar will rebound quickly and become a dominant center in the league. He is going to lead the Kings to their second playoff berth in as many season. While it has been a slow start, once the season gets going Kopitar will thrive. I foresee a 90-point season out of Kopitar. It is far too early to start selling.
My Verdict: KEEP
No. 13 -- Alexei Ponikarovsky
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No. 13 -- Alexei Ponikarovsky of the Los Angeles Kings
Games Played: 4
Goals: 0
Assists: 1
Points: 1
+/-: 0
I will be honest. I was one of the people who thought that Alexei Ponikarovsky was going to be a great addition to the Los Angeles Kings. Once we saw Alex Frolov leave and head off to Madison Square Garden to join Marian Gaborik, Dean Lombardi had to do something. I thought that Poni was going to be able to score 60 points quite easily. While he doesn't have as much talent as Frolov, he has a much better work ethic. The problem right now is that he is really adjusting to Terry Murray's systems. It must be tough, but the fantasy hockey season doesn't have time for adjustment.
While a lot of people would tell you to wait it out and see what happens with this guy, I don't share that opinion. The upside for Poni is probably 50-60 points. Is that really worth giving up one of your roster spots? I would tell you to sell him if you can. There are so many people that are producing right now. They can help fill the spot.
My Verdict: SELL
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No. 12 -- Nikolai Zherdev
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No. 12 -- Nikolay Zherdev of the Philadelphia Flyers
Games Played: 5
Goals: 1
Assists: 0
Points: 1
+/-: 0
Did anyone really know what to expect when it was announced that Zherdev would be returning to the National Hockey League? I think that many were expecting Zherdev to light the world on fire right away. While he hasn't been the offensive superstar that many thought he would be, he hasn't been terrible. I think that it will take him a little bit of time to re-adjust to the North American game. Unlike Ponikarovsky in the last slide, the upside on waiting for Zherdev is a lot higher.
Lining up with guys like Briere, Carter and Richards could really help Zherdev down the stretch. If he can regain any of the talent that we saw in years past, this could be a great sleeper pick for anyone. I will tell you to wait around for now. If he doesn't pick it up by the end of the month, my verdict may change to sell. Wait it out. Zherdev could be good.
My Verdict: KEEP
No. 11 -- Patrick Marleau
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No. 11 -- Patrick Marleau of the San Jose Sharks
Games Played: 3
Goals: 0
Assists: 2
Points: 2
+/-: -2
Patrick Marleau is an interesting guy. It's not like he is adjusting to any new systems or teammates. He has been one of the faces of the San Jose Sharks for years. I'm not sure what's taking him so long to get caught up here. The Sharks haven't looked overly great thus far into the season. Perhaps it's time for the owners of Patrick Marleau to give up. I'm not going to jump off the bandwagon and yell SELL SELL SELL! However, I will tell you to proceed with caution. If there is someone producing well, who you can pick up, by all means do it. It's not going to help you to hold on to Marleau.
I'm sitting with Marleau in my pool right now. While I haven't been aggressively trying to move him, I am keeping my eyes open. There are so many young guys making an impact. At times we get hung up with names. Perhaps Marleau's time as a superstar is over. He hasn't looked great thus far. As I have him in my pool, I hope he picks it up. That being said, I'm not going to say no if a decent offer comes my way.
My Verdict: PROCEED WITH CAUTION
No. 10 -- Devin Setoguchi
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No. 10 -- Devin Setoguchi of the San Jose Sharks
Games Played: 3
Goals: 1
Assists: 0
Points: 1
+/-: -2
Two years ago it was thought that this kid was the next big thing. He was fresh off a 31 goal season in which he tallied 34 assists. Last season his goal total dropped to 20 and his assist total to 16. Maybe he hit the roof early in his career? Who knows? It's complicated when you are playing with these young guys. You don't know where potential and talent meet to actually create the player. If I were you, I'd be selling Devin Setoguchi. I just haven't seen enough from him thus far into the season.
Devin has speed and skill. It looked like he was going to develop into a dominant player in the league. Unfortunately, last year things didn't pan out for him. I'm not sure that his confidence is overly high right now. If you took Setoguchi in the higher rounds, I would try to unload him for a couple of usable assets before it's too late.
My Verdict: SELL
No. 9 -- Rick Nash
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No. 9 -- Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets
Games Played: 4
Goals: 1
Assists: 0
Points: 1
+/-: -3
Rick Nash has been searching for that No. 1 center for years now. The Columbus Blue Jackets have tried many guys in that spot. He has been able to produce every year and I really doubt that he has just lost it over the summer. Getting used to Scott Arniel may just be taking a little bit longer than expected. His plus minus is a little bit worrying, but in all honesty, no one on the Jackets is looking too great in that stat category. It's tough for a guy who has been dominant throughout his career to only have 1 point through four games.
What are your feelings on Rick Nash? I think that if you have him, keep him. The upside on this side is huge. He isn't going to continue at this snail's pace all season long. He is going to put up lots of goals and points.
My Verdict: KEEP
No. 8 -- Wojtek Wolski
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No. 8 -- Wojtek Wolski of the Phoenix Coyotes
Games Played: 4
Goals: 0
Assists: 1
Points: 1
+/-: -1
Does everyone remember how Wojtek Wolski played after being traded from Colorado last season? He was on fire. He was skating, scoring, making plays and being a great hockey player. It was really great to see. When you think about last season, the Phoenix Coyotes story was a really special one. Everyone came together to bring this team into the playoffs. For that reason, I think that a lot of people are overrating this team right now. They may make the playoffs, but not with over 100 points. If Wojtek Wolski doesn't start to perform, it could get really ugly really fast for the Coyotes. He was brought in to perform. Right now, it just doesn't look like he will be able to.
If I were you, I would be unloading Wolski. While he does have some upside, it's a spot you could use on a guy that is going to fly under the radar. Wolski isn't going to put up Sedin like numbers either. It's not like you will be giving up a 100 point player. I would sell him before you see that spot on your roster go to waste.
My Verdict: SELL
No. 7 -- Jay Bouwmeester
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No. 7 -- Jay Bouwmeester of the Calgary Flames
Games Played: 4
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Points: 0
+/-: -2
Jay Bouwmeester wasn't very good last season in Calgary. I'm sorry, but there is no other way to put it. Bouwmeester, like everyone in Calgary this past summer, was saying all the right things. Everyone said that this year was going to be more offensive and different. I find it really scary to think that Jay Bouwmeester isn't producing. He is one of the best skaters in the league. I'll be honest, I used a high draft pick on Jay. I thought that he was going to have a bounce back year. At some point we have to give up on this guy in Calgary. Perhaps he just belongs in a small market.
If I were you, I would be trying to sell Jay Bouwmeester. Even though it's only four games into the season, Calgary is a mess. They can't score, and it looks as though JBo is going to have a season just like last year's. Try to sell JBo while you can. You won't regret it.
My Verdict: SELL
No. 6 -- Tyler Myers
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No. 6 -- Tyler Myers of the Buffalo Sabres
Games Played: 6
Goals: 0
Assists: 1
Points: 1
+/-: -7
Tyler Myers took the league by storm last year. He wasn't only one of the best rookies in the league, he was one of the best players in the league. He has the size and skill to be the next Chara or Lidstrom. This guy could be the real deal. Right now, it looks like he is mired in a sophomore slump. I was one of the people that thought that he wouldn't be affected by this "curse". Right now, it appears as though I'm wrong. Tyler's plus/minus is terrible. He hasn't looked near as dominant as he did last year. My theory is that without Tallinder there beside him, he is having trouble.
Myers is the kind of player that is going to have a long and successful career. If your league is just for this season, I would sell him. I just don't think that he will get back to where he was last season. Try to sell him if you can, but don't just give him away. I would keep a close eye on Tyler. Give him five more games and if he doesn't pick it up, sell.
My Verdict: SELL
No. 5 -- Nik Antropov
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No. 5 -- Nik Antropov of the Atlanta Thrashers
Games Played: 5
Goals: 0
Assists: 1
Points: 1
+/-: -3
Nik Antropov is very skilled and talented. He is another one of those big centers who is missing a scoring winger. I'm not sure that his point totals will ever get back to where they were with Ilya Kovalchuk. He is getting older and Atlanta is in rebuild mode. With one point in five games, a lot of people were hoping for more from Nik Antropov. If I were the owner of Nik Antropov, I would be unloading him. I would be giving him away. He isn't going to get it done this season. I just have that sort of a feeling.
The thing with Nik Antropov is that he is getting top-line minutes, but he isn't playing like a top-liner. I'm not sure that Atlanta can go very far without that scoring winger. Ilya Kovalchuk was that guy. It's too bad because this franchise needs something to draw people into the building. Look at Antropov's stats. Doesn't that sum up why he is a fantasy flop? I would strongly suggest you give him up right now.
My Verdict: GIVE HIM AWAY
No. 4 -- Wayne Simmonds
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No. 4 -- Wayne Simmonds of the Los Angeles Kings
Games Played: 4
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Points: 0
+/-: -1
While Wayne Simmonds isn't considered an offensive dynamo, he is probably expected to put up more points than he has this season. He has been underwhelming. If he is your No. 1 guy, you are in a lot of trouble. I would hope that none of you picked Wayne Simmonds with your first-round draft pick though. It's very interesting to think that many Kings fans (myself included), felt that this would be the year for Wayne to step up and put up 50 points. I don't know that it's possible anymore. However, if your fantasy pool is based on grit and heart, Wayne is your guy.
If I were you guys, I would probably hold on to Wayne Simmonds as your No. 4 winger. He is a guy that will probably get his 40 points. He won't be flashy, but he'll be effective. So my advice would be to hold on to him. He shouldn't let you down.
My Verdict: KEEP
No. 3 -- Patrice Bergeron
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No. 3 -- Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins
Games Played: 3
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Points: 0
+/-: 0
This guy has a lot of talent and even more heart. He is the heart and soul of the Bruins team. It's kind of a shame to see that he isn't producing this year. What's really sad is that he isn't even getting plus/minus points for people who have that stat count in their league. In my opinion, it's only a matter of time before he puts up the points. With Marc Savard out, he has to produce if the Bruins are to have any success this year. Hopefully he can team up with the new guys like Seguin and Horton to create a dynamic offensive lineup for the Bruins.
I think that it would be in your best interest to hold on to Patrice. He is a great hockey player with a lot of hockey sense. I have to think that he will pick it up soon.
My Verdict: KEEP
No. 2 -- Milan Hejduk
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No. 2 -- Milan Hejduk of the Colorado Avalanche
Games Played: 6
Goals: 1
Assists: 2
Points: 3
+/-: -7
Milan Hejduk was saved by his game tonight. Through five games he only had one goal and zero assists. Thanks to a great performance tonight, Milan is looking a little bit better to his owners. My concern right now is that these are not the offensive numbers that we are used to seeing from Milan. His plus/minus isn't good at all. He is really struggling to put up points while remaining sound defensively. Last season we saw injury hamper his point total. It is really sad to see such a great career coming to an end.
I would be really concerned to hold onto Hejduk. I think that age has finally caught up to him. In my pool, the guy who took him picked him in a high round. I was a little skeptical. At 34 years old, he isn't ancient, but he's not young. It seems as though he has been around for so much longer. I really hope that he can salvage this year. The Avalanche could really use his calm offensive presence. My advice (unfortunately) would be to sell him. I think age has caught up.
My Verdict: SELL
No. 1 -- Simon Gagne
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No. 1 -- Simon Gagne of the Tampa Bay Lightning
Games Played: 5
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Points: 0
+/-: -7
Do the stats not speak for themselves? I made the big mistake of taking Simon Gagne in my pool. I didn't think that there was any way that this guy wasn't going to succeed. He is playing with guys like St. Louis and Stamkos. How has he not even registered a point? It's not like the Lightning are struggling to score goals either. They scored five tonight, and he still can't get on the scoreboard. It's a scary thing. I feel bad for the guy after years and years of service in Philadelphia.
I hate to say this, but sell him, and sell him fast. Does this remind anyone of the Alex Tanguay situation from last year? I don't think it will be long before Simon finds himself with little ice time. This situation could easily go from bad to worse. I hope for his sake (and my sake in my pool) that he picks it up, but for now I am going to try to unload him. Too bad, I thought I was going to hit the jackpot with Simon Gagne. He has so much talent and heart. Perhaps Tampa isn't the place for talented wingers who are on the move.
My Verdict: SELL SELL SELL NOW!!!
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