buy low opportunities
February 7th, 2008 by IanJoey emailed me recently asking about this and since he’s one of the most faithful emailers and readers i figured i could take a stab at some names that you may or may not have a shot at from here to the end of the season. i figure the prerequisites for the list should be in the neighbourhood of 15 more goals over the last 30 or so games or at least significant contributions in any one category. so here ya go Joe.
Peter Mueller PHX - you’ve probably missed the boat on this guy but i was singing his praises back at the beginning of the season only to shut up about it after he stunk it up for 2 months or so. what can i say though? i’ll call it growing pains. there haven’t been many options better for points in the last 5 weeks or so, certainly nobody you could’ve found on a waiver wire on New Year’s day, and it looks like he’s coming into his own. i can see Eric Staal type of production from here on out.
Matt Niskanen DAL and Tom Gilbert EDM - who would you rather have in a keeper league, one of these 2 or Erik Johnson? don’t look at the numbers, just make your call. personally i rank them Niskanen, Johnson, Gilbert but the stat lines on these rooks are very similar. ever since Zubov went down most of the heavy lifting on the Dallas D has been done by Niskanen, just look at ice time. Gilbert has stepped into the hole that Souray has left in the EDM line. neither guy is going to give you 15 goals from here out, i doubt they’d give you 15 assists either but they’re decent options for +/- (particularly Niskanen), some PPP, and their ice time is up.
Teemu Selanne ANA - i said it last week, i think 15 goals can be done for Teemu. you’re probably not finding him on a wire but you can always try and trade for him.
Tomas Plekanec MON - he shouldn’t be on waiver wires but i’ve seen him out there on some. go get him now.
Ryan Malone PIT - i’m not a fan but there’s a bit of an offensive vacuum going on in PIT of late and somebody has to step up. it could be this guy just as easily or more easily than someone else.
Alexander Semin WAS - not on a waiver wire but he’s healthy again and he’ll keep exploding through the rest of the year.
Daniel Paille BUF - 8 goals since the New Year and has a shot at those 15 we need as a buy low from here on out. he’s getting opportunity.
Scott Hartnell PHI - he had a 7 game period in January where he hammered in 10 goals. if he can find that zone again … that’d be phenomenal to say the least. and that’s without mentioning the PIMs he’s going to get too.
Marco Sturm BOS - they’re giving ice time to him and Kobasew and both are potting goals. it’s a longshot but he’s an ok option.
Marek Svatos COL - i have my doubts but he has shown he can pocket some goals and injury stuff looks to be so persistent for the Avs right now.
T.J. Hensick COL - he’s got 5 goals this WEEK, why not 15 over the next 8.
Jonathan Cheechoo SJ - he’s got one of the best passers around sitting on his team and a LOT of guys have cut ties with him this season. this is worth looking into.
Markus Naslund VAN - his value increases a lot if the nucks trade for a star center (or sign some guy named Forsberg, which i doubt will happen). again, he’s not on your waiver wire but it’s worth looking at trade options for him.
Mark Streit MON - a fave of mine all season if only so that i can point out to my buddy Kouki that he got another goal. he’ll contribute a bunch, particularly in PPP from here on out.
Mikael Samuelsson DET - i mention him because he’s been shooting a lot over the last couple months. that have some value, particularly as those shots go in more often or sit for a nice juicy rebound.
Milan Michalek SJ - also shooting a lot, and it’s showing more often on the scoreboard.
Derek Roy BUF - i hesitate to mention him because he just seems hurt so much but when he’s healthy he contributes significantly, like 12 pts in 7 games from Jan 18-Feb 1.
Alexander Radulov - i’m adding this the next day actually after it occurred to me that he definitely should be on this list. his ice time is going up and i think that Kovalchuk is an apt comparison for him in terms of talent.
Posted in fantasy stat