Making roster changes too early in the season is a common hockey pool mistake. Trends that look secure after 7 games disappear by game 13. But 25% into the season, several trends are worth noting.
Players worth picking up:
- Sheldon Souray – Huge bounceback season underway.
- Sergei Gonchar – Bounceback season.
- Alex Edler – The new #1 blueliner for the Sedins.
- Dion Phaneuf – He is back to form, adjusted to wearing the “C”, and has forwards that can score.
- Kari Lehtonen – The whole team is overachieving and 40 wins isn’t unthinkable.
- Claude Giroux – Apparently he’s for real.
- Marian Hossa – He’s also on a bounceback fantasy season.
- Jaromir Jagr – The point per game pace seems for true. He’s old but still knows how to score.
Players to drop:
- Ryan Miller – Though he’s off to a slow start, the problem isn’t Miller (who’ll bounce back into form.) The problem is that Buffalo wants to push into the playoffs with a rested goalie, which means Miller’s days of starting every game are over. Also, Enroth is playing as HPE predicted: GREAT.
- Jeff Carter – Something doesn’t smell right about him being in Columbus.
- Jarome Iginla – Unless a trade materializes, this looks like the dimming of a brilliant career.
- Eric Staal – An excellent player, he seems to be transitioning into a 60-point player with “great intangibles.” While this may be good for winning games, it stinks for hockey pools.
- Martin Brodeur – All-time great needs to hang ‘em up.
- Brayden Schenn – This rookie pick isn’t panning out.
- Dustin Penner – Not that you picked him anyway…