ASK SLAM!
By CHRIS NICHOLS -- SLAM! Sports
Chris, why don't you have your own fantasy hockey TV show yet? Anyway, I have 2 quick questions. The all-star break brings back two big players of this year; Washington D Sergei Gonchar and Calgary G Miikka Kiprusoff. Now I have both of these people on my team. The problem with Gonchar is I have 4 solid D (Blake, Aucoin, Sydor, Slegr). I do have an open bench spot but was wavering to put a D on the bench or pick up a forward. Although Gonchar plays like forward, his and my team's +/- simply suck. The 2nd question I have is should I be bailing out on Giguere yet with Kipper's return?
Brian Flynn, Holbrook, NY
You're right - I should have my own TV show. If HNIC is reading this, I'm available for a Satellite Hotstove segment. Fantasy hockey needs its voice heard!
I would keep five defensemen for now. Sydor and Slegr are good now, but not in the class of Gonchar, Blake and Aucoin. Having a spare/ depth defenseman is always a good idea.
If you have to choose between Giguere and Kipper, I'd go with Kipper. Giguere is a real talent that has struggled this year. He can absolutely still turn it around, but I'd choose Kipper at this point. Remember how long we waited for Theodore to turn it around last year and it never happened?
Chris: Great column as always! I'm in first place thanks to your guidance! Here's today's question. Satan is the only weak link on my team. Should I dump him for any of these free agents: Marleau, Jokinen, or O'Neil?
Thanks, Kevin Maher
O'Neill would interest me with a likely deal to a good team.
Chris: A guy offered me his Roenick for my Fedorov....fed's has been on fire of late...I'm thinking no...What do u think?
Thx-J
Both guys will have their hot streaks and their stats will be fairly similar. Fedorov should have some more shots, while J.R. will get you some more PIM's. Go with your favorite guy.
Moving up fast in my pool thanks to your help Chris. In H to H yahoo pool. No PIM's. I have a decent team now. Bunch of guys on the IR including Jovo, Esche, Mogilny and Heatley just coming back. Trying to be careful who I trade with strategy wise. Offered Guerin and Heatley for Thornton. Too much?
JK, Toronto
Yeah, I think you'd be giving up too much. Heatley is just getting warmed up and Guerin still has some goals left in the tank. Guerin's value is lower in non-PIM leagues, but he can still score.
Hey Chris: Let me know if you think this is a fair trade...Naslund and Osgood for Kovalchuk and Theodore.
Thanks, Rob
Osgood and the Blues are much better than their level of play lately. I think I'd still rather have the Kovy/Theo side though.
Chris: I don't know how you get through all the e-mails. I think I can speak for the fantasy pool G/M junkies that we are and say your advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking you time to make our seasons more fun. We have a re-draft, trade night coming up next week in our points only pool. I'm leading and was taking your advice to go and tinker with my middle to bottom end players. And look what happens I get an offer to give up McCabe, Antropov & Datsyuk to get Lidstrom, Kariya & Kovalchuk from the G/M in 2nd. I love Kovalchuk, is it an even deal or should I try and get someone better than Lidstrom?
Thanks. I live and breathe fantasy hockey so I'm always happy if I can make a difference in the pools of readers of my columns.
I think you should accept that deal quickly. Lidstrom's value is pretty low right now and he's still a stud. Kariya should have a nice second half and Kovalchuk won't slow down either.
Chris: Great column, I'm rocking in my pool because of you...thanks! I have recently taken over 1st place and the guy who has been in 1st all year is getting antsy...he recently dropped Nolan and LeCavalier and added the sizzling Steve Sullivan and Bobby Holik. I have LeClair and one of your fav's Zetterberg. Should I drop my guys and grab both Nolan & LeCavalier? I figure it's about even except I think LeCavalier might get more ice time and points down the stretch. Thanks in advance.
Neil, Toronto
Wow. If that's your competition, you should be able to take this guy down. I would try to add Nolan and Lecavalier, but I would try to do it without dropping Zetterberg. I think Z is just getting warmed up. LeClair can be dropped for Lecavalier for sure.
Hey Chris, great job as usual. My question is how close is Thibault to returning and how well do you think he'll do as a fantasy goalie? Thanks
Thibault was originally due back after the All Star break, but that has been pushed back by at least several weeks. Even though Thibault plays for a weak Chicago team, I fully expect him to have the usual stellar stats he posts. He has turned himself into an excellent goaltender that would be among the league's best (Top 7 or 8, anyway) if he played for a good team.
Have a fantasy hockey question? Drop me a line at
chris_nichols@canoemail.com. I do my best to answer all questions within 24 hours, depending on the volume of emails. Please keep the questions short. Your fantasy questions may be answered in our Ask Slam! section.
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