Posted On Friday, 06.28.2013 / 11:15 PM

By Pete Jensen -  NHL.com Fantasy Insider /NHL.com - Fantasy Spin Blog

Fantasy Spin: Status quo for Streit's value

Mark Streit, an offensive-minded defenseman, should fit right in with the high-scoring Philadelphia Flyers. Whether his fantasy stock will rise or fall remains to be seen.

The 35-year-old signed a four-year contract Friday with the Flyers, who have finished top-10 in the League in goals-per-game for six consecutive seasons. Only Kris Letang (26), Andrei Markov (25), Cody Franson (25) and Ryan Suter (24) had more games with at least one point than Streit (23) during this past 48-game campaign.

But here's the other side to the story: The former New York Islanders captain is tied with Eric Gudbranson for the NHL's worst combined rating (minus-41) over the past two seasons. The Flyers also posted a worse goal differential (minus-8 in 2012-13) than the Islanders (even). Therefore, it shouldn't be assumed Streit's rating will improve significantly.

Posted On Monday, 06.10.2013 / 3:45 PM

By Pete Jensen -  NHL.com Fantasy Insider /NHL.com - Fantasy Spin Blog

Fantasy Spin: Gonchar adds dimension to Stars

Sergei Gonchar may be in the latter stages of his NHL career, but he proved this past season he can still be a valuable fantasy contributor when given a prominent offensive role.

Sergei Gonchar
CAREER STATISTICS
GOALS: 217 | AST: 558 | PTS: 775
PPG: 101 | +/-: 39

His new two-year contract with the Dallas Stars, which was made official Monday after the Ottawa Senators traded his rights last Friday, indicates he could be quarterbacking the team's first power-play unit once next season rolls around.

If Gonchar transitions well, he's likely to remain valuable and under the radar from a fantasy standpoint entering 2013-14. With Norris Trophy-winner Erik Karlsson sidelined in February, the 39-year-old stepped into his teammate's role and proved he can still make a difference. Gonchar kept the team afloat in the playoff race and even set a franchise record with at least one assist in 10 consecutive games (Mar. 3 to Mar. 23). He also led all Ottawa skaters with 12 power-play points in the regular season.

Posted On Saturday, 04.20.2013 / 1:30 PM

By Pete Jensen -  NHL.com Staff Writer /NHL.com - Fantasy Spin Blog

Fantasy Spin: Big steals based on ADP, ownership

By nature, fantasy hockey can be very unpredictable. And this year has been no exception.

Many players drafted low on average in Yahoo! leagues (P.K. Subban, Alexander Semin, Jakub Voracek, Antti Niemi) have turned out to be some of the most valuable fantasy assets in the game. For owners, bold draft choices like these often lead to fantasy championships.

Average draft position in standard Yahoo! leagues provides a strong indication of the fantasy expectations surrounding a particular player coming into the season. When comparing ADPs with current ownership numbers, it's becomes quite clear which players have been the biggest "steals" from a fantasy standpoint.

With only a week to go in the regular season, let's take a look at five players who were taken on average with the 150th pick or later in Yahoo! drafts and are now owned in at least 70 percent of leagues. These are five of the biggest fantasy steals League-wide because they have produced at an elite level despite being passed over in drafts. They have played in the vast majority of their team's games to this point as well, allowing their fantasy owners to reap the benefits all season long.

Posted On Wednesday, 04.17.2013 / 1:35 PM

By Pete Jensen -  NHL.com Staff Writer /NHL.com - Fantasy Spin Blog

Fantasy Spin: Don't sleep on Michalek's value

The Ottawa Senators' injury problems have been well documented this season, and Milan Michalek has found himself on that laundry list more often than not.

That said, there's still time for Michalek to boost your fantasy squad in a big way down the stretch.

Milan Michalek
Left Wing - OTT
GOALS: 4 | ASST: 8 | PTS: 12
SOG: 38 | +/-: 6
After finishing tied for 11th in the NHL last season with a career-high 35 goals, the Senators forward has seen action in only 17 of his team's 42 games during this shortened season. But while it's been a lost season in that regard for fantasy owners who drafted him, his effectiveness when in good health should not be questioned by owners looking to add him on the waiver wire.

Michalek was recently sidelined for 15 games following knee surgery, but returned last Friday and has recorded a goal in each of his first two games back. He also missed nearly a month due to the same injury before a brief return on March 6 for two games, after which he required surgery. Despite his knee issues, Michalek has tallied at least a point in his past five games overall. It's his second five-game point streak this season, an impressive feat that proves he has displayed offensive flair when in the lineup.

Posted On Wednesday, 04.10.2013 / 10:00 AM

By Pete Jensen -  NHL.com Staff Writer /NHL.com - Fantasy Spin Blog

Fantasy Spin: Chiasson transitioning well on top line

Do you find your deep-league fantasy squad in dire need of a goal-scoring boost from a top-line winger?

It might be a stretch, but Dallas Stars rookie Alex Chiasson could be that shot-in-the-dark fantasy pickup that can pay off in the midst of a playoff run.

The Boston University product was inserted into the Stars lineup on April 3 in the aftermath of the team's deals sending Jaromir Jagr to the Boston Bruins and Derek Roy to the Vancouver Canucks. Slotted on the team's top line with Jamie Benn and Ray Whitney, the rookie had big shoes to fill. So far, he's made a smooth transition and has already grabbed the attention of fantasy owners in deep leagues.

Posted On Saturday, 04.06.2013 / 11:38 AM

By Pete Jensen -  NHL.com Staff Writer /NHL.com - Fantasy Spin Blog

Fantasy Spin: Niemi making case for goalie MVP

When fantasy owners invest in a goalie, they want nothing more than job security, category coverage and consistency.

Antti Niemi
Goalie - SJS
RECORD: 19-8-5
GAA: 2.09 | SVP: 0.926
San Jose Sharks netminder Antti Niemi has covered each of those bases.

Niemi has put the Sharks on his back during the team's current seven-game win streak, picking up victories in each game with only 10 combined goals allowed over that stretch. The 29-year-old stopped 23 of 24 shots to defeat the Calgary Flames on Friday and earn his 19th win of the season, tying him with Marc-Andre Fleury of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Niklas Backstrom of the Minnesota Wild for the NHL lead.

But this Finnish-born goalie's success hasn't just been limited to this streak. He's held the opposition to one goal or less in 11 of his 33 games this season and has allowed three goals or fewer 29 times.

Posted On Friday, 04.05.2013 / 3:54 PM

By Pete Jensen -  NHL.com Staff Writer /NHL.com - Fantasy Spin Blog

Fantasy Spin: Saad is best-kept secret on map

Brandon Saad
Left Wing - CHI
GOALS: 8 | ASST: 13 | PTS: 21
SOG: 75 | +/-: 13
With the fantasy hockey playoffs in full swing, owners find themselves eyeing the waiver wire for anything resembling a player with consistent category coverage.

At this time of year, it's even more rare to find such a readily available asset who is also worthy of keeper consideration in such leagues.

That's why Chicago Blackhawks forward Brandon Saad may be the best-kept secret on the fantasy landscape.

Posted On Wednesday, 04.03.2013 / 6:00 PM

By NHL.com Fantasy Hockey Staff -  /NHL.com - Fantasy Spin Blog

Fantasy Spin: 2013 NHL Trade Deadline updates

With the fantasy hockey playoffs in full swing, the 2013 NHL Trade Deadline comes at a crucial juncture of the season for owners around the world. As major deals are made, NHL.com's team of fantasy insiders has you covered with rapid-fire updates to guide you in the right direction.

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TRADE DEADLINE GOOGLE+ HANGOUT: Be sure to watch the replay of NHL.com's Google+ Fantasy hangout for exclusive Trade Deadline reaction and analysis.

Posted On Thursday, 03.28.2013 / 1:15 PM

By Pete Jensen -  NHL.com Staff Writer /NHL.com - Fantasy Spin Blog

Fantasy Spin: Impact of Iginla trade to Penguins

Jarome Iginla is joining forces with the hottest team in the NHL. To say that's a dream scenario for his fantasy owners would be an understatement.

Jarome Iginla
Right Wing - PIT
GOALS: 9 | ASST: 13 | PTS: 22
SOG: 100 | +/-: -7
The Pittsburgh Penguins, who are already locked in a 13-game win streak, landed the longtime Calgary Flames captain in a monumental deal that became official early Thursday morning. This should be viewed as a best-case scenario for his fantasy owners, as the 35-year-old forward is added to the League's highest scoring offense (3.38 goals per game) and second-best power-play unit (23.8 percent).

If those numbers are any indication of what's to come, Iginla is likely to see a complete turnaround in the plus-minus category to close out the season. He's a combined minus-17 over his last 113 games with Calgary, but has a legitimate chance of finishing the season with a positive rating. The Penguins have 14 games remaining on their schedule, and Iginla should be in the lineup for the vast majority of those.

Posted On Wednesday, 03.27.2013 / 3:45 PM

By Pete Jensen -  NHL.com Staff Writer /NHL.com - Fantasy Spin Blog

Fantasy Spin: Rangers' Stepan suddenly a 'must-own'

Derek Stepan
Center - NYR
GOALS: 10 | ASST: 15 | PTS: 25
SOG: 67 | +/-: 12
A month ago, New York Rangers forward Derek Stepan was a shot in the dark from a fantasy standpoint.

How things have changed.

After registering nine points in his first 18 games this season, Stepan has had points in 11 of his next 14 -- totaling 16 during that stretch. On Tuesday, the damage was done at the expense of the division rival Philadelphia Flyers, as the 22-year-old reeled off the first four-point game (1G, 3A, plus-3) of his three-year National Hockey League career.

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