Baseball season is around the corner, pick up the Fantasy Baseball Guide at DobberBaseball – fantastic job again this year by Snyder, I’m truly impressed. And while you’re in the buying spirit, you can preorder my Playoff Draft List.

Do the Sharks even want in the playoffs? What will they do when they get there, start playing well? Seriously guys, if you wanted in you would be in. Just pack up. This isn't Jamie McGinn. I can't believe a third-liner's trade impacts the team like this. This is weak goaltending, a Ryane Clowe who is playing through injury and an under-achieving Patrick Marleau. And the lack of scoring depth is finally catching up to them.

I'm amazed that Ray Whitney is at 73 points right now and is on pace for 76 by the time it's all done. He turns 40 in May. His next point will be No. 1000. I still remember when he teased us in San Jose with his skill, but they weren't playing him properly (ice time/ linemates). They let him walk, Edmonton gave him a tryout and soon waived him. The rest, shall we say, is history. At the age of 25 and written off by all poolies, the Florida Panthers picked him up. He's since had 10 60-point seasons, four 70-point seasons and a career high of 83. Exhibit A as to why I don't 100% write off a prospect even when he's 25 and hope seems to be lost, I always keep the door open a tiny crack (ahem, Patrick O'Sullivan - why I still had a tiny bit of hope for him 18 months ago in Carolina).

I’m covering for Angus today. He’ll grab Monday for me – the day after April Fool’s… but the anniversary of the day that the REAL Fool was born: ME. I fooled my mom 38 years ago by coming a day late.

In my Hockey News article from yesterday, I go over 10 players who I feel will see a boost in production next year.

This is funny – a lot of frustrated poolies this time of year. Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell, two of the biggest fantasy studs of the year, were pointless in a game in which the Flyers scored seven. Sidney Crosby takes a puck to the face, leaves the game, lots of blood… but later returns. Tomas Vokoun also leaves the game with an injury. With each blow, someone vents on the forum. Here is the funny (and telling) snippet:

Josh Bailey had five points last night. In fact, he had 12 points in 14 games heading into last night, and now has 17 in his last 15. Before that he had 14 points in 60 games. If he’s even half that good next season and the Isles add Ryan Strome and Tavares takes yet another step, then they’ve made it. I should also add Kyle Okposo’s name here, as he was one of the 10 players I note in the aforementioned Hockey News column.

Evgeni Malkin – your first player to hit 100. Your only player? Stamkos needs nine in five games…

I am always careful to put a caveat into it when I say “the Penguins will walk through everybody”. That caveat? No, not based on Crosby’s health. Or Malkin’s. They can lose one of those two. The caveat is Kris Letang. For some reason, he’s the glue that holds everything together and when he’s gone the Penguins become mere mortals.

Paul Martin, the most hated player on the team by the fans two months ago, has pushed his numbers up enough to actually beat last year’s. He has 26 points and is plus-7. Reasonable shot at 30 and plus-10.

Michael Grabner will bounce back next year, but only as a 40-point third liner. His speed, with Casey Cizikas’ hustle and energy, I think will go perfect together. To make that dream a reality, the Isles would need a formidable first two lines – which means Bailey and Okposo need take that step forward and Strome makes an impact.

Jordan Staal needs five points in five games to set a career high – in a season in which he’s missed 20.

Start paying attention to Carter Ashton whenever you see him. Not for his skill – I think he’ll be a second liner, but not for two or three years. But for the fact that he looks worried. Every picture, every camera shot, live on TV or in an article he looks worried. Reminds me of Zoolander’s Blue Steel look:

Matt Read has five points in three games. With 46 points and plus-11, he’s creeping towards Adam Henrique for that No.3 Calder vote spot. No, I don’t think Justin Faulk should be there – in fact, I’ve like what Jake Gardiner has done this year over Faulk. Right now it’s Landeskog, RNH, Henrique, Read, Gardiner, Faulk, Hagelin, Couturier, Hodgson in that order. My opinion.

With three last night, Jaromir Jagr is up to 52 points. When he signed with the Flyers, I said he’s good for 55-60 points and you should treat him like a 57-point player. Not bad, I hit them sometimes.

With the hatty last night, Ryan Malone has 17 points in 19 games. He’s no Bailey, but that’s still pretty damn good, salvaging a season that I thought was a write-off.

Sebastien Caron got into the game after Dwayne Roloson gave up six goals on 34 shots. Caron stopped all four shots that he faced.

Vinny Lecavalier was back in the lineup, but was pointless and minus-1.

Jeff Carter is “unlikely” to play tonight against Edmonton, as he has an ankle injury. Always with the ankle or foot with that guy…

The Blue Jackets have sent David Savard to Springfield and recalled Dalton Prout.

Phoenix has signed prospect Chris Brown to a contract. He is ranked 156 on my Fantasy prospects List, but as a power forward I don’t see any impact in the near future (thus the lower ranking).

The Flames sent down Roman Horak. Barring sudden chemistry with a very talented linemate in the next two or three years, I’m not seeing the offensive talent to put him in the top two lines at the NHL level.

The Sharks signed UFA college rearguard Matt Tennyson. He has some potential as a second-pairing defenseman in about three years. He has great size, too.

Jonas Gustavsson is injured and Jussi Rynnas was hung out to dry in his first NHL start. He allowed all seven goals, great for the confidence.

Chimera could face suspension for this hit on McQuaid. I love Jack Edwards skewing the call with his homerism though – 14 strides my ass. Chimera had zero strides the final 10 feet, he was just cruising. Not defending the hit, I just think the opinion was a stupid one:

Comments (17)

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Dobber said:

... Great discussion here everyone, thank you hockey - I agree that most broadcasters are boring. And personally I think the biggest homer is probably Joe Bowen, Leafs. I'm not a fan of it. Jack Edwards goes overboard. Don't like it. The luckiest fans are the ones who get to listen to Rick Jeanerette (BUF) and Mike Lange (PIT) - both homers, but extremely entertaining. Robert Esquire - as noted above, I love watching BUF games and I'm often accused of overrating Tyler Ennis. But as I said at the start of my column, I was not including players who have been injured. (Helloooo?!?!? haha) mike hess - thanks! Heaton - I agree with you 100%, but if Ville Leino can get the dollars he got, then one year later when salaries go up even further and the UFA market is even smaller...Hudler will get even more. Trust me, someone will pay. Not all NHL GM's are as smart as us

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March 30, 2012
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hockey said:

	Jack edwards jack edwards is the most entertaining broadcaster in the nhl imo. Ive seen (heard) them all and most are boring and minimalistic. jack has an energy and enthusiasm that just isnt there in most other broadcasters around the league. Since when did homerism become a negative in sports? I think thats what its all about. b's fans are lucky.
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March 30, 2012
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Ryan said:

	... @Robert Esquire: The big oversight was you not reading the part of the article that said, "I’m ignoring the players who have missed a lot of games due to injury." I think it is fair to say that Ennis fits into that group.
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March 30, 2012
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Robert Esquire said:

	10 players who will receive a boost And Tyler Ennis is not on this list? What??? Hello??? I would put Stafford on that list too. I have my doubts about Roy, Ryan and Hudler making any significant improvement. Big oversight there Dobber. You need to watch the Sabres a bit more.
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March 30, 2012
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mike hess said:

	links Dobber...I always use the links in your articles and Angus's to find your 'other' stories. I come here first....it is always the best information with the most insights...thanks doing such a good job...Maybe i should pay you more!
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March 30, 2012
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Heaton said:

	... Heaton - don't be shocked if he signs for $5.5 million or more. Leino, Fleischmann should have you prepared for that. Detroit will keep Val at a lower rate because he's RFA not UFA Haha OK. I think you're really underestimating his lack of mobility and puck protection to think that a team will view him as a 1st liner.
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March 30, 2012
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Dobber said:

	... Heaton - don't be shocked if he signs for $5.5 million or more. Leino, Fleischmann should have you prepared for that. Detroit will keep Val at a lower rate because he's RFA not UFA
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March 30, 2012
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Rob Myatt said:

	Depth/Edwards Firstly Jack Edwards is too much to handle, have to watch those games on mute with music blaring. Secondly, I don't think it's scoring "depth" that is the issue in San Jose. With Thornton, Marleau, Pavelski, Couture, Havlat and Malone, you have plenty of scoring depth. I think they're suffering from the same thing Anaheim is, whatever that is. Under-performing stars.
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March 30, 2012
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Heaton said:

THN Article 10. Jiri Hudler, Detroit Red Wings Hudler is a talented player who is having a decent season with the Wings and he’ll probably finish with around 51 points. But where will he be next season? As one of the most skilled players on the open market, he’ll probably sign for $5 million or more. And if a team is going to pay him that kind of money, they’re going to play him on the top line and the top PP unit. Just like that, 51 points could become 65 or more. 5m PER season? Does that mean Filppula will get 7m per season after next season? Hudler is slow, small and has an extremely hard time matching up in the top 6. I can't imagine any team throwing 5m at Hudler or Hudler playing on a top line against top defensive pairings and top defensive forwards and putting up 65 points. Nothing in his tenure with the Wings indicates that. He made his money playing on the bottom 6, against lesser competition. Prior to riding shotgun to Filppula having a career year and Z finding his form at the end Hudler has ALWAYS floundered in top 6 roles.

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March 30, 2012
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Dobber said:

	... thanks Pengwin! You're tough on me, but these days it's much better because you sprinkle in the odd compliment to reassure me that I'm not a total dolt haha
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March 30, 2012
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Pengwin7 said:

Loved it Excellent rambling... great stuff & funny. Very good. I loved it. Three random notes: 1. There is NO way Grabner can score 40pts on the 3rd line. No way. 2. I have to thank you for your udpates on Sebastien Caron... if he plays well Saturday night, he might be in line for some off-night starts for TB on Mon/Wed. Those will be key in many Daily-Start H2H leagues when only 2 or 4 NHL teams are playing that night. 3. Short story: I actually submitted a "keeper question" to you on The Hockey News a few years ago. You had a nice, detailed answer. I made my way over to DobberHockey based on that reply. I'm a "googling" expert, but the Fancier-Platformed-Eye-Candy-Sites do get the traffic until somebody realizes there are some quality smarts over here. Keep doin' it the way you do. As much as I hammer on you ... I'm rooting for you & DobberHockey to always make it and be the #1 website for fantasy hockey discussion.

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March 30, 2012
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Massimo Cinelli said:

	... Jack Edwards is an idiot. Even if I was a Bruins fan, he would annoy me. His constant and over-bearing homerism has no place in TV broadcasting.
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March 30, 2012
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Dobber said:

	... John - Ennis was injured, and I said from the start that I didn't include the injured guys. But you are right
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March 30, 2012
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Dobber said:

... Steffen - I need THN and Puck Daddy to push traffic here. Marketing is important or my bread and butter will turn to crumbs. So I have time for three or four articles per week and I have to do those for the sites that will push traffic to me and give this site prestige. When the kids are grown a little I can do five articles, which will mean doing one or two for here. I did, however, mention those players here first - in the forum though during my Q & A session. But without those other sites, then other fantasy writers will write for them and thus get traffic for THEIR sites. Which takes business from me, whittling away at it, until like I said my bread and butter becomes crumbs and I have to shut down. I hope everyone understands. In theory what you say makes sense, but the reality is that I have to do it this way.

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March 30, 2012
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John said:

	Top 10 point increases One name I think you forgot to put on it. Tyler Ennis. I think he will just explode next year. I see a future assist machine
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March 30, 2012
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Russ said:

	Blue Steel! LOL Dobber, love the Blue Steel comment! No way Chimera should be suspended for that hit. McQuaid loses the puck in his feet and turns at the last second. If there is a suspension on that hit, then the NHL might as well institute a no checking near the boards rule, you know, just in case a player might get hurt.
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Steffen said:

... I recognize that you have competing interests, but as a full-blown, maximum subscriber to dobberhockey, I'd prefer that your Hockey News article be published here first. A link to it, thanks. I can do that. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe those thoughts have been sprinkled throughout your ramblings lately. I haven't done that analysis. My point is: this is your bread and butter, no? Steffen (Steve to my friends)

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