Piss poor D - thoughts? - Fantasy Sports Forums

STONE. · #1 12-21-2010, 09:25 AM

I've gotten brutal production from my D this year. I didn't expect miracles, but they've been pretty mediocre. I'm probably out of it for this year, but we keep all of our players, and I've been doing some trading, setting up for next year. I'd like a bit an audit on my blueliners if someone has some insight on one/some/all of them.

It's points only, and it's a pretty deep league (Leopold might be the best on the WW right now), so it's a tough problem to fix:

Campbell
Goligoski
Ehrhoff
Jovanovski
Sekera
Vlasic
Demers
Niskanen
B. Smith

The top three are doing okay, and Brendan Smith is having a good AHL year, so I'm happy with how he's doing.

My questions really involve the group of younger guys that aren't getting it done: Sekera, Demers, Niskanen, and Vlasic.

They've all shown some potential. Are some/all of them worth waiting on? Can these guys get to 30+ range with some consistency? Can any of them breakout for more? Any of them more valuable than others?

Thanks in advance.

Sherpa · #2 12-21-2010, 09:29 AM

Of all the names you list there, Vlasic is the one that stands out as Dropsie #1. The guy's like a Chris Phillips-type. Good in real life, not in fantasy.

He's my pick for least valuable.

But that block from Jovocop to Niskanen...that's a tough group to compete with. Of those, Demers MIGHT be the one worth waiting on. I just don't see enough SJ games to know with any degree of certainty.

loco man · #3 12-21-2010, 09:41 AM

Demers is a keeper for sure. He is the heir apparent to Boyle. Niskinen and Sekera are dropsys, as is Vlassic, but it depends who is around. Are guys like John Blum, John Moore, Maxim Goncharov still around? If so I would take them in that order. Feel free to provide a list of available waiver guys/prospects.

I would also take Leopold - he seems to have found his way in Buffalo, and try to flip him to a contender down the stretch. I would also move Jovo to a contender and try to pry away a guy like Kulikov or someone. Visions of winning may entice someone to take a chance on Jovo.

Hope this helps - good luck

STONE. · #4 12-21-2010, 09:51 AM

Good suggestions, but I don't think any of these guys will be dropped too quickly. Here's some more to think about:

For starters, we get 1 WW move per year (I still have mine, but....)

Our only other way of developing (not including trading) is through a 5-round prospect draft (under 24-year-olds only).

I've been trying to move Jovo a bit -- no real interest now (could change closer to deadline).

WW options (not much):
Hillen
Ericsson
Hunwick
Gorges
Salmela
Oduya
Leopold
Lepisto
Any of these much better than what I've got?

Prospects this summer (in the order Dobber has 'em ranked):
Cohen
Scandella
Despres
Wiercioch
Voynov
Vishnevskiy
Leddy
Robak
Chorney

Russian Rocket 10 · #5 12-21-2010, 10:05 AM

I also agree that Demers is the only name of your bubble players that I would keep.
Depending on what position you're drafting next year you might want to consider players like Adam Larsson and Ryan Murphy, but I guess that goes without saying.

I'm not surprised you're having trouble dealing Jovo straight-up for someone like Kulikov. To upgrade on your d-men you're gonna have to package a decent forward and start from there.

Not sure if any of this helps.
Just my two cents...

Good luck, Stone.

loco man · #6 12-21-2010, 10:12 AM

The one WW is a killer. We have unlimited in our league, so I was going on that.

Not much there to bother with on the WW or prospects front, IMO. Given that you are trying to contend next year (given your vets up front), I wouldn't go too young. Smith and Demers are enough youngsters to have, given how long D take to develop.

I would really try the trade route, and see if you can package the "potential" in Niskinen and Sekera for someone. Maybe you can sell high on Campbell's name and include one of Nisk or Sekera in a package that lands you someone decent.

Tough call, you may be stuck with what you have. Man, 1 WW per year is tough.

STONE. · #7 12-21-2010, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loco man

The one WW is a killer. We have unlimited in our league, so I was going on that.

Not much there to bother with on the WW or prospects front, IMO. Given that you are trying to contend next year (given your vets up front), I wouldn't go too young. Smith and Demers are enough youngsters to have, given how long D take to develop.

I would really try the trade route, and see if you can package the "potential" in Niskinen and Sekera for someone. Maybe you can sell high on Campbell's name and include one of Nisk or Sekera in a package that lands you someone decent.

Tough call, you may be stuck with what you have. Man, 1 WW per year is tough.

It is tough. Starting next year, we won't even have in-season WW moves (mirroring the real NHL where WW pickups are rare). Campbell is a guy that should have some value though -- maybe closer to the deadline or if/when injuries happen. Thanks.