Comments for Playing the Peripheral Game (West 2011) at http://hockey.dobbersports.com , comment 1 to 21 out of 20 comments http://hockey.dobbersports.com Sat, 25 May 2013 06:31:56 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/amato/3973-playing-the-peripheral-game-west-2011#comment-16599 Hey Ma, I like articles like this as I just started my first league with BS and HITs this year. I do have to question you categorizing Dorsett as a goon type, one trick pony, and then recommending McLeod. I think you are severely underrating Dorsetts other abilities if that was not a mistake. Lets compare their stats from last season: McLeod- GP: 71, G: 5, A: 5, +/-: -7, PIM: 189, HITs: 147, BS: 20, PPP: 2, SOG: 73 Dorsett- GP: 76, G: 4, A: 13, +/-: -15, PIM: 184, HITs: 195, BS: 37, PPP: 0, SOG: 112 Now what will happen this coming season is unknown, but it appears from previous seasons, that McLeod is trending downward in more categories (which could make him a good buy low I suppose), while Dorsett is trending upwards. Even given your projected stat line for McLeod this season, Dorsett was better than that last season. So it seemed odd to me to discount Dorsett as generally pretty useless on the other fronts. - letnry Thu, 22 Sep 2011 09:06:15 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/amato/3973-playing-the-peripheral-game-west-2011#comment-16571 I do agree with you for the most part, and many times it can be the right decision. And early on it could make a difference when comparing similar players e.g. Sedin/Perry. Perry will likely give you less points, but not by much, so Perry is a good choice, unless you a dead set on a LW early (another topic altogether). You could also look at someone's idea of picking Sedin in the first and Iginla in the second. If you picked Perry, maybe you ended up with Zetterberg in the second. Who would you rather? I can see the benefits of both options, as your team is not finished after two rounds. However, if someone had a choice between, say Hossa or Callahan, many would choose Callahan because the high number of hits, but Hossa is not a bad choice either since he has 35G/70P potential. Before his injury (yes another issue, and topic for another time) last season, Hossa was on fire and many people thought he was in for a 80+ point season (even if he slowed down a bit). However, that upside isn't there for Callahan, and a chuck of his hits can be more easily made up later in the draft, whereas a 30+ goal scorer is not as likely (I know he scored 25 goals last year, but highlighting realistic potential when healthy). I use this example since it was a decision I had to make in our draft, and I chose Hossa for the offensive upside. In the later rounds, yes it's good to go after more guys with solid peripherals with some offensive potential, instead of pure PIM/HIT guys for example, as the amount of offensive players are limited and won't help you as much. As mentioned, there are a lot of different strategies that can be used to develop a successful squad. Balance is very good of course, I totally agree, but it's just how much of it do you insist on and to what point do you deviate from your plan to get more offensive producers? Good discussion. - horrorfan Wed, 21 Sep 2011 02:21:53 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/amato/3973-playing-the-peripheral-game-west-2011#comment-16569 [b]RE: Over-reaching[/b] Definitely... balance is probably the key in these multi-peripheral leagues. The thing is finding balance... It's like the Konopka, Boll, or Parros scenario... You might get PIMs but that's about it. So you're essentially burning 1 roster spot just for 1 stat. If you get a few across-the-board guys like Carcillo, Avery, Neil where you might not get as much PIMs, but you get a few points or SOG as well it really does help in the long run. The point that I'm trying to make is that if you have the option of a Sedin vs a Perry or something like that, you're a bit better off getting a Perry since he helps contribute to the peripheral stuff as opposed to having to utilize another spot on your team to pick up the peripheral stats. In my experience with peripheral stats, you kinda need a team contribution in those stats. Owning just 1 or 2 players will put you middle of the pack, but a whole team contributing to the stats will get you top 3, which is generally where you need to be for most stats in order to win a ROTO league. But to each their own... - Ryan Ma Wed, 21 Sep 2011 01:11:16 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/amato/3973-playing-the-peripheral-game-west-2011#comment-16566 Nice writeup Ryan. However, one thing that managers need to consider is how easy it is to fill some of those peripheral categories. Of course balance is good to have, however, I would be careful not to overreach for one of those players if a (potential) high end point producer or goal scorer is still on the table. It comes down to needs and roster balance of course, but it's easy to fall into the trap of targeting too many multiple category producers and losing sight of better offensive options still available. There are many ways of building a successful team, so keep your options open. Just my opinion. - horrorfan Tue, 20 Sep 2011 23:56:58 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/amato/3973-playing-the-peripheral-game-west-2011#comment-16564 [b]RE: Disservice to HPG?[/b] These are the only statements in my article that I could find regarding the mention of HPG. [i]Daniel Sedin leads the way with a HPG rating of 72 in standard Yahoo! leagues, but only has a HPG rating of 42 in leagues that have those two extra stats. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Dustin Brown maintains a HPG rating of 40 in leagues that record HITs and BS, but only a plus six rating in standard Yahoo! leagues.[/i] It's not anything new for me to say that Sedin sucks in the peripheral stats and Brown is good... Does mentioning Sedin has a HPG rating of 72 and Brown 40 really give that much info away? [i]He also has an HPG two-year rating of ninth overall in leagues that counts Hits and BS[/i] It's no secret that Doan is good at HITs and BS. I didn't mention the entire list, so saying he's ninth isn't giving away the farm is it? [i]which has equated to an HPG rating of just 12th overall, this is a far cry compared to the fourth overall rating that he currently owns in standard Yahoo! leagues[/i] Once again Kane's rating... 12th overall means squat really. He's going to be owned in fantasy leagues anyways, it's a matter of when... [i]I was quite surprised to see Clowe’s name that high on HPG’s list of LWers, but statistically it does make a lot of sense.[/i] Quite "high" is a pretty broad statement... [i]His HPG rating of plus 21 is certainly something to take note of. [/i] You don't need me to tell you that Morrow's rating increases in leagues that count HITs... me revealing the number 21 says little about the entire list of LW players. [i] If you take into account the peripheral stats, he slides all the way down to 16th according to HPG.[/i] Yandle takes a tumble, if you were a smart poolie you wouldn't need HPG to tell you that Yandle isn't great peripherally... So I mean I don't think I did HPG a disservice by posting some of my findings. In fact Paul (a owner of HPG) actually sent me an e-mail to say thanks for giving him a shout out in the article. I understand as a paying customer you kinda want to keep the advantage over your opponents since you paid for it, but I also take quite a lot of pride in writing quality articles to help my fellow Dobberities out as well. I use many tools like FrozenPool, HPG, Yahoo! player ranker to justify my findings/reasoning. I'm not going to short change DobberNation (and prevent it from growing) just to protect the ones who are willing to pay. - Ryan Ma Tue, 20 Sep 2011 23:49:26 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/amato/3973-playing-the-peripheral-game-west-2011#comment-16563 [b]RE: Correlation between BS and +/-[/b] I don't think there is a direct correlation. I can understand why someone who is a good shot blocker could possibly have a better +/-, but +/- is a bit of an iffy stat, it's so dependent on "luck" and being on the ice at the right time. You can look at Adam McQuaid... I mean the guy had 15 points last season, but he finished the season with a +30 rating... Same with Mike Sauer, 15 points and had a +20 rating... compare that to Alex Goligoski who had 46 points and also an +20 rating. Goligoski has 10 times the fantasy value of Sauer. So I dunno +/- is one of those stats that I just leave alone and hope for the best during the season. It's very hard to "draft" for it. Girardi lead the league with 236 BS, but finished with a +7 rating... Greg Zanon had 212, and finished with a -5... Giordano was third with 193 and finished with a -8. So I mean it's kinda all over the shop really. - Ryan Ma Tue, 20 Sep 2011 22:16:43 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/amato/3973-playing-the-peripheral-game-west-2011#comment-16562 [b]RE: Girardi[/b] Girardi is Lucarelli territory, but I'll throw in my 2 cents. The points might take a bit of a dive due to MDZ returning back to form, but you can't argue with the peripherals that Girardi brings, he's consistently 180+ for each HITs and BS and that won't change much. It's just the way that he plays. I have no problem utilizing Girardi as a 4th blueliner. - Ryan Ma Tue, 20 Sep 2011 22:06:36 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/amato/3973-playing-the-peripheral-game-west-2011#comment-16561 [b]RE: HPG[/b] Trust me HPG has much more to offer than what I just wrote in this column. It's well worth the money if you've bought a subscription. Draft guru alone is worth the money by itself. - Ryan Ma Tue, 20 Sep 2011 22:02:51 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/amato/3973-playing-the-peripheral-game-west-2011#comment-16559 what's the point of getting HPG if dobber's articles are going to spoonfeed you all the juicy information? man, i was looking forward to having all this information to myself (which I paid for) and now it is broadcast for free. awesome. - David Tue, 20 Sep 2011 20:52:55 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/amato/3973-playing-the-peripheral-game-west-2011#comment-16556 Please delete this article. I'm in two pools that have this type of format, one I run. And I don't think half the owner have grasped the concept yet. Your basically running up the prices of my players in the auction. I pray no one in my league follows Dobber. I have to disagree with Girardi comments though. Think Del Zotto is coming back and Girardi will have a bad year. You hear that? Leave Girardi alone. He's a bum. Spend your money on Boyle and Yandle. - mjlees Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:04:40 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/amato/3973-playing-the-peripheral-game-west-2011#comment-16551 Okay, gotcha on the Hits/Blocks focus. Yeah, Elias is there as well - I was disappointed in his FOW last season but I think they should take a bump with Zajac out. In my case, I drafted to get those FOW from the wing along with otherwise production - allows some flexibility both in the draft and through the season in trading (Carter, Zetts, Laich Backes were good for 1,700 FOW last season, even Doan chips in about 75). In terms of D guys, I have often wondered if there is a positive correlation between BS and +/- another stat we often need in this multicategory leagues. - Shoeless Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:55:18 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/amato/3973-playing-the-peripheral-game-west-2011#comment-16550 [b]RE: Sentium[/b] Never thought of it that way, but you know what I mean with those abbreviations... - Ryan Ma Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:31:23 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/amato/3973-playing-the-peripheral-game-west-2011#comment-16549 [b]RE: Zetterberg[/b] Definitely in FW leagues he's gold, adds another dimension to your team when you can get wingers that take FW as well. The thing is I only based the article with HITs and BS. Obviously value varies from league to league, having a winger take FW is a must have in FW leagues, IMO. But if it's just HIT and BS then Zets value has to be down. I completely agree with your list of players that carry winger eligibility and takes FW, but a player that you missed on your list, is Elias. I'd boost his value too. I dunno about the stats but 75% seems a bit high isn't it? But you could be right. - Ryan Ma Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:30:28 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/amato/3973-playing-the-peripheral-game-west-2011#comment-16548 [b]RE: HPG[/b] To be fair, I wrote the article on the weekend before Dobber made all those youtube clips of HPG, so I think it was just a timing thing. But it is a great tool, even if you don't want to spend money on it, so a good idea to be aware of it. - Ryan Ma Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:26:37 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/amato/3973-playing-the-peripheral-game-west-2011#comment-16547 [b]RE: Girardi[/b] I cover the Western Teams. Tim Lucarelli covers the East, so Girardi is his territory. - Ryan Ma Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:25:22 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/amato/3973-playing-the-peripheral-game-west-2011#comment-16545 So if PIMs is an abbreviation for Penalties In Minutes (with a randomly added s at the end) and PPP is Power Play Points (inconsistently without the randomly added s at the end), then for what is HITs an abbreviation? Oh, right... it isn't. Just sayin'... - sentium Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:39:01 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/amato/3973-playing-the-peripheral-game-west-2011#comment-16544 The Rocky Horror Roto show has FOW as a category. Would you like to re-evaluate Zetterberg's value as a LW in that league? Carter? Backes? Laich? Marleau? Datsyuk? Giroux? Briere? Little? Where they are counted in a league and differentiated forward positions are in play, FOW for wingers is a valuable peripheral. I would venture a guess that FOW are also counted in more than 75% of the leagues that also count either Hits or Blocks or both. - Shoeless Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:14:53 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/amato/3973-playing-the-peripheral-game-west-2011#comment-16543 HPG is sure being pushed the last few days lol. Great tool and website. I can support this cause even if it's slightly borderline overkill. - Hockey Hoser Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:11:36 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/amato/3973-playing-the-peripheral-game-west-2011#comment-16542 Just Cmd-F'd this article and found no mention of Dan Girardi. In my opinion, a glaring oversight, as I feel he gets one of the biggest value boosts from the addition of blocks and hits. Sure, his ~30 points might not blow you away, but take a look at his blocks and hits numbers...! - Yikes! Tue, 20 Sep 2011 08:53:05 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/columnistsarticles-mainmenu-77/amato/3973-playing-the-peripheral-game-west-2011#comment-16541 Basically, I skipped through all the info and just admired the names of teams! A.Nittyville Horror! Nightmare on Helm Street! Briere Witch Project! Classic! Now I'll go back and read the actual article. - STONE. Tue, 20 Sep 2011 08:36:54 +0100