In this week's edition of CBCSports.ca' Fantasy Hockey 1-on-1, the guys uncover the best — and worst — bargains in the Hockey Night in Canada Fantasy Pool.
Haven't signed up yet? Don't worry, the second half just got underway, so you've still got a chance to start fresh and build a winning team.
Click here to join. First prize is a car. Second prize is a set of steak knives (kidding on the last one).
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All stats are through Wednesday.
Which player offers the best value in the HNIC pool?
Jesse: For the best bang for your buck, let's focus on players who will only cost you the minimum of one cap point. If you favour the hot hand (and why not in a pool that allows you unlimited pickups and drops every week), Guillaume Latendresse has been on a tear since the Canadiens traded him to Minnesota, racking up 10 goals in 22 games with his new club after scoring just two in Montreal. Why? Ice time. The 22-year-old winger is averaging 2:00 of power-play time and 16:17 of total burn, up from 1:13 and 11:21 with the Habs. Sometimes all a guy needs is a chance.
Jordan: If you have some Player Value points available, it's not rocket science to take the league's leading scorer, Henrik Sedin. The Canuck has a PV of 3, which is one less than the rest of the league's big guns. But if you're searching for more of a bargain, I'd go with Patric Hornqvist up front and Duncan Keith on the back end. Both players have a PV of 2, and both are arguably the hottest players at their respective positions. Hornqvist has 12 goals and 18 points in his last 15 games for Nashville. As for Keith, he's found his name on the scoresheet in 12 of his last 14 games, collecting 17 points during that span. You can't go wrong with those two Olympians.
Which player is overvalued?
Jordan: Two guys automatically jump out at me: Rich Peverley and Phil Kessel. Both forwards have a PV of 3, but neither has performed up to that standard in the past month. Peverley has just one goal and three points in Atlanta's last 12 games, while Kessel has been just as cold with one goal and two assists in his last 13 outings for Toronto. At least for the time being, stay away from these two overrated and overvalued players.
Jesse: Why is Anze Kopitar carrying a PV of 4? It's not October anymore. Thirty of the Kings forward's 44 points came on or before Remembrance Day, and 14 of his 18 goals. No way Kopitar should take up as much room under your cap as guys like Alex Ovechkin, Sid Crosby and Joe Thornton.
The New York Islanders, who finished last in the NHL last season, are challenging for a playoff spot. Which players are lighting it up on the Island?
Jordan: There are a handful of reasons why the Islanders are substantially better than last season. Some might point to John Tavares and his 16 goals and 29 points, but I'd argue he's not the primary reason. The first overall pick's linemates — Matt Moulson and Kyle Okposo — have been superb. Moulson leads the team in goals with 17, while Okposo is the leader in assists (21), points (31), game-winning goals (four) and shots (146). He's on a hot streak right now with four goals in his last four games. Okposo could be the best player not named Zach Parise to put on Team USA's jersey in Vancouver next month, and yet he's owned in just 35 per cent of Yahoo! leagues.
Jesse: How dare you. Ryan Miller of my beloved Buffalo Sabres will be the best player in a U.S. jersey. But back to the Islanders. I'm a little concerned about Tavares because it seems he's hit the dreaded Rookie Wall. After potting 14 goals in his first 31 games, he's got just one in the 16 games since. The guy you want from the Islanders is Dwayne Roloson. Despite starting the season in a platoon with Marty Biron, Roloson is tied for 13th in the league with 18 wins. Expect that total to rise because, despite the recent return of Rick DiPietro, Roloson has played in 16 of the Isles' 20 games since the start of December.
Jordan: I can't argue with your Ryan Miller comment, but I still feel bad for you that you cheer for Buffalo teams (cough — Bills —cough).
