Fantasy Hockey: Month in Review

Well folks, we've officially seen another month of hockey come and gone. The season commenced in October and what an exciting month it's been. Already we've seen highlight-reel goals, bone-crushing checks, and unbelievable saves by the best hockey players in the world. In the realm of fantasy hockey, there has been much to be excited about and just as much to be dissapointed by. We'll dig a little deeper and see who have been the biggests surprises and busts in the game so far.

Surprises

Forward:

Steven Stamkos: Okay, so maybe this isn't much of a surprise. The number 1 overall pick in 2008 has gotten off to a blistering start with 11 goals, 11 assists, 9 PPP, and a +7. There was no doubt that Stamkos has tremendous talent but he leads the league in goals, surpassing the likes of Ovechkin and Crosby, and making an argument for the best player in fantasy hockey. If you drafted him, enjoy the spoils that Steven will continue to offer throughout the season.

Honorable mention: Chris Stewart, Patrick Sharp

Defense:

Nicklas Lidstrom: How can I make the statement that it's a surprise that one of the best defenseman of all time is performing well? The Swedish sensation has seen a steady decrease in points over the last 4 years and and people began to wonder if his age was finally catching up to him. He proved them wrong. With 15 points in 13 games, Lidstrom is on pace to have a career year. He has a good team around him and will produce as a number 1 defenseman all year.
Honorable mention: J.M. Liles, Kris Letang

Goalie:

Tim Thomas: No question here. Timmy T has surpassed all expectations by playing on his head in the year that Rask was expected to finally secure the number 1 role. Thomas is 7-0 with a .967 SV% and a 1.04 GAA with 3 shutouts. Good enough for best in the league and good enough to carry your fantasy goalie tandem so far.

Honorable mention: Sergei Bobrovsky, Antero Nittymaki

Busts

Forward:

Ilya Kovalchuk: The Devils team is struggling mightily as a whole and Kovy, who is used to carrying his team, has been brought down with it. With 8 points and only 1 PPP, he has made owners regret picking him from the start. He's bound to turn it around, but has been a dissapointment so far for the fantasy hockey world.

Honorable mention: Zach Parise, Jerome Iginla

Defense:

Drew Doughty: One point and an injury stint is enough to make this young star a bust so far. He has returned and will begin to rack up points running the King's powerplay, but at this point he has given a headache to fantasy owers who drafted him.

Honorable mention: Dion Phaneuf, Erik Johnson

Goalie:

Marc-Andre Fleury: One win? On the Penguins? Is this real life? Fleury has an abysmal 3.54 GAA and .853 SV%. Coupled with back-up goalies Brent Johnson's strong play, Fleury has been a disaster for fantasy owners thus far. He has to get better... right?

Honorable mention: Ryan Miller, Ilya Bryzgalov

Email of the Week:

A manager in my league offered me Corey Perry and Dustin Penner in exchange for my Rick Nash and Phil Kessel. Should I accept? 10 team league, standard categories. I would appreciate any input.

-James

James, this is a fair trade offer but I would respectively decline this trade. Perry is definetely the best player in the deal, but without seeing the make-up of the rest of your team I would advise you not to accept. Penner is almost irrelevent to fantasy hockey this year. He excelled last year with Hemsky's absence but with Hemsky healthy and stars like Eberle, Hall, and Paajarvi-Svensson leading the team, Penner finds himself in the third line in Edmonton. Nash is starting to turn it on and Kessel is the prime goal scorer for Toronto's offensive. Walk away from the trade and keep Nash and Kessel.

Until next week, folks. Keep those emails coming!