With the regular season winding down most of the questions in our mailbag of late have been about Keeper Leagues and Playoff Pools/Playoff Leagues.
Let's have a look at this week's batch of questions:
Question from David in Detroit:
This isn't a make or break fantasy hockey question, but more looking for you to settle a debate I have with my friend. We play in a keeper league, and I have both Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, while he has Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. I think my two Ducks are the better duo to keep than his two two Hawks. What do you think?
Jim's Answer:
My initial reaction is that neither of you guys can lose in this debate! You both will be keeping star players coming off excellent seasons. Clearly the player here who made the biggest leap forward this season was Perry, and he may swing this debate in your favor. With another two goals and three points last night, the red-hot Perry now leads the league with a career-high 46 goals, and his 89 points are fourth most in the NHL. None of the three other players mentioned in this debate have the 50-goal potential Perry has, though it could be argued they all could still be consistent 85-90 point players. Throw into the mix, however, Perry's penchant to rack up penalty minutes (102 this year, four straight seasons of 100+)---an area where the others do not help their fantasy hockey owners nearly as much---and the balance tips in your favor even more. All things being equal---which means staying away from injuries, something both Getzlaf and Kane could not do this season---I give a slight edge to you with Perry and Getzlaf. But neither of you guys is hurting heading into your next fantasy hockey season!
Question from Carlos in Toronto:
Hey, I have an issue here. I'm in a keeper pool that allows me to keep 4 guys. Currently I'm keeping Zetterberg, Parise, Gaborik, and Bryzgalov. I have Skinner and Halak also, I was wondering if you think it's a good idea to switch Gaborik with one of those two, and trade him for a pick. I love Gaborik, but I just hate his injury history. I'm just not sure if Skinner will get into a sophomore slump, and Halak has hurt me this year, but has recently played pretty well, if you can respond, please let me know, thanks.
Jim's Answer:
Because of Marian Gaborik's injury history, you may want to trade him for a high pick, that is not a bad strategy. If you do that then I would definitely keep Jeff Skinner. But don't be so quick to trade Gaborik. I could see a bounce-back year for him next season and you could regret letting him go, unless, as I said before, you get a high draft pick for him. If you decide to keep Gaborik, then make sure you trade Skinner and get a good pick for him because I bet there are plenty of owners in your league that want him. As for a sophomore slump, you can never say for sure how a rookie will perform his second season, but my money is on Skinner to have an even better season. He has star written all over him. You have some risk with Zach Parise, some with Henrik Zetterberg, but Ilya Bryzgalov is a keeper in goal. At the end of the day, if I was running your team, I'd keep Bryzgalov, Parise, Gaborik, and Skinner. Somewhat risky, but a really high reward possible, too.
Question from Brian in Albany, NY:
I was wondering if you have any advice for a playoff pool? I am taking part in my first one and am a bit nervous because there will be some big money invested. I'm not sure what strategy I should have entering the draft. Help!
Jim's Answer:
I will have a series of articles regarding playoff pools in the days leading up to the NHL's post-season on April 13, so please stop back here to check them out. In short, playoff pools are not dissimilar to March Madness College Basketball brackets and pools. You have to find teams you believe will make a long run in the playoffs and ride them. In fantasy hockey playoff pools, that means believing that Vancouver, for example, is going to the Stanley Cup Finals, and then selecting a strong group of Canucks players because obviously they will be totaling better fantasy statistics then top players from teams you believe will fall in a round or two. Of course your whole plan of action could be blown up by an early round upset or two, that's why you do need to spread the wealth some with your picks. That's it in a nut shell, but I'll have much more in detail coming in the next week or so.
E-mail Jim your fantasy hockey questions and comments at jimcerny@gmail.com.