Dipping into this week's fantasy hockey mailbag---or really the inbox, but let's not get too technical---here's what we've got:
Question from Brian in Worcester, MA:
I play in a 12-team rotisserie league which counts goals, assists, points, and penalty minutes, as well as several goaltending stats. The top three finishers in the league take home some cash, and I am currently in fifth place, only three points out of third place. With five weeks to go I can't see making up enough ground in goals, assists, points, where I am kind of locked in with my standing, but I think I could make up several spots in penalty minutes as there is not much space between me and the four teams ahead of me. My question: should I go and acquire two or three goons to rack up penalty minutes to bump me up into the top three in my league? I know I'd give up some goals and points by putting them in my lineup, but I think it's the best strategy. Thoughts?
Jim's answer:
Brian, this is a tough one for me to completely evaluate because I don't know who you are thinking of dropping---and how much that will cost you in the way of goals, assists, and points---and I also do not know how close other teams are that are trailing you in those three categories. In other words, my concern would be that you move up a couple of spots in penalty minutes, but drop a spot in goals and another in points, for example, and there you are still in fifth place---or worse. In general---again, without knowing who is on your team, what players you are thinking of picking up off waivers, etc.---I would assume that the bulk of your offense is coming from your forwards. If that is the case, and you are still looking to add penalty minutes, perhaps add one forward who will help with that category without taking too much of your offense away, but then also add a defenseman or two who could add penalty minutes because likely you would not lose as much offense. A guy who could help on the blueline, both in penalty minutes and point production, and who likely is available in most fantasy hockey leagues, is the Islanders' Travis Hamonic.
Question from Michael in New York City:
I need a little juice offensively down the stretch and was thinking of claiming Erik Christensen off of waivers. He's a guy who can get really hot for a few weeks, which is exactly what I need. And he had that four-point game last week. Do you think he is a good pick-up?
Jim's Answer:
I think Erik Christensen is way too inconsistent to take a chance on. In fact, despite that four-point game, as well as six points in his previous five games (3-3-6), Christensen was a healthy scratch on Sunday for the Rangers when Marian Gaborik returned to the lineup. Christensen has a world of skill and talent. He also has only nine goals and 20 points in 50 games this season. Stay away. Find someone else to fill the role of "lightning in a bottle" down the stretch.
Question from Sheila in Hamilton, ON:
I play in a league where my roster needs to be set at the start of the week, and I can't make any changes for the rest of the week. So I need to know ASAP if Brad Richards is ready come back or not and if I should put him in my lineup. The Stars play four games this week and I would hate to miss his production if he is able to play. Help!
Jim's Answer:
Nothing like putting some pressure on me, Sheila! I am not in the Dallas Stars dressing room and I do not have a pipeline to their training staff, but the team had hoped Richards could play two days ago on Saturday, and he was unable to. That setback aside, he is clearly close to a return, but concussions are a tricky thing. A setback of a few more days could cost him two more games missed. Or Richards could return, suffer symptoms again, and be sidelined once again. An inexact science, for sure. But what I would do in your place, Sheila, is monitor the internet closely, up to the last minute, on Monday for any updates on Richards, then make your call. As of right this second, I would probably err on the side of including Richards in your lineup. Good luck!