My inbox has been filling up with questions from fantasy hockey owners this off-season, especially as we creep closer to the opening of training camps and September fantasy hockey drafts.
So let's get to a few of the questions.
I think Mark Streit is a top-five fantasy hockey defenseman, but my team co-owner doesn't think he is even top-ten because he missed all of last year due to injury. What do you think? I really want to draft him! --Dan, Syosset, NY
While I wouldn't necessarily anoint him as a top-five fantasy hockey defenseman, I am a big fan of Mark Streit. The fact that he missed all of last year due to shoulder surgery is a concern, no doubt, but Streit has shown that he is a reliable point-producer from the back end---he notched 62, 56, and 49 points his last three healthy seasons for Montreal and the Islanders, with 7, 10, and 9 power play goals respectively. Your co-owner is wrong, in my opinion. Streit is definitely one of the top ten defensemen in fantasy hockey, closer to the top five you have him graded at. Surrounded by an emerging group of talented young forwards, a healthy Streit is a good bet to bounce back with a strong fantasy hockey season in 2011-12.
I play in a keeper league and Jonas Hiller is my No. 1 goalie. Should I be concerned that he may still be suffering from vertigo like last year? What is his status, and did I make a mistake in keeping him? ---Anil, Ottawa, ON
Anil, this is a tough question to answer for several reasons. First and foremost, no one really seems to know the exact health situation of Hiller this summer. There have been varying reports stating that he is fully healthy and ready for camp, and others stating that he is still suffering some from the dizziness which derailed his season in 2010-11. The other part of the equation that makes it difficult to fully answer your question is you did not state if you kept a second goaltender, and/or who is still available in your league's upcoming draft. I would feel really good if I had another solid goaltender, and Hiller was, at worst, my No. 2. Keep in mind Hiller was an All Star last year, posted the league's 5th best save percentage, and was on his way to another strong year before the vertigo sabotaged the rest of his season, cut short after 49 appearances. Did you make a mistake in keeping him? Hard to say because I do not know who else you have, or had before. But I would advise that adding another solid goalie early in your draft is vital, as a precaution, this season.
My Panthers made a lot of moves this off-season and I think the team will be much improved. Was just wondering who you thought will have the biggest fantasy impact of all the new faces? I say (Sean) Bergenheim. What do you think? ---Michael, Boca Raton, FL
Michael, I wrote a story during the playoffs that Bergenheim might be a possible secondary fantasy hockey league scorer this season based on his improved production last year in Tampa Bay (14-15-29) and his terrific production in the post-season (9 goals in 16 games). But in my opinion the two best fantasy values acquired by Florida this off-season---though both come with question marks---are forward Tomas Fleischmann and defenseman Brian Campbell. At 27, Flieschmann should be entering his prime, though he is coming off concussion issues. Prior to those he did notch 21 points in 22 games with Colorado last season, and he did post 51 points (23 goals) in 69 games with the Caps in 2009-10. Watch him closely in training camp, Fleischmann could be set for his breakout year. As for Campbell, he is no longer the 45-50 point defenseman he used to be, but I think he is better than the 27-point Blackhawk he was a year ago. At a reachable 35 points, Campbell would be a decent third or fourth defenseman on your fantasy roster.
Send your fantasy hockey questions and comments to jimcerny@gmail.com