Looks like Michael Grabner is figuring it out.
For several years it has often been said of the former first-round pick of the Canucks (14th overall in 2006) that Grabner's hands, as well as his desire, needed to catch up with his elite-level skating ability in order for him to enjoy success in the National Hockey League.
After scoring five goals in a pair of Islanders' victories this weekend, and while riding impressive five-game goal-scoring and point-scoring streaks, it can be said that Grabner is surely putting it all together in his first full season at the NHL level.
And those fantasy hockey owners who gambled early this season on the 23 year-old Austrian are being rewarded in a big way for their faith in Grabner, just as the Islanders are, after claiming him off waivers from the Panthers back in October.
Grabner started slowly with just three goals in his first 15 games. But now after 52 games he has 24 goals, 33 points, a +10 plus/minus rating, and three goals on special teams (2 shorthanded and one on the power play). That is a great return on investement for fantasy hockey owners who probably either picked Grabner up off the waiver wire or used their last pick or next-to-last pick on him back on draft day.
At his best over the past five games, Grabner has nine goals and 11 points while scoring in five straight games since February 5. He not only is the hottest rookie right now in the league, he is the hottest player of all.
Grabner's recent run has pulled him even with San Jose's Logan Couture for the rookie goal-scoring lead with 24, and he is tied for fourth in rookie points with 33, still 12 behind Carolina's Jeff Skinner. An afterthought as far as the Calder Trophy was concerned for much of the year, Grabner is now making a serious run at the hardware.
In keeper leagues fantasy hockey owners always like to find inexpensive young talent for their rosters. Grabner may be showing that he is indeed a keeper, finally.
Have any fantasy hockey questions or comments? E-mail them to Jim at jimcerny@gmail.com. And make sure to check out his weekly Fantasy Hockey Mailbag right here at about.com.