It is not often that a team makes a free agent signing halfway through the National Hockey League season. And quite often if that does indeed happen the signed player is not of much use for Fantasy Hockey Owners.
However yesterday's news that the Tampa Bay Lightning have inked free agent defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron draws interest from a fantasy point of view. With that interest, though, come some red flags.
Here's a breakdown of the Bergeron signing from a fantasy hockey viewpoint:
The Good:
- Bergeron, 30, is a very good offensive defenseman, one who has accumulated 194 points in 399 career games---including 34 in 60 contests with Montreal a year ago.
- He is an above-average power play quarterback, and Tampa Bay has the No. 1 rated power play already in the league. Add those two together and it is likely Bergeron will put up some solid power play numbers, a vital category in many fantasy hockey leagues.
Take a Pause:
- Bergeron can be a questionable fantasy pick-up in league's that count plus/minus. Defense if not a big part of this defenseman's game, a major reason why he has played for five teams in the previous four seasons.
- He is coming off major reconstructive knee surgery and has yet to play a game this season.
- Bergeron will have to play in the minors for a while to get in game-shape, so he is not NHL-ready at present.
The Advice:
Keep a close eye on Bergeron. Many things can happen with his situation, with the best-case scenario being that he gets healthy in the minors, then comes up to the Lightning and racks up points with an extremely-talented offensive team.
But do not pick him up just yet, evaluate his situation first. Too many things could diminish Bergeron's value, including his knee does not respond well in the minors or he could be claimed by a much less-skilled offensive team on waivers and never get a chance to play for the Lightning.