It's the heartbreak of every fantasy hockey player: It's always the big guys, the superstars, who let you down. Most of these players are having decent years and playing valuable roles with their teams. But in retrospect, they were ranked way too high in fantasy hockey forecasts. Each entry includes the player's salary (just for fun) and a much cheaper guy you would rather have.
To his credit, Iginla does not make excuses or duck criticism. Reporters tell us he’s a standup guy who works hard. But that’s little comfort to fantasy hockey players. Iginla has to put up big numbers or his season is a failure. You would rather have: Olli Jokinen of the Panthers. Coach Mike Keenan, who brings out the best in some players, has guided Jokinen to a breakout season.
Theodore has had some good games lately, prompting the wishful Montreal media to crow, “Jose’s back!” But fantasy hockey players know that last year’s MVP form is still a long ways off. A .905 save percentage won’t take home any silverware this year. You would rather have: Marty Turco of the Stars. He has the best stats of any number one goalie in the NHL.
The greatest NHL goalie of all time has fallen off the chart this year. He’s near the bottom in save percentage and goals-against average and has yet to post a shutout. Media types suggest this could be Roy’s last season. You would rather have: Ed Belfour of the Maple Leafs. He is outplaying the man he replaced - Curtis Joseph - and almost everyone else.
Could the Islanders’ goalies find Yashin in a police lineup? Probably not. They haven’t seen him all year. His minus-19 is among the NHL's worst and his scoring doesn't make up for it. Unless he picks up the pace, Yashin’s points will decline for the fourth straight season. You would rather have: Alexei Zhamnov of the Blackhawks. The 'Hawks center is a model of reliability.
The point totals from Gagne’s first three seasons look like this: 48, 59, 66. This year, with a new contract, he might not make 40. Flyers’ coaches have been telling him to simplify his game and shoot more. Nothing to show for it so far. You would rather have: Vincent Lecavalier of the Lightning. 1998’s number-one draft pick is having a breakthrough season in his fifth year.
Kariya is on pace for 70-75 points, which would be his best season in three years. But with all his talent, speed and money, fantasy hockey players expect more. Kariya’s touch has abandoned him of late: He recently went 12 games without a goal. You would rather have: Michael Nylander of the Capitals. A trade from Chicago to Washington set Nylander rolling on what should be a career year.
Several NHL goaltending stars are struggling this season. But only Khabibulin is going backwards on a team going forwards. He’s been okay. But Tampa Bay is a much-improved team, so why are his numbers worse than last year? You would rather have: Jocelyn Thibault of the Blackhawks. If he can avoid the second-half slump that plagued him last year, Thibault is a Vezina Trophy candidate.
Blake has picked up his game in the new year, but it will take a heck of an effort for him to achieve the 55-60 point season we have come to expect. You would rather have: Mathieu Schneider of the Kings. On a team where almost nobody can stay healthy, Schneider is putting up Blake-like numbers.
He has injury problems, but no one expected him to be this quiet. As of mid-January, he had six points since the end of November. Nolan could finish with his lowest point total since his rookie season over a decade ago. You would rather have: Glen Murray of the Bruins. Like Nolan, he's a 30-year-old power forward on a struggling team. But Murray is on pace for 90 points.
With Yzerman hurt and Larionov turning 42, Datsyuk was expected to take on a greater role in Detroit. He’s at an age (24) when breakthrough seasons have been known to happen. But it hasn’t happened for Datsyuk. You would rather have: Tyler Arnason. The Blackhawks center, drafted 12 picks behind Datsyuk in 1998, could be the rookie of the year.
