Welcome to this week’s edition of Crashing the Net. For this eighth week of the season we’re going to take a look at each position and some of the players that you might want to add to your roster. We hope you will be able to utilize this article in order to gain a competitive advantage over your opponents throughout the season. Feel free to add omissions and critique our current choices in comments section as we welcome an open discussion at DailyFaceoff.com.
Jason Chimera, Left Wing, Washington Capitals
While everyone’s been talking about the slow start of the Capitals and how Ovechkin is off to the worst start of his career, nobody seems to be talking about the great start of veteran winger Jason Chimera. The nine year veteran is on pace for a career year of 51 points. Chimera is currently first in team goals (yes, more goals than Alexander Ovechkin) and third in points with 14 in the club’s first 22 games. His previous career high was 36 points during the 2006-2007 season while a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets. His points total is even more impressive considering he plays mostly second and third line minutes. Chimera is only owned in roughly 8% of all Yahoo! leagues.
Adam Henrique, Center, New Jersey Devils
Another player who seems to be thriving while bigger names around him are struggling is rookie center Adam Henrique. The 21-year old is centering the Devils top line with Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk. Not only is Henrique second in team scoring but he also has more points than both Parise and Kovalchuk. He’s also tied for third in rookie scoring. Henrique has three points in his last two games which includes seven points in his last seven games. Henrique is only owned in 7% of all Yahoo! leagues. If you’re in need of a centerman you might want to pick up Henrique before everyone else starts to notice the rookie.
Bryan Little, Center/Right Wing, Winnipeg Jets
It was a rough start to the season for Bryan Little. He was seen as one of the top young players on the Jets after coming off of a 48 point season the year before in Atlanta. Unfortunately, he started off the season with only 1 point in the Jets first 8 games. He’s since found his game and has now scored 6 points in the Jets last 6 games. While he has been inconsistent with his scoring over the last two seasons he does at least get first line minutes with the Jets. He currently averages about just under 20 minutes of ice time each game which also includes just under three minutes on the power play. Little also has more value by being eligable for both Center and Right Wing in most leagues.
Kris Russell, Defenceman, St. Louis Blues
Sometimes some players just need a change of scenery. The latest example of this is 24 year-old defenceman Kris Russell. Russell never had more than 23 points in a season during his four seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was seen as a defenceman with alot of offensive upside but was never really able to put up big numbers. That looks like that could be changing after being reunited with former coach Ken Hitchcock in St. Louis. Since joining the Blues he’s scored 4 points in 8 games and has an impressive plus 5 rating in that same span. Hitchcock clearly has faith in the young defenceman as Russell averages over 3 minutes on the power play each night and play’s over 17 minutes per game. Russell is only owned in roughly 2% of all Yahoo! leagues.
Curtis Sanford, Goaltender, Columbus Blue Jackets
Could it be that Curtis Sanford could turn the Blue Jackets season around? The 32 year-old started the season as the Jackets backup goaltender but since Steve Mason’s injury he appears to be the club’s new number one goaltender. Even before Mason went down with a concussion he was having an awful season with his 3-12-1 record and 3.63 gaa. Since filling in for the struggling Mason, Curtis Sanford has an impressive 3-1-2 record with a .950 save percentage and a 1.27 gaa. Sanford has only allowed 5 goals in his last four games. Mason could be back next week but based on the way that the Jackets have been playing in front of Sanford (3-1-1 in their last five games) it’s likely he watches from the bench.
