Sporting News
I often talk about the importance of schedule density when determining who to buy in Ultimate Salary Cap Hockey. I tend to do this as if a player is in a vacuum; as if only his schedule matters.
In reality, the game is more complex than that. While you will no doubt make good profits just looking at schedules of players you want to buy, there can be even more value gained in looking at who is about to be sold. This does not just apply to your players.
For example, this week the Calgary Flames will see their schedule lighten. Jarome Iginla and Miikka Kiprusoff are two of the most-owned players at their respective positions. The lighter schedule means their owners will have to go elsewhere.
When looking to buy, you should keep that in mind, even if you own neither. Who are the comparable players in their price range with good schedules starting right when theirs dries up? Identify those players and you have the inside track on who will be the big gainers in the next week.
Teams with four games this trade week: Carolina, Columbus, Detroit, Florida, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York Rangers, Ottawa, St. Louis, Vancouver
Teams with two games this trade week: Anaheim, Atlanta, Minnesota, Pittsburgh
The Elite: $9.50 million-$6.01 million:
Alexander Ovechkin, winger, Washington Capitals, $8.95 M: If you don't own him, pick him up by Saturday's games at the latest. He has been dropped by a lot of owners because of Washington's dry spell, but he stands to pick up again in value shortly. This is easy value and easy points. Don't pass it up.
Henrik Lundqvist, goalie, New York Rangers, $7.24 M: In addition to Kiprusoff, Niklas Backstrom will see his schedule dry up during this period. Owners will be looking for at least one, if not two, top-notch goalies if possible. Lundqvist hasn't been getting the W's lately, but he has played well, allowing just four goals in his last three starts. His name value, reputation, solid TSNP average and lightly-owned numbers suggest he should see a nice gain in the next seven days as the Rangers schedule intensifies.
The Mid-tier: $6.00 million-$3.01 million:
Rick Nash, winger, Columbus Blue Jackets, $5.28 M: The high-scoring Nash has surprised many this season by having more assists, 25, than goals, 23. In fact, he's just six assists off his career high. Nash is averaging a point more TSNP per game than Iginla, and Calgary's schedule slows right when Columbus' heats up. In fact, if you trade out of Iginla for Nash after Thursday's game, you'll be able to get four-straight games from the combination.
Dustin Brown, winger, Los Angeles Kings, $4.38 M: Brown's solid season has continued as of late with 13 points in his past nine games. The good news is he's become much more of a known quantity these days in Ultimate Hockey, and as a result, he'll see his value continue to rise. The bad news is he is a known quantity, meaning if you don't get into him by the end of the week, you might miss his value train.
The Bargains: $3.00 million-$0.50 million:
Chris Mason, goalie, St. Louis Blues, $2.12 M: Mason has finally wrestled the starting job away from Manny Legace, who was sent to the minors earlier in the week. St. Louis now has an unquestioned No. 1, who is as hot as any netminder in the league right now available for a cheap price. Plus, remember Mason is just a year removed from a season in which he averaged nearly 60 TSNP/G for Nashville. The talent is there; take advantage of it.
Andy McDonald, center, St. Louis Blues, $1.78 M: He's been injured since November, but McDonald was producing before his injury with 18 points in 16 games. Despite a minus-12, he was averaging 34.6 points a game. He might be rusty coming back after a long layoff, although he had a goal and an assist Tuesday in his first game back. McDonald is someone to keep an eye on. If he continues to look good early on, scoop him up; at his price and with the dense St. Louis schedule, his value will go up.
Ben Valentine is a Sporting News customer service rep and avid fantasy owner. E-mail him at bvalentine@sportingnews.com
SPEAK OUT ON THIS ARTICLE
