+NHL
C - Nicklas Backstrom, WSH
C - Mike Ribeiro, WSH
C - Jeff Carter, LA
W - Daniel Sedin, VAN
W - James Neal, PIT
W - Wayne Simmonds, PHI
D - PK Subban, MON
D - Andrei Markov, MON
D - Brian Campbell, FLA
D - Paul Martin, PIT
G - Jimmy Howard, DET
G - Cory Schneider, VAN
Bench - Jarome Iginla, CGY
Bench - Brad Richards, NYR
Bench - Cody Franson, TOR
Bench - Craig Anderson, OTT
As things stand, my team currently sits in 3rd place. I languished at the back of the pack for most of the season until finally making a run over the last couple of weeks.
I made several key moves during that time that really turned my season around.
But before I get to that, I'll just say that I'm glad I didn't deal a goalie earlier on, because I would've been screwed after Craig Anderson went down. Cory Schneider has filled in admirably, and with Luongo's recent struggles in Vancouver, he's been getting more and more playing time as a result. I had considered trading him last month, but that really could've screwed me over, as goalies are coming at a premium in my league. Someone just released Evgeni Nabokov, and he should get picked up soon, but other than him, the best goalie available is Jonathan Bernier.
Two trades I did make:
1. I traded Nail Yakupov (EDM) for Jeff Carter (LA), which might've been the steal of the year, as far as I'm concerned. Since I've taken on Carter, he's scored 8 goals for me over his last 7 games, whereas Yakupov has really dropped off the map. He was actually released back into the free agent pool about a week ago.
2. I traded Sam Gagner (EDM) for Wayne Simmonds (PHI). Another excellent trade for me. Granted, Gagner is playing much better than Yakupov, but I don't trust his track record, and Simmonds is just an all-around better player. He was hurt at the time I traded for him, so it looked like I was giving up too much at the time, but I feel vindicated now that he's given me about 10 points and 24 PIMs over the last two weeks or so.
Waiver Wire moves I made:
1. I dropped Jack Johnson (CLS) for Paul Martin (PIT). On paper, that looks like an insanely stupid move to make. Johnson is one of the best young defensemen in the league, whereas Martin is just sort of average. But that hasn't been the case this season. Martin has been on fire while paired up with Kris Letang. He's getting a ton of power play minutes and has been producing consistently all season long. And besides, he should post a far better +/- than Johnson, skating with the likes of Crosby & Malkin. So, I felt like it was worth the risk. And the move has been justified so far (although, Johnson appears to be making a bit of a comeback). I don't feel entirely comfortable with the move (it could come back to bite me), but it's definitely helped out my team so far.
2. I dropped Nick Leddy (CHI) for Cody Franson (TOR). Leddy is a good young defenseman and produced well last season, but Franson has really come out of nowhere to post 15 pts. in 22 games with a +11 rating. Can he maintain that pace? I wouldn't count on it, but it's a decent gamble to make, given the relative strength of Leddy by comparison. They're really not that far apart in terms of value, and if nothing else, Franson should be able to maintain a positive +/- while playing for the Leafs (Leddy should too, playing for the red hot Hawks, but at least that's a wash). With that being said, if Franson can maintain his current pace, he could end the season as one of the bigger surprises of the year.
A move I'm considering:
1. I've been thinking real long and hard about dropping Brad Richards. He just doesn't seem to have any chemistry with Rick Nash, like everyone thought he would. I drafted the guy in the 3rd round, expecting big numbers from the new partnership, and have been sorely disappointed with what I've gotten out of him. He's currently injured at the moment, having sat out the past two games with back spasms, so he could get back on track once he returns. So, I've been trying to stay patient with him, but it's getting harder to do as the days go by. And, given the size of our rosters in my league, there are quite a few quality forwards to be had in the free agent pool (there aren't any goalies or defensemen, but plenty of wings and centers). I could drop him for hot players like Mike Cammalleri, who has 18 points in 20 games, or Chris Stewart, who has 19 in 22, or stalwarts like Jaromir Jagr or Alex Tanguay, or up and comers like Blake Wheeler or Cory Conacher. But given the strength of the free agent pool, I think I'll wait Richards out. Because if he doesn't come around and start playing well at some point in the season, there will always be plenty of players to exchange him for in the free agent pool. So, for now, he rides the pine.
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