Here are some recent questions our experts have received, along with their responses. If you have a question for one of our experts, you can submit it here. Please limit yourself to no more than two questions per week.
I've had alfredsson for the past two years. Both were 1st round picks. At the age of 36 he is eventually going to be on the slide, sooner than later. I know that the past few years have been some of his best, but If he starts slipping then his trade value really drops. So i have a chance to trade for Jeff Carter who i could draft in the 11th round(and possibly keep for 2 or 3 years). What are your thoughts on Carter and his future three years? Can he be a stud? Is this worth it? Or should hold onto alfredsson for one more year? thanks Adam
Alfredsson probably has at least 2-3 more good years left in him. He has not shown any signs of slowing down yet and still plays on a high-octane line for the Sens. But you're right, perhaps now is the time to trade him while his value is still high. In Carter, you're getting a guy who plays the #3 center slot behind two of the better C's in the game - Briere and Richards. Still, he will probably be in the 50-ish point range this year, but in 2-3 years he will either be playing on one of the top 2 lines in Philly or somewhere else. He's too good to be kept on the 3rd line for any length of time. Once that happens, I think you're looking at 80-90 point potential. If you can get him by way of your draft without giving up Alfredsson to get him, then I would do that. Having both on your roster for the medium term would be better than having just one or the other. Good luck, -Mark
I'm going back and forth on what to do in the 2nd round of my H2H, one year fantasy hockey league. There is a heavy emphasis on goals and PPG in my league. I'll be more than likely taking a wing in the 1st round, 6th overall(Heatley or Zetterberg). I'm considering taking 1 of 3 centers that will be available to me when the draft snakes back to me. They are Jokinen, Staal, Briere and Roy. It's quite possible one will be available in the third and I could conceivably draft a goalie such as Roberto Luongo instead. Thank you, Barry
Hi Barry - not sure of what goalie stats they track in your league, but if you get a chance to pick up an elite keeper like Luongo, I would do that before picking up a center - there's always good value forwards in later rounds of most drafts, but goalies are usually harder to come by. That said, I would probably pick up Briere or Staal if one of those guys come to you. Jokinen has always been consistent but he's with a new team this year so he may face an adjustment period. Roy will be an elite center eventually, but he's not quite ready yet, in my opinion. Staal is a little inconsistent from year to year but he should be in 80+ point territory. I probably like Briere out of all of them, since his supporting cast will be second to none and he's already had a year of adapting to his new team and knows the system now. I would probably go with Briere. Best of luck, -Mark
Rounding out my 10 keepers in h2h league-14teams g,A,+/-,PIM,PPP,FceofWins I've already got Brodeur,Lundquist,Lidstrom,Pominville,&Plekanec. That leaves 5 spots for the following: Rafalski,Neidermeyer,Legace,Sharp,Marleau,Elias,Hejduk,Demitra,PM Bouchard,Andy McDonald,&Justin Williams. Goalies are absolutely hoarded in this league so I'm leaning to Legace as 1 keeper, if only for trade value. I can stack my D if I keep Rafalski & Neids(is he back?) to go with Lidstrom. I'm real weak at C, especially FWs. Good centers are hard to come by. Name 5
I would probably not bother with Legace if wins is the only goalie stat that is tracked in your league. Manny's overall stats will probably be pretty good once again, but wins will be hard to come by given the team he plays for. The 5 guys I would keep would be Rafalski, Niedermayer (yes, probably back for 1 more year), Demitra (should have a great season playing w. the Sedins), Sharp (breakout year playing LW alongside Toews & Kane) and Williams (was almost point-per-game last year before he tore his ACL) Guys I would still try to get during your draft would be Hejduk and McDonald. Marleau is a risk as long as he's not playing his natural C position for the Sharks - they gave that job to Pavelski last year and it looks like it will be more of the same this year. Good value fantasy wise only if he gets traded. Good luck, -Mark
Ive got to make a final decision on my last keeper. It's between Sundin, Horcoff, Cole, and J.Carter. I have to make a decision by Sept 1. It's a no brainer if Sundin is signed. I'm good in the goal department with Ovechkin, Datsyuk, and Hossa as my other keepers. What is your recommendation?
You're right, if Sundin signs, your question is answered. It doesn't sound like there is a decision coming from him before Sept 1, however, so you will likely have to make your call without knowing about what his plans are. I probably would not go with Sundin anyway, given his age and likelihood of playing only 1 more season, if at all. Carter is probably the best keeper out of all of them, but he's longer term and won't pay the immediate dividends that Horcoff or Cole will. Horcoff and Cole are very close in my mind, as they have the same supporting cast in Edmonton and both should play on the 1st line. Both are a bit of an injury risk, more so with Cole. Also, Cole is adjusting to a new team, a new system and could switch over to LW from RW so he might take longer to get up to speed. Horcoff is more settled in his role with the Oilers so I would probably go with him. Good luck, -Mark
It may seem a little early to concern myself with my league's fantasy hocky draft, but we held our lottery last night. I have the 6th pick. Presuming Ovechkin,Crosby and Malkin go 1,2,3, who should I draft at number 6? The likely players available are: Heatley,Iginla,Lecavlier and Zetterberg. I know the person before me will absulutely take Lecavlier if he's still available at the 5th spot. If Iginla is still there for me at #6, I'm leaning towards him. Please let me know what you think. Thank you, Barry
Barry Assuming you're correct about Lecavalier also being gone, than we are down to Heatley, Iginla, and Zetterberg. Not knowing if you're league rewards penalty minutes or not makes this answer a little difficult, if it does than Iginla is indeed the easy choice. If you're league doesn't than an argument could be made for any of the three. With Detroit's acquisition of Marian Hossa they are going to score a ton of goals. This almost assures that Zetterberg will play with either Datsyuk or Hossa, so their will be chances aplenty. The Senators will probaly try to split up the trio of Jason Spezza, Daniel Alfredsson, and Heatley, so I might have him last on your list. In conclusion with the addition of Michael Cammalleri, Iginla would seem to be the right choice. George Kurtz, RotoWire Hockey Editor
Private Question: I have been offered Malkin, Marleau, Lidstrom and a couple of picks FOR Stamkos, Iginla, Aucoin. Thoughts? Goals ONLY, head to head, keeper pool. Thanks
I wouldn't take it. For simplicity let's call Malkin vs. Stamkos a wash. As great as Lidstrom is, he doesn't score too many goals and he won't be in the league too much longer at age 38. This really comes down to Marleau vs. Iginla which is no contest - Iggy by a country mile. I would sit tight. Stamkos could very well be outscoring Malkin and Marleau combined in a few years. -Mark
Keeper Pool with Salary Cap 1) I have been offered Smyth Col 7.25 million + Briere Phil 8.0 million for Heatly Ott 10.00 million. My concern is: Should I spend 80% of the salary cap on 80% of my starting roster. I still need to draft seven players for total remaining of 12 million cap dollars if I make this trade. (Two starters and five bench players).
I'm not crazy about this deal actually. I like Briere at 8.0 but Smyth at 7.25 not so much. However, 80% of your salary on 80% of your roster is probably ok. There are a lot of good young players you should be able to get on the cheap - 12M is probably enough to get some suitable reinforcements. Good luck, -Mark