Martin Brodeur's absence has stunned fantasy owners.

Ok so it’s pretty likely someone out there has been burned by a top goaltender by now.  How many of you drafted Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo or Marty Turco?  Turco might as well be hurt for the numbers he’s put up so far.  Obviously those that lost Brodeur were stunned.  Losing Luongo (as he’s rumoured to be sidelined for upwards of a month) only frustrates fantasy owners even more.   Either way, with three of the top goaltenders from this year’s draft either hurt or not performing up to their previous standards, someone out there is likely looking for goaltending.

Also for those of you who recently lost Brendan Morrow and his particularly strong all-around fantasy hockey production, I offer my condolences.  Hopefully you snagged Milan Lucic a few a weeks ago when I mentioned him.  He’s the perfect replacement for that type of statistical production.  Of course hindsight is 20-20.   This week, I’ll try and highlight some left wingers who may soften the blow, but as with the loss of Brodeur, Morrow is a difficult player to replace.

Each week there are some player suggestions that carry over into the following weeks.  If you haven’t picked them up and haven’t read about them in more detail, check out some of previous Power Play Pickups.  Guys I suggested in recent weeks that are still good bets for production: Derick Brassard, Manny Legace, Milan Lucic, Loui Eriksson and Ryan Clowe

This week with heavy casualties to top players, let’s take a close look at who you can use to replace these talents.

Goalies

Dan Ellis, Predators

Ellis is definitely a shallow league option.  He shouldn’t be out there, but I’ve seen him available in some 10 team leagues which isn’t justified considering his numbers: 8 wins, a 3.08 goals against average and a .895 save percentage.  These are not ‘stud’ numbers but you’re unlikely to get ‘stud’ numbers from a free agent.  What you’re looking for is a goaltender who won’t hurt you.  That would be Mr. Ellis.  Last season in the 44 games he played in he had a 2.34 GAA and a .924 save percentage.  Methinks he has room to improve on the current percentages.  If he’s out there pick him up.  If he’s not, he’s an ideal trade target as his numbers aren’t stellar yet.  Remember, he’s still pretty young (ie has room to improve) and there’s not much competition for his starting job in Nashville.

Erik Ersberg, Kings

The 26 year old has played superbly this month.  He’s taken the Kings starting goalie job by storm with a 2.05 goals against average and a .907 save percentage.  He won’t get many wins with the Kings but he should keep them in position to do so.  Remember, if you just lost Luongo these types of players are ideal replacements.  Ersberg might burn out by the time Luongo comes back.  He might not.  Either way, riding the hot goalie is a fine strategy when you’ve got an injured stud.  In other words, don’t debate whether or not Ersberg is ‘For Real’.  Just pick him up and enjoy the stats while they last.

Chris Sanford and Corey Schneider, Canucks

Sanford is the boring immediate replacement.  He’s an experienced net minder who should fit the bill while Vancouver waits impatiently for Luongo to heal.  He’s currently putting up solid numbers and as the current starter in Vancouver should be owned in most formats.  However, he doesn’t have stellar career numbers and may get surpassed by the backup, also known as the best goaltender prospect in the AHL, Corey Schneider.  He’s currently posting a 2.28 GAA with a .916 save percentage for the Manitoba Moose.  Throughout his minor league career he’s dominated with several sub-2 goals against average seasons. Now the obvious question: Who do I pick up?  Go with Sanford if you’re playing for this year.  Schneider is nice insurance for the next few weeks but long term consider that a tank like Luongo is in front of him.  It will take some extreme circumstances for Schneider to find consistent minutes in Vancouver.  For now though, Schneider is still a strong option for keeper leaguers and should be added in all deep leagues.

Left Wings

These are the numbers that are lost with the loss of fantasy hockey power house Brendan Morrow: 0.3 goals, 0.6 assists, 2.7 penalty minutes and of course, 2.9 shots on goal per game.  With that said, are there any respectable power forwards left out there?

The hardest thing to replace is the penalty minutes and goal scoring of course.  As most of you know, I’m all about the power forwards and you should be too.  Getting goals which are a ‘rare’ stat with the added bonus of solid penalty minutes is a tougher combination than you think.  What makes the loss of Morrow tougher is trying to replace a left wing.  Below I’ve highlighted a bunch of left wing recommendations for your perusal.  The first bunch are multi-faceted who can help in goals and penalty minutes.  The next are more penalty minute guys who might get you a few goals. The last are simply goal scorers for those who need to get some points back in there line up.  Again, depending on the size of your league, these players may or may not be available.  However, they are suitable replacements and you should be able to acquire them in a trade relatively ‘cheaply.

Below is a list of players who are averaging about a penalty minute a game and are at least capable of 0.3 goals per game.

Tuomo Ruutu, Hurricanes – Highly recommended replacement.  He’s got seven goals and six assists thus far with 22 penalty minutes.  Ruutu has been hot as of late.

Erik Cole, Oilers – Should improve in the scoring department (three goals thus far) as the season goes on but 29 penalty minutes is still solid.

Ryan Malone, Lightning – Four goals and 29 penalty minutes.  He’s on pace for 20 goals and 100 PIM.

These two players are more for help in the penalty minute department and you may get some decent goal scoring totals out of each.

Rene Bourque, Flames – Four goals and 33 penalty minutes.  Not a power play option, but won’t hurt you for scoring if you need PIM.

Daniel Carcillo, Coyotes – Where are the goals? Only one so far, but 42 penalty minutes.  Had 20 goals last season should get his before the season is out.

Players that will help with goal scoring:

David Booth, Panthers  -- 10 goals so far this season.  What more can I say?  10 goals at this point in the season has Booth tied for 5^th in the league.

Loui Eriksson, Stars  -- nine goals and five assists. He’s still available in some leagues. Give him a shot especially with Morrow out as this directly effects Eriksson’s ice time.

Ray Whitney, Hurricanes -- seven goals and 10 assists.  A golden oldie, yet still producing for the ‘Canes.

Right Wings

Bobby Ryan, Ducks

For the record I did mention him in earlier Hockey Grumblings. Here’s a quote from the  pre-season writing:  “Depth of wingers in the Anaheim system left Ryan in the AHL last season.  This year he gets a chance.  A super talent who was drafted #2 after Sidney Crosby, he projects as an elite scorer. He averaged almost 1.5 points per game in the OHL.”  Well, he’s back with the Ducks and broke out in a big way last weekend netting two goals and an assist against the Capitals.  Let’s just say I’m really high on Ryan.  Four points in his first five games is worth taking a look at.  Ryan is a goal scoring talent who on the right line should blossom into a top player.  Who are his line mates you ask? He has first line duties with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. So super talented, excellent minor league numbers and a solid opportunity.  You owe it to yourself to find room for his upside on your bench somewhere.

Jiri Hudler, Red Wings

Ah the Red Wings.  They are the ultimate organization in hockey.  Every player they draft seems to have a chance to be a solid or spectacular player.  Take Hudler who was drafted in the second round of the 2002 draft.  He’s just 24 years old and is finally coming into his own this season.  His current totals: 18 overall points including seven goals and 10 power play points.  It doesn’t hurt that he’s got three multi-point games in his last four.  He’s currently on the third line which would explain why he’s still on free agent wires.  However, he’s getting solid power play time and making the most of his opportunities. 

Ok no defenseman this week but I’ll make that up to you next week.  Until then, happy hunting.