Scott Williams is a
fantasy hockey writer for Sports Grumblings and hails from the
Philadelphia area. He has a journalism degree from Indiana University
of Pennsylvania, is a huge hockey fan, and spends much of his time
studying hockey statistics. He claims to have watched every
Flyers game for the past 20 years.
Mikko Koivu has been great on defense, but also solid on offense.
Let’s
take a look at some players who are emerging as stars at the season’s quarter
mark.
Mikko Koivu, Minnesota Wild (5-15-20,
plus-four)
Minnesota's
defensive style is proving itself justifiable. The Wild have allowed the fewest
goals against in the NHL and are fourth in the Western Conference standings.
While fitting nicely into this style of play, Koivu has also contributed on the
offensive end. The first-line center has had a hand in nearly 40 percent of the
Wild's offensive output and eight of his 20 points have come on the power play.
My
projected totals: 24-58-82
Derick Brassard, Columbus Blue
Jackets (8-11-19, plus-nine)
The
rookie center is proving himself strong on both ends of the ice and has worked
his way up to the Blue Jackets' top line. Brassard is the early favorite to win
the Calder Trophy while being held off the score sheet in only four out of 19
games. He should continue his point-per-game output playing alongside
three-time all-star Rick Nash who
has 13 points in 11 games during the month of November.
My
Projected Totals: 30-48-78
Devin Setoguchi, San Jose Sharks
(12-12-24, plus-eight)
The
second-year winger is having a breakout year playing on the Sharks' first line.
Setoguchi has 10 points in his last five games and is developing into a star
with a Sharks team that is first in the NHL in goals scored.
My
Projected Totals: 42-39-81
Ryan Clowe, San Jose Sharks
(11-6-17, plus-four)
Clowe
was moved up to the Sharks' second line when Jonathan Cheechoo missed four games with a back injury. In those
four games, Clowe produced three points and has earned himself a permanent spot
as a top-six forward. The Sharks boast one of the top second lines in the
league with Clowe, Joe Pavelski (7-9-16)and Milan Michalek (6-7-13).
Weber
is leading all NHL defensemen in points and is clearly emerging as a premiere offensive
threat from the blue line. Weber is always looking to shoot the puck and is
second among NHL defensemen in shots on goal.
My
Projected Totals: 33-36-69
Kris Versteeg, Chicago Blackhawks
(7-13-20, plus-11)
Versteeg
is developing nicely playing alongside sophomore superstars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews on Chicago's top line. He is quickly making a name
for himself while Kane and Toews are averaging over two points-per-game
collectively. Versteeg has eight points and is a plus-three in his last five
games.
My
Projected Totals: 24-49-73
This
week’s free-agent fillers:
R.J. Umberger, Columbus Blue
Jackets (8-4-12, even)
Coach
Ken Hitchock urged Umberger to shoot the puck more after a slow start to the
season and the forward has listened. He is now averaging four shots per game,
with a plus-4 rating and has eight goals in 11 games in the month of November.
Umberger is becoming an integral part of a Blue Jackets team that is 6-3-3 in
their last 12 games after a 3-6-0 start.
My
Projected Totals: 23-12-35
Mike Modano, Dallas Stars
(8-7-15, plus-two)
The
future hall-of-famer is on the downside of his career production-wise but
Modano knows he must contribute offensively if the Stars are to turn their season
around. In the two games since Brenden
Morrow went down with a season-ending knee injury, Modano has two goals and
seven shots-on-goal.
Ten
of Bertuzzi's 15 points have come on the man-advantage, which is indicative of
Calgary’s offensive struggles during even strength. Nearly 40 percent of
Calgary's goals have come from special-teams play which will hurt Bertuzzi's
overall plus-minus rating. The veteran was brought in to add some depth to a
Calgary offense that has the potential to put up a lot of goals, led by four-time
all-star Jarome Iginla (12-14-26).
My
Projected Totals: 25-25-50
Bobby Ryan, Anaheim Ducks
(2-2-4, plus-five in five games played)
It
was just a matter of time before the second overall pick in the 2005 NHL entry
draft claimed a spot on the Ducks. After totaling 19 points in 14 games for Portland,
Ryan was recalled from the AHL in mid-November and tallied three points in his
second game. The 21-year-old is still a couple of years away from becoming a
top fantasy producer but this season, expect the power-forward to quickly
become an integral part of Anaheim’s offense.
