Melker Karlsson – McKeen's Hockey

Kane Enabled – San Jose Sharks 2018-19 Season Preview

Robert Howard — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 15:29:53 +0000

REVIEW/STATE OF PLAY - The San Jose Sharks finished third in their division for the third year in a row, posting 100 points and looked threatening in the playoffs sweeping Anaheim until they ran into a strong Vegas team who shut them out twice. Once in a 7 – 0 blowout to open the series and in the series clinching win 3 – 0.

They were in the final bidding for John Tavares as a free agent, but after he signed with Toronto they signed Joe Thornton for one more season at $5 million. That is not to say they were inactive in the off-season after signing pending free agent Evander Kane to a seven-year extension at $7.0 million AAV. They also inked 29-year-old assistant captain Logan Couture to an eight-year extension at $8.0 million AAV.

STABLE CORE RETURNS - They will look very similar to the roster they iced at the end of 2017-18 barring any further moves and they are said to be in the mix for Erik Karlsson. They have limited cap space to work with reducing the possibilities without getting creative. Whatever disappointment in not landing Tavares this remains a very good team with a strong core and culture.

Joe Pavelski

Their forward group is led by the criminally underrated Joe Pavelski. Despite their ages he and Thornton continue to be one of the more effective tandems in the league. Kane lined up beside Pavelski after being acquired giving them a solid first line. Pavelski stepped in at center when Thornton was injured and was excellent down the stretch. He and Kane showed good chemistry in their time with Kane firing nine goals in 17 games (17-9-5-4) and Pavelski scoring at a point a game pace in the fourth quarter (20-7-13-20). Management had seen enough to decide to sign Kane for term, despite a chequered history.

Couture lined up with Tomas Hertl most of the season with varying wingers. They also signed Hertl to a four-year contract for $5.625 million AAV, placing a large bet on the future with $13.625 million in cap space between the two after Couture fired a career high 34 goals.

YOUTH INJECTION - While San Jose is often characterized as being an old team, they have been successful in injecting youth and growth from within for many years. A credit to GM Doug Wilson, no other team has earned more wins or a higher points percentage than San Jose since he took over as General Manager. They have clinched a playoff spot in 13 of the last 14 seasons and 18 of the last 20. Adapting to a salary cap world means developing players. The third line represents an infusion of youth and talent in 24-year-old Chris Tierney, and sophomores 22-year-old Kevin Labanc and 21-year-old Timo Meier – who fired 21 goals.

Tierney stepped up in the middle when Thornton went down and showed he can play in the NHL averaging 16 minutes, including leading the forward group in shorthanded time on ice on the NHL’s second-best unit. He also contributed 17 goals and 40 points. Kevin Labanc is a creative playmaker who jumped to 40 points as a sophomore. Timo Meier impressed in his first full NHL campaign finishing with 10 goals over the last 31 games. Both players bounced around lines last season but formed a trio with Tierney by seasons end. A full year of consistent linemates might point to a breakout.

INCOMPARABLE BURNS - The defense is built around Brent Burns who tied for second amongst NHL defenseman with 67 points, just missing 70 for the third straight season. Alarming was his drop off in goals from 29 down to 12, fuelled by a poor shooting percentage falling from 9.1% to 3.6%. Signed until he is 39-years-old and showing no signs of slowing down. He owns all the power play ice time from the point on San Jose. They will almost always deploy a fifth forward leaving little room for power play points for the rest of the group.

It is impressive is that one of the best shutdown defense pairings in the league in Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Justin Braun were able to provide 33 and 32 points respectively. Justin Braun tied P.K. Subban and Seth Jones with 33 even strength points, and Marc Vlasic contributed 28 points at even strength. The third pairing of Brenden Dillon and Dylan DeMelo added another 22 and 20 points respectively. Like the forwards they have introduced youth on the blueline in Dillon and DeMelo and continued development will be a factor this season.

Martin Jones is signed for the next six years for $5.75 million AAV and their bet in net. He reached the 30-win plateau, 60-start plateau for the third straight season. His performance over the season was uneven struggling at times including the playoffs He flashes elite skills at time, the 28-year-old enters his fourth season as a starter in San Jose, so youth and hard-earned experience could be an x-factor here.

OUTLOOK - They are built to compete with the second-best penalty kill in the league, a strong possession game, and a solid core of veterans ably assisted by a youth group in line with the current NHL. Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski represent the only forwards over the age of 30. The Sharks are not a team with the window closing particularly. Burns appears to be in his peak at 33-years-old and Pavelski seems to improve with age as well. Wilson has added a youthful, speedy forward group to accompany them.

Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Rookies and Veterans

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 01:18:50 +0000

During the season it is important to keep an eye on the transaction wire in the NHL to stay abreast of players who have been recalled from and sent down to the AHL. Young prospects that have impressed in the minors sometimes only need a chance at the NHL, and what may have started as a short term recall can quickly become a permanent roster fixture. Here are three players who have been called up to their NHL clubs recently.

Melker Karlsson, San Jose Sharks - Centre 25% owned

Karlsson was recalled on Monday by the Sharks and made his season debut on Tuesday. While Karlsson was held pointless he had three shots and delivered five hits playing 15 minutes on a line with Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski. It was somewhat of a surprise that Karlsson didn’t receive a roster spot to start the season as he was impressive last year when he arrived playing in 53 games recording 24 points in that span. Karlsson is a solid candidate to begin producing at a consistent pace, especially if he can hold down a spot on a line with the Joe’s!

Andreas Athanasiou, Detroit Red Wings - Centre 15% owned

I have long been a fan of AA since seeing him in junior. His blazing speed and ability to control the puck and make plays at top speed are skills that translate well in the NHL. He has highlight reel goal scoring abilities and made his pro debut last season in Grand Rapids. After a strong rookie pro season he was a standout in training camp and in several preseason games. AA scored his first career goal in his second game, and while he has the ability to score works of art goals, it was no Rembrandt as it is one Holtby should have had.

Frank Vatrano, Boston Bruins – Left Wing 22% owned

Vatrano exploded out of the gates with Providence in his rookie season scoring ten goals in ten games. A goal-a-game scoring pace over ten games is sure to get you a look at the next level, and sure enough he scored his first career NHL goal in his first game. Vatrano is playing on a line with David Krejci and Loui Eriksson and could hold down that role as David Pasternak is injured.

Old, but not obsolete

When choosing between young, unproven players with upside and veterans who are on the decline I usually lean towards the younger player. However if you need more reliable, predictable production for the short term, here are three grey beards who are widely undrafted and available that still have some gas in the tank

Scott Gomez, St. Louis Blues – Centre 8% owned

Gomez won a contract after a successful audition with a PTO and has seven points in ten games this season. With four points in the last three games the veteran has been providing consistent and modest production all season. If he is filling out one of your last forward roster spots with a cap hit of $550k producing a point per game, that’s great value.

Martin Havlat, St. Louis Blues – Right Wing 8% owned

The Martin Brodeur effect is in full force in St. Louis as Marty has signed two of his old teammates from the Devils in Gomez and Havlat and gave Dainius Zubrus a shot as well with a PTO. While Zubrus didn’t work out, Gomez has been a success and after two games, Havlat has one goal while averaging a modest seven minutes a game. Havlat has a two way contract and if the Blues are healthy Havlat may end up either in the press box, or in the minors. Havlat is also knows as Mr. Glass so one way or another expect him to be a short term solution should you claim him as a free agent in your league.

Shane Doan, Arizona Coyotes – Right Wing 27% owned

With plenty of ink being used to write about an impressive young group of coyotes in the desert in Max Domi, Anthony Duclair and company don’t overlook old man Doan. No, I am not suggesting Doan will score 30 goals but he can be counted on for decent production and he provides solid peripheral stats as well. So far he has seven points including three power play points, 33 shots on goal, 28 hits and 16 penalty minutes this season.

Making the most of their opportunity

Sometimes a player just needs a break to show what he can do, and occasionally they get that chance. Perhaps injuries force them up the depth chart, or it could be a change of team or Coach. Whatever the reason, here are three players making the most of their opportunity.

James Reimer, Toronto Maple Leafs – Goalie 39% owned

The Leafs seem hell bent on anointing Jonathan Bernier as the number one goalie and Reimer has had a struggle finding starts since Berniers arrival. Now that Bernier is on the shelf with an injury, Reimer has been handed the ball and he is running with it. In two games against the Dallas Stars Reimer was outstanding, in his last two starts against Dallas and Washington his save % has been .947 and .935. It would be very difficult to take him out of the net right now, even if Bernier returned.

Kyle Palmieri, New Jersey Devils – Right Wing 56% owned

Palmieri is riding a hot streak of nine points in his last seven games, and being over 50% owned you may not be able to add him at this point. However, if he is available you will likely not find a better option. He is only 24 years old and his point per game pace is trending up steadily over the past three years. He has been playing regularly on a line with Jiri Tlusty and Travis Zajac and the unit has had chemistry.

Charlie Coyle, Minnesota Wild – Centre 48% owned

Coyle seems to be the beneficiary of the injury to Zach Parise and he has two points in the last two games. Coyle has promising offensive skills and needs a chance in the top play in the top nine or top six to showcase his abilities. Lately he has been playing with Mikael Granlund and Jason Pominville and making the most of it.

All ownership numbers based on Fantrax leagues

All line combinations are from Frozen pools via Dobber Hockey

Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Week 18: San Jose Sharks

Peter Harling — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 20:51:11 +0000

Each week in the waiver wire I try to incorporate a particular theme that revolves around a fantasy hockey strategy. This week the focus is on week 18 of the season. As many of you are in week-to-week and head-to-head style leagues having players who play more frequently is an obvious advantage. Another advantage is having players who play on the off nights and in particular on Sunday as that gives you a chance to steal a win on the final day. One team that fits both these descriptions next week is the San Jose Sharks. They play on all the “dark days” on the schedule with games on Monday (vs. Calgary), Wednesday (vs. Washington), Friday (vs. Arizona), and Sunday (vs. Tampa) for a total of four games.

The Sharks are a decent offensive team scoring 2.77 goals per game with a total of 147 on the season and ranking 13^th overall. The Sharks have been hot of late as well with a 6-2-2 record in their last ten games.

Here are some players who should be available in most leagues you can target for a potential short term gain for the following week.

Melker Karlsson, F 30% Fantrax Owned

Karlsson has come out from nowhere this season as he was on very few peoples radar. He failed to crack the roster out of training camp, but was called up from the AHL on December 9^th. In his season debut he recorded an assist on Barclay Goodrow’s first career goal, and he had a five game goal scoring streak from January 3^rd to the 10^th. He has worked his way p the Sharks depth chart and has recently been playing on a line with Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton. This late bloomer now has nine goals and five assists in 25 games. He is only 24 so don’t sleep on this golden opportunity to claim a keeper off the waiver wire.

Matt Nieto, F 28% Fantrax Owned

Nieto is more well-known than Karlsson, but slightly less owned. His stat line is less impressive with only four goals and nine assists after 44 games but his pedigree is far more established. The second round pick was second on the team in rookie scoring last season to Tomas Hertl and five points in seven playoff games. Despite the sophomore slump he is well worth a waiver claim for the week at the very least.

Chris Tierney, F 14% Fantrax Owned

The time to buy low on Tierney is now. Last season as Captain of the OHL London Knights he led the team in scoring with 89 points in 67 games and in his time in the AHL this season he has scored 24 points in only 26 games. While his NHL scoring totals are only one goal and five assists in 17 games played he has four points in his last two games. Do not hesitate to add this potential fantasy keeper to your roster for free.

James Sheppard, F 8% Fantrax Owned

Sheppard has been a regular on the third line with Goodrow and Hertl this season and has produced 15 points in 48 games. The upside on Sheppard is limited but his ice time is assured for this season, and he has seen some spot duty on a line with Thornton last season and this season when injuries arise. Add Sheppard to your roster if the previous options are not available as his 8% ownership likely makes him an option for this week.

Daniil Tarasov, F 5% Fantrax Owned

A relative unknown, Tarasov was signed by the Sharks as a free agent in 2013. Last season in the AHL he established himself as a legitimate prospect with the Sharks by scoring 31 points in 47 games. He started the season in the AHL again this season and scored 20 points in 34 games before being recalled to the NHL after Tyler Kennedy was injured. In his two NHL games he has one assist. He may not be in the NHL for a long time this season, but if you have the space, add him for a good time.