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This article focuses on players who are hot or not for the past week in each position of forward, defenseman and goalie who are owned in a great majority of leagues.
HAWT
Mikko Koivu, Wild (3 G, 2 A, +3, 2 PIM, 2 PPP, 12 SOG) - I've really liked him as a player and with Dany Heatley's arrival, I thought THIS was the year he was going to break out. That hasn't worked out thus far into the season but he was doing well this past week before he bursted my bubble and get a leg injury today. Keep an ear out for the injury but for those leagues where he's available in free agency, he is well worth placing on speed dial (assuming the injury is not too serious).
We'll have more names after the jump...
James Wisniewski, Blue Jackets (0 G, 4 A, +/- 0, 0 PIM, 2 PPP, 9 SOG) - Considering how his overall year has been, having a +/- of zero is definitely an improvement. He's still producing at a pretty good clip and it seems that he's available in a pretty decent amount of leagues. He is getting GOBS of playing time (average is at 28 minutes per game) so with that much playing time, it's sure to translate to some scoreboard production. If he's available, be sure to scoop him up but be careful with the +/-.
NAWT
Alexander Semin, Washington (0 G, 1 A, -4, 2 PIM, 1 PPP, 7 SOG) - This is just plain sad from a talented player like Semin. It sounds like with his recent quality of play, he's testing the patience of the new Caps coach. I am not sure where you drafted/bid on him but it may be time to realize that you're not going to get the values you had to pay to get him in your roster.
Chris Pronger, Flyers - He hasn't contributed much lately but that flushing sound you're hearing is what value you paid for him going to down the drain. He was diagnosed with a severe concussion and the Flyers elected to end his season. Fantasy hockey aside, I wish him and his family the best in his recovery and hope that he is able to return to the game he loves soon.
Antti Niemi, Sharks (2 Wins, 2.55 GAA, .902 Sv%) - That doesn't sound so bad but he hasn't been doing that great for the past couple of weeks and he posted a very ugly win against the Avalanche by letting in 4 goals in 27 shots. He's either not getting the offensive support or letting in too many goals to not give the offense a chance to catch-up to win more games. One hopes that he's able to workout whatever problem is facing him and that he recovers to good form soon.
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