Fantasy Hockey 2012 - Pick Ups of the Week

Rookie Playing Like a Vet

This rookie was called up on March 10th and now has points in each of the five games he's played since the promotion - including two multiple point games. It's Buffalo's Marcus Foligno. After a solid debut at the AHL level with 34 points in 55 games with the Rochester Americans, the Sabres thought they'd take a look. Boy, have they been rewarded. Playing alongside Tyler Ennis & Drew Stafford (both must owns btw), they've exploded onto the scene. After Monday's 7-3 thumping of the Lightning, the line has combined for 25 points since Foligno arrived. This one is a no-brainer, this kid his here to stay.

Capital Gains

Lifelong AHL'er Keith Aucoin hasn't played this many NHL games since the 2007/08 season when he played 38 with the Carolina Hurricanes. For the last five seasons or so he's averaged an assist per game avg. at the AHL level. 50+ assist seasons in the minor leagues happens more than not for Aucoin - including this year with a whopping 59 assists in only 43 games with the Hershey Bears. He's 33 years old and finds himself on the Caps fourth line most nights, but does get some secondary power-play minutes. He's got 5 points in his last 4 games, if you're looking for some quick points for the rest of the season, this may be your answer.

Two more Caps you may want to consider, defenceman Dmitry Orlov and left winger Marcus Johansson. Although you won't see Orlov on the PP often, he still finds a way to get points once in a while. If you're in a keeper league and are looking for a 30-point depth defenceman then Orlov is for you. Marcus Johansson was once highly touted, now he's just there. Under the radar and playing well. He's getting ample amount of opportunities to create offense with the Caps and he's only owned in 3.5% of ESPN fantasy hockey leagues. I'd pick him up.

Southeast Division Round-Up

Tomas Kopecky and Wojtek Wolski of the Florida Panthers are both averaging over 15 minutes/game and are getting ice-time with the extra man. The Panthers are hanging onto that Southeast divisional crown and will need these two to continue to contribute. Both are very likely to be still on your waiver-wire.

One last note, Drayson Bowman is scoring points again. He scores in bunches, he's still young so there is keeper upside involved. Anyways, he's on a hot streak again - pick him up and roll the fantasy dice.