NHL Thursday: Players to Avoid and DraftStreet $1,000 GPP Lineup

by landsharkhockey Last Updated 2011-10-27 15:52:26

Last week, I took a look at your early season value picks for daily hockey on Draftstreet. This week, I’ll turn it around and highlight a few players who are too pricey to merit selection. With Draftstreet, player values are heavily weighted due to recent performance. This means you need to weed out the fluke factor. Occasionally, you’ll have a career 4th-liner pop in a couple goals and his value with temporarily spike. Here are a few players to pass on, as they won’t give you bang for the ol’ buck.

GOALIES

Kari Lehtonen (DAL) – $22.3k

Lehtonen has gotten off to the best start of his career at 7-0, which has resulted in his pricetag going sky high. He’s currently going to cost you more than Miller, Fleury, Luongo, and just about everyone else. It’s no knock against Lehtonen, but this Dallas team just isn’t as good as their record would lead you to believe. It’s a matter of time before things even out in Texas. Don’t be surprised to see a correction soon.

Semyon Varlamov (COL) – $22.4k

See Lehtonen.

This run is even less likely to continue. Varlamov is making the Avs look like geniuses for dealing away too much for this guy over the summer. Again, stay tuned for inevitable correction…

OFFENSE

Andrew Desjardins (C-SJ) – $12.6k

Chances are, unless you’re a hockey fantatic, or living in San Jose, you don’t even know who this guy is. Yet, there he sits near the top of the salary hit, above the likes of Toews, Kesler, and dozens of other better options. Desjardins posted two goals in his season debut, which accounts for the over-inflation. He hasn’t registered a point since, and was even a scratch over the weekend. By the time you read this, he may have already been adjusted down towards reality.

Vinny Prospal (LW-TB) – $11.1k

Prospal has been the only ray of sunshine in Columbus since the season started, having played at a point a game pace thus far. He’s notoriously streaky over his career. Just try charting his year-to-year numbers. The added ice time is helping, but don’t expect the 36 year old, injury-prone winger to keep this up for long. Look to cheaper options like Benn, Hall, or Parise on the left side.

Phil Kessel (RW-TOR) – $15.4k

Yes, he leads the league in scoring. Yes, he’s capable of 40+ goals on the season. But very few skaters are worth a $15k. Kessel is talented, but streaky. Wait for him to dip down near $13k before inserting him on a regular basis.

Luke Adam (C-BUF) – $10.8k

Adam defaulted into the #1 center role in Buffalo, due to the complete lack of depth at that position on the Sabres. He opened up with a bang, but has fizzled quickly, going the last 3 games without a point. Way too soon in this guy’s career to invest $10k+ on him on a nightly basis.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (C-EDM) – $10.7k

In the words of Treebeard – “Let’s not be too hasty”. While it seems that he’s well on his way to winning the Calder Trophy (though it is very early), that doesn’t mean we should expect top tier center production from the Oiler teenager. Let him settle down into the $8k territory before playing him.

Steve Ott (C-DAL) – $13.6k

He’s a well-rounded forward, but 13k is a bit silly for Ott. His PIMs will remain consistent all season, but don’t expect him to keep up the scoring pace for much longer.

DEFENSE

Most defenseman are overpriced in my book, as I can’t justify spending more than $6k most nights on this position. Here are a few ridiculous salaries for the position:

Corey Potter (VAN) – $10.8k

This is just plain unreasonable. Through 3 previous NHL seasons, he has managed to get into just 9 games. He’s earning top minutes on a weak Edmonton blue line, but it’s not likely that he’ll continue to produce at this level. It’s certain that you shouldn’t be spending this much on a defenseman.

Sheldon Souray (DAL) – $10.5k

Great start in his return to the big leagues, but this is unreasonable.

David Savard (CLS) – $9.1k

Savard started the season earning significant playing time for a rookie. He was held out over the weekend and saw reduced time in one game. With the return of James Wiezniewski, you can expect to see even less of Savard in the near future. Move along…

My Roster for Tonight’s Action on Draftstreet

Tough choices in net tonight. I may have to wait and see who gets the start in several contests. If Bryzgalov gets the nod for the back-to-back start, I’ll probably switch to him against the Jets. Otherwise, I’ll take my chances on Fleury this evening. I’m also stocking up on Philly’s top line against Winnepeg.

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About the Writer: ‘Chewy’ aka Gary Wilson, operates LandShark Hockey, and has been helping others dominate Fantasy Hockey Leagues for almost 20 years now. Landshark Hockey provides fantasy hockey fans with daily news, updates, and draft strategy including the LandShark Hockey War Room for Daily Fantasy Hockey Lineup Help.