Posted by Tim Kavanagh
Steven Stamkos was a whole lotta hyped this past offseason: first overall pick in the June draft after scoring 197 points in two Ontario Hockey League seasons, headed to Tampa Bay where he'd skate and improve alongside Vinny Lecavalier, his last name is just a letter off from the actor that played Uncle Jesse on Full House. It was due to these reasons -- well, more of the first two than the third -- that he was taken to fulfill the role of a No. 3 fantasy center during drafts, and until Tuesday night, his owners were getting hosed. Zero points. A minus 3. Broken hearts and shattered dreams all around.
Some home cookin' was all it took as Tampa visited Toronto (his hometown of Markham is a community lying just to the north), and Stamkos notched an assist, much to the delight of the Maple Leaf-bedecked crowd who eagerly awaited his debut at the Air Canada Centre. For an encore, the Lightning swung through Buffalo and Stamkos showed a glimpse of his remarkable talent, scoring two goals and adding an assist to quadruple his point total. The first goal came as a deflection of a Lecavalier slap shot on the power play, a unit the rookie will hope to remain a part of, as it is a gold mine of fantasy opportunity.
So there's a light at the end of the tunnel for Stamkos owners, but should other folks mortgage the farm to grab him? Maybe. Since this is just a two-game sample, and he'd been pointless in the first seven, one could argue that it's an aberration. But while he may now fall short of the 70-point range, Stamkos should finish the season in the 60-point vicinity, meaning you can expect about 56 more. His owner might be ready to cut him loose if you've got a sure thing to offer. In spite of the slow start -- and to be fair, it wasn't just Stamkos, as the team scored just 11 goals through the opening seven games -- this team has a great deal of skill on the top two lines, and the goals will come.
Of course, each league is different, but isn't fantasy sports that much more fun when you take a big risk on an unknown commodity and it turns out well? The trash-talking on the message board certainly becomes a lot better.
Ice Chips
Mark Buckner/NHLI via Getty Images
Cam Ward's shutout doesn't automatically make hin a good start for the next seven days.
The seven combined goals scored by the Lightning and Sabres were the exception on Thursday; of the remaining 22 goaltenders, 18 gave up three or fewer goals, and 14 gave up two or fewer. Leading the charge was Roberto Luongo, who blanked the Kings after a 1-0 loss to the Bruins on Tuesday. It looks like he's turned the corner, so it looks like the window to grab him in a lowball trade offer has closed. … Cam Ward also registered a shutout, and the 19 shots faced was a nice break from the 60 fired his way last weekend by the Islanders. The 'Canes get the impotent Oilers on Saturday followed by a home-and-home against the enigma that is the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey club, so expect one strong start followed by two that could go either way. … Ward's foe, Chris Mason, returned from appendectomy surgery to stop all but one of 29 shots faced. Unfortunately, the Blues square off against the Penguins on Saturday, then visit the Ducks and Sharks, none of which are favorable matchups, so don't waste a roster spot on Mason. … Hopefully you paid attention to Tristan Cockcroft's recommendation to pick up Alex Auld; in spite of two forgettable games last weekend where he gave up four and three goals respectively, Auld was scored upon just thrice total in the past two games, both Ottawa victories. At this rate, expect a shutout in his next start, followed by the unprecedented negative goals-against. In all seriousness, Auld has emerged as the better option for the Sens, as Martin Gerber has yet to give up fewer than three goals. Adjust fantasy rosters accordingly. … Shane Doan had two goals and an assist for the Coyotes against the Penguins, but a more exciting bit of news is that Mikkel Boedker was given some shifts with Doan and Olli Jokinen. If this becomes a more permanent move, Boedker instantly becomes a valuable left wing in fantasy. … Sidney Crosby sustained some sort of malady at the tail end of the game and is now "day-to-day", but replays didn't show any sort of jarring injury, so unless contradictory reports emerge, feel safe keeping him active in your lineup. … Milan Lucic continues to impress, assisting on a goal, earning two penalty minutes and registering four hits in the Bruins' loss to Calgary. He's still very available -- owned in just over 31 percent of ESPN leagues -- if you need a power forward, and really, who doesn't? … It's still mystifying that Devin Setoguchi is owned in just over half of ESPN leagues. After a goal and an assist against Detroit, he has 10 points through 11 games. … Paul Mara assisted on two goals Thursday, but he's a frustrating guy to own in fantasy. Three of his five points have come in the last two games, and 17 of 30 penalty minutes came in just one game. Sir, could you please alert us when you're going to have a useful game? … After an atrocity of an opening trio of games, Martin Biron has settled into a nice groove and has three straight wins on seven goals-against combined. Again, if you like risk, you should be able to lift Biron from his current owner without giving up too much. … Doug Weight grabbed another power play helper on Thursday, and the playmaker can give you some value at the back end of your forward rotation if you need help in the assist department. … In spite of not getting the coveted centerman's slot next to Rick Nash, Derick Brassard has provided fantastic returns for anyone who managed to acquire him this season. After a goal and an assist against Colorado, he has nine points through 10 games, and just 3 percent fantasy ownership.
