Despite depth, Plekanec should be owned
A real mix of players caught my eye this week. From some power-play specialists who aren't getting respect, to defensive-minded veterans that are scoring. From backup goalies that are playing above their head to rookies trying to find a home.
Mike Ribeiro, C, Stars: This is more of a clarification than a recommendation for a pickup. Ribeiro is 100 percent for real. His 13 points in nine games do not shock me in the least. I talked a lot in the preseason about a youth movement in Dallas, meaning that Jere Lehtinen and Mike Modano would have to allow a changing of the guard. Ribeiro is one of the players I said needed to and probably would step up to fill the scoring void Dallas has had for so long. Ribeiro is the Stars' first-line center; he'll play big minutes and skate most of the time with captain Brenden Morrow. You can absolutely invest in Ribeiro as a point-per-game player. The talent has always been there; his head just hasn't been in the right place. It is now.
Tomas Plekanec, C, Canadiens: Center may be a deep position in fantasy hockey, but guys like Plekanec should be owned. The Habs have had one of the best power plays in the league thus far, and Plekanec is a staple on the first unit. He plays with Alexei Kovalev and Guillaume Latendresse at even strength and with the man advantage. In fact, Plekanec's passing ability and strong faceoff technique makes him, virtually, a younger Saku Koivu. If you own a center that you are expecting a lot more out of, don't wait. Bench the slumping guy and get Plekanec in there. He won't disappoint and should provide stats worthy of all but the shallowest of leagues.
Nigel Dawes, LW, Rangers: Sure he's undersized and a bit raw at the NHL level, but when your linemates are Brendan Shanahan and Chris Drury, you are going to learn fast. Dawes is a strong player despite his stature and has a wicked release similar to that of his linemate/mentor (Shanahan). The three goals early in his NHL career are no fluke. When he gets time to perform, Dawes is going to score. Right now, it looks like he'll be getting time to score, as the Rangers will take offense wherever they can get it. Dawes so good that I'm hopeful he will stick around even after Sean Avery's impending return. Watch for a possible demotion soon, but if he sticks when Avery is back, he is a pickup for anyone hurting at left wing.
Jay Pandolfo, LW, and John Madden, C, Devils: I wrote about these two in the Box Score Blog on Thursday, and my argument was simple; we just can't ignore the points these guys are putting up anymore. At least not while the other Devils forwards are slumping. Pandolfo and Madden have been the best players on the ice in virtually every New Jersey game so far, and until that changes, they must be owned in all but the shallowest of leagues.
Chris Gratton, C, Lightning: Deeper leagues probably used Gratton last year for his power-forward numbers, and I'm here to say it looks like he's up to his old tricks again. Gratton was quick to drop his gloves and defend a questionable hit on a teammate Wednesday night to bring him to 24 PIMs on the season. His better-than-average puck-handling abilities also mean his six points thus far are a sign of things to come. Gratton is an all-around contributor, and if your league uses several utility spots to shorten up the pool of available centers, Gratton is a great guy to own.
Jannik Hansen, LW, Canucks: The Sedins are starting to become the town bicycle; everyone gets a ride. Hansen is the latest in a long line of wingers to skate with Henrik and Daniel. Hansen was pegged for a shot at the gig in the preseason because of his speed and passing abilities. His chance has arrived now, and the surprisingly developed Dane is someone to at least consider adding. He has 10 games of playoff experience from last season with the Canucks to draw from and it won't belong before he becomes the second Danish player to score in the NHL.
Dan Ellis, G, Predators: As I feared, it appears as though the Predators are willing to go with Ellis now that Chris Mason has played his way out of a job. I had hoped Pekka Rinne would be called up and get a chance to strut his stuff, but it appears as though Ellis will have to do for now, as the Preds avoid kicking Rinne's contract into gear with a call-up. I still say Ellis is a career backup on a hot streak, but he is someone to add and play for the time being. It may be a little late to get him now, after he pitched a shutout Thursday night.
Dany Sabourin, G, Penguins: I'm a little late on this boat, as well, but I am a much more willing passenger. I actually like Sabourin's potential in the NHL as a No. 1b goaltender someday, and the fact that he is wrestling the Penguins job away from Marc-Andre Fleury is just plain impressive. Fleury is going through some kind of problem right now, whether it's being disclosed or not. His head just isn't in most games when you watch him. Sabourin is all there, and taking advantage of Pittsburgh's relatively-strong defensive-zone play. If Fleury gets his head straight, Sabourin's usefulness may not last long, but like Ellis, his hot play can't be ignored.
Although a few of the names I mentioned already are for deeper leagues, here are a couple of pickup options for the super-ultra-mega-deep leagues.
Jason Chimera, LW, Blue Jackets: Already the best defensive option that the Blue Jackets have, Chimera is getting a chance to chip in on offense now that the team is a much-improved defensive unit all around. If Chimera can keep things up and become a 45-50-point player, his 90 PIMs then make him a great asset for deeper leagues.
Mike Komisarek, D, Canadiens: Komisarek is a punishing defenseman who plays very well in his own end. That roles suits him just fine right now and he'll probably wind up with triple-digit PIMs and a solid plus/minus. Should any injury befall Andrei Markov, though, Komisarek has the offensive side to his game where he would be the biggest beneficiary of more ice time. He can be a nice role-playing No. 6 defenseman right now, with upside as an injury fill-in.
Sean Allen is a fantasy baseball and hockey analyst for ESPN.com. You can Email him here.
