Part 1 of the Sophomore Slump Candidates series looked at the top sophomore slump candidates for 2008-2009. Part 2 will look at players who may be affecting managers in deeper leagues. It will also look at a couple of 2nd year tenders and see how they are holding up so far this season:
Candidate: Carey Price – Montreal Canadiens
Stats: 13-4-4/.920 SV%/2.37 GAA
Situation: Playing Well
Analysis:
Plenty of Montreal fans were skeptical over the decision to move Cristobal Huet last season in favor of Price, however, with a 13-4-4 record, they have little reason to be cynical nowadays. Price has shown signs of struggle this season but with any young goaltender, that is certainly expected. He has a solid team in front of him and should for several years to come. He’s a smart play in both year-to-year and keeper leagues.
Candidate: David Perron – St. Louis Blues
Stats: 2g/16a/E/16pim
Situation: Streaky but more responsibility due to injuries
Analysis:
Perron had a respectable rookie campaign and is on pace for a 35-40 point season with the Blues. He has been somewhat streaky this season, however, with the injuries that the Blues have encountered, he is taking on more responsibilities than he had probably imagined. Leave Perron alone in shallower leagues and consider him a nice 3rd option at wing for those of you in deeper leagues.
Candidate: Tom Gilbert – Edmonton Oilers
Stats: 2g/12a/+2/12pim
Situation: Playing well
Analysis:
With Edmonton acquiring offensive defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky in the off-season and Sheldon Souray starting the regular season campaign healthy, there seemed to be little room for Gilbert to make an impact. The 2nd year defender, however, has emerged as a solid offensive threat from the blue line and is showing the Oilers he can run with the big guns. Gilbert is getting some consideration in shallower leagues due to defensive injuries, so if you find yourself banged up on the back end, Gilbert may be of some service to you. In deeper leagues, consider Gilbert a solid 3rd option at defense.
Candidate: Bryan Little – Atlanta Thrashers
Stats: 11g/11a/+4/6pim
Situation: Lighting the lamp
Analysis:
Little has been one of Atlanta’s best players so far this season and there aren’t any signs of him slowing down. Despite being a Thrasher, he is a +4 with 22 points on the season. There aren’t that many Thrashers worth owning in shallower leagues, however, Little is one of them.
Candidate: David Krejci – Boston Bruins
Stats: 8g/18a/15/10pim
Situation: Playing Great
Analysis:
Krejci has been wonderful for the red hot Bruins this season and should continue to produce steadily. He’s similar to Little in the sense that he’s starting to gain recognition in the shallower leagues, however, he’s in a much better place than Bryan and is slightly more of a well rounded fantasy candidate. If he’s available in your league and you’re looking to replace and injured or slumping player, make a play for him.
Candidate: Mike Smith – Tampa Bay Lightning
Stats: 5-10-7/.922 SV%/2.57 GAA
Situation: Decent goalie on a struggling team
Analysis:
Would you believe me if I told you that Smith is 8th in the league in save percentage (4th if you count tenders that have played more than 15 games) and 4th in the league in shots against? So what is the root of the problem in this situation? Smith showed us in Dallas that he’s a capable goaltender and even this year, he hasn’t performed terribly. It’s the team around him that is contributing to his woes and while Smith may not be completely slumping, the team around him is. If you haven’t already done so, find yourself a more fantasy friendly goaltender. If you’re bound to Smitty, then keep an eye out on some of the emerging backup goaltenders making a push for a starting position.
Candidate: Devin Setoguchi – San Jose Sharks
Stats: 14g/17a/+15/4pim
Situation: HOT
Analysis:
Setoguchi was up and down with the Sharks last year, however, he earned himself a starting roster spot this year and is showing the Sharks that they have a great option at right wing besides an inconsistent Jonathan Cheechoo. Setoguchi is an option in all formats and is certainly developing some keeper value. The Sharks aren’t slowing down and neither is Devin.
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