NHL Hockey Column: Studs & Duds

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Know Your Roots - Overtime

Gates Imbeau

Hockey Writer, Fantrax

To best succeed in Fantasy keeper leagues, you need to have a specific path in mind. Every transaction made has to keep you on that path so that you eventually reach the desired result. There are certain strategies that can help you to properly manage your assets and avoid making costly mistakes.

Looking at a league’s history and past winners, it only takes a few minutes to spot out the dominate participants. This is especially true in deep leagues where an obvious parity highlights strong managers from the weaker ones. As time passes, the balance between the two sides grows further apart. The difference is that the respectable managers will do so in a way that avoids shifting the league’s integrity.

All poolies like to see blockbusters, but these are the type of deals that often changes the fate of two franchises dramatically. Evidently, there will always be poolies aiming for the big Hail Mary, propelling themselves upwards with an abundance of win-now talent, by simply giving up unproven prospects.

Now picture the same manager completing a few of these heavily favourable deals, rendering the opposing teams useless. Generally lopsided blockbusters will be accepted as one off transactions. However, repeat offenders become at risk of losing the league’s respect. At the end of the day winning is winning, and most repeat offenders really won’t care about the lasting effects of their actions as long as they finish first. Fair enough, but winning is so much sweeter when you have the league’s respect.

To accomplish that goal, look no further than GM Z’s example. A few strings of trades as such can effectively build strong contenders and eventual dynasties - all without shifting the balance of the league and leaving everyone happy.

In this particular case…

GM 1 was happy with Eric Staal
GM 2 was happy with Alex Galchenyuk and Gustav Nyquist
GM 3 was happy with Filip Forsberg
GM 4 was happy with his prospects

Note that this last one was probably a poor execution on GM 4’s part. He also just so happens to be the same GM who traded away Ilya Kovalchuk in the nightmare management scenario a few reports ago.

Many things could have gone wrong for GM Z trading away Staal for prospects, albeit high profiled ones, and I would not advise new fantasy sport poolies to explore such avenues without a having a strong understanding of their league and some experience in trading first. It was a risk, which in this case turned out to be successful. Not all GMs can achieve or have the patience to achieve a similar end result. Things can escalate quite quickly, and you do not want to leave yourself stuck midway through your game plan.

Let the three examples of management decisions seen in this series serve as an example on how to make the most of any and all trade transactions. Do not just accept and move along. Know your roots. Do a background check, and add any needed baggage to your assets. You must do this assessment on your own. Like a house inspection, you need to know what sits behind the surface of your assets.

In the end, similar questions should arise: Was there a net gain? Was the process worth the time spent? Would you do the same trade(s) again?

Hopefully that is a yes.

In addition to the Studs and Duds, Gates Imbeau serves as the assistant manager of Dobber Sports (www.dobbersports.com). Catch him on twitter at @GM_Gates or by email at gates@dobbersports.com.

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Oilers2 Nov 26, 2012 4:25:41 PM EST

Have been in the same keeper league now for over 25 years. Have won this keeper league 5 times. At the point now that I don't even care anymore. 1/3 way through the season and and I can honestly say I do not even miss it.

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Sens head into Game 4 trying to tie Pens

Oilers D Sutton retires after 15 seasons

Sharks hold home ice, knot series at 2

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NHL Player News

Matt Gilroy D - NYR: May 22, 2:01PM: Gilroy or Hamrlik... Matt Gilroy may re-enter New York's lineup in Game 4 Thursday night. It doesn't look like Anton Stralman will be available to play after getting injured in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to Boston. Gilroy hasn't played since April 25 and he suited up in just 15 games during the regular season. Roman Hamrlik could be an option as well.
Brenden Morrow LW - PIT: May 22, 1:26PM: Brenden Morrow... Brenden Morrow didn't participate in Pittsburgh's optional game-day skate, so his status for Game 4 is still up in the air. Several of the team's prominent players, including Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, didn't take part in the session as well. Coach Dan Bylsma also has a policy for these playoffs where he doesn't discuss injuries or his lineup. Morrow left Tuesday's practice early, but it is believed by some that he will still play Wednesday night. He may have just taken the morning off to get some extra rest.
Jakub Voracek RW - PHI: May 22, 1:15PM: Jakub Voracek is... Jakub Voracek is reportedly OK after wrecking his car in an accident this morning in the Czech Republic. Philadelphia GM Paul Holmgren released this statement: "I spoke with Jake this morning. He was involved in a car accident in the Czech Republic. Although his car did suffer damage, there were no injuries. Jake is fine." Voracek totaled his Ferrari in the accident, but it's a relief that he wasn't hurt.
Cory Conacher C,LW - OTT: May 22, 1:08PM: Cory Conacher... Cory Conacher is likely to be scratched by the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday night when they host Pittsburgh in Game 4. He posted a minus-1 rating and had no shots in 13:22 of ice time in Sunday's double-overtime victory. It is expected that Mark Stone will take his place in the lineup.
Mark Stone RW - OTT: May 22, 1:02PM: Senators to dress... Mark Stone is expected to make his 2013 playoff debut in Game 4 Wednesday night. He had one assist in one game with the Senators last year during the postseason and skated in four matches with the team in the regular season. Stone is slated to play alongside Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek against the Penguins.
Braden Holtby G - WAS: May 22, 12:57PM: Braden Holtby... Braden Holtby didn't let a shaky start to the 2013 campaign derail his confidence and at the end of the year he emerged as a solid option between the pipes and the team's undisputed starter. He posted a 23-12-1 record, a 2.58 goals-against average, a .920 save percentage and four shutouts in 36 games. "If you're not improving every year, you're doing something wrong," said Holtby. "It was nice to get sort of a full season in, and every little experience can help if you use it the right way." He brought some stability to Washington's crease for the first time in a while and will likely be given the number one job again heading into next season.
Marcus Johansson C - WAS: May 22, 12:46PM: RFA Marcus... Marcus Johansson will need a new contract this summer. He is a pending restricted free agent and is coming off his entry-level deal. He skated alongside Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom on Washington's top line for most of the season and coach Adam Oates praised Johansson's play down the stretch. He should get a nice bump in salary, but he'll probably have to prove himself further before he earns a substantial contract.

Matt Gilroy D - NYR: May 22, 2:01PM: Gilroy or Hamrlik...