NHL Hockey Column: Studs & Duds

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AHL Recap

Gates Imbeau

Hockey Writer, Fantrax

Over the next two months, the Studs and Duds feature will recap various hockey leagues spanning from North America to Europe. This week we showcase AHL enthusiast, Tim Graveline (@tsgraveline), as he breaks down the latest happenings from the American Hockey League.

AHL Studs and Duds

As of Tuesday December 15, 2012

Studs:

Cam Atkinson: Atkinson is an undersized right wing, standing at five foot eight inches, who is blessed with great offense. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2008 draft due, primarily, to his size. Currently, he is scoring above a point-per-game pace with the Springfield Falcons and is on a scoring streak that dates back to December 1st. So far this season, he has 14 goals and 13 assist for 27 points in 23 games.

Tyler Johnson: Is another undersized player who stands a little taller at five foot ten. This pivot has 25 points in 25 games. He has been bounced from team to team since his hockey career started. Yet, he always finds ways to score and he keeps fighting the stigma that smaller players receive (see Atkinson above) to show that they can be a viable force in professional hockey.

Brayden Schenn: Schenn is a feisty forward who hits a ton. In leagues that count hits and PIMs, poolies should really look to Schenn as the next David Backes-type player for multi-category purposes. He is showing his offensive flair with improved ice-time in the AHL. His game is rounding out and he is firing on all pistons. This is a guy to trade for or scoop up if he has somehow been missed. He has 26 points in 24 games so far, but is a minus 12. That will not be an issue when he is playing in the top six for Philly.

Duds:

Adam Henrique: Henrique is has had a slow start to this season. He only has eight points in 16 games. The reason I count him as a dud is because he was so highly revered after his play in New Jersey during the regular season and his clutch performances in the playoffs. He is too high regarded to be playing at half a point-per-game. Therefore, he is my first dud of the season, but not the greatest dud.

Chris Kreider: Kreider burst onto the season late in the Rangers push for Lord Stanley last spring. He was electrifying and people were all abuzz with his play. He does contain great scoring ability, but having scored only ten points in 24 games for the Connecticut Whale is not showing your parent club that you have the consistency to be a top line player when the NHL comes back.

Stefan Elliott: This is the biggest dud of them all this season. Elliott has one measly goal and two assists in 23 games. Two of those points came in last night's game. For a guy that many rank as the highest rated defenseman (fantasy-wise) who isn’t playing consistently in the NHL, this is pathetic. What is worse for him is that Tyson Barrie is showing consistency at the AHL level and showed more in his debut with the Avalanche. His value is dropping and it could be awhile before it comes back up. I name him Stefan (Dudley Dursley) Elliott.

Gates Imbeau serves as the assistant manager of DobberSports.com - Catch him on twitter at @GM_Gates or by email at gates@dobbersports.com. Catch Tim Graveline on twitter @tsgraveline.

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