The Union and Blue Fantasy Fix 003

The Fansided Fantasy Hockey League held its draft on Sunday and I feel that my draft went a lot better than my first one that I detailed in the Fantasy Fix 002. With careful preparation and some modifications to my pre-draft homework, I was able to stay organized and ahead of the picks. To avoid boring you to death with the details of the draft, the two Blue Jackets I ended up selecting Marian Gaborik (let’s hope I am not a fantasy jinx as I own him in both of my leagues) and James Wisniewski. With this draft I wanted my D to focus more on offense rather than the hits, PIMs, and blocked shots that gain points in my first league. A D of Wiz, Mike Green, Dion Phanuef, Keith Yandle, and rookie Seth Jones should provide plenty of points on offense.

Sep 26, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) carries the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes at Nationwide Arena. The Hurricanes won the game 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

The Fansided league is different from my other league by way of both scoring and player position format. In my fun league we have 6 F, 4 D, and 2 G, whereas in the Fansided League the positions are broken down into 3 C, 3 LW, 3 RW, 6 D, and 2 G. The scoring in my fun league is Head to Head Points, which is the same style fantasy football uses. In the Fansided League we are using a Head to Head Each Category format, in that you get a win or loss for each category.

If you have played one format of Fantasy Hockey for several seasons, I would highly recommend trying something new in one of your leagues. It is always fun to try out a new scoring format and change up your strategy. In a H2H points format you focus on that week’s opponent and attempt to score the most fantasy points. In H2H each category, you have to focus on each scoring category and focus on the big picture when it comes your team’s performance. Another fun scoring type you may want to try out is H2H Most Categories. This format is the perfect blend of H2H points and H2H Each Category, in that whoever wins the most scoring categories in a weekly match up earns a win. In Each Category scoring a team who ends the week 5-4-0 would get 5 wins and 4 losses to their overall record. In a Most Categories scoring format that team would earn a win to their overall record.

Union and Blue Fantasy Fix 003: Weekly Watch List:

David Clarkson (F) TOR: Clarkson is owned in 100% of ESPN leagues, but depending on how deep your league is, he may still be on the waiver wire. Clarkson is suspended for the first 10 games and is ineligible to be placed on a fantasy IR spot, therefore the owner of Clarkson in your league may become impatient and either drop him or be open to a trade. Clarkson is a good multi-role player and can provide plenty of fantasy points on offense and in the penalty box.  

Boone Jenner (F) CBJ: Jenner is owned in 4.1% of ESPN Leagues, which means he is more than likely sitting on the wire in your league. Right now he is still considered a prospect, so I wouldn’t go rushing to claim him just yet, but he deserves a watch. Jenner earned a spot on the Columbus roster due to his performance in camp and great play during the preseason (3G 1A). He will start the season skating on the top line with Marion Gaborik and Brandon Dubinsky and appeared on Puck Daddy’s Calder Watch.

Ryane Clowe (F) NJ: Last year was a disaster for Clowe where he went 28 games without a goal with San Jose. Once he was traded to the Rangers, Clowe’s offensive game woke up and he scored 3 goals in the final 12 games. Clowe is owned in 98.8% of ESPN Leagues, so there is a slight chance he is still available in your league. With New Jersey, Clowe will look to replace the gritty play that was lost with David Clarkson going to Toronto. Before last season, Clowe provided good numbers on offense and more than earned his keep on a fantasy roster in hits and penalty minutes. He could play a big role in NJ and return to his former numbers on offense and still rack up the PIMs and hits.