Fantasy Hockey: Why picking up Scott Gomez isn't a bad idea

Dobber launched his fantasy hockey website DobberHockey back in 2005 and has been Puck Daddy's resident fantasy hockey 'expert' since 2009.

By this point you've heard all the jokes about the Toronto Maple Leafs and their inability to score - the goal judge/Maytag repairman comparable; the red light bulb company going bankrupt for lack of sales; etc., etc. But the team is actually still sixth in the league in goals scored. Of course, that was pretty much entirely during the Randy Carlyle era, but let's not go there. Heading into the All-Star break, the Leafs still hold the top spot for most productive line combo by a pretty wide margin. While that does speak to the chemistry of Tyler Bozak/Phil Kessel/James van Riemsdyk, it also speaks to a certain stubbornness. As in - the refusal to mix up the scoring lines. Why mess around with what's working, right?

Except…it's not working.

Coming out of the break, it won't be just fantasy owners making some adjustments for the stretch run. We'll see if any of these top line combos get broken up.

Courtesy of Frozen Pool…

Studs...

These fellas are wielding a hot stick. Take that into consideration when you go after them in trade talks...

Alex Steen, St. Louis Blues (10-7-11-18, plus-7, 4 PIM, 38 SOG, 5 PPPts) - Steen has been on the board for every game in 2015 so far. He also boasts a four-point game (Jan. 3) and an 11-shot game (Jan. 2). Just imagine the poor sucker who drafted him and then in mid-December said "Bah, I give up - last season was a fluke" - and then traded him.

Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings (4-4-4-8, plus-5, 8 PIM, 10 SOG, 4 PPPts) - Plenty of gas in the tank at age 34, and just when we were starting to think that 70-point seasons were a distant memory for him, he brings 80-point seasons back into the conversation.

Mark Streit, Philadelphia Flyers (9-3-6-9, minus-5, 4 PIM, 16 SOG, 9 PPPts) - Every single one of his points during this hot run have come on the power play (19 of 34 on the season). As long as you can handle a plus/minus so ugly you turn to the Sabres for help, he's been a boon for your team.

Duds...

Somebody wake these guys up – their fantasy owners are counting on them...

Kyle Turris, Ottawa Senators (8-0-2-2, minus-3, 2 PIM, 24 SOG, 0 PPPts) - Still logging the ice time and power-play time, and he's still taking a ton of shots. It's just not going in for him right now.

Ryan Kesler, Anaheim Ducks (14-2-2-4, minus-1, 10 PIM, 40 SOG, 0 PPPts) - Kesler's last point on the power play came on Dec. 7. Who does he think he is, Toronto?

Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins (3-5-3, 0 SO) - The All-Star break couldn't come at a better time for the Penguins, as both Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin are injured, not to mention Blake Comeau and Patric Hornqvist. And Fleury could sure use the break to recharge. But that ain't gonna happen - he's playing in the All-Star Game this weekend.

The Wire...

Mostly short-term grabs here, but as always some potential steals...

Anders Lee, New York Islanders (5-4-1-5, plus-3, 0 PIM, 14 SOG, 0 PPPts) - Lee makes for a great depth option even though he has just 18 points on the season. Because 16 of those points have come in the last 28 games, and that's a better indication of the production to come because he's playing with Ryan Strome. Whereas to start the campaign he was stuck on a checking line. But he's also a solid depth option because he shoots the puck. A lot. Even when the points have dried up, you'll still get 2.5 shots per game out of him.

Josh Bailey, New York Islanders (6-2-6-8, plus-4, 6 Hits, 8 SOG) - The left wing spot on the John Tavares/Kyle Okposo line has been a revolving door. Then Bailey took on the role with ho-hum results. Mikhail Grabovski then grabbed the spot for all of a half period before getting injured. So Bailey got a second chance there and he's made the most of it.

Michael Del Zotto, Philadelphia Flyers (3-1-3-4, plus-1, 4 PIM, 9 Hits, 1 PPPts) - Out of the doghouse for now and getting secondary PP time, MDZ could still salvage a 30-point season and get back into fantasy hockey's good graces. His hit total is getting back up to where it should be, too.

Patrick Maroon, Anaheim Ducks (5-2-4-6, plus-8, 5 PIM, 14 SOG, 1 PPPts) - What I like about Maroon in roto leagues is that when he plays with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry (as he is now), he puts up decent points. And when he's not with those guys, he becomes a PIM-per-game and two-hits-per-game player. So he's helping you one way or another.

Mark Stone, Ottawa Senators (7-2-6-8, plus-2, 4 PIM, 13 SOG, 1 PPPts) - For the second week in a row, I'll keep him on this list because he's still just 4% owned. Enjoying a seven-game point streak, Stone is clearly comfortable playing in the NHL now. It's great to see what he can do when he's not getting hurt all the time - as seemed to be the case since turning pro in 2012.

Scott Gomez, New Jersey Devils (8-2-7-9, plus-3, 0 PIM, 8 SOG, 3 PPPts) - I can't believe I'm saying this, considering it's not 2007. But you should pick up Scott Gomez. He's getting all the ice time, PP time and linemates he needs to succeed. And whether the points are a fluke or not, he's still getting them.

Andre Burakovsky, Washington Capitals (2-1-2-3, plus-2, 0 PIM, 5 SOG) - The rookie made a splash at the beginning of the season with eight points 10 games. But then he cooled off despite seeing time on the Ovechkin line. Well, now he's back on that big line and this time it seems to be working. 

For more fantasy hockey tips, take a gander at DobberHockey. And while you’re at it, follow Dobber’s fantasy hockey musings on Twitter. 

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