With the calendars flipping to September and training camp just a few weeks away, fantasy hockey leagues start to schedule their drafts. Hopefully, you have been keeping up with the off-season moves, rookies added and players looking to take a step forward, while in other cases, some maybe regressing. As a way to help you plan, this series of columns will focus one one fantasy sleeper per team in each division.
Fantasy sleepers mean different things to each person. For some, it’s the hot rookie. Others it’s those who will take a step forward. Some view them as prior year players or acquisitions in new situations enabling that individual to exceed projections or their initial role. For purposes of this series of columns, the focus will mainly be on the latter – those who have a chance to surpass expectations or prior production. I welcome feedback, criticism, thoughts, etc., as one man’s meat is another man’s poison and your view may differ vastly from mine.
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Ep 68: Auston Matthews Extension, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Much More
by Full Press Coverage on September 1, 2023 at 2:23 am
Jim and Chris are back to chat about the Auston Matthews extension, the […]
We kick off this series looking at the Atlantic Division, which will be followed by the Central, Metro and Pacific. In each column, two teams will be covered. To make it easy, we will go alphabetically by first team name rather than by nickname. In our initial foray, the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres are discussed.
Boston Bruins:
Last year’s President’s Trophy winner has undergone substantive upheaval this offseason. Long-time Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron and second-line center David Krejci retired, leaving a massive gap down the middle. Boston is rumored to be in on Mark Scheifele, presuming Winnipeg deals the top-line pivot, as well as the Elias Lindholm trade mix with Calgary, but if a deal is not consummated, someone has to dress as the top-two pivotmen.
Pavel Zacha, acquired before last season from the Devils, saw a significant spike in production, as he went from 15 goals and 21 assists to 21 and 35, respectively. Currently, he is slated to open the season as the B’s top-line center, which should result in an uptick in output. The player, though, that I want to focus on is Charlie Coyle.
After scoring 16 goals and 44 points in 82 games during the 2021-22 season, he posted 16 goals and 45 points in the same number of games last season. With Bergeron and Krejci no longer in the picture, Coyle moves up the center pecking order in Boston. He is scheduled to man the second-line pivot, affording him additional ice time both at even-strength and on the man-advantage. The rise in each, coupled with skating with more talented wingers, should enable Coyle to increase his output.
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Buffalo Sabres:
The Sabres took a step forward last season and the future most certainly looks bright. After taking major flak over the Jack Eichel situation and ultimate trade, the deal has benefitted both teams. Similar can be said for the Ryan O’Reilly–Tage Thompson trade now that Thompson has blossomed into a major scorer.
Bufalo’s pipeline has started to bear fruit. Rasmus Dahlin and Dylan Cozens both took significant steps forward in 2022-23. We saw glimpses of just how good Owen Power should be, the same with John-Jason Peterka. Zach Benson, drafted this year, and Matthew Savoie, a 2022 first-round pick, are rated as top prospects and should be joined by Noah Ostlund who should get the chance to contribute over the next year or so.
The big question is who will be between the pipes. As seen above, Buffalo has the horses to swing a big trade if Connor Hellebuyck or someone of that ilk becomes available. Presuming the team does not go that route, three goalies – Devon Levi, Eric Comrie and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen – could get a shot at filling the bill in net. If Buffalo is smart though, one netminder – who proved his worth at Northeastern University and in a cup of coffee last year at the highest level should be given the chance to run with the role.
Levi went 17-12-5 with a 2.24 goals against average (GAA) and .933 save percentage (SV%) last season in college. He was even better in 2021-22, notching a 21-10-1 record with a 1.54 GAA and sublime .962 SV%. Levi did not look out of place in the NHL in his short stint last season, going 5-2-0 with a 2.94 GAA and .905 SV%, rebounding after any rough appearances to stone the next opponent. He will have growing pains and may be viewed as slightly undersized, but his pedigree and talent make him the team’s netminder of the future and that clock should start now.
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Ep 68: Auston Matthews Extension, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Much More
by Full Press Coverage on September 1, 2023 at 2:23 am
Jim and Chris are back to chat about the Auston Matthews extension, the […]
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Ep 67: Karlsson Trade, Matt Dumba Signs, NHL News and Notes
by Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2023 at 2:21 am
Jim and Chris discuss the big Erik Karlsson trade to Pittsburgh, the Matt […]
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Ep 66: Vladimir Tarasenko, Patrice Bergeron Retires, RFAs, and More
by Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2023 at 11:59 pm
Jim and Chris return to discuss Vladimir Tarasenko signing in Ottawa, […]
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Around the NHL: Mike Babcock Resigns as Head Coach In Columbus
by Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 1:48 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Vox Media NHL Analyst Bruce […]
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Around the NHL: From Columbus to Montreal To Calgary To Atlanta
by Full Press Coverage on September 16, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Vox Media NHL Analyst Bruce […]
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California Dreamin' in Los Angeles with Daryl Evans and the Kings
by Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Kings Radio Color Commentary […]
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Ep 86: David Krejci Announces Retirement
by Full Press Coverage on August 14, 2023 at 10:28 pm
Ian and Chris react to David Krejci's retirement. Learn more about your ad […]
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Ep 85: Offseason Reset: Lucic, Bergeron, Krejci, and More
by Full Press Coverage on July 23, 2023 at 2:10 pm
Ian and Chris discuss the changes the Bruins have seen over the last few […]
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S5Ep2 - What Carey Price Meant to the Montreal Canadiens
by Jim Biringer on September 19, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back for the fifth season of the Final Word on Hockey […]
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S5Ep1 - Does the NHL Have a CM Punk Problem with Mike Babcock?
by Jim Biringer on September 15, 2023 at 6:18 pm
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Colorado Avalanche Preview
by Broken Controller Media on September 20, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Hunter Logan Previews The Colorado Avalanche Stack the Pucks gives a […]
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Chicago Blackhawks Preview
by Broken Controller Media on September 19, 2023 at 3:00 pm
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Arizona Coyotes Preview
by Broken Controller Media on September 18, 2023 at 3:30 pm
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Episode #144: 22-23 AHL Awards Show
by Full Press Coverage on July 14, 2023 at 10:00 pm
The 2022-23 AHL season has come to a close, and what better way to […]
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Episode #143: Dessert > Desert
by Full Press Coverage on June 24, 2023 at 5:54 pm
On this episode of The Calder Farmstead, Sean and Sarah wrap up the […]
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Full Press Hurricanes - 9-20 - The Southeast Florida Prospect Showcase & the Hurricanes Training Camp
by Full Press Coverage on September 20, 2023 at 3:00 pm
The Hurricanes have won all 3 games at their prospect showcase this past […]
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ROP Special Commentary: A Catfish Too Far
by Charlie Saunier on September 20, 2023 at 5:01 am
Renegades Of Puck Special Commentary: A Catfish Too Far Learn more about […]
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Full Press Blackhawks - 9-19 - Connor Bedard is HIM!!!
by Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Breaking down Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks games at the Tom Kurvers […]
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Full Press Kraken - 9-18 - 2021 draft, Shane Wright, training camp
by Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 3:00 pm
A look back at the 2021 Draft, Shane Wright update, Camp primer Learn more […]
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Full Press Canadiens - 9-18 - Christian Dvorak trade rumors
by Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Josh Gosse and Jesse Poirier speak about the latest Montreal Canadiens […]
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ROP Special Commentary: SCS WTF?
by Charlie Saunier on September 18, 2023 at 5:01 am
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9/19 - Monday Night Recap, State of Quarterback Play, 2-0 Teams
by Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss MNF and talk about the state of quarterback play. […]
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9/18 - Week 2 Headlines; Monday Night Football Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Ian and John discuss some of the headlines from Sunday's action, some […]
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9/15 - Eagles Survive Vikings; Week 2 Picks and Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 2:09 pm
Ian and John discuss the Eagles win over the Vikings and preview Week 2. […]
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9/14 - Aaron Rodgers And The AFC East, Vikings at Eagles Preview
by Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Ian and John further discuss the Aaron Rodgers injury and the impact on […]
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Ep 183: Week 3 Preview vs Saints
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:11 am
In this episode, Kyle Senra is joined by Courtney Burrows (luvtractor3) […]
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Ep 134: NFL Week 2 Studs And Duds
by Full Press Coverage on September 20, 2023 at 7:07 pm
Ian and Braden give their Studs and Duds for the second week of NFL […]
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9/19 - Monday Night Recap, State of Quarterback Play, 2-0 Teams
by Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss MNF and talk about the state of quarterback play. […]
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9/18 - Week 2 Headlines; Monday Night Football Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Ian and John discuss some of the headlines from Sunday's action, some […]
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Ep 133: Week 2 Overreactions
by Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 2:03 pm
Ian and John overreact to what they saw in Week 2 of the NFL. Learn more […]
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Ep 182: Week 2 Instant Reactions
by Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 1:52 am
The Green Bay Packers lost a close 25-24 game at the hands of the Atlanta […]
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Ep 132: Eagles Move To 2-0, AFC East, NFL Week 2 Thoughts
by Full Press Coverage on September 17, 2023 at 3:11 pm
Ian and Braden discuss the Eagles win over Minnesota, the state of the AFC […]
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Ep 170: The 1986 Giants With Gary Myers
by Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 9:44 pm
HOF voter and author Gary Myers joins Clark and Ira to discuss his new […]