BUY LOW
^ Brad Boyes: A recent 14-game goal drought drastically suppressed the value of one of the game’s best young scorers. That’s over, not least of which due to some line shifting, and better days are ahead.
^ Nicklas Lidstrom: Great numbers for anybody else are still mediocre tallies for the greatest defenseman of our generation. As his injury-crippled team heals, so will his numbers as the skill level of his teammates increases dramatically.
^ Chris Osgood: Over the past two years, his regular season and playoff performances have diverged as greatly as anyone in the history of the game. The Wings know they will need the iceman who shockingly helped carry them last spring once they hit this year’s playoffs. Thus, his opportunities will increase down the stretch as he nears the conference quarterfinals.
^ Mike Richards: He’s getting horrible ink in Philly and his game is in the dumper. Good for you if you’re looking to acquire him, as it would probably take circumstances this dire to make him available. Swoop in, ride out the storm and then benefit when things get better, probably after the long Olympic break.
^ Bobby Ryan: The lack of a signature on a proposed contract extension has been a bit of a distraction, but he’s shown way too much talent at an early age not to have his numbers pop up soon.
^ Henrik Zetterberg: Along with Pavel Datsyuk, he will benefit enormously from getting his legions of injured teammates back and forcing defenses to play him more honestly.
SELL HIGH
^ Craig Anderson: He’s been seeing a ton of work, he just posted his fifth shutout as part of a gaudy streak and his numbers are as good as they are going to get. Take your profit now.
^ Loui Eriksson: Vast improvement can happen from one year to the next with a young player – just realize that what you’ve seen so far is about as good as it’s going to end with him at the end.
^ Jimmy Howard: See Chris Osgood – as Ozzy inevitably sees more action, Howard will have to see less.
^ Duncan Keith: He’s a leading Norris Trophy candidate and undeniably one of the reasons that Chicago has had the huge year that it has had. Just realize that he’s very unlikely to be able to continue to build on what he’s done thus far and that he is tasty trade bait.
^ Daniel and Henrik Sedin: Everyone knows how great the Sedins are – and that is not the point. But if you expect them to continue on a Crosby/Ovechkin pace on a per-game basis, you may be disappointed. You can probably really clean up for either of them.
Fantasy Drafthelp: Hockey Buy Low and Sell High
