(All statistics through Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012)
This past week, the Montreal Canadiens dealt LW Michael Cammalleri during Thursday’s game with Boston, one day after making statements either calling out his teammates or the organization as a whole.
In case you missed it, Cammy had this to say about the Habs. “We prepare for our games like losers. We play like losers. So it’s no wonder why we lose,” Cammalleri ranted. He also said that the Habs have a “losing mentality.”
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| Michael Cammalleri is happy to be back in Calgary. Photo Credit: Resolute |
The Canadiens quickly shuttled him to the Calgary Flames with G Karri Ramo and a fifth-round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft for forwards Rene Bourque and Patrick Holland. It’s his second stint with the Flames, and as luck has it, much to the chagrin of Habs fans everywhere, Cammalleri lit the lamp in his first game back with the Flames. Even worse, the Richmond Hill, Ont. native chose to wear No. 93 in his return to Calgary, honoring former Flames and Maple Leafs forward Doug Gilmour.
Cammalleri was fired up to return to the Flames, especially after seeing his ice time drying up, even before his comments, in Montreal.
If you’re a Fantasy owner of Cammalleri, you’re fired up, too, as his value has gotten a huge jolt upward. He started Saturday’s game skating with C Mikael Backlund and Lee Stempniak, but quickly found himself aside W Jarome Iginla on the team’s top scoring line. If he can remain up top, Cammalleri can be a Top 25 Fantasy forward. That’s a far cry from where he started out last week.
In case you were wondering, the Flames have already visited Montreal, so you’ll have to wait until next season to see Cammalleri showered with “Les Boos,” but his former “loser” teammates do pay a visit to Calgary March 6. That should be an interesting matchup for sure.
INJURIES
The Carolina Hurricanes activated C Jeff Skinner (concussion) from the Injured Reserve list. He had been sidelined since Dec. 7, missing the past 16 games. Before he was injured, the 19-year-old was performing at a near point-per-game clip. If a Fantasy owner with an itchy trigger finger dropped him, grab Skinner immediately. If you have been patient, plug him back into the starting lineup for the new week.
Minnesota Wild C Mikko Koivu (upper body) was forced out of Saturday’s shootout loss at St. Louis due to an upper body injury, as he took a bone-crushing hit from Blues C Vladimir Sobotka midway through the first period. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports Koivu immediately cradled his arm close to his body, which could indicate he suffered a separated shoulder or collarbone injury. For now, it’s best to reserve Koivu in the upcoming scoring period if you normally depend upon him.
Pittsburgh Penguins C Sidney Crosby (concussion) was able to take part in practice Saturday, but it is still uncertain when he’ll be ready to return to game action. That is still a while away, so keep being patient.
Speaking of concussions, if you’re waiting on St. Louis Blues C Alexander Steen (concussion), his return might be coming soon. The same is true for teammate W Andy McDonald (concussion), who is also progressing. Steen practiced Saturday, and reportedly looked good. His return is imminent, although, he is still a risky play for the upcoming week. As far as McDonald, he hasn’t been cleared for contact, so he is still a ways off.
SCANNING THE WAIVER WIRE
Calgary Flames D Mark Giordano (leg) is back in the lineup, and he has an assist in two games since returning from injury. In late November, he ruptured tendons in his leg back and missed about six weeks, so Fantasy owners have long since forgotten about him. However, he is coming off a career high 43-point season, and he has 19 goals over the past two seasons. If you’re looking for help among rearguards, Giordano is an easy choice to pluck from the waiver wire.
Washington Capitals RW Troy Brouwer posted a hat trick Friday night against Tampa Bay, which was a tremendous surprise for Fantasy owners. However, don’t focus squarely on his points, which are good, but not great. If you’re in a pool which rewards hits and blocked shots, that’s where Brouwer’s true value comes. He has 40 hits in a 10-game span from Dec. 23-Jan. 13, including 18 hits in two games from Jan. 11-13. He also has 10 blocked shots in seven games from Dec. 30-Jan. 13, and he’ll pick up the occasional penalty to help out, too.
THE ICE WATCH
The Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues will do battle Monday night in a nationally televised game. In case you’re in a daily league, G Jaroslav Halak is slated to get the start for the Blues, just FYI. … Thursday’s game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers loses a little luster because of the injuries that have plagued the Pens, but it should still be a hard-hitting game. … Somehow, some way, the Carolina Hurricanes are about 10 points out of first place in the Southeast Division, as poorly as they started this season. Head coach Kirk Muller has them playing well, and they can take another step forward with a win against the division rival Washington Capitals Friday. … CBC will televise the Florida Panthers and Winnipeg Jets Saturday night on Hockey Night in Canada. At first look, especially earlier this season that might not have looked like a good matchup. However, the Panthers have been in or near first place all season, and the Jets have played so well at MTS Centre that they are within striking distance of the top spot.
SLAP SHOTS
Minnesota Wild C Matt Cullen is skating on the team’s top scoring line with Ws Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi. He has managed two goals and four points over his past six games, but his plus-minus rating is still hampering Fantasy owners. Still, he is a decent No. 3-4 center if you need help up front. … St. Louis Blues C Jason Arnott has lit the lamp four times over his past four games. … Arnott isn’t the only veteran running hot, as Detroit Red Wings RW Todd Bertuzzi has three goals with a plus-4 rating over his past four games. He continues to fly under the radar, posting consistent numbers in a bounce-back season. He is skating with C Pavel Datsyuk, which will only add to Bert’s Fantasy appeal. … New Jersey Devils C Patrik Elias has managed three goals with seven points and a plus-1 rating over his past five. … Washington Capitals G Tomas Vokoun is 3-2-0 with a 2.58 Goals-Against Average (GAA) and .917 save percentage over his past five games played, including one shutout. … Edmonton Oilers G Nikolai Khabibulin is 0-3-0 with a 3.43 GAA and .886 save percentage in his past four games. If you own the ‘Bulin Wall’, see if you can add G Devan Dubnyk now, just to be on the safe side. Dubnyk got the start Sunday against the Kings, and his playing time might be on the rise. … The up-and-down season for Oilers LW Ryan Smyth continues. He is now scoreless in his past four games with a minus-2 rating.
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