Roto Exclusive : Guest Contributions and Featured Articles
Roto Exclusive : Guest Contributions and Featured Articles
Roto Exclusive : Guest Contributions and Featured Articles
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y Keith Veronese<br />
As I write this, I am falling into mild depression as I don't own David Backes in any leagues. His 200-plus<br />
hits while putting up 100-plus PIMs <strong>and</strong> 50-60 points year in <strong>and</strong> year out are what he is known for, but<br />
his 200-plus shots are nice too. The 658 faceoff wins from someone who has eligibility at RW is an<br />
absolute plus, as well as the smattering of shorth<strong>and</strong>ed points <strong>and</strong> a 20 power play points he will put up<br />
over the year. Backes’ goal totals have fluctuated greatly over the past three seasons - I'd expect him<br />
closer to the 20-25 goal level this year than the 30-35 due to his shooting percentage. If you’ve got a<br />
chance to draft or trade for Backes at the right price in a <strong>Roto</strong> league, do it. Backes is the Mike Trout of<br />
Fantasy Hockey - every time he plays he will do helps out your fantasy team. Or is Mike Trout the David<br />
Backes of Fantasy Baseball? Hmm...<br />
Man Up<br />
1. David Perron<br />
Perron could go late in your league due to his injury history, but the 24 year-old almost led the Blues in<br />
points last season despite playing in only 57 games. Perron's playing style will not net you significant<br />
secondary roto-cats like hits or PIMs, but that's ok as long as he stays healthy. The Blues invested in<br />
Perron in a big way this off-season with a four year, $15.25 million dollar contract, so the organization is<br />
convinced Perron will continue to flourish under Hitchcock.<br />
2. Kevin Shattenkirk<br />
Can't afford Pieterangelo? Get Shattenkirk. Shat puts up very similar stats in points, hits, blocked shots,<br />
<strong>and</strong> shots, but he'll cost half the price of Pieterangelo. That’s value.<br />
3. T.J. Oshie<br />
Oshie puts up similar point totals to Berglund (who I will<br />
dog later), but Oshie outshines Berglund when you realize<br />
he missed a chunk of games in two seasons. Oshie plays a<br />
physical game which will get you hits, but the style will also<br />
leave him a little banged up. Go ahead <strong>and</strong> factor in the<br />
time he will be on the IR, <strong>and</strong> keep an eye on the waiver<br />
wire to pick up someone on a heat streak while Oshie is<br />
down. Oshie could very well explode this year, <strong>and</strong> if he<br />
does, this might be the last year he’s affordable. Oshie is<br />
also a known commodity, with owners drooling over him in<br />
multi-cat leagues, making him trade bait thanks to his<br />
perceived upside.<br />
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