Roto Exclusive : Guest Contributions and Featured Articles

y David “sixhands”
The Lightning have only won the Stanley Cup once, back in 2004, and have only been to the playoffs a
total of three times since then. Tampa Bay was also unable to defend the Cup, due to the lock out, but
they did make the playoffs in the following two consecutive years. It would be another four years of
basement dwelling before making the post season. In 2011 the Lightning finished with 103 points,
finishing 5 th in the Eastern Conference. Tampa made an exceptional run that culminated with a loss to
the Boston Bruins in the Conference Final. If you are a Lightning fan things are starting to look up in
Florida.
And here’s hoping it doesn’t involve anymore 1-3-1 tactics! (For those of you that don’t get the
reference, the Lightning players will sometimes wait for the opposing team to bring the puck up the ice
instead of pressing in the offensive zone). That said, some of the best players in the league are with
Tampa Bay. So can I really criticise the likes of Stamkos, Lecavalier, St. Louis et al? Nope, I’ll just sit here
at home hiding behind my computer and tell you who I think will improve or decline in the upcoming
season.
Improver :
Teddy Purcell
This undrafted workhorse has been on my radar since first reading about
him in the Dobber fantasy guide. I picked him up off waivers in my fantasy
league when he was still with the Kings and he bounced around my farm
and main teams before I dropped him for a regular NHL player. Needless
to say a savvy GM in my league plucked him off waivers and I think he
enjoyed his career season last year more than Teddy did.
The Tampa Bay right wing has played consecutive 82 game seasons with 51 and 65 points respectively.
He uses his height and weight to his advantage which certainly makes puck possession and protection
easier when you’re 6’2” and over 200lbs.
Purcell also increased his goals from 17 to 24 over the past season and doing this while taking 44 less
shots on goal. Even though his shots on goal decreased, his shooting percentage almost doubled from
8.7 to 15.8 which means he is finding the net with a little more ease.
Purcell is only 27, which means he is starting to enter his prime, and I would not be surprised if he
becomes a point per game player within the next two years.
Now Teddy won’t win you any leagues that count PIM or Plus/Minus but if you are in a points only
league that places an emphasis on goals, power play points and game winners then Purcell will be your
guy.
My recommendation – Points only, keeper and one-year leagues. ~ Expect 32G 43A 12PPG 7GWG
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