Notes About Lines

How ever good a player is, they won't have much of an impact unless they get more than 10 minutes a night or their name is Radulov.

Since Radulov's in Russia, I strongly recommend this excellent article from NHL.com about line combinations.

In ATLANTA, it's all about who gets to play with Kovalchuk, the guy who once scored six in a youth all star game. Right now, that looks like Antropov plus somebody else.

In BOSTON, it's about who gets to play with Savard, who put up a somewhat quiet 88 points in 82 games last year. Right now, the only person with a guaranteed spot on that line in Lucic.



In CALGARY, Jokinen and Iginla will play together, leaving a third spot that I think will rotate.

In CAROLINA, lines don't seem to matter as much. Staal and Whitney put up a lot of points, and the rest of the team struggles with injuries. If they face fewer injuries this year, the team will do very well, although every other team in the division also has high hopes.

In CHICAGO, pretty much everyone is a worthwhile fantasy prospect, including Bolland (who's been hurt) and Byfuglien.

DETROIT looks ready to separate Datsuyk and Zetterberg again, making Franzen and Holmstrom valuable until either gets hurt.

FLORIDA's top line of Booth, Horton, and Weiss will remain excellent, as will NASHVILLE's top line of Arnott, Dumont, and Sullivan.

For NY RANGERS, it's all about who plays with Gaborik (and whether Gaborik stays healthy). Right now, it's Dubinsky.

For NEW JERSEY, the top line of Parise, Zajac, and Langenbrunner, will be excellent again, and expectations are high among fantasy experts for Elias.

In OTTAWA, Alfredsson and Spezza play together, increasing Alf's value over last year. I would not bet on either of the San Jose acquisitions, Mihalek or Cheechoo.

I don't bother trying to forecast PITTSBURGH lines because they change so much.

In TAMPA BAY, St. Louis and Lecavalier are playing on separate lines, and Stamkos and Tanguay, one on each of those lines.

In VANCOUVER, Burrows may be demoted to make room for Samuelsson.

In WASHINGTON, Knuble seems likely to get to play with Ovechkin and Backstrom.