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NHL Scratches & Line Changes

T.J. Oshie(RW)|FA
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Last season was interrupted by a serious injury that limited Oshie to 49 games, and he is still looking to get as many as 20 goals or 50 points in a season. So there is still room for him to “break out” in that manner.

The former 24th overall pick was on pace for 20 goals and 57 points last season. If he and his supporting cast can remain healthy, we could be looking at a 25 goal, 60 point season for the forward.

Source:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2011-09-29T16:10:49.000Z
T.J. Oshie
Joe Morrow(LD)|
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Among the intriguing storylines for the Penguins going into their final cuts early next week is 1st rounder Joe Morrow who again today was used in a top pairing role with defenseman Kris Letang. What has been so impressive with Morrow is how consistent he’s been throughout camp from practices to games.

Morrow received a longer look than highly touted prospect Simon Despres. Last season he led the Portland Winterhawks defenders with nine goals and 49 points. While he remains a longshot to make the team, his presence in camp shows how high the team is on him.

Source:
Inside Pittsburgh Sports 2011-09-29T16:06:14.000Z
Joe Morrow
Jacob Markstrom(G)|FLA
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As I wrote the other night, Plante’s rough night against the Stars on Tuesday made the decision easier which goalie will back up Theodore when the season starts. Plante, who played well against Nashville, was placed in a difficult situation, coming in cold, and his defense didn’t help much. However, Markstrom pitched a shutout while Plante gave up four goals.

The team's top prospect will get his first real chance at the starting goalie job by backing up Jose Theodore. While he remains one of the premier goaltending prospects in hockey, the former 31st over pick struggled with injuries and inconsistency in the AHL last season. Should he prove himself at the NHL level, look for the younger Markstrom to supplant Theodore before the end of the season.

Source:
Sun-Sentinel 2011-09-29T15:49:35.000Z
Jacob Markstrom
Jared Cowen(D)|
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Asked if Cowen looks like an NHL player right now, MacLean said the defenceman is “real close.

Cowen should make the team but will compete with fellow rookie David Rundblad and veterans like Filip Kuba and Matt Carkner. Last season he scored 18 goals and 48 points with the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL. Expect some solid play, in the mold of Chris Phillips, opposed to the offensive upside of Rundblad.

Source:
Senators Extra 2011-09-29T15:36:44.000Z
Jared Cowen
Mika Zibanejad(C)|NYR
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“I’m not sure if (Zibanejad making the team) is a done deal at this point,” MacLean said. “We still have, counting tonight, 10 games we can still evaluate him, but it certainly appears, with the injuries to Peter Regin and Jesse Winchester, that the door is open for him to walk into at this point in time.”

Zibanejad is probably too good for any junior club at this point but could be sent to the AHL as a player drafted in Europe. Expect at least a nine-game tryout.

Source:
Senators Extra 2011-09-29T15:33:38.000Z
Mika Zibanejad
Brandon Prust(RW)|FA
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Brandon Prust, who was held out of the three North American preseason games as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery, will make his preseason debut today when the Rangers face HC Sparta in Prague, Czech Republic.

Prust playing tonight indicates he will be healthy for the season opener next week. Last season he established himself as a hard-working, bottom-line player by scoring 13 goals and 29 points. Expect similar production should he stay on the ice.

Source:
Ranger Rants 2011-09-29T15:22:23.000Z
Brandon Prust
Ilya Bryzgalov(G)|FA
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“Right now, I’m not satisfied with my performance,” Bryzgalov said. “I feel I’ve started to feel right, in terms of where I am going. I started feeling better about myself, in the practice and even in the game.”

Bryzgalov played solid hockey out of the gate last season but his peripherals were still .20 - .40 higher than his end-season result. In other words, a slow start would not be a cause for concern. Feel free to draft him among the elite netminders.

Source:
Flyers Talk 2011-09-29T15:08:11.000Z
Ilya Bryzgalov
Valtteri Filppula(C)|FA
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Filppula said he can be a little more offensive-minded while playing the wing, since the center has more defensive responsibilities in the Red Wings’ system.

Filppula could finally break out while playing on Henrik Zetterberg or Pavel Datsyuk's wing. He scored 16 goals and 39 points last season but has never posted more than 40 points in his five year career. An increase to 50 points could be expected should he stick on a scoring line.

Source:
Mlive.com 2011-09-29T14:17:29.000Z
Valtteri Filppula
Anton Stralman(RD)|FA
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For others, such as tryouts Anton Stralman and Steve Bernier, this might be their final opportunity to show they are worth keeping around.

Stralman hasn't stood out during his tryout with the team and could get cut. As an unsigned player he holds very limited fantasy hockey value.

Source:
Fire & Ice 2011-09-29T14:09:20.000Z
Anton Stralman
Janne Pesonen(LW)|INA
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The Jets took a chance on the winger, giving him a tryout as an unsigned player, and have been giving him plenty of opportunity to make his mark. He played on the first line with Andrew Ladd in last Tuesday’s pre-season opener, and he was with Alex Burmistrov and Nik Antropov on Wednesday night against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Pesonen has proven in the past he can score at the AHL, KHL and SM-Liiga but failed to produce in his cup of coffee with Pittsburgh. He likely fails to make the team due to a previous injury. If he ever makes the NHL, he could turn into a solid supplementary winger.

Source:
Winnipeg Sun 2018-07-18T17:53:19.823Z
Mark Scheifele(C)|WPG
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The Skinner situation is what has some Winnipeg Jets fans hoping Mark Scheifele can make the jump to the NHL after only one year in the Ontario Hockey League. Skinner says: Why not?

Scheifele continues to impress the team's brass with his near dominant outings. Scheifele scored 22 goals and 75 points in 66 games with the Barrie Colts of the OHL. If he makes the team, expect him to play a relatively prominent role on a scoring line.

Source:
Winnipeg Sun 2011-09-29T13:55:36.000Z
Mark Scheifele
Matt Niskanen(RD)|FA
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That was the prevailing wisdom a few weeks back. Today, it is nearly inconceivable that Niskanen will not be in the mix when the games begin to count a week from now.

Niskanen has impressed during training camp, showing he is more-than-capable of handling a bottom pairing role. The former 28th overall pick scored 13 goals over his first two seasons before only scoring four over the last two. Should he see time in an offensive role he could return to the 6-7 goal range.

Source:
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2011-09-29T13:51:59.000Z
Matt Niskanen
Colton Sceviour(RW)|FA
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Now in his third year of professional hockey, forward Colton Sceviour feels it’s time that he starts making his case for being an NHL player. So far this preseason the 22-year-old has been doing just that.

Sceviour could contribute to the Stars as a two-way forward capable of scoring on the third line. " Last season he finished third in scoring for the Texas Stars of the AHL with 41 points (16 goals, 25 assists) in 77 games while playing in all situations, including penalty kill and power play." Not a reason to roster now but a name to keep in mind should the Stars surprise this season.

Source:
Andrew's Stars Blog 2011-09-29T13:41:59.000Z
Colton Sceviour
Dmitry Orlov(D)|SJS
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At first, it looked like great news for defenseman Dmitry Orlov, who has been more than impressive dating to rookie camp. The 20-year-old was Hershey's “most dominant defenseman” last year, coach Mark French said recently.

Sounds like Orlov makes the team in place of John Erskine. Last season, the Russian expatriate scored two goals and nine points in 19 games with the Bears. He should get a chance to play on the bottom pairing and could even chip in some points if paired with Dennis Wideman.

Source:
Capitals Watch 2011-09-29T12:57:36.000Z
Dmitry Orlov
Colin Wilson(C)|FA
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Wilson showed brilliance at both end of the ice in scoring the Predators first goal to tie the game 1-1, 13:52 into the opening period. On defense, he salvaged a weak break out pass from Kevin Klein at one end of the ice and then trailed David Legwand the length of the ice to put the puck in the Caps net for the tying goal.

Wilson played on the team's second line last night, forcing in a goal. Last season, the former 10th overall pick severely disappointed by scoring only 16 goals and 34 points over all 82 games. Look for him to improve in his second full season with the Preds.

Source:
Preds on the Glass 2011-09-29T12:49:30.000Z
Colin Wilson
Kyle Chipchura(C)|
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"Both played very well in camp for us," coach Dave Tippett said from Calgary, where the Coyotes play a preseason game Thursday against the Flames. "They certainly are going to be two guys who are going to make decisions very hard."

Chipchura should make the team as a fourth liner or spare forward. He suited up for 95 games over the last two seasons in Anaheim. Considering he only managed two assists last season, his fantasy hockey value is virtually nonexistent.

Source:
AZ Central 2011-09-29T12:37:24.000Z
Kyle Chipchura
Patrick O'Sullivan(C)|INA
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"Both played very well in camp for us," coach Dave Tippett said from Calgary, where the Coyotes play a preseason game Thursday against the Flames. "They certainly are going to be two guys who are going to make decisions very hard."

O'Sullivan hasn't been guaranteed a roster spot but has impressed during camp. Last season the enigmatic forward only scored two goals and eight points in 31 games, split between the Carolina Hurricanes and Minnesota Wild. The left wing did however prove he was too good for the AHL as he potted 19 goals and 48 points in 36 games with the Houston Aeros.

Source:
AZ Central 2018-07-18T17:53:28.955Z
Taylor Fedun(D)|FA
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If he doesn’t make the Oilers’ roster — he’s in the running with Corey Potter and Taylor Chorney for the No. 7 spot — he’s only a phone call away with the American Hockey League team in Oklahoma City.

Sounds like Fedun is close to making the team. Signed after four successful seasons at Princeton University, the 23-year-old received very little press as a prospect. He should need at least a season at the AHL level.

Source:
Edmonton Journal 2011-09-29T12:33:33.000Z
Taylor Fedun

NHL Line Changes

NHL line changes are essential in keeping a team’s players fresh on the ice over the course of a hard-fought 60-minute matchup. With shift changes occurring rapidly throughout any given game, we are here to provide you with everything you need to know regarding line changes.

Making sure a team is efficiently making line changes can be essential to their success within a matchup, as it ensures that the players needed on the ice to gain the upper hand are ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice. For NHL daily fantasy hockey players, knowing how to track line changes can be important as you look to keep tabs on the players you’ve drafted to your lineup and their production.

On The Fly

Unlike other sports where play must come to a stop in order to make a player substitution, in hockey, players can switch in-and-out of play on the fly. This helps in keeping the breakneck pace of the contest going, increasing the amount of action from whistle-to-whistle and avoiding any unnecessary stoppages.

On the fly changes are generally done when a team is in possession of the puck and are looking to make a transition play from their own end to their opponent’s side of the rink. Players must be aware of the action around them when making an on the fly substitution as a poorly timed switch could leave themselves vulnerable to an odd-man rush on the other end.

In order to make successful line changes on the fly it is up to the team coaching staff to keep players informed on when their line matchups are due to hit the ice. Generally, with both forwards and defensive pairings, line changes go from the first line trickling its way down to the fourth. Depending on the situation of the game, coaches may opt to give a particular line more playing time, increasing the amount of shifts they receive.

Play Stoppages

NHL line changes can also be made during stoppage of play, with both sides being given the chance to put fresh bodies on the ice ahead of the upcoming faceoff. Examples of a play stoppage that would allow teams to make line changes are after minor or major penalties, offsides, icing, and puck out of play calls. These line changes are often much more calculated as each coach has time to survey the other team and decide what would be the most advantageous line combination that will provide them with a competitive advantage.

Bench Configuration

It may seem like a confusing and unorganized area of the game, but in hockey there is a fair amount of strategy put into the bench configuration within a matchup. With both benches positioned in the neutral zone, making sure that players can quickly hop the boards and get into the game is key to making successful line changes. Benches are generally set so that players entering into the game on the fly are in the best possible position on the ice to fulfill their role.

Generally, a bench in hockey will have the forwards positioned closest to the attacking zone, whereas the defenceman will be situated closest to their defensive zone. This separates the forward lines and defence pairings from on another on each end of the bench so that groups can easily stay together. From here the rested forwards ready to enter into the game will be placed in the centre of the bench, positioned near the coaches so they can easily receive instruction before hitting the ice. This is also advantageous as players coming off the ice for a line change will often enter from the opposite side they came onto the ice from, preventing any unnecessary traffic or confusion when making a change. While each team may have their own preferences on how to configure their bench, these are the most common ways they are run.

Line Change Rules

Understanding the rules of NHL line changes in hockey is an understated part of the game and when used correctly can swing the tide of a matchup in your favour. Without in-depth understanding of line changes in hockey, this can cause costly mistakes that can result in minor penalties, lengthy shifts, or mismatches off a faceoff.

Last Line Change

The last line change rule exists so that the home team is able to make an adjustment to whatever lineup the visiting team decides to roll out after a stoppage in play. This rule was designed to make NHL line changes efficient, as well as provide both sides with the chance to strategically place their players based on the lines sent out by their opponents.

For example, after the whistle, the home team’s coach can elect to make a line change to the personnel on the ice. After that, the visiting coach will send out any new players into the game off of a line change. Thanks to the last line change rule, the home team coach is now granted the opportunity to make one last line change before play resumes to counter whatever line changes were made by the opposing team.

For daily fantasy sports bettors this is where having ample knowledge of each NHL team can come in handy. You can envision how each team may look to gain a competitive advantage over their opponent during a possession, drafting players who are set up for success within a matchup.

Penalties & Infractions

While NHL line changes are meant to be an efficient and simple way to keep the game being played at a fast-pace with minimal interruptions, there is still room for serious error during these substitutions. It’s not uncommon to see teams assessed for a penalty due to a botched line change, resulting in a power play opportunity for the opposing team.

A common penalty called as a result of a poorly executed line change is “too many men on the ice”. This penalty results when the offending team has six or more skaters (including the goaltender) on the ice at any given time and comes in physical contact with the puck. While players entering in the game during a shift change are eligible to hop the boards and get in on the action once their teammate is within five feet of the bench, they must time this correctly or they could be hit with a premature substitution infraction. When a bench minor penalty such as too many men on the ice is assessed, it is up to the team’s head coach to decide who serves the penalty based on the players currently on the ice at the time of the penalty.

Another line change infraction to be aware of is in the case of an icing call. Icing is called when a team plays a puck from their own side of the red centre line across the red goal line in their opponents end. When icing is called, a faceoff will be taken from the end of the team that committed the infraction. During an icing call the team that was called for icing is not able to make any line changes, meaning they are forced to keep all players who were on the ice at the time of the infraction in the contest. Their opponents however are allowed to make any line change they desire, making this an incredibly beneficial call if they can strategize correctly.

How Line Changes Impact Fantasy Hockey

NHL line changes can come fast and suddenly so it can be challenging to keep track of certain players over the course of a matchup. This can make it difficult for avid fantasy hockey managers and sports bettors to know when the players they’ve wagered on are on the ice. Some broadcasts now incorporate various display mechanics that allow for you to see who is on the ice at any given time, making shift change tracking much simpler than ever before. Be sure to stay up-to-date on the jersey numbers of any players on your fantasy roster or that you bet on as a failsafe so that you can find them quickly while watching the action unfold.

Knowing how long a typical shift for a player entering into a matchup is can be an advantageous piece of knowledge for fantasy managers and bettors alike. The longer a player’s shift lasts, the higher their chances of registering a point or other statistical milestone which can help you in winning your fantasy matchups and/or bets placed on a game.