DobberHockey: Marchand’s Return, Schaefer’s Success & NHL Analysis (Oct 22)
Goalie Situation Analysis: Blackwood/wedgewood (Colorado) & Luukkonen/Lyon (Buffalo)
this article dives into the complex goalie situations in Colorado and Buffalo, focusing on the interplay between returning starters and surprisingly effective backups. Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways:
Colorado (Blackwood/Wedgewood):
* Blackwood’s Return: the Avalanche can afford to be patient with Blackwood’s return due to their strong team performance. They’ll likely ease him back in, aiming for him to be fully prepared for the playoffs.
* Potential Split: A 40-45 game workload for Blackwood the rest of the season is realistic.
* Wedgewood’s Value: This split creates notable fantasy value for Wedgewood, who is playing exceptionally well (1.48 GAA, .938 SV%). Colorado’s strong team defense further enhances his potential.
* Overall: Colorado’s situation is relatively stable and predictable,offering potential value from both goalies.
Buffalo (Luukkonen/Lyon):
* More Intricate: Buffalo is under pressure to improve their standings, adding a layer of complexity.
* Lyon’s Opportunity: Lyon has been excellent despite a less defensively sound team and Sabres injuries. A slow start from Luukkonen upon his return could give Lyon a long leash.
* Risk with Lyon: Once Lyon loses the starting role, its unlikely he’ll regain it. This makes him a higher-risk, “sell-high” candidate.
* Luukkonen’s Injury History: Luukkonen’s recent lower-body injuries (two in recent weeks) raise concerns about his durability this season, perhaps benefiting Lyon.
* Devon Levi factor: Buffalo is likely looking towards Devon Levi as the future starter, which could influence their decisions.
* Colton Ellis: The addition of Colton Ellis off waivers adds another wrinkle, as they’d likely lose him if waived.
Key Fantasy implications:
* Wedgewood: High-value backup with a strong team in front of him.
* Lyon: High-risk, high-reward.Potential to steal the starting job, but prone to losing it quickly. Good candidate to sell high.
* Blackwood: Will likely get a significant number of starts, but the split with Wedgewood limits his ceiling.
* Luukkonen: Injury history and potential for Lyon to outperform him create uncertainty.
Deep league Sleeper:
* Charle-Edouard D’Astous: A darkhorse goalie prospect with impressive SHL numbers. Worth monitoring in very deep leagues (16+ teams, 25+ roster spots).
In essence, the article suggests a more cautious approach to Lyon due to his volatility, while Wedgewood presents a more stable and valuable fantasy option. Colorado’s situation is more predictable, while Buffalo’s is rife with potential for shifts in the goalie hierarchy.