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Fantasy Planner - Week 5 (11/3 to 11/8)

Welcome to week of the Fantasy Planner, getting you ready for next week's fantasy hockey action. (11/3 through 11/8).

Week 5 Matchups
Teams with 4 Games: Atlanta
Teams with 2 Games: Chicago, Edmonton, LA, Minnesota, Nashville, Ottawa, Philadelphia

It's a well balanced lineup on the schedule next week, with every team but one having 2 or 3 games. Altanta is the only exception with 4 (2 home, 2 away). So, no real need to pay too close attention to games this week. Just play your best players (especially if they're Thrashers).

Who's Hot

Thomas Kaberle (TOR) - Kaberle had a huge 5 point night on Monday, but he's also working on a 3 game point streak. Over the past week, he has 7 points, after a somewhat slow start. Looks like Kaberle is back on track to have a big season.

Craig Anderson (COL) - Anderson has won his last 4 starts and 8 of his last 9 games. He's also on top of the league in most goalie stats. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the season so far, it seems this guy can do no wrong.

Paul Statsny (COL) - Stastny has been a bit streaky this season, but he's current on the hot side. He has 10 points in his last 4 games. He's also playing well over 20 minutes a game on the hottest team in the league, so no reason to think this is going to end soon.

Who's Cold

Mike Comrie (EDM) - Comrie was hot to start the season with points in his first 5 games. Since then, he has one tally in 5 games and is scoreless in 3. Everyone in Edmonton is struggling right now, and there's no good reason to be holding up a good roster spot with Comrie at this point. He hasn't been a solid fantasy forward since 2006.

Patrick Sharp (CHI) - Sharp is another guy who started the campaign on fire, but has fallen flat lately. He has 1 assist in his past 5 games and is scoreless in the last 3. So while 5 goals and 5 assists in 11 games looks ok on the surface, he hasn't done anything noteworthy in the last 2 weeks. Don't drop him just yet, but keep him on a short leash for next week or two until you see a better option. Better yet, trade him while he still looks like a point a game guy.

Rob Blake (SJ) - Blake hasn't registered a single point in his past 8 games. I warned everyone against drafting him last season, seeing last year's totals as the best he'll get at this point in his career. Time to cut ties with the future Hall of Famer and find a better option on D.

Rostislav Klesla (COB) - After a quick start, many owners snatched up Klesla hoping he was finally realizing his potential as a fantasy defenseman. Over the past 7 games, he's scoreless. If he's still on your roster, wake up.

Cam Ward (CAR) - Nothing is going right at this point in Carolina, and it starts with Ward. He hasn't registered a win in the past 7 games, and his GAA is approaching 3. You'd be insane to drop him, but you're probably in bad shape if you're still starting him until he breaks out of this funk. If he's not on your team, it may be a good time to buy low from a GM who's nervous at Ward's start.

Waiver Watch
Here are a few other names who may be available in your league and are worth a look:

Chris Kunitz (PIT) - It's probably 50/50 on whether or not Kunitz was available in your league. If he is, now's the time to do something about that. He had a huge game last night, and while the points hadn't been coming (before yesterday), he was contributing in a big way. It's just a matter of time until the totals start to show. Kunitz may be close to a point a game player as long as he stays on Crosby's line this season.

James Van Riemsdyk (PHI) - It's easy for Van Riemdyk to blend in with all the other top end forwards hanging out in Philly this season, but this rookie is worth serious consideration on your roster right now. He has 5 points in his last 5 games, and his playing time has been dramatically increasing as of late. He played over 18 minutes last game and is becoming a big part of this team's offense.

Brent Burns (MIN) - After a down season last year and a slow start to the season this fall, Burns may still be available in your league. His points have started to come lately, and nobody doubts he has the potential to be an offensive force. If Minnesota starts to turn things around, look for Burns to catch fire. Get him now while you can.

Jaroslav Halak (MON) - Price hasn't started a game in the last 5 for Montreal. There are rumors around that he could actually be on the trading block. That doesn't mean Halak is the long-term #1 in net, but for the shortterm, you might as well benefit from the ride Halak is on if you're in need of help in goal.

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