Almost exactly a year ago, our ten team league decided to try something new and add categories that few fantasy leagues might use in their head to head matchup leagues. Instead of your typical setup of goals, assists, power play points, plus/minus, penalty minutes, and shots on goal for skaters we added hits and blocks to add value to players further down NHL team’s depth charts. This sparked waiver wire action that was unprecedented in our league that allows for four additions/drops per week, as teams on average used about three of their four a week and also led to greater trade value for all around players in the league. Why do it? First, let us look at hits. We probably can all agree that big hits and players that are physical can change games. You needn’t look any farther than the New York Islanders fourth line. Would Matt Martin, owned by 6% of fantasy hockey players on Yahoo, or Cal Clutterbuck, owned by 4%, ever have any fantasy value in a typical league described above? Nope! The Islanders organization, Islander fans, and publications like The Hockey News will all tell you that those two were incredibly important to their 102 point season as they grinded opponents down with their intense physical play. Are they going to score a lot of goals, absolutely not, as Martin scored 8 and Clutterbuck 7 this season, but to say they aren’t valuable to the success of the Islanders would be an injustice. Martin led the NHL with an incredible 382 hits, beating his line mate Clutterbuck (343) by 39 hits. The third highest total in the league was Brooks Orpik with 306 hits. This also adds value to other 3rd and 4th liners. Like with Tommy Wingels who, when healthy, was an all-around stud. On top of his mediocre 40 points, or breakout depending on your view, he also had 263 hits and 158 shots on goal and was injured for several weeks in the middle of the season, so all of those totals could have been much higher, yet he was only owned by 10% of leagues on Yahoo. The second category we added was blocks and of all of the categories this turned out to be one of the more popular choices. The amount of defensemen that can help your fantasy team are limited but with the addition of hits and blocks we added to the value of tons of defensemen who would typically be overlooked. To make this argument you only have to look at one man, Kris Russell of the Calgary Flames. Before the injury to Mark Giordano, Russell’s value in fantasy leagues was almost non-existent, that is ...

Hammond finally loses a game; Devils hang on in playoff race; Florida goalie trouble; and much more: The New Jersey Devils are hanging on to a sliver of playoff hope as they continue to push for a berth.  They may be too far behind but there is no giving up in Jersey.  Goalie Cory Schneider has been on top of his game of late and is the main reason why they are still alive, although barely.  The Devils took advantage of a Nashville Predator team that played the night before against the NY Rangers by scoring twice in the first 4 minutes and making them stand up as they won 3-1…Mike Cammalleri, with points in 6 straight games, and perhaps d-man Adam Larsson, 6 points in past 6 games, could be useful on your fantasy squad…. Calgary and Philadelphia are battling for their playoff lives and each did not disappoint last night with the Flames edging the Flyers 3-2 in overtime.   Calgary is holding on to the third playoff spot in the Pacific Division while the Flyers are trying to catch the Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins for the last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia is better with Steve Mason back in net, but they need every point they can get and not getting the extra point may come back to haunt them in the end…. Sergei Bobrovsky was back in net for the Columbus Blue Jackets but Braden Holtby (27/30 SV) and the Washington Capitals were too much for him in his return.  Alex Ovechkin continues to pour them in with 2 goals giving him 43 on the year as he has not be hindered by Head Coach Barry Trotz’ defensive style...   Steven Stamkos' eighth goal in the last games was all the Lightning needed to defeat the rebuilding Buffalo sabres 3-0. Ben Bishop fantasy owners were bummed out when learning of the last-minute news that Andre Vasilevskiy was starting and probably getting the easy win that were you were counting on. Well, he did one better by posting the shut-out so it was a bad break for Bishop's boys... It was double trouble in Florida as the Panthers lost both their goalies during the game against the hapless Leafs, who ended a 16-game road losing streak in the 3-2 win. Thankfully for Roberto Luongo owners, he was able to return in the third period but the Panthers lost a crucial two points in their playoff run.. Here's hoping that Phil Kessel's lengthy rant in defense of the much-maligned Dion Phaneuf(which I thought was sooo appropriate!) gets him going a bit after a long scoring slide. A power=play assist last night is a good ...

Hammond finally loses a game; Devils hang on in playoff race; Florida goalie trouble; and much more: The New Jersey Devils are hanging on to a sliver of playoff hope as they continue to push for a berth.  They may be too far behind but there is no giving up in Jersey.  Goalie Cory Schneider has been on top of his game of late and is the main reason why they are still alive, although barely.  The Devils took advantage of a Nashville Predator team that played the night before against the NY Rangers by scoring twice in the first 4 minutes and making them stand up as they won 3-1…Mike Cammalleri, with points in 6 straight games, and perhaps d-man Adam Larsson, 6 points in past 6 games, could be useful on your fantasy squad…. Calgary and Philadelphia are battling for their playoff lives and each did not disappoint last night with the Flames edging the Flyers 3-2 in overtime.   Calgary is holding on to the third playoff spot in the Pacific Division while the Flyers are trying to catch the Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins for the last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia is better with Steve Mason back in net, but they need every point they can get and not getting the extra point may come back to haunt them in the end…. Sergei Bobrovsky was back in net for the Columbus Blue Jackets but Braden Holtby (27/30 SV) and the Washington Capitals were too much for him in his return.  Alex Ovechkin continues to pour them in with 2 goals giving him 43 on the year as he has not be hindered by Head Coach Barry Trotz’ defensive style...   Steven Stamkos' eighth goal in the last games was all the Lightning needed to defeat the rebuilding Buffalo sabres 3-0. Ben Bishop fantasy owners were bummed out when learning of the last-minute news that Andre Vasilevskiy was starting and probably getting the easy win that were you were counting on. Well, he did one better by posting the shut-out so it was a bad break for Bishop's boys... It was double trouble in Florida as the Panthers lost both their goalies during the game against the hapless Leafs, who ended a 16-game road losing streak in the 3-2 win. Thankfully for Roberto Luongo owners, he was able to return in the third period but the Panthers lost a crucial two points in their playoff run.. Here's hoping that Phil Kessel's lengthy rant in defense of the much-maligned Dion Phaneuf(which I thought was sooo appropriate!) gets him going a bit after a long scoring slide. A power=play assist last night is a good ...

ALL GOALIES ARE CONFIRMED UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED AT THE TIME OF PRINT The Columbus Blue Jackets are still trying to claw their way into a playoff position but will find a tough opponent in the New Jersey Devils. Cory Schneider is firmly entrenched as the Devils Number 1 goaltender with Martin Brodeur quietly seeking a trade. Schneider's numbers are spectacular even though his win-loss record doesn't live up to those metrics.  However, he does give the Devils thebe best chance at winning, and that is what they need in order to get back into the playoff hunt.  Sergei Bobrovsky has been playing much better since his return from injury and he will need to lead the Jackets if they want to play in the dance come April. Devils at home.....The New York Islanders will face the Toronto Maple Leafs on the Island tonight but without their superstar, John Tavares.  Evgeni Nabokov will man the nets for the depleted squad while Jonathan Bernier goes for the Leafs. The Leafs may prove too much for the inexperienced Islanders who will also be without the services of Frans Nielsen & Matt Martin. Leafs blow away the Isles...their 11-4 surge started when they beat tonight's opponent, the Chicago Blackhawks, 3-2 in Chicago on January 8th. Henrik Lundqvist also started to return to form and the Rangers have been rolling along up until the Olympic break.  Lundqvist gets another days rest as Cam Talbot mans the pipes for the Blueshirts. The Hawks are 3-3-3 in past 9 and will try and get back on track with Corey Crawford getting the start. The Rangers should be focused as they don't play again until Saturday against Philly.  Rangers.... Speaking of Philly, San Jose heads into the City of Brotherly Love but won't find any as Steve Mason and the Flyers are pushing to secure a playoff position.  Alex Stalock should get the nod for the Sharks but will face a tough opponent tonight. Antti Niemi gets a little more rest. Take the cheesesteaks....The Montreal Canadiens had a tough overtime loss last night against Detroit but there is no letting up as they face the Eastern Conference leader, the Pittsburgh Penguins.  With Carey Price out for at least one more game, Peter Budaj (LIKELY) will probably man the crease again tonight. The Pens will probably go with Marc-Andre Fleury as they seek to lock down the top seed for the playoffs. With their legs under them now, I see an upset in Steeltown....A revitalized Braden Holtby leads the Washington Capitals into Miami, Florida to take on Tim ...

Martin gets back in after a battle with the flu. Through 67 games, he has seven goals and 14 points with 314 hits and 99 PIM.

Sounds like Martin could miss a game or two due to an illness. through 67 games, he has seven goals and 14 points with 314 hits and 99 PIM.

Sounds like Martin could miss a game or two. through 67 games, he has seven goals and 14 points with 314 hits and 99 PIM.

Martin is bumped down to the fourth line. Through 62 games, he has seven goals and 14 points with a bone-crushing 290 hits.

December 31 ***LIVE HITS*** -John Tavares just took a hard hit on what appears to be his right shoulder, and he has left the game in the second period. Hopefully, it is not serious. He is the one guy the Islanders can't afford to lose. He just came back and is playing again, so he looks alright. -2 quick goals by the Islanders, including one on a ridiculous angle by Matt Martin, and it is now 4-1 New York. Matt Moulson has 3 points for the Islanders so far. Devan Dubnyk is really struggling in net for the Oilers with 4 goals allowed on only 9 shots. read more