SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE 10/21/2018 We are finally getting settled into the beginning of the NHL season and with that I bring you the first SMC of the year.   It looks like the Nashville Predators are on a mission and headed straight for the Stanley Cup final starting out 7-1-0.  Shutting out the Oilers and McDavid on their home ice is impressive. Auston Matthews is determined to prove he belongs right up when talking about Connor McDavid. Is it safe to say now that Nathan MacKinnon has arrived and that last year’s dominant season was not an aberration?  Of course, he’s got Mikko Rantanen as his line mate. So happy to see Patrice Bergeron return from his injury to start the season the way he played last year.  Would love to see career highs in points as he well deserves it.  Especially at his age, being 33 or thereabouts and all. Tampa Bay’s JT Miller looks to me like last year’s short stint with the Bolts after being traded wasn’t a fluke.  With the talent on that team I wouldn’t be surprised if every forward didn’t score 60 points this season.  We know it’s not going to happen but geez. Don’t believe for a second that Jaroslav Halak will be taking over #1 duties on the Boston Bruins from Tuukka Rask. It’s a long season. I love seeing the Vancouver Canucks be successful so early on in their post-Sedins era. What’s going on with the Panthers?  The Red Wings beat them for Pete’s sake. They need a goaltender.   Cory Schneider anyone?  Not going to happen.  Devils won’t trade him there that could possibly come back and bite them in their behinds. You know by the end of the season Sidney Crosby will be in the top 5-10 in league scoring. Alex DeBrincat is going to be a beast for years to come. When Brock Nelson is your most prolific shot-getter, you know you are in trouble.  Isles lost 4-1 to Sharks last night. Coach Phil Housley shakes up his lineup and Jeff Skinner gets a hattie on his return to Jack Eichel’s line.  Have to keep up with early season line changes, it helps. Took Alex Pietrangelo seven games to get his first point.  There may be an owner who has him that may want to cut bait.  Try to grab him. He’s so steady. Glad to see G Corey Crawford return to the Blackhawks lineup.  He is so important to their cause. And so underrated. Ottawa and Montreal aren’t playing too shabby so far this young NHL season.  Let’s give them another 10 games and re-evaluate. NY Rangers aren’t playing too badly.  Once they all get a good grasp of Coach Quinn’s style, and...

My apologies for being MIA over the last week and a half!  We have a few signings and such so let's get down to it. The Calgary Flames signed the ageless wonder, RW Jaromir Jagr, to a 1-year deal as had been rumored for weeks.  Even though e doesn't possess world-class speed, his control of the game is unparalleled and will help the Flames just like he helped the youngsters in Florida during his tenure there.  Don't expect anything more than 45-50 points but he will make those around him better. Good signing by Calgary. RW Josh Anderson was signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 3-year deal worth $1.85 Million per year.  Anderson pretty much had no choice in the matter, so it was a good signing on his part.  The Jackets get a depth piece that can provide some offense. The Vancouver Canucks added a decent young defenseman in Derrick Pouliot by pulling off a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins.  Pouliot could never get his game going with the Pens but perhaps out in British Columbia he can find his game and start his NHL career in earnest.  Keep an eye on early in the season and see how he performs as he was practically guaranteed a spot in the opening lineup.  He does possess offensive talent and has a history with Head Coach Travis Green, so that might help. Buffalo signed Jack Eichel to an 8-year extension locking him up through his prime.  Most of the young and talented players have been getting locked up in this manner.  Expect the Islanders to lock up John Tavares at some point this season as well.  They can't afford to lose their top player and start rebuilding all over again.  It's bad enough they can't commit to a home arena.  Eichel, when he's been in the lineup, has been a force and we expect him to continue to be that force and more this season.  Breakout is in order. Minor news so to speak, Prospect G Malcolm Subban had been waived by the Boston Bruins after not impressing the coaching staff this training camp  He could not beat out Drew McIntyre so therefore he was waived.  What is one man;s jump is another man;s treasure as he was claimed off waivers by the Las Vegas Golden Knights. For any young player looking for a legitimate opportunity to make it to the big leagues, Las Vegas is as good a place as any to get a fair shot. I know everyone is antsy for the puck to drop as am I.  Four fantasy leagues this year and I am excited about each of my teams. I hope yo uare as well.  Thanks for all that bought the Draft Guide and Spreadsheet.  ...

Jack Eichel has owned Toronto this season, and he gets the Leafs again tonight. Which other players should be on your radar for NHL DFS?

Jack Eichel scored twice and collected an assist. Who joined him in the perfect DFS lineup?

Jack Eichel has recorded at least two shots in 15 straight games, and he has a nice matchup against the Flyers. Who else is worth checking out for NHL DFS?

hey folks. Sorry for the delay today, but our ADDEM piece for this week will be available in the morning. News on Alex Edler being fantasy relevant again, as is the whole top line on the Islanders as the team is rolling since the Jack Capuano firing. Evander Kane could be seeing his full scoring potential playing alongside Jack Eichel, while a few hot Coyotes could be on the move come the trade deadline. Stay tuned...

Jack Eichel has recorded 20 shots on goal over his last 3 games. Who else should you target in NHL DFS contests tonight?

Jack Eichel looks to be a safe play in NHL DFS tonight. Who else should you try to fit on your roster?

Jack Eichel has a great matchup tonight against the Islanders. Who else should you target in DFS?

BTP: BOTTOM FISHING-WHO’S BITING Look for a BETWEEN THE PIPES feature article beginning regularly on Thursdays beginning October 22nd.  We hope you enjoy the initial 2015-2016 article below as we are bringing you this week’s article a few days early to help you in your fantasy leagues.   We are only just a few games into the regular NHL regular season and we are already seeing some positive signs, and a tough break, from what we consider the bottom teams of the NHL.  Let’s take a look at a few goaltenders that poolies may have steered clear at the draft table this September. MIKE SMITH: ARIZONA COYOTES – Let’s face it, after last season, who could blame any fantasy hockey player to even want to go near last season’s disaster of a goaltender Mike Smith?  Those who took a chance on Smith last year were strung along the whole season in hopes that the veteran goalkeeper would find his form and produce at least as a #2 for their fantasy squad.  His metrics were the worst of his career if you take out the 13-game stint with Tampa Bay in 2007-2008 after being traded there.  With a 3.16 GAA and a .904 SP, no wonder you could find the enigmatic net minder on the waiver wire at the start of the season. Well, with a new year comes a fresh start and Smith has been nothing short of perfect in his first two starts.  He is sporting a 1.00 GAA and a .971 SP, but we all know that players usually gravitate towards career average statistics.  Don’t expect this pace to continue but it looks like he is a safe bet to be a decent #2 goaltender if your fantasy team needs help in that department.   ROBIN LEHNER: BUFFALO SABRES – Nothing is more disheartening to a starting goaltender than to suffer an injury when starting on a new team.  Robin Lehner was getting a grand opportunity to shake off the inconsistent play while with the Ottawa Senators and build a career playing for the upstart Buffalo Sabres. In his first start with his new team he suffered an ankle sprain landing him on the IR and could be out for up to 2 months.  Lehner was brought in to be the #1 for the next few years, but for now, he’ll have to rehab and work his way back into the lineup.  In the meantime, Chad Johnson and Nathan Lieuwen will man the crease for this Sabres team who just bagged Jack Eichel with the second overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.  Are either one of these goaltenders worthy of a pickup?  At this point in time on the Buffalo Sabres rebuilding timeline, I would say no.  Lehner will ...