Babcock confident Wings will re-sign Datsyuk - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Detroit coach Mike Babcock is confident that Pavel Datsyuk won't be going to play in Russia after his contract expires next season.

Selke finalists are Datsyuk, Bergeron, Toews - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Pavel Datsyuk is a nominee for the Selke Trophy.

Pavel Datsyuk lights up Predators for 3 pts - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Pavel Datsyuk scored a goal and added two assists for the Red Wings in a 5-2 win over Nashville Thursday night.

Datsyuk plays hero for Detroit - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Pavel Datsyuk scored with 15.4 seconds left in overtime, his second goal of the game, to lift the Red Wings to a 3-2 win over Colorado Friday night.

G. Nyquist practices with Datsyuk, Franzen - Gustav Nyquist | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Gustav Nyquist might get an opportunity to play alongside Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen.

Shuffle Up: The Unrankable Alex Ovechkin

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

The new assignment on the Shuffle Up clipboard is the forwards, the men who drive so much of the fantasy equation. We're looking at the basic Yahoo! scoring categories here (goals, assists, power-play points, shots on goal, plus-minus, penalty minutes) and we're trying to project how they'll play out from this point forward. Position flexibility and scarcity also counts a small amount; in theory, it's a tie-breaker between similar commodities.

What's happened to this point is merely an audition; this list is not intended to merely stand as a list of stat leaders. In every Shuffle Up, some will find the list too reactive while others will feel it's not reactive enough. Everyone has a different perspective, and I welcome

Pavel Datsyuk: (Shoulder) Playing Sunday

Source: RotoWire.com NHL

Pavel Datsyuk: Datsyuk (shoulder) will play Sunday against the Wild, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

50-50 chance Pavel Datsyuk will play Sunday - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

There's a 50-50 chance that Pavel Datsyuk (shoulder bruise) will play on Sunday.

Pavel Datsyuk: (Shoulder) Questionable For Sunday

Source: RotoWire.com NHL

Pavel Datsyuk: Datsyuk is day-to-day with a shoulder bruise, the Detroit Free Press reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Pavel Datsyuk out of the Red Wings lineup - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Pavel Datsyuk will not play tonight due to an upper body injury.

Red-Light District: (Defensive) Panic in Detroit; Cory Conacher makes his mark

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

When it comes to fantasy netminders, environment is a gigantic part of the equation. An ordinary goalie can turn into roto gold if the right defense is protecting him, while a rock-solid puck stopper sometimes has his fantasy value torpedoed by a sketchy defense.

For most of Jimmy Howard's professional life, he's had a cushy setup. He's not going to enjoy that in 2013. Detroit's blue line is a mess right now.

When Howard inherited the gig for the 2009-10 season, the Red Wings were overflowing with quality defensemen. Nicklas Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski were

Pavel Datsyuk gets two points in win Monday - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Pavel Datsyuk potted a goal and also registered an assist in the Red Wings' 4-3 shootout win against the Blue Jackets Monday night.

Dazzling Debuts: Vladimir Tarasenko and Jonathan Huberdeau make a splash

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

My rule with early season fantasy pickups has always been a simple one: be aggressive. When plausible upside presents itself, don't wait around for proof. The bottom 15-25 percent of your roster should be in a constant cycle. You don't have to hit for a high average to make it worthwhile, provided a couple of the clicks become significant contributors.

With that in mind, let's talk about a couple of rookies who jumped off the screen during Saturday's opening slate of NHL action. Come on down, Vladimir Tarasenko and Jonathan Huberdeau.

There were

Dazzling Debuts: Vladimir Tarasenko and Jonathan Huberdeau

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

My rule with early season fantasy pickups has always been a simple one: be aggressive. When plausible upside presents itself, don't wait around for proof. The bottom 15-25 percent of your roster should be in a constant cycle. You don't have to hit for a high average to make it worthwhile, provided a couple of the clicks become significant contributors.

With that in mind, let's talk about a couple of rookies who jumped off the screen during Saturday's opening slate of NHL action. Come on down, Vladimir Tarasenko and Jonathan Huberdeau.

There were plenty of stars in St. Louis as the Blues convincingly dispatched the Red Wings 6-0, but Tarasenko was deserving of No. 1 star honors. He scored a

Pavel Datsyuk finally back with Red Wings - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Pavel Datsyuk skated with the Red Wings on Tuesday after finally returning from Russia and the KHL.

Shuffle Up: Evgeni Malkin rules the world

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

You're going to need plenty of offensive firepower to win your fake hockey league this year. Here's a list of 112 forwards to get you started.

Normal Shuffle Up rules apply. I reserve the right to tweak this list as the day goes along; bring your best debates to the comments. Win the discussion, win the rank. And it's all good if you have a lot of disagreement on the list - that's what makes the game so enjoyable. If everyone had the same general ranks, what fun is that?

Categories considered in this exercise: goals, assists, plus-minus, power-play points, shots on goal, penalty minutes. And implicit in any ranking is an eye towards playing time, durability, upside and downside. One additional

Datsyuk will return after KHL All-Star Game - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Pavel Datsyuk has been granted permission to play in the KHL All-Star Game on Sunday and according to his agent, Gary Greenstin, he will return to Detroit afterward.

Unlocking The Crazy 2013 Fantasy Hockey Season

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

Finally, hockey hell is just about over. Let the madness of NHL 2013 begin.

The four-month lockout is expected to become a footnote later this week when the owners and players officially ratify the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. A microwaved season, expected to be 48 games, will start at some point in January. It's going to be a mad scramble for players, coaches, ownership . . . and fantasy owners.

Today's goal is to tackle some general Q and A themes as we get ready for the first puck drop, whenever that is. Shuffle Up rankings by position will follow in the days to come. There's no time to lose, so let's jump right into the rush.

So Yahoo! has a fantasy hockey game for 2013, right?

Datsyuk has 2 helpers in Russian Tourney game - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Pavel Datsyuk registered two assists in Russia's 3-1 win over Finland in Channel One Cup Tournament action Saturday night.

Kovalchuk: Datsyuk is the world's best center - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

New Jersey winger Ilya Kovalchuk is thrilled to get the opportunity to play alongside Detroit center Pavel Datsyuk for Russia's national team at the Euro Hockey Tour.

Datsyuk leads CSKA Moscow to 3-0 KHL win - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Pavel Datsyuk registered two assists in CSKA Moscow's 3-0 win over Yekaterinburg in KHL action Saturday.

Report: Pavel Datsyuk signs with CSKA Moscow - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Pavel Datsyuk has reportedly signed with CSKA Moscow.

Datsyuk to make decision on Russia soon - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Pavel Datsyuk is reportedly still mulling over his options, according to agent Gary Greenstin.

Pavel Datsyuk may not be KHL bound after all - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

According to club officials, Pavel Datsyuk has not signed a contract to play with AK Bars Kazan in the KHL.

Pavel Datsyuk signs with KHL team - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Pavel Datsyuk has signed with AK Bars Kazan of the KHL.

Report: NHL can cancel Winter Classic Jan.1 - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

The NHL has the ability to cancel the Winter Classic between the Maple Leafs and Red Wings at Michigan Stadium on the date of the game, Jan. 1, if there's a lockout, according to the New York Times.

Ticket prices set for Winter Classic - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Ticket prices have been set for the Winter Classic between the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Datsyuk is one of the Selke Trophy finalists - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Pavel Datsyuk has been nominated for the Selke Trophy.

Datsyuk is one of the Selke Trophy finalists - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Pavel Datsyuk has been nominated for the Selke Trophy.

NHL Playoffs 2012: Eastern Conference Round One: Difference Makers

Source: Bleacher Report NHL

There is no need to talk about players like Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Henrik Lundqvist or other elite fantasy players as we all know what to expect from those players. It’s the second and third line players and sometimes even a fourth liner that makes the difference between winning in the playoffs and potentially your playoff hockey pool.

Boston Bruins – Brian Rolston – Rolston is an aging sniper who could have a Mark Recchi impact on the Bruins. Recchi played on the third line for Boston and scored five goals and 14 points in 25 games, including one game winner. This year the Bruins are hoping for something

NHL Playoff Predictions 2012: Western Conference Round One Preview

Source: Bleacher Report NHL

The Stanley Cup playoffs are finally here so let us breakdown the first round of the Western Conference.

Vancouver Canucks (1) vs. Los Angeles Kings (8)

The Canucks won their second straight President’s Trophy, finishing as the top team in the NHL this season.  However, this year, the team did it with a more balanced attack as their top offensive players saw dramatic decreases in their scoring totals.

The prize for finishing first overall is a series against a goalie that has a strong chance of winning the Vezina trophy. Jonathan Quick posted 35 wins, 10 shutouts and a very low 1.95 GAA. Vancouver will need scoring from

Gustav Nyquist gets to play with Datsyuk - Gustav Nyquist | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Gustav Nyquist will get a huge boost by playing with Pavel Datsyuk Sunday against the Panthers.

Datsyuk returns to action v Sharks Saturday - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Pavel Datsyuk will return to action against San Jose Saturday night.

Pavel Datsyuk: (Knee) Says He'll Play Saturday

Source: RotoWire.com NHL

Pavel Datsyuk: Datsyuk (knee) says he will play against San Jose on Saturday, Detroit Free Press writer Helene St. James reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Pavel Datsyuk: Skates Again Tuesday

Source: RotoWire.com NHL

Pavel Datsyuk: Datsyuk (knee) skated again Tuesday, but seems unlikely to play Wednesday in Anaheim, MLive.com reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Fantasy Hockey Impact: Hottest Waiver-Wire Pickups

Source: Bleacher Report NHL

Each week we will look at the top five players to add to your fantasy hockey team.  Our list will feature mostly second and third-tier fantasy players based on their production over the last 14 days.  Timely trades or signing of these depth players may be the key to winning your hockey pool.

 

5. Dmitry Orlov, Washington Capitals

Orlov is loaded with offensive potential and is only 20 years old.  Over the last five games, Orlov has four points to go along with a plus-four rating.  He is on pace for 20 points in just 60 games this season as a rookie.

Dennis Wideman is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season who is eating up almost 3.5 minutes of power-play time per game, while

Pavel Datsyuk (knee) joins Wings at practice - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Pavel Datsyuk (knee) joined his teammates on the ice for practice on Thursday.

Fantasy Hockey 2012: Injury Report

Source: Fake Teams by PostmanMatt

Jonathan Toews, Blackhawks - All we know is that he's suffering from an upper-body injury. To add to that he, also got into a car accident but he seems to be fine from that. Some have speculated that he had a concussion but there hasn't been anything definitive released. They are saying that he may return this Wednesday but with little to no info on what is causing his ailment, you better keep your ear to the ground to see if that will be a sure thing or not come Wednesday.

Pavel Datsyuk,

Pavel Datsyuk out two weeks w/knee surgery - Pavel Datsyuk | DET

Source: Rotoworld Hockey

Knee surgery will sideline Pavel Datysuk for two weeks.