Danica Looking to Improve

Both Danica Patrick's IndyCar and NASCAR contracts expire at the end of the 2011 season. However, she will not set any deadline to determine which circuit she will pursue in 2012. She is only focused on her performance on the track. Last season she finished in the top 20 only once in the 13 Nationwide races she ran. It occurred in her last race at the Homestead-Miami Speedway where she placed 19th, and the only race where she finished on the lead lap. It was also here where she became only the second woman in Nationwide Series' history to lead a lap. But Danica feels she gained invaluable experience in handling stock cars, and is only looking to improve and finally pay dividends for her JR Motorsports team.

Bob Pockrass writes a great piece about Danica's upcoming season in SceneDaily.com. You can read it at http://www.scenedaily.com/news/articles/nationwideseries/Danica_Patrick_worried_about_improvement_on_the_track_not_2012_contract.html.

NASCAR Design Modifications

There will be a number of design modifications to the NASCAR race car for the 2011 season. First of all, the nose of the car will be sleeker, slimmer, and sportier. Second is a new splitter that is barely noticeable, not like the past splitter that was a bulky monstrosity, responsible for the slashing and demise of many tires. The new splitter is designed to stay in place, even during low air-pressure, which will be much safer to both the driver and automobile. There will also be some ventilation and aerodynamic changes, such as one less grill opening on the front bumper. Ethanol will also be used as fuel (NASCAR going "green") modifying the gas can used, and eliminating the need for the "catch man" in pit road. These design and engineering changes ultimately were driven by economics. But if the result is enhanced safety, in addition to a more aesthetic race car, who should complain?

Amy Marbach in her blog BadGroove.com (http://www.badgroove.com/index.php/2011/01/24/4624/) and Ben Montedonico at Stock Car Spin (http://stockcarspin.com/2011/02/04/getting-nosy-analyzing-nascars-new-race-cars/) have written two excellent articles I recommend explaining these modifications.

How do you feel about the new design and car modifications?

Dale Earnhardt Jr's Dedicated Fans

Fair-weather or bandwagon fans are common in virtually every major sport. These are the fans that "loyally" follow their favorite sports figures or teams only when they are winning. Having lived in South Florida for a number of years, I can attest how this rings true in regards to the four major sports teams in the area: the Dolphins, Marlins, Heat, and Panthers. For example, watch a replay of any Heat game last year, and what stands out is the sea of empty yellow seats at the American Airlines Arena. But this year, with Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosch in town, all season tickets have been sold out.
But it is refreshing to see NASCAR fans are different. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has not won a race in over two years, his last victory coming in May 2006. Since joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2008, he has made the Chase only once with his best points finish at 12th. Yet Junior is perennially regarded as the fans most popular driver.
Yes, Junior fans may be obnoxious or overly boisterous. Their loyalty, however, cannot be questioned.
Ben Montedonico of Stock Car Spin writes an excellent article on Junior's dedicated followers. You can read it at http://stockcarspin.com/2011/02/03/does-junior-nation-finally-deserve-a-win/.

Jeremy Mayfield

Jeremy Mayfield wants nothing more than to race again. He realizes that his NASCAR career is likely over. Jeremy continues his legal battle against NASCAR claiming the racing body falsely accused him of a failed drug test. In a six-minute interview with Steve Byrne for Speed's NASCAR Race Hub, Jeremy claims that he just wants to race again. He is currently trying to assemble a dirt race team and is even contemplating drag racing. Jeremy was unable to reveal details about his legal battle because of its ongoing litigation.
Ben Montedonico of Stock Car Spin gives a good account of the interview. You can read it at http://stockcarspin.com/2011/02/01/jeremy-mayfield-i-just-want-to-go-racing/.

Travis Pastrana's NASCAR Debut

X Games star Travis Pastrana made his NASCAR racing debut in the Toyota All Star Showdown Saturday night. And what a race he ran. Starting 20th in the 40 car field, he remained mid-pack for over 200 laps avoiding the multitude of accidents that marred the race. He eventually made many clean passes and found himself in the front-pack toward the end of the contest. He eventually finished in sixth place, a remarkable run for his first race. According to Ben Montedonico of Stock Car Spin, Pastrana's driving skills, the exhilaration he exuded after the race in his post-race interview, his positive attitude and "contagious excitement," make Pastrana one to watch down the road. Ben believes Pastrana has a bright future and may be "just what the doctor ordered for NASCAR."
Read Ben's article at http://stockcarspin.com/2011/01/31/travis-pastrana-impressed-in-nascar-debut-in-more-ways-than-one/.

Hockey Links-January 31, 2011

School of Block: Down the Stretch- The Goalie Guild- Justin Goldman

Justin Goldman declares who he feels are the netminders who will give us the most fantasy value for the remaining ten weeks of the regular season. He believes each has the ability to make adjustments with alacrity and improve every aspect of his game. I don't see any being on the waiver wire in even the shallowest of leagues, but maybe you can pry them away from an unsuspecting owner. They are:

Miikka Kiprusoff- With only an .885 save-percentage and a 3.09 goals-against-average in January, Kiprusoff's confidence was shaken. In ten January games he was pulled twice. But prior to the All-Star weekend, in a game against the Canucks, he made a remarkable first-period glove save that seemed to be the catalyst that restored his swagger. The result was a Calgary shootout win with Kipper making 41 saves on 44 shots, followed by two wins in which he allowed only one goal per contest. Is it possible that this could be the turning-point where the 34 year-old Finn rights the ship?

Ryan Miller- Last season's Vezina Trophy winner has many poolies kicking themselves for selecting him in the first-round of their 2010-11 drafts. His .913 save-percentage and 2.68 goals-against-average fall short of expectations. But Justin feels a number of things bode well for Miller's fantasy value improving toward season's end. First, he has won his last four starts, stopping 125 of 143 shots. Second, we must take into account Miller's two-plus week absence in November due to injury if we are going to properly project his wins, saves, and shutouts for the rest of the year. Third, with Buffalo six points out of a playoff spot, Miller will draw from his experience on Team USA in the Winter Olympics a year ago to help bring the Sabres into the post-season. Do you feel these and Miller's sound "economical" and butterfly style will, as according to Justin, improve Miller's value?

Henrik Lundqvist-The King has a 1.97 goals-against-average and a .934 save-percentage in January despite going 5-4-1. He is currently on pace to play a whopping 70 games and win 36. Justin feels, however, that he will win 40 because of 1) his experience and his ability to make the huge, timely save in close games, 2) his save percentage at home (.924) and on the road(.925) are virtually identical, and 3) he an Tim Thomas lead the league in shutouts (7). Justin even believes that Lundqvist will add 4-5 more shutouts before the season's end. Do you?

Antti Nieme-Up until December, not many would have predicted to see the 27 year-old from Vantaa, Finland on this list. Since then his play has steadily improved. Before losing to the Kings last Wednesday, he had won four consecutive games. Add Antero Nittymaki's nagging injuries, and Niemi now has the opportunity to nail down the starting gig in San Jose. As Justin rightly points out, the Sharks appear to play with more confidence in front of Niemi, which in turn boosts Niemi's confidence in himself. In addition, his phenomenal .901 power play save-percentage (15 PP on 152 shots) is 4th best in the NHL. We also cannot forget what he accomplished for the Blackhawks last year in helping them win the Stanley Cup. Justin feels that despite Niemi's mediocre statistics and "average" butterfly skills, his experience and mental toughness will help steer the Sharks into the playoffs, and help profoundly his fantasy value for the remainder of the 2011 campaign. Do you agree?

Among the goalies without any playoff pressure, Justin considers Devan Dubnyk, Martin Brodeur, and Kevin Poulin as sleepers down the stretch. Except for Brodeur, I would pass on the rookies unless I was in a league that did not consider save-percentage or goals-against-average. Who are your sleepers?

Hockey Links

Steven Stamkos leads the NHL with 67 points and also 38 goals. Evgeni Malkin has 37 points and 15 goals in comparison. Moreover, Geno has missed his last three games with a gimpy knee that has plagued him for most of the 2010-11 campaign. Yet Jeff Angus over at Dobber Hockey claims he would trade Stamkos for Malkin; "Unless it is a league that HEAVILY weighted goals (two or three to one, for example), give me Malkin seven days a week." Jeff doesn't clarify whether he means a one-year league or keeper, but I'll assume he means the latter. In which case who would you rather have, Stamkos or Malkin?

Corey Pronman at Hockey Prospectus evaluates some of the top future prospects in the upcoming 2011 NHL Entry Draft in his "From Daigle To Datsyuk" series. He is high on center Jonathan Huberdeau of the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL, whose stock is recently on the rise. Corey feels that it is not a matter of "if" Huberdeau will be chosen in the first round of the draft, but "how high" in the first. In another article in the series, Corey looks at the 12 rookies that were selected for the SuperSkills Competition at the 2011 All-Star Game. He offers an interesting statistic that bodes well for FHS darling Logan Couture. Thus far the Sharks are shooting around a paultry 8-percent when Couture is on the ice, making it probable that his point total will even get better as the season progresses. Yes!

In her Frozen Fantasy blog, Janet Eagleson presents a striking chronological similitude between the career paths of Sidney Crosby and Eric Lindros: both junior hockey greats, both number-one overall draft picks, both dominant their first five NHL seasons, both suffering concussions in their sixth season of play. Let's all hope this is where their career parallels will end. Crosby started skating again this past weekend, albeit when he will return to normal hockey activity remains unknown. Janet is especially disgusted that Crosby may have suffered TWO concussions in a matter of days. The first occurred when he was hit by David Steckel, the second when he was slammed into the glass by Victor Hedman. If true, it would be unconscionable that he was allowed to play that last game in Tampa.

Fantasyhockey.com writer Steven Ives presents his 2010-11 mid-season awards. Prior to the season, Steven predicted that Lord Stanley's Cup would be moving from Chicago to Vancouver, and in his post proudly reiterates his reasons why. But he is also self-deprecating, and informs us that the team he felt would represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Final would be none other than the New Jersey Devils. He calls John MacLean the "Rich Kotite of the NHL" and equates MacLean's coaching strategies to "Paris Hilton’s conceptualization of quantum physics." Steven's award winners are for the most part well deserving and should not stir much controversy. He feels that the Nashville Predators success in spite of their lack of talented forwards and multiple injuries is due to superior coaching. Thus, Steven presents the Jack Adams trophy (Coach of the Year) to Barry Trotz.

Down Goes Brown believes that the new "schoolyard" draft system will be the highlight of the 2011 All-Star Game. Yes, an innovative idea. But is it worthy of the NHL's self-adulation that already has been repeated ad nauseum? What else will be new? The SkillsCompetition? Nope. The game itself? Nope. Down Goes Brown makes the NHL's brain-trust look like preschoolers with the ten suggestions he offers. One idea, for example, is a " Lame Duck - Cory Clouston delivers a fiery motivational speech to members of the Ottawa Senators, who compete to see who can go the longest without rolling their eyes and tuning him out completely. (Note to organizers: this event will require a timer that can measure thousandths of a second.)" Forget about the stodgy beau monde of the NHL. We need more Down Goes Brown.

Please feel free to offer any suggestions in the comments about articles, blogs, publications, etc. you feel would be of interest to the fantasy hockey community.