Defenseman on the Rise

Alex Goligoski’s stock has risen greatly with the news of Gonchar’s injury. Goligoski had been making his way on to the fantasy radar even before Gonchar got hurt.

With Gonchar in the lineup, Alex Goligoski saw over 20 minutes of ice time a night and is among the league’s top scoring defenseman with 7 points (2goals, 5 assists) in 9 games.

Pittsburgh will have to rely on some of their young defenseman to quarter back the power play unit in the 4-6 week absence of Gonchar.

Kris Letang and Goligoski will be asked to burden the responsibility of more production from the blue line in Pittsburgh. Goligoski has a great opportunity to add to his offense of numbers via the power play.

With Gonchar being the center piece of the Penguins’ power play, none of Goligoski’s 9 points this season have come by way the power play.

Penguins Ducks Trade, Whitney Gone

The Penguins and the Ducks have struck a deal as the NHL trade deadline fastly approaches. Defenseman, Ryan Whitney was sent to the Ducks in exchange for winger Chris Kunitz and prospect Chris Tangradi.

Bottom line....If Whitney doesn't remember how to play defense, he won't be seeing the ice on the powerplay. He's holding no real value at this time as a fantasy player.

Kunitz has 16 goals and 35 points. If he plays with Crosby he may have some worth. Keep an eye out to see how the Penguins use him.

Finally Producing?

Letang has mustered up two goal games twice in the last six games. That's not the only upside here. The Penguins are finally winning games at home and there is still no Gonchar on the blue line for Pittsburgh. On Saturday, Pittsburgh sent down their leading scorer on the blue line, rookie Alex Goligoski. 

Pittsburgh will host the best the Western Conference has to offer in Detroit and San Jose. If they even split this series look for a playoff push and solid numbers from their young blueliner who will be quarterbacking the point on a powerplay unit that has started to produce after the all-star break.