Fantasy Hockey (’cause the season could start on time).

Ah, the end of August.  I am a former sports atheist surrounded by zealots who love for the game strikes of fundamentalism. The fantasy football people are already running their pre-selection drafts. They’re having a test draft of the real draft. I’ve played poker with most of these people.  The faces they put on for a pre-draft are classic. I think Mr. Spock could take a few lessons from the utter lack of emotion as these picks are being made. It did also get me thinking. Hockey season (in theory) is coming up soon, and I was taking a look at my potential pre-draft draft picks. Now there will be players on here that I will omit, not out of ignorance…but I know my luck with fantasy draws. The odds of me scoring those players (who will be mentioned as we go along here) are so low, I don’t want to bring my hopes up by placing them here.

These are the Bruins’ I’ll be trying my best to add to my team this year.

January 24, 2012; Washington, DC, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) makes a save during warm-ups prior to the Bruins

 Tuukka Rask                 Goalie            5 year veteran of the NHL.

It’s offically ‘Tuukka Time’ here at the TD Garden.  Tuukka has been a solid performer these last few years for the Bruins.

Last year his numbers (11-8-3), a .929 save percentage, and a 2.05 goals against were solid. A full season performance like that could

earn him his first Vezina Trophy nomination.  Tuukka’s size and agility will give us less vulnerability in the crease. The only concern

for Tuukka would  be the hip problem coming back or Tuukka’s occasional outburst on the ice.  Still, as a fantasy owner, I would be

happy to put this ‘Flying Finn’ on my roster.  Boston is betting on Rask to be the future of the team, and if Chiarelli and Neely have

100% confidence in you, its hard not to do the same as an owner here.

April 12, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Tyler Seguin (19) controls the puck during the third period against the Washington Capitals in game one of the 2012 Eastern Conference quarterfinals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

Sep 26, 2011; Montreal, QC, CAN; Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton (22) talks with referee Kevin Pollock (33) during the third period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-US PRESSWIRE

Shawn Thornton  Forward       9 years in the UFC, oops NHL.     

Now , I don’t know how many of the leagues out there offer much on the incidentals part of the game. If you’re league takes penalties

into account where your teams take the ice, I can’t help but recommend Thorny to you. Yes, Thornton only put up thirteen points

last season.  His +/- of 7 was decent,  and his short handed penalty goal against the Jets last season gave someone in my league a win.

Where #22 really comes into his own is his ability to scrap for his team. If Thornton drops the gloves, the Bruins win that game 70%

of the time.  He did lead the league in fighting majors (20). and his 154 penalty minutes was a goal mine of points.  Hey, PIM points

count just as much as the goals and the assists do.  A smart owner would see Thornton for the X factor he brings to a game and

should happily scoop them up for their team.

Here’s hoping that the fantasy league goes forward because the real season goes forward.