By JIMMY D / Fantasy Sports

So far, not so good.

The players on Jimmy’s NHL Watch List continued to heat up last week, with Martin Havlat leading the league with 10 points and a +7 rating. Other rookies and upwards-trending players like Alexander Semin and Chris Clark also stayed hot and Jimmy’s bold warning about the Sabres and Wild rang true again.

But enough about the fantasy studs now firmly on your radar. What about the fantasy duds falling off the radar? Are there good buys to be found among the slow starters?

Kyle Calder – moved to a prime fantasy spot in Philly alongside up-and-comers Jeff Carter and Mike Richards and hit it off in the preseason. But the former Blackhawk, who has 26 goals and 59 points last season, is showing all zeroes so far. This line will hit its stride and all three are good buy-low propositions.

Fernando Pisani – any Oiler fans who believed his golden playoff would translate into fantasy production this season bought fool’s good. He’s a useful third-line “reality” player, but his zero points and -3 tell you all you need to know on the fantasy side.

Mike Fisher – Some loony Senator fans (you know who you are) would have you believe the tenacious winger was due for 25 goals and 60 points and +30. How about no points and -3 so far? At least he scored in the shootout against the Habs, maybe that will get him going, we still project him at 20/25.

Jan Bulis – Projected for top two lines and commensurate fantasy goodies. He has but a single assist so far and is working his way onto either a checking line in Vancouver or the top line with the Manitiba Moose.

Tomas Kaberle – Lost in the erratic Toronto start has been the anemic production from Kaberle. He had only 16 even-strength points last season and just a single assist so far for the high-scoring Leafs. He will pick up steam shortly, acquire him if someone is selling low.

Fredrik Modin – Considered a steal by the Blue Jackets, the former Lightning and Leaf winger has struggled so far. Blame this mainly on the complete dearth of healthy centermen in Columbus so far with Fedorov hurt, Svitov a bum and youngsters not pulling their weight yet.

Ales Kotalik – Hard to criticize a man named Ales (just like it was always hard to stay away from Bruin d-man Bob Beers), but the power-play stud from a year ago is nowhere to be found so far. Just a single point for the high-flying Sabres (and did Jimmy mention he doesn’t like their new horny slug logo?)

Tim Thomas – Great success story from last season with his return from the Finnish and Swedish leagues after years of toiling in the IHL, AHL and ECHL. But he gave up nine goals in two starts and has watched as Hannu Toivonen auditions for the No. 1 spot.

Robert Esche – Just about ready to be relegated to backup status, if he hasn’t been already. Antero Niittymaki has played four straight games after Esche’s season-opening bomb and will be the No. 1 until he chokes it away.

Sergei Zubov – Dallas is off to a fast start, but relic Zubov can’t boast the same. At 36 and coming off a tremendous 71-point, +20 season, is it possible the reliable blueliner has hit the proverbial fantasy wall? Finally scored Sunday night for first point, don’t worry about his slow start.

Doug Weight – Has been trending downwards for years and his Cup win with the Canes does not appear to have energized him back in St. Louis. No points and losing power-play time to other deserving youngsters. Don’t wait on Weight: sell at the first sign of productivity from him.

Petr Nedved – Another struggling Flyer, expect Coach Hitchcock to cut bait with Nedved, who has accumulated -6 while scoring no points and taking stupid penalties. He is awful. Ditch him.

Jimmy creamed in Week 6 fantasy

The Jackal losing skid hit three games Sunday, when Jimmy’s head-to-head opponent happened to own LaDainian Tomlinson (four TDs) and Matt Hasselbeck (three scoring passes). That’s right, the two highest-scoring fantasy producers of the entire league on one roster and Jimmy’s Jackals were junky.

Week 7 should be different. Jimmy peddled his No. 1 draft pick - the deplorable Ronnie Brown – for Cincy wideout T.J. Houshmandzadeh and injuries and bye-week woes are hopefully coming to an end.

Stay busy, stay lucky.

Jimmy D