By JIMMY D / Flipping Forsberg not Philly folly| Jimmy's archive

The NBA took its annual six-day sabbatical to Vegas its stars downed shooters at ‘gentleman’s clubs.’

Major League Baseball, while it plans its next legal move against fantasy sports sites, is still six weeks away from Opening Day.
So it was six of one, a half dozen of the other in Jimmy’s email bag this week.

Jimmy,
Why did the Flyers get so little for Peter Forsberg? I heard the Canucks were offering Brendan Morrison and others.
Canucklehead

Canucklehead,

Apparently, the Flyers were asking for Morrison, blueline prospect Luc Bourdon and a high pick for Forsberg. Apparently, the Canucks rightfully suggested they pound sand.

The Flyers did well in a tough situation – hoping to re-sign a player, watching the deadline creep up and trying to peddle damaged goods for a premium price.
It didn’t happen right away, but Forsberg’s presence in Grand Ole Opryland will increase the production of Paul Kariya and Martin Erat, as well as the Predator power play.

Forsberg has been playing very well, his ankle seems to be as good as it’s gonna get and playing with speed demons like Kariya and Erat should make multi-point nights a common stat line.

Jimmy also envisions J.P. Dumont and possibly Jason Arnott benefiting from some second-unit power-play time with some tap-in goals from Forsberg feeds.

As for the Flyers, the deal makes sense all around. Forsberg is one ankle twinge from being toast for the year and he refused to re-sign until he felt healthy. Philly doesn’t need wins right now, as they hang in the basement looking for a rare lottery pick (they haven’t picked in the Top 10 with their own pick since 1992). And they can try to re-sign him in the summer (Forsberg intimated that is an option he will seriously consider).

And they get underachieving Scottie Upshall (off to a good start in his first game playing with Jeff Carter and wearing Hound Dog Kelly’s famous No. 9), d-man prospect Ryan Parent (don’t get excited for your fantasy squad, he is no offensive dynamo) and a first and third pick from the Preds.

For the naysayers who opine that late first-round picks never pan out, the Flyers have feasted in this area of the first round.

Simon Gagne (22nd in 1998), Dainius Zubrus (15th in 1996), Justin Williams (28th in 2000), Jeff Woywitka (27th in 2001), Mike Richards (24th in 2003) and Steve Downie (29th in 2005).

Plus, Philly chieftain Ed Snider probably figures that, after trying everything else, he should acquire any player named Parent in hopes it can bring Lord Stanley’s mug back to Broad Street.

JimmyD

Jimmy,
LeBron James is available for trade in my NBA pool. He has been a stud in the past and certainly enjoys lots of hype. But does it make sense to pay a big premium for him, given his slumping numbers? Is he ready to turn it on?
WinlessInSackville

Winless,
It’s a tricky balancing act with King James. On one side, he is down in every stat category from last year. All nine key fantasy stats. He has played with nagging injuries. Some surmise he might be coasting a bit to keep himself fresh for the playoff grind.

With the All-Star Game over and the playoff rush upon us, does he raise his production (he currently ranks 25th overall)?

He was just traded in Jimmy’s league with Lamar Odom for Kirk Hinrich, Shaquille O’Neal and Tayshaun Prince.

If you are in a keeper league, you might want to make a play for him.

If you are in a traditional league, whether overall points or a head-to-head duel, you are taking a gamble unless you have some underperforming star value or an injurd player to send back.

Jimmy’s roster is full of solid producers with little brand-name appeal (except Elton Brand). Just the stats, ma’am. Just the stats.

JimmyD

Jimmy,
Last season, you talked about the top fantasy pick in baseball and it was all Pujols vs. A-Rod. Is it the same situation this year?
Brad

Brad,
It’s a bit early to be discussing top baseball picks, but the discussion will be half of what it was last year. As in, Albert Pujols will still be the best option, but Alfonso Soriano will replace A-Rod as the comparison.

Soriano got the big money at Wrigley and joins a potentially killer lineup in a small ballpark. He was the fantasy production king in 2006 and should do better in 2007.

Pujols missed time last year, but if he’s healthy, he will be No. 2.
A-Rod will be a Top 5 pick and many continue to tout Jose Reyes as a challenger for the top spot. Jimmy hates the Mets and isn’t on this bandwagon yet.

Throw in Tampa speedster Carl Crawford and Twin stud Johan Santana and you have an impressive top of the board.

Jimmy will have fuller insights and charts and analysis in mid-March.
JimmyD

Have a question or comment on getting busy and getting lucky?

Drop Jimmy an email at JPoole@herald.ca

Jimmy D