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We've tried to give our best fantasy push on Nicklas Bergfors(notes). You've done your best to ignore our promotion. If you pass on tonight's propaganda, we'll just assume you don't want to make your fantasy team better.

The Devils have been playing the waiting game on the oft-injured Bergfors, their first-round pick back in 2005, but the speedy Swede has finally started paying dividends this year. The right winger popped home a couple of goals in Wednesday's victory over Washington, with both markers coming on the power play. He's shooting the puck plenty – 43 shots in 13 games – and he's starting to get more quality ice time, solidifying his spot as a Top 6 forward in New Jersey. Pedigree tied to opportunity, don't you love it when a plan comes together?

Okay, we're still talking about a modest 4-4-8 line through 13 games, but keep in mind most of the production has come in recent action (4-2-6 in his last six starts). Perhaps that's not enough to grab Bergfors in the most shallow of formats, but in medium and deeper groups, find a slot for him. He's got a legitimate shot at 25-30 goals, honest, and if he doesn't get hurt he'll finish with well over 200 shots.

Bergfors is on all three of my teams. We've written about him in the NHL Skinny, the Red-Light District and the Neutral Zone Wrap. We're trying. His ownership level still rests at two percent. Give the kid a shot.

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15 Comments

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  1. pianow
    1. Posted by pianow Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:04 pm EST

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    For what it's worth, one of the Bergfors goals came on a laser to the top corner glove side, the other goal came on a nifty redirection (his second tip goal of the year). Two legit tallies.
  2. elth
    2. Posted by elth Thu Nov 05, 2009 1:00 am EST

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    Yeah, but who do you drop? Is he a better long term proposition than Tomas Fleischmann? James van Riemsdyk? Do you drop the hot Tim Connolly? Someone struggling early like Kris Versteeg?
    It's always easy to recommend players, but sometimes the better information is who's not worth keeping around.
  3. Scooby
    3. Posted by Scooby Thu Nov 05, 2009 7:36 am EST

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    Have to agree with "elth". I read your first post on Bergfors and added him to my watch list. But I just can't figure out who he should replace. I'll have to give my rosters a real deep look and cut the dead weight.
  4. Peter D
    4. Posted by Peter D Thu Nov 05, 2009 11:25 am EST

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    picked him before the season even started in my rookie draft. beat that
  5. pianow
    5. Posted by pianow Thu Nov 05, 2009 2:36 pm EST

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    Peter D wins. Tell us where to ship the Andre Racicot bobblehead.
  6. pianow
    6. Posted by pianow Thu Nov 05, 2009 2:38 pm EST

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    I get that some teams already have a strong bench and there's no justifiable drop. But when a player who's shooting the puck this much has an ownership tag of just two percent, people are asleep on the player.
    It's just about impossible to be fantasy irrelevant if you finish with 200 shots or more. Follow the shots.
  7. pianow
    7. Posted by pianow Thu Nov 05, 2009 2:42 pm EST

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    Bergfors is up to three percent at last check. Baby steps. Of course I'm sure that's the boxscore talking, not the small gathering of chaps who come here, but we're working on it.
  8. topher
    8. Posted by topher Thu Nov 05, 2009 3:15 pm EST

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    Curious of his value in leagues without Shots or Shooting % categories? Any powerplay potential??
    I've eyed him but would either be dropping Nathan Horton or Dennis Wideman in my 12 team league, so suppose I need to risk more waiting for more evidence.
  9. Curt S
    9. Posted by Curt S Thu Nov 05, 2009 3:42 pm EST

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    @ Pianow-
    Would you drop Knuble for him? That's the decision I find myself faced with and I was considering it no later than last night - just couldn't quite pull the trigger.
  10. pianow
    10. Posted by pianow Thu Nov 05, 2009 3:47 pm EST

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    Knuble, I'd hold in that instance.
  11. Curt S
    11. Posted by Curt S Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:25 pm EST

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    Thanks, yeah that was my gut too.
  12. $t
    12. Posted by $t Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:50 pm EST

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    What are your thoughts on Patrice Bergeron? Same line as Bergfors, but he is in a great situation right now (no Savard/Krecji). I'm in a points only roto league, do you like Bergfors better than Bergeron?
  13. Lyle P
    13. Posted by Lyle P Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:48 pm EST

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    In response to some of the concerns that members are having in relation to Bergfors, I had a struggling Martin Havlat, who was a gorgeous -3 on Thursday night and guess what swapped the aforementioned players. If you have strong right wingers don't switch but if you have a glaring weakness don't look back.
    Additionally IPersonally would keep Bergeron, proven 60 point player (notwithstanding injuries) and he will win Faceoffs.
    Take care,
  14. $t
    14. Posted by $t Fri Nov 06, 2009 1:37 pm EST

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    Thanks for the insight #13! Bergeron looked really good against MTL last night, I will hang on to him for now, but he is still on a short leash!
  15. Keith
    15. Posted by Keith Tue Nov 24, 2009 2:33 am EST

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    Pianow - Would you drop David Backes?

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