Open Ice: A new play on the Rater

Sean Allen takes an alternate look at player values by evaluating only the scoring categories for the top players owned in ESPN standard fantasy hockey leagues.

Front Line: Deconstructing Mike Fisher

Sean Allen explains the disparity between his ranking of Mike Fisher and what Player Rater says about the Senators forward's stats.

Front Line: Has Gaborik reached peak?

Marian Gaborik has risen up to No. 5 in the forwards rankings after a great start, but Sean Allen thinks he can't get much higher.

NHL Forecaster: Big 'D' in desert

Sean Allen previews Week 10 of the fantasy hockey season, and breaks down the recent success of the Phoenix Coyotes.

Front Line: Hossa back, rising

Marian Hossa defied even the most optimistic of prognoses by returning to the Blackhawks before the calendar turned to December. With his injury behind him, Sean Allen is ready to consider him elite again.

Open Ice: The Phil Factor

Sean Allen looks at the difference a single player can make on an team, using Phil Kessel and Ryan Smyth as the positive and negative examples of the rule.

Open Ice: Miller, Smyth for real

Sean Allen takes a look at some of the top players on the Player Rater and determines if their performance will continue as it has, or if they are due for a fall.

MONTREAL - NOVEMBER 03: Nik Antropov #80 of the Atlanta Thrashers and teammate Maxim Afinogenov #61 celebrate a goal during the NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens on November 3, 2009...

Open Ice: Fleischmann thriving

Sean Allen scans the waiver wires for players who should be owned in more ESPN.com leagues and suggests some that might be owned in too many.

Front Line: Ascending Kings

Sean Allen revises his preseason opinions on certain players based on the on-ice action to date. Among his latest conclusions: The LA Kings are better than advertised, and the St. Louis Blues are not.

Front Line: A leap of faith

Sean Allen explains why he is willing to move up injury-prone forwards Marian Gaborik and Martin Havlat in his weekly forwards rankings.

Southeast Division preview

Sean Allen looks at every Southeast Division team from a fantasy hockey perspective for the 2009-10 season.

Northeast Division preview

A look at the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs from the fantasy perspective.

Open Ice: Trades have brought welcome (or unwelcome) changes

Sean Allen looks at the action in the aftermath of the trade deadline, not necessarily the traded players but those whose lines are affected by them.

Fantasy Forecaster: Devils should stay hot

Tristan H. Cockcroft breaks down the week ahead in the NHL, highlighting teams with the most games and the best and worst matchups.