Open Ice: Return of the King

Sean Allen looks forward to the return of Ryan Smyth and the effect it will have on the Los Angeles Kings' offense in general and Anze Kopitar in particular.

NHL Forecaster: No. 2s are No. 1

Sean Allen previews Week 11 of the fantasy hockey season, highlighting useful backup goalies like the Red Wings' Jimmy Howard.

...03: Erik Johnson #6 of the St. Louis Blues in action during their game against the San Jose Sharks at HP Pavilion on December 3, 2009 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty...

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.

Thin Blue Line: Thrashers stepping up

Victoria Matiash praises the Atlanta Thrashers' defensemen, specifically Tobias Enstrom, in this week's rankings.

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.

...Blackhawks' Marian Hossa, of Slovakia, celebrates his second goal of the NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, during the third period in San Jose, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose...

Forecaster: Rinne rewarding patience

Sean Allen previews Week 9 in the NHL from a fantasy perspective, noting Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne's dominance should continue.

NHL Forecaster: Holiday traffic

The Chicago Blackhawks hit the road, heading west for the Thanksgiving week, but don't fret. In his Week 8 NHL Forecaster, Sean Allen says the Hawks will feast upon weak opponents.

Front Line: What's wrong with Havlat?

Sean Allen explores three possible explanations for Martin Havlat's struggles in his weekly roundup and rankings of everything related to fantasy hockey forwards.

NHL Forecaster: The perfect storm

There's hope yet for the reeling Carolina Hurricanes, says Sean Allen. Their slow start and the expected return of Evgeni Malkin are the topics of Week 7 of the NHL season.

The Thin Blue Line: Fantasy wasteland

Victoria Matiash looks at the latest among fantasy defensemen, noting the Hurricanes' slow start has hurt the values of Joe Corvo and Joni Pitkanen.

Front Line: Stars shine

Sean Allen takes a closer look at the teams that are scoring more than expected, like the Dallas Stars, and adjusts their forwards accordingly in his weekly news and rankings feature.

Forecaster: Ducks mighty once more

Sean Allen looks at Week 6 of the fantasy hockey season with an eye to the best offensive and defensive matchups of the period.

NHL Forecaster: Stalking their prey

Sean Allen previews Week 5 of the NHL season, suggesting fantasy owners exploit favorable matchups for goaltenders Cristobal Huet and Pekka Rinne.