Similar to the list of players that I have added since the start of the season, this is by no means a comprehensive list of droppable players. Who to drop depends on a host of factors, including the depth of your league and other players available. At the very least, here are a few players who have stumbled out of the gate, clearly not meeting expectations in some way, shape, or form.
Tim Thomas, G, FLA
I had added Timmy in the late rounds of one of my drafts, thinking there was a chance that he could recreate his 2011 magic. However, the Panthers are not even ten games into the season and already Thomas has been injured twice. It's not as if Thomas' numbers have been great anyway (2-3, 3.36 GAA, .901 SV%). Granted, it was just two short seasons ago that Thomas had one of the finest seasons that a goaltender can have, and there was no way that the Bruins would have won the Stanley Cup that season without him. However, taking a year off is not advisable for a 39-year-old goalie, and now we are seeing why. Moving from Boston to Florida isn't helping the cause either.
Tyson Barrie, D, COL
I haven't dropped Barrie, based on the league format that I employ him in. However, his league ownership in many leagues has to be sinking like a stone based on how Patrick Roy is using him (in other words, not using him). Barrie, a trendy blueline sleeper pick, has not seen action for the past five games dating back to October 10. As long as the surprising 8-1-0 Avs keep winning, Roy won't see any need to change his lineup, which means that relative unknowns Andre Benoit and Nate Guenin will continue to suit up instead of Barrie. I mean, how long can the Avs continue to dominate with Jan Hejda as the kingpin of their blueline?
Matt Read, RW, PHI
We go from a team on the top of the world to a team that has seen nothing go right this season. On a team that often draws attention to itself because of underachieving personnel, Read has quietly provided modest fantasy totals that can help you fill out your lineup. However, Read has yet to hit the scoresheet and is a -6 in eight games this season. Things have to improve; after all, Read is still averaging nearly 20 minutes of icetime per game. But playing on the Flyers' top 6 isn't holding the same value that it used to, given the Flyers' lack of scoring depth this season. By the way, over those eight games, the now Craig Berube-led Flyers have scored just 11 goals - that's right, ELEVEN goals - this season. That is tied for dead last in the NHL with the now Alain Vigneault-led Rangers.
Mikhail Grigorenko, C, BUF
The Sabres don't have a whole lot to laugh about themselves this season, having scored just one more goal than each of the Flyers and Rangers. In fact, the Sabres appear to be a serious contender for the first overall pick in the 2014 entry draft. So when you're a fourth-line player averaging ten minutes of icetime per game on a team headed nowhere, your fantasy prospects might appear dim. In the Experts League, I haven't dropped the pointless Grigorenko... yet. But come March when the Sabres trade Thomas Vanek and Ryan Miller and start playing for pride and jobs next season, don't be surprised to see the Sabres hand Grigorenko a little more icetime to see what they have.
Are there any players that you are ecstatic about kicking to the curb? Did I miss anyone obvious? Let us know in the comments below.
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