Ilya Kovalchuk was

When Ilya Kovalchuk was made a healthy scratch last week by coach John MacLean, everyone in hockey was wondering what impact the move would have on the Devils and their controversial $100-million man.

Naturally, we were more concerned about what effect it might have on the fantasy hockey world. In this week's edition of Fantasy Hockey 1-on-1, we debate the Kovalchuk issue and give our picks on who to add and drop this week.

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All stats are ...........

hrough Thursday.

1. How does the Kovalchuk benching impact fantasy players?

Jesse: The actual benching itself didn't have much impact, because it lasted only one game and Kovalchuk scored a goal in his first contest back. But I think the move is a symptom of a disturbing trend: namely, that Kovalchuk has become a far less productive player with the Devils. In parts of eight seasons with Atlanta, Kovalchuk averaged a goal every 1.8 games. With Jersey, he's down to a goal every 2.8 games (13 goals in 36 games). It's reasonable to assume that drop in scoring has something to do with Kovalchuk's now being required to play in a more structured environment. Is he happy doing this, or is he looking back wistfully on those freewheeling days with the Thrashers? And does the benching have anything to do with this? No one knows for sure, but there are too many questions here for Kovalchuk to still be considered an elite fantasy player.

Jordan: The Kovalchuk benching got me thinking about other players that might benefit from a similar wake-up call. It wasn't that long ago that Vincent Lecavalier scored 52 goals and 108 points. But his totals have been steadily declining since that 2006-07 season, to a point where he scored just 24 goals and 70 points last season. In the past, some thought his struggles were a result of butting heads with former Lightning head coach John Tortorella. But since Torts' departure, Lecavalier hasn't been any better. Nowadays, it's hard to say exactly what his problem is. What's worse is that fantasy owners continue to draft Lecavalier high in the hopes of a bounce-back season. A benching like Kovalchuk's could serve as motivation, but frankly I think the only thing that might get this coaster going is a trade out of Tampa to an organization that won't tolerate his inconsistencies.

2. Who's your add of the week?

Jordan: As much as it pains me to say this, my pick-up of the week is Colorado's Peter Budaj. With Craig Anderson's status uncertain after he suffered an ACL injury during warmup Tuesday, Budaj is in line for a massive increase in playing time. Though I have very little faith in the Slovakian goaltender (mainly because he's had so many opportunities to be a starter and has always failed), he does have a pretty good team in front of him. So even if Budaj plays average, the Avalanche should be able to keep him in the game and get him some wins. He's worth a look if you're desperate for a goalie, but he's no saviour. If it's a forward you're after, you should absolutely grab Matt Cullen. Owned in just 45 per cent of Yahoo! leagues, the Wild centre has 10 points in his first nine games, including three power-play goals and six power-play assists.

Jesse: I'm blown away by James Wisniewski's production. Even though he missed two games while suspended for his rude gesture toward Sean Avery, Wisniewski is tied for 11th in the league with 11 points in just seven games. Not 11th among defenceman, but 11th overall. Sure, he's unlikely to maintain this pace, but I expect the points to keep coming. Wisniewski seems to have taken over the role of Mark Streit, the Islanders' power-play ace who's out with a shoulder injury. Wisniewski leads the team in total ice time and power-play ice time, logging over six minutes a game of the latter. And the Isles can score: they're No. 3 in the league in power-play efficiency, and fourth in overall scoring. So grab the guy who's manning their point. He's unowned in a third of Yahoo! leagues.

3. Who's your drop of the week?

Jesse: There's nothing worse as a fantasy owner than that guy on your roster who constantly has that little DTD designation next to his name, indicating he's day-to-day with some sort of injury. You don't want to cut him, because he could return to the lineup any time. But by keeping him, you're wasting a valuable roster spot that would be better occupied by someone who's actually putting up numbers. For me this year, that guy is Zach Bogosian. The league I'm in allows for only one bench spot, and I don't want to waste that on a defenceman, so I've left Bogosian and his bum shoulder in the lineup all year. What have I received in return? Zero points, and only three games played. Look, I think Bogosian will be a fine player someday. He's only 20, and he's already got a 10-goal season under his belt. But when you're counting on a guy to shoot the puck, a balky shoulder is the last thing you want to see.

Jordan: Though I'm quickly losing my patience with Vancouver's Kevin Bieksa (0 points, 10 PIMs in nine games), Washington's Jeff Schultz has got to go. The 24-year-old former first-round pick has just two assists and one penalty in 10 games. Unlike Bieksa, Schultz has never proven he can score 40 points or get 100 PIMs. Last year, he tallied just 23 points in 73 games. So until he proves himself, he's not worth a roster spot in my books, though apparently he is for 20 per cent of owners. Oh yeah, and for those of you that are part of the unconscious 22 per cent of managers that still own Sheldon Souray, I still don't understand what you're waiting for or why you can't get out from under your rock. Not only is Souray in the minors, but now he's got a broken hand. Wakey wakey!

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