Fantasy hockey: Count on Couturier

Here are some players I'm looking at picking up or already have picked up this week in fantasy hockey:

(As a side note, my scoring period is longer this week because of the all-star break, so check your leagues. My games played are based on a two-week scoring period.)

• Matt Read, Flyers, forward
• Jay Harrison, Hurricanes, defenseman
• Francois Beauchemin, Ducks, defenseman
• Dave Bolland, Blackhawks, forward
• Justin Williams, Kings, forward
• Sean Couturier, Flyers, forward

I have Couturier in my lineup this week. I almost picked up Read, but I didn't want to go too heavy on one team in my lineup. Williams has nine points in his last seven games and Bolland has nine in his last eight. Beauchemin is plus-9 in his last eight games and has racked up 21 penalty minutes.

Fantasy hockey: Don't Staal on picking up Rangers defenseman

Players I'm looking at or have already picked up this week in fantasy hockey:

• Marc Staal, Rangers, D
• Trevor Daley, Stars, D
• Michael Ryder, Stars, F
• Justin Williams, Kings, F
• David Clarkson, Devils, F
• Scott Clemmensen, Panthers, G

Staal is back after a concussion, Daley has 3 goals and 8 assists in his last 13 games, Ryder has 8 goals and 5 assists in his last 13, Williams is a four-start player, Clarkson has 5 points in his last 7, and Clemmensen is the starter for the Panthers while Jose Theodore is out.

Let's talk hockey, hoops, too

I had so much fun during football season that we're going to expand to fantasy hockey and fantasy basketball.

I'm in just one hockey league and one basketball league, but I've won each for the past three seasons.

That's six-for-six.

Lucky? Probably.

But I've got a good idea what I'm doing, and I'd like to pass that information along.

Each league is a redraft league, so I'm not carrying over superstars on loaded teams.

Anyway, check back for updates.