Here is our weekly list of players that can provide a boost to your fantasy team, starting with a sophomore forward who has been turning it up recently after a slow start. Whether you add any of these players to your team should depend on your league settings (points only vs. multi-category), other available players, and team needs.
Mitchell Marner, RW
If you are in need of an assist-heavy winger, chances are that the price for Marner won’t be as expensive as it was on draft day (Yahoo ADP: 33.3). There’s even a small chance that he’ll be available on waivers in your league. Marner has had difficulty scoring goals this season (just two goals through Dec. 18), but he has now found the back of the net in back-to-back games. His shooting percentage still stands at a relatively low 5.4 per cent, so there should be more goals to come should he continue to shoot the puck (13 shots over the last two games).
Henrik Sedin, C
Henrik is listed here, but much of the same information could be applied to Daniel, who by virtue of playing a shallower left wing position is owned in a few more leagues than Henrik. The Sedins had been used in a reduced role for the first two months of the season under new coach Travis Green, but since Bo Horvat went down to injury two weeks ago, the Sedins have seen their ice time increase to the 16-18 minute level that they’ve been given during their prime. The scoring dates back further than Horvat’s injury, though, as both have been point-per-game scorers over the last 15 games – Henrik with 18 points over that span, while Daniel has 15.
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Pierre-Luc Dubois, C/LW
Not only has Dubois found a spot within a deep group of Blue Jackets forwards this season, he has also been centring the top line with Artemi Panarin and Josh Anderson. A somewhat surprising third overall pick in the 2016 draft, Dubois has picked up the scoring after a very slow first month of the season (one point in all of October). With eight points in 10 games in December, Dubois should be able to build on this production in the second half given his current role and pedigree.
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Shea Theodore, D
Although he was a healthy scratch just five games ago and in the AHL to start the season, Theodore may have finally solidified himself on the Golden Knights’ blue line. He recently proved why he is the most talented defence option to run the first-unit power play, scoring a goal and adding three assists on Tuesday. Vegas has moved Jason Garrison and Griffin Reinhart from the opening-night roster, which greatly improves Theodore’s chances of sticking around. Theodore is scoring at over a half point per game (10 points in 18 games), which is another sign that he should be rostered in more leagues.
Danton Heinen, C
Did you know that Heinen is tied for third in Bruins scoring with 22 points (8g-14a) in 28 games? Heinen should benefit in terms of ice time with fellow centre David Krejci out of the lineup again due to injury, but he has scored regardless of whether Krejci has been healthy. Heinen has turned it up a notch of late, scoring seven points (2g-5a) over a four-game point streak. The Bruins have also tried him on the first-unit power play recently, where they may need to find him a permanent home if he continues to score like this.
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Andrej Sekera, D
Defencemen with scoring upside aren’t always easy to find. But there’s a rearguard who has ranged between 30-35 points over the past two seasons expected to make his season debut on Thursday. Sekera comes off IR at around the same time Oscar Klefbom was placed on it, which makes for a perfect opportunity for Sekera as he returns. He has produced double-digit power-play points three times in his career, so he could see significant power-play time right out of the gate.
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