The NHL is now a younger man’s game. But it is also an older man’s game.
The oldest player and the youngest player listed below this week are separated in age by over two decades. Yet fantasy owners should be less concerned about age and more concerned about a player’s recent production – or more importantly, potential future production.
Sebastian Aho, LW/RW, CAR
Many rookies, such as Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine, and even Matthew Tkachuk, are long gone in fantasy leagues. So the next super rookie that fantasy owners can search for might be
the 19-year-old Aho. With a hat trick on Tuesday against Philadelphia, Aho is up to 15 goals this season, which places him third among all rookies. As well, his 30 points in 49 games puts him on pace for 50 points, a projection that has increased thanks to scoring six points over his last four games.
Andrew Shaw, C/RW, MON
The pesky Shaw is almost no one’s idea of a well-liked player. But the grit that he provides can help your fantasy team if it counts those categories. Even though he has missed nearly a month because of injury, Shaw is the Habs’ runaway leader and third in the NHL with 84 penalty minutes. He has also dished 82 hits, which is tops on his team. As for the all-important scoring categories, Shaw has four points in his last four games while playing on a line with scorers Alex Galchenyuk and David Desharnais in his last game (more line combinations here).
Radim Vrbata, RW, ARI
Vrbata has been heating up in the desert during the new year with 11 points over his last 10 games. His poor plus/minus (-15) from playing in Arizona is a constant worry to those considering adding him. But there should be zero doubt that the Coyotes will be a seller at the deadline, with the veteran Vrbata a prime candidate to be dealt for younger talent.
Believe it or not though, his fantasy value may fall with a move out of Arizona. In Vancouver last season, Vrbata was basically a non-factor after he was moved off the Sedin line.
Marian Gaborik, LW/RW, LA
Let’s not kid ourselves: Gaborik is a shadow of the player he once was and always an injury risk. But it’s worth mentioning that he has a four-game point streak and is a plus-5 over that span. In a never-ending attempt to improve the scoring of forwards not named Jeff Carter, Darryl Sutter has moved Gaborik onto Anze Kopitar’s line. So far it has worked out well, as Kopitar has a four-game point streak of his own. Over a longer stretch, Gaborik has nine points over his last 12 games, so there still is some juice left to squeeze fantasy-wise.
Matt Cullen, C, PIT
Shot in the dark time: With Conor Sheary expected to miss the next four-to-six weeks, the Penguins need a forward to play on the first line with Sidney Crosby. Cullen’s possible arrival from a broken foot is right on time, as he happened to line up with Crosby and Patric Hornqvist at Thursday afternoon’s practice. The 40-year-old journeyman Cullen is not a player to pursue in fantasy leagues otherwise, but Bryan Rust posted several multi-point games during his time on Crosby’s line. Cullen is at least a daily-league add worth considering because of his super low price.
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