There is no such thing as a perfect fantasy hockey squad. Last week’s perfect squad is this week’s blunder. For instance, last week we promoted the Bruins as a team to mine for fantasy value due to their five-game slate. That loaded schedule thins out this week as they (along with the Islanders) play just two games. Man the escape pods! Ditch those fringe Bruin skaters like Ryan Spooner for someone with a denser, more rewarding schedule. Now, let’s look at some of the hot options around the league to help you with your never-ending tinkering:
HOT
Michael Grabner – LW/RW – Rangers – 8 goals, 10 points in last 8 games
We talked about Grabner last week and mentioned that his limited minutes and lack of power play time made him a poor long term option. That still holds, even as his hot streak has been extended. It is worth mentioning that Grabner was promoted to the Rangers’ top line alongside Derek Stepan and Rick Nash with Chris Kreider on the shelf. Kreider has been sent back to New York to be evaluated, while the Rangers have two more games before returning home next Sunday. Grabner could see an extended top line cameo. Of course, he still isn’t seeing power play time and the way that the Rangers are playing, line placement doesn’t particularly matter.
Paul Byron – LW/RW – Canadiens – 3 goals, 5 points in last 5 games
Byron has grabbed Brendan Gallagher’s spot alongside Alex Galchenyuk and Alexander Radulov leading to this hot streak. This is a cuckoo situation, like when the parasitic bird dumps its eggs in another bird’s nest. Now Byron, our cuckoo youngling is gobbling up all the points Gallagher needs for his breakout season. Byron was held off the board on Sunday, so perhaps that means it is time to return order to the nest. Byron is here for a good time, not a long time.
Antoine Roussel – LW – Stars – 3 goals, 8 points in last 6 games
With all the injuries up front the Stars have been forced to split up Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. The result: a Roussel – Seguin – Patrick Eaves line that has been killing it. Roussel is also seeing top unit PP time, which is a tremendous opportunity for exposure to Seguin AND Benn. Roussel also offers added value for those in multi-category leagues as he is a strong producer of PIM and Hits.
Patrick Sharp has been skating with the team over the past week, so his return appears imminent. That would be enough to push Roussel off the top power play unit. Keep a close eye on this situation.
Patrick Maroon – LW – Oilers – 4 goals, 7 points in last 6 games
The list of things that are impressive about Connor McDavid is extensive but perhaps the single most impressive thing about him, is how he elevates his linemates to star level production. He is a zone entry cheat code, which puts the opposition on its heels whenever he is out there. That creates openings for his linemates. It doesn’t matter your talent, he’ll find a way to get you good chances. Right now, it is Maroon skating on the top line, and to no one’s surprise, he is putting up points. As is the theme of this week, Maroon will likely not last on the top line but he’s great option so long as he does.
Robby Fabbri – C/LW – Blues – 3 goals in last 3 games
This is cheating a little as Fabbri had a healthy scratch thrown in before Saturday’s two-goal effort but it is important to note that he bounced back with a strong performance. Fabbri’s had a rough go to start the season but the healthy scratch often works like an alarm clock setting off loud signals that it is time to wake up. Fabbri returned to the lineup to skate alongside Jori Lehtera and Vladimir Tarasenko but did his damage on the Blues’ newly constructed top PP unit with David Perron, Tarasenko, Lehtera and Kevin Shattenkirk. Call it a hunch, but Fabbri in this spot could put together an extended run of hot play.
Keith Yandle – D – Panthers – 6 assists in last 7 games
It’s about time Yandle got it going. He was supposed to help ignite the Panthers’ power play but it still isn’t doing particularly well. Good thing Yandle is finding points regardless. The return of Jussi Jokinen should help the Panthers to produce more offense, which will drive Yandle’s production further. Yandle is still looking for his first goal in Florida. He has double-digit goal scoring ability though he may fall below that mark given his slow start. Still, goals will come at some point, which makes this hot run of assists all the more exciting. Yandle is a top-20 fantasy defenseman. Don’t forget it.
NOT
Mark Giordano – D – Flames – 0 points in last 9 games
Is it too early to call for new head coach Glen Gulutzan’s head? Probably, but Calgary’s best players are off to brutally slow starts and the play of the entire team is uninspiring. You could argue that there isn’t enough talent here, but the Flames have perhaps the most intriguing set of defensemen in the league and they are not being unleashed to their full potential. In years past, the only thing holding Giordano back from top-10 fantasy defenseman status was injuries. Now we’ve got this awful start to contend with.
The good news: there’s a buy-low window opening up. A savvy fantasy manager might pitch an offer of a fast starter like Zach Werenski for Giordano and reap the benefits in the long run.
Brendan Gallagher – RW – Canadiens – 0 points in last 6 games
As mentioned above, Paul Byron is going cuckoo bird all over Gallagher. This shouldn’t last but Gallagher’s hold on a top offensive role is tenuous since he can fit into a defensive role just as easily. We know the Canadiens will shuffle their lines all season so there’s a good chance he lands back with Galchenyuk at some point but it might be time to consider other options.
Carl Soderberg – C – Avalanche – 0 points in last 9 games
Soderberg is off to a horrible start and it doesn’t appear to be ending any time soon. He has been buried on the third line for much of this season and in Colorado that means skating with dregs like Rene Bourque, Andreas Martinsen, Blake Comeau and sadly Jarome Iginla. Not even Matt Duchene’s potential concussion was enough to save Soderberg the depths of the Avalanche lineup. Regarding the Avalanche in general: is it time to admit that maybe this wasn’t all Patrick Roy’s fault?
Anthony Beauvillier – LW – Islanders – 0 points in last 6 games
Beauvillier is an exciting youngster who got off to a really hot start after making the team out of training camp. He should be a prominent member of this year’s outstanding rookie class. The problem is that Brooklyn is turning into a fantasy wasteland. Beauvillier has seen frequent healthy scratches over the past couple of weeks and when he does get into the lineup he is limited to 11 minutes a night with almost no power play time. At this point, he’d be better off in junior but he’s already hit the 10-game mark so a year is getting burned off his entry level deal no matter what.
Evander Kane – LW – Sabres – 0 points in last 4 games
You might be saying to yourself, “Didn’t Kane just return from injury?” It’s true, but he’s already off to a terrible start. In three games since returning Kane has yet to score and has taken five minor penalties, while working his way into Dan Bylsma’s dog house. His ice time over three games has fallen from 22 minutes down to just 13:30 in the past game, while Kane has also dropped off the top line. Kane remains intriguing in multi-category leagues but counting on him for scoring just seems like a lost cause.
Patrice Bergeron – C – Bruins – 0 points in last 5 games
This one is interesting as Bergeron’s linemates (David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand) are among the most productive players in the league, and yet Bergeron, a stalwart is struggling out of the gate. There have been some injury issues to note but overall you have to figure this is just an odd run of bad luck. Bergeron is a proven stud, don’t quit on him yet.
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Steve Laidlaw is the Managing Editor of DobberHockey. Follow him on Twitter @SteveLaidlaw.
