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20 Fantasy Thoughts: As Rangers heat up, Shesterkin a worthy target

With the fantasy playoffs just around the corner, now’s the time to contemplate making a trade or two to fine-tune your roster.

In the grand scheme of things, it’s these moves that can go a long way in putting your team over the top.

As you’re all very much aware, I’m all about maximizing value, whether it be via trade or on the waiver wire. For example, if you were able to execute a buy-low on Mika Zibanejad earlier this season, you’re laughing right now. After a horrendous start, the 27-year-old has been a monster lately, especially against the lowly Philadelphia Flyers.

That said, now’s the time to target surging players. Simply put, the waiting game is over. At this juncture in the fantasy season, you can’t afford to roster players who aren’t pulling their weight. Rest assured, you’ll be tasked with making some difficult decisions over the next little while.

1. Target Igor Shesterkin. After missing about three weeks with a groin issue, the 25-year-old phenom is back in the New York Rangers’ lineup, and he’s looked very good. New York has really started to turn it on.

2. Adam Fox and Ryan Strome are two other Rangers that I’d strongly look at acquiring right now. Even during this torrid stretch, they shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg to trade for. Think about it.

3. Make a move for Jaroslav Halak. In his return from an undisclosed injury on Thursday night, Tuukka Rask lasted one period for the Boston Bruins before exiting once again. For the foreseeable future, it’s Halak’s crease in Boston.

4. Ditto for Toronto Maple Leafs backup Jack Campbell, who unquestionably should be viewed as a must-add goalie right now. The 29-year-old is 6-0-0 with a 1.48 goals-against average, .945 save percentage and two shutouts on the season.

Also, it doesn’t like Frederik Andersen will be back anytime soon for Toronto.

5. Trade for Sean Couturier. Yes, the 28-year-old has battled injuries this season, but quietly he’s averaging over a point per game (24 in 22) this season. The Flyers centre has five points in the last three games and 10 over his past 10 outings. Buy, buy, buy.

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6. Also, I still think there’s some stealth buy-low appeal in the Winnipeg Jets’ Pierre-Luc Dubois. He’s bound to catch fire eventually, right?

7. The same cannot be said for the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Patrik Laine. Call me crazy but I think we’re nearing a drop zone for the 22-year-old winger. At this point, fantasy owners have had just about enough. Laine has one goal and four points in the past 15 games. Considering what he’s capable of, that’s an absolutely disturbing clip. Monitor closely.

8. Let’s take a look now at some short-term (we hope) Aleksander Barkov replacement options. In-house, Alex Wennberg has been promoted to 1C — he’s skating with Jonathan Huberdeau and Frank Vatrano. For what’s worth, I think Carter Verhaeghe is your best internal look.

Externally, Paul Stastny, Andrew Copp, Mikael Granlund, David Krejci and Jared McCann are among a plethora of names that could help you out.

9. Take a wait and see approach when it comes to Eric Staal, no need to rush to pick him up. Before the 37-year-old can suit up for the Montreal Canadiens, he’ll have to quarantine for seven days. Keep tabs.

10. Speaking of the Canadiens, throw Hobey Baker finalist Cole Caufield on your watch list. With his NCAA season complete, the 2019 first-rounder inked a three-year entry-level contract on Saturday night.

It sounds like the speedster will start with the Laval Rocket in the AHL, so it remains to be seen if he’ll be called up in time to actually have an impact on this fantasy season. No doubt about it, the 20-year-old is a future NHL stud.

11. How about some Calder love for the Dallas Stars’ Jason Robertson? Completely under the radar, the 21-year-old has five goals and 20 points in 26 games, ranking second only to the Minnesota Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov (27) among rookies for total points this season. Grab him.

12. Take a flier on Eeli Tolvanen. The dual-eligible Nashville Predators winger has two goals and six points during a modest four-game point streak. It looks like Nashville’s patience with the 2017 first-round pick is really starting to pay off.

13. One more on the streaking Predators: If he’s available, snatch up the red-hot Juuse Saros. The 25-year-old has won four of his past five appearances allowing just four total goals to go along with a shutout. Suddenly, Nashville is only two points out of a playoff spot.

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14. Looking for replacement options for the likes of Patric Hornqvist, Tyler Toffoli and Kasperi Kapanen? I got you. Aside from some of the names listed below, Joonas Donskoi, Jesper Bratt and Josh Bailey are three other guys to look at.

15. If you’re looking for goal-scoring help, scoop up New York Islander first-year Oliver Wahlstrom. The 2018 11th-overall pick has five goals in his past eight games for the Islanders. That kid can shoot the puck.

16. Drop Jack Hughes. After a blazing start, the 19-year-old has just two points – both goals – in his past 13 games. Move on, you can always circle back down the road.

17. Scoop up Kirby Dach, who made his season debut for the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night against Nashville. Moving forward, the 20-year-old is in prime position to centre a line with Patrick Kane. For my money, Dach’s a massive sleeper as we inch closer to the fantasy playoffs.

18. Move heaven and earth to get your hands on the Carolina Hurricanes’ Martin Necas. Unbelievably, the sophomore forward is still under 50 per cent owned in standard leagues. Did you know that Necas has nine goals and 28 points in 30 games? Now you do.

19. Setting up Mar. 29 – Apr. 4:

Monday: 7 Games

Tuesday: 7 Games

Wednesday: 6 Games

Thursday: 9 Games

Friday: 6 Games

Saturday: 12 Games

Sunday: 7 Games

Total: 54 Games

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Stay away from depth adds in St. Louis, they’re the lone team with a quiet two-game week.

20. There are 16 squads with busy four-game schedules (BUF, CGY, CAR, COL, CBJ, DAL, DET, FLA, LAK, MIN, SJS, TBL, TOR, VGK, WSH, WPG).

Here are three teams to take a closer look at:

Colorado Avalanche: Mon (ANA), Wed (ARI), Fri (STL), Sun (STL)
Waiver Looks: Andre Burakovsky, Joonas Donskoi
SN Fantasy Pool: COL Goalies 4, Mikko Rantanen 3, Cale Makar 2

Toronto Maple Leafs: Mon (EDM), Wed (@WPG), Fri (@WPG), Sun (@CGY)
Waiver Looks: Joe Thornton, Alex Galchenyuk
SN Fantasy Pool: TOR Goalies 4, Auston Matthews 4, Morgan Rielly 2

Winnipeg Jets: Mon (@CGY), Thurs (TOR), Sat (TOR), Sun (VAN)
Waiver Looks: Paul Stastny, Andrew Copp
SN Fantasy Pool: WPG Goalies 4, Nikolaj Ehlers 3, Neal Pionk 1

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