Fantasy Hockey Mailbag: Tatar a top waiver add as Canadiens make up games

Believe it or not, it’s getting down to crunch time in this very weird fantasy hockey season.

As April gets underway, the strategical emphasis should be less on practising patience and more on riding the hot hand.

Led by the torridness of both the Colorado Avalanche and the New York Rangers, respectively, there were a bevy of outstanding performers in the month of March. Looking forward, especially when it comes to the Sportsnet Fantasy Hockey Pool, rostering some of these players may go a long way in leading your fantasy team to the promised land.

Now to your questions:

Depending on your league format and settings, I’d continue to play the long game here, at least until your playoffs.

Even despite his continued struggles, I remain hopeful the extra practice time will help Carter Hart find his groove again. In addition to that, I’m not sure you’ll be able to find anything better than a plug-and-play option on the waiver right now anyway. All you can do is just hope for the best.

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Of course, if you’re entering playoffs, all bets are off — don’t hesitate to cut him. Please be mindful this advice only stands for non-keeper leagues.

Considering the fact the Buffalo Sabres have won one game since Feb. 23, I can’t sit here and tell you that owning one of their goalies is a smart play — at least not with a straight face.

I know what you’re asking, but the Sabres are historically bad, and they promise to be even worse with the trade deadline just around the corner. Simply put, look elsewhere for goalie help.

I’d go with Jacob Markstrom and Jordan Binnington. For my money, the Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues are too talented to continue slumping like this. Take the risk!

For your second question, I’d drop Jamie Benn for Jonathan Marchessault in a heartbeat. This recent run for Eeli Tolvanen has been impressive, I’m just not sure how sustainable it is. If it were up to me, I’d side with the proven commodity, Marchessault, with the fantasy playoffs just around the corner.

Suffice it is to say, it’s Benn a tough fantasy year for Jamie. I’ll see myself out.

Unequivocally, it’s Martin Necas — dude’s a stud. As I mentioned above, this Tolvanen story is nice but he’s still unproven. This time of year, I’m taking the safe bet.

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On Brayden Point, you sit tight. He’s an exceptional fantasy talent that is bound to catch fire — Thursday night’s two-goal outing against the Columbus Blue Jackets was a start.

I’ve got the perfect guy for you: Tomas Tatar. In 15 games under Dominique Ducharme, the 30-year-old has three goals, 11 assists and 14 points. After missing a week due to COVID-19 protocols, the Montreal Canadiens have plenty of games to make up. Do it up.

No, at this point, it’s unrealistic to suggest that Erik Karlsson can regain his old form from last season. In general, the San Jose Sharks are hit or miss and on top of that, Brent Burns is clearly the straw that stirs the drink on the backend for them.

Karlsson will chip in from time to time — that’s it. That’s all. Love he eats an apple, though.

Definitely. If you’re out of it, make a pitch with the future in mind. Stinks to see Aaron Ekblad go down, he was having an outstanding this season for the Florida Panthers.

Vincent Trocheck for me. The 27-year-old, who just recently returned from injury, is enjoying quite the resurgence this season. He has 14 goals and 27 points in 26 games. For rest-of-season purposes, he’ll remain a fixture in the Carolina Hurricanes’ top-six. That means plenty of meaningful exposure to the likes of Andrei Svechnikov and maybe even Sebastian Aho, too.

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In the meantime, Paul Stastny is in the midst of a fantastic contract year for the Winnipeg Jets. Having said that, the veteran likely will continue to bounce around Winnipeg’s top-nine. Paul Maurice frequently jumbles up that group.

Go Trocheck or go home.

Honestly, I don’t see either player having a monumental impact on the rest of this weird fantasy season.

From a keeper league standpoint, both should be considered no brainers to pick up. That said, my thinking is that the Canadiens and the Minnesota Wild, two teams who seem destined for the playoffs, will be very patient with the development process here.

If anything, just have them on your radar for now.

Give me Kirby Dach.

Just a couple games into his season, the sophomore has already been elevated up the lineup to skate with Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane. Translation: Money in the bank.

When it comes to Sean Monahan and the Flames, they’re just too unpredictable for my liking. With Darryl Sutter at the helm, Calgary will continue to try and grind out 2-1 or 3-2 victories.

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