NHL Fantasy Hockey: Why Rick Nash is a stud, Gabriel Landeskog is a dud
Dobber launched his fantasy hockey website DobberHockey back in 2005 and has been Puck Daddy's resident fantasy hockey 'expert' since 2009.
The season is early and that's the perfect time to pick up on some early trends in the supplemental categories. While it's a terrible time to put any stock in Brock Nelson's big goals/assists numbers and it's an even worse time to panic about the Boston Bruins or the Colorado Avalanche, it's a great time to find some gems when it comes to hits or blocked shots. Not many poolies are well-schooled in those categories, especially when it comes to rookies or sophomores, as those categories aren't published in lesser leagues.
Courtesy of Frozen Pool, here are the early blocked shots (BLKS) leaders:
Of note here is Andre Benoit's 11 BLKS in four games. He wasn't anywhere near that kind of pace last year with the Avalanche, but this season he's playing for a team that is the NHL's version of Sidney Crosby's famed childhood dryer. Also, Nathan Beaulieu is playing a bigger role for the Habs, so this early trend is one that could certainly continue.
Studs...
These fellas are wielding a hot stick. Take that into consideration when you go after them in trade talks...
Rick Nash, New York Rangers (4-6-1-7, plus-3, 2 PIM, 13 SOG) - One of my favorite fantasy-hockey whipping boys isn't making it very fun for me anymore. I used to love laughing at fantasy owners who constantly overrate this guy. I long for those days again.
Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning (4-3-4-7, plus-1, 4 PIM, 10 SOG, 5 PPPts) - Five power-play points already! Lucky you, if you own him. Last year he had my vote for the Norris Trophy, but I was alone on an island with that one. This year, I'll have lots of company I think.
John Tavares, New York Islanders (3-2-5-7, 10 SOG, 4 PIM, 3 PPPts) - While he's not going to reach his current pace of 192 points, if he stays healthy you can mark him down for 100. He's so ready to take off.
Duds...
Somebody wake these guys up – their fantasy owners are counting on them...
Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins (4-0-0-0, minus-1, 6 PIM, 12 SOG, 0 PPPts) - The big man is 99% owned in Yahoo leagues despite declining point and PIM totals that actually put him in the middle tier of defensemen. Fantasy owners can sure be nostalgic. Chara will bounce back and will warrant being owned in most league formats, but if he matches last season's totals of 40 points and 66 PIM call it a win for his owner.
Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche (4-0-0-0, minus-2, 6 SOG, 8 PIM, 0 PPPts) - The Avs will regress this year - everyone knew that. But not like this, come on. Don't panic, the young stars on this roster will take off soon enough and the slow start will be long forgotten.
James Neal, Nashville Predators (3-0-0-0, minus-3, 2 PIM, 12 SOG, 0 PPPts) - So is James Neal the product of his centerman? The Penguins traded their 85-point player for a 55-point player (Patric Hornqvist) and the move was panned by many. Poolies reluctantly dialed down Neal's projection to 60 or 65, and beefed up Hornqvist's to a similar window. But so far, Horny has four points in two games while Neal still awaits Point 1.
The Wire...
Mostly short-term grabs here, but as always some potential steals...
Brock Nelson, New York Islanders (3-4-3-7, plus-3, 0 PIM, 3 PPPts) - Still just 43% owned despite the blazing start. Sure, a cool-off is almost a certainty, but it would seem that he's a safe bet for a 50-point campaign with upside.
Johnny Boychuk, New York Islanders (3-2-4-6, plus-4, 4 PIM, 4 SOG, 5 PPPts) - A new team, a new role. Boychuk's big shot is now being used on - get this - the power play. Granted, he's no Zdeno Chara so it's understandable that the Bruins couldn't use him in this capacity. But Boychuk was a 65-point player at the AHL level so there is reason to believe that he'll be the surprise defenseman in fantasy hockey in 2014-15. He's already 71% owned - but just 23% drafted, making him one of the hottest waiver players of the past week.
Tyler Toffoli, Los Angeles Kings (4-2-3-5, plus-8, 2 PIM, 8 SOG) - Early in his career, I think you can expect Toffoli to be streaky. That 70s Line looks great right now and they'll put up good numbers all year. But this heavy output is temporary.
Andre Burakovsky, Washington Capitals (3-1-3-4, plus-3, 2 PIM, 3 SOG) - In the offseason, poolies were salivating over the thought of owning Evgeny Kuznetsov, who was picked by many (including myself) to win the Calder Trophy this year. But it's another Washington rookie stealing all the attention. Burakovsky is averaging four more minutes of ice time per game than Kuznetsov, which is a significant gap that indicates that his production will continue to be better in the near future.
Lee Stempniak, New York Rangers(4-2-2-4, minus-1, 4 PIM, 14 SOG) - Stempniak is the type of player who will be on and off your waiver wire all season long. Right now, he's red hot and is worth activating. His ice time (15:22) is at his lowest in four years, so he'll be hard-pressed to reach 20 goals and 40 points if that doesn't change.
Tommy Wingels, San Jose Sharks (3-3-1-4, plus-3, 0 PIM, 9 SOG) - Wingels is one of the biggest hitters in the game and he already has nine of those. And when a 45-point player goes on this kind of hot streak, he's gold in leagues that count hits. But in those leagues he wouldn't be on the wire.
Anton Stralman, Tampa Bay Lightning (4-0-3, plus-3, 2 PIM, 8 SOG, 1 PPPts) - Stralman is seeing over 21 minutes per game in ice time which is easily a career high. He's also making $4.5 million per year and contracts like that are almost always assured plenty of ice time, so the writing is on the wall for Stralman to have a career season.
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