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Fantasy Hockey: Under-the-radar gambles that can actually be trusted

Yahoo Sports Fantasy Staff
Ondrej Palat might not be one of the huge names from the Lightning, but he’s no fantasy fluke thus far. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Ondrej Palat might not be one of the huge names from the Lightning, but he’s no fantasy fluke thus far. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

By Janet Eagleson, RotoWire
Special to Yahoo Sports

Every year, early in the season, disregarded players pop up and make noise. Fantasy owners then have to debate whether to expect regression from these “booms” or to believe the hype. Here are some emerging players in whom fantasy owners can not only trust, but are likely available in most leagues.

Forwards

Tyler Bertuzzi, LW/RW, Detroit (11% owned on Yahoo) – Bertuzzi delivered at a 40-point pace last season; not great, but not bad either. He never really jumped out at me, but this year, he has taken his game a step higher. Bertuzzi has five points (two goals, three assists) with an even plus-minus — that’s solid in seven games (all losses) and he’s doing it with the same level of abrasiveness he showed in the AHL. Bertuzzi is a sneaky play, particularly for standard Yahoo leagues. There’s real value in a guy who might deliver 45-50 points and 125 or more PIM. Sin-bin points are hard to come by in today’s NHL, so guys with snarl and speed who can score are critical to success.

Ondrej Palat, LW, Tampa Bay (16% owned on Yahoo) – Palat was reunited with fellow-Triplets Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov early last week and the trio immediately paid dividends. Snap Palat up now. He averaged 61 points in two seasons riding with this duo. He might not get much power-play time, but he will put up points and he’s the least-owned member of the potent threesome.

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Jason Spezza, RW/C, Dallas (7% owned on Yahoo) – Fantasy owners largely ignored the old man after last season’s 28-point hairball. Prior to that though, Spezza delivered 66, 62, 63 and 50 points in his previous four seasons. He’s slowing down, but he has five points (one goal, four assists), including three on the power play in his last six games. Ignore him at your peril.

Alexander Steen, LW/RW, St. Louis (11% owned on Yahoo) – Even at 34, Steen can still deliver. Heading into Saturday, he was on a quiet four-game, five-point scoring streak. Steen seems to be clicking with Tyler Bozak after a move to the Blues’ third line. He dropped to 46 points last season and he might replicate that, but he could top 50-55 again with some power-play production.

Jakub Vrana, LW/RW, Washington (12% owned on Yahoo) – Before the season, I weighed Vrana against Andre Burakovsky. Both are talented; both can score. Vrana won out for me then, especially after his playoff performance with Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie, and he’s still my choice. Vrana looked sharp Friday night against Florida when he was slotted alongside Lars Eller and Brett Connolly on the third line. I still think he’s second-line worthy, so stash him before he heats up.

Defensemen

Robert Hagg, D, Philadelphia (31% owned on Yahoo) – This smooth-skating Swede has taken off this season. Hagg already has five points (two goals, three assists) in just eight games. He’s not a natural point producer and his game isn’t flashy, but he’s gaining relevance in 12-team formats; Hagg’s ownership jumped almost 20 percent overnight Friday. At minimum, he can stabilize your blue line while you wait for Roman Josi, Drew Doughty and OEL to wake up. Just saying. No, I’m not bitter. Well, maybe a little. See above.

Robert Hagg has started the season off on a hot note. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Robert Hagg has started the season off on a hot note. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

Neal Pionk, D, New York Rangers (1% owned on Yahoo) – Pionk has offensive talent, but he has scuffled so far. That is, until Wednesday. He set up all three Ranger goals in a 4-3 loss to the Caps. Still, Pionk needs to pull his game together to keep a regular spot. Offense is one thing, but he won’t keep a roster spot with ‘horrific’ advanced metrics. There’s enough here to take a flyer on Pionk. Just be ready to drop him if his Corsi% rating continues to hover around 40.

Mike Reilly, D, Montreal (1% owned on Yahoo) – Like Pionk, Reilly was a coveted college free agent a few years ago, but he has struggled to break through in the NHL. He’s skilled and someone needs to step up with Shea Weber hurt. The Habs have other defenders to do the dirty defensive work. Reilly won’t star on the blue line, but he could be a 40-point guy. Or at least score at that pace. In deeper formats, he has value.

Goaltenders

Michael Hutchinson, G, Florida (1% owned on Yahoo) – I talked about this guy last week. He’s still available and has the kitties’ only win. Hutch is in net again Saturday. Just saying.

David Rittich, G, Calgary (2% owned on Yahoo) – Mike Smith may be the undisputed starter, but Rittich is solid — maybe even excellent — when he hits the blue ice. He’s 1-0 with a 1.54 GAA and .941 save percentage so far. By season’s end, Rittich could see 25-30 starts. That’s stash worthy, even if his playing time has been limited so far.

Linus Ullmark, G, Buffalo (5% owned on Yahoo) – Ullmark has looked fantastic so far. He shut out the Coyotes a week ago and Saturday, Ullmark was looking every part a brick wall against the Kings. Carter Hutton is the starter in the city of fires, but Ullmark is destined to get more starts if he keeps up this excellence. That team needs to win and they’ll do what it takes to do that — including putting this guy in net.