This week we’ll start with a struggling stud that you could consider targeting in a trade, followed by several other scorers that you could consider adding if your fantasy team needs at least a short-term boost.
Brent Burns, D
It’s the middle of November, and the first defenceman drafted in many fantasy leagues has yet to score a goal. In fact, he’s been held without a point over his last five games. At least he’s been shooting the puck, as he’s still top 10 among skaters in the shots on goal department (65 SOG). So sooner or later, those pucks have to start going in, right? Dating back to late last season, Burns hasn’t been elite level. But in Yahoo leagues, he’s been swapped straight across for Matt Duchene, Phil Kessel, John Klingberg, and Pekka Rinne recently, so clearly he’s selling at a discount at the moment.
Micheal Ferland, LW
Riding shotgun on the top line with Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau has had its benefits for the hard-hitting Ferland. Even though the Flames were blown out in Detroit on Wednesday, Ferland scored a goal in his fifth consecutive game with goals in six of his last seven games. It helps that Ferland has been shooting the puck more recently, as he has been averaging over three shots per game over his last seven games. Ferland will also help your team in the hits category, as he leads the Flames with 36 of them. Consider Ferland more of a short-term add, though, since the goal total could dry up if he is moved off the top line at some point.
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Alexander Kerfoot, C/RW
We’re already witnessing the fantasy implications of the Duchene trade from a Colorado perspective. But if you go back further than the date of the trade, Kerfoot has been one of the NHL’s top rookies. He’s currently on a tear with four goals over his last three games and seven points over his last four games. Overall, Kerfoot is off to a great start with 13 points (seven goals, six assists), although his 35 per cent shooting accuracy will no doubt decline. But an increase in ice time resulting from the Duchene departure could at least partially make up for any regression.
Teuvo Teravainen, C/LW/RW
Teravainen has shaped up to be a hot-and-cold player this season. Although he has recorded points in only six of his 16 games played this season, four of those games have resulted in multi-point efforts. His most recent game resulted in a hat trick with an assist and a plus-3 rating against Dallas on Monday. You don’t want to miss out on those strong games, what with Teravainen receiving first-unit power-play time on the Hurricanes. Now in what can be a magical breakout fourth season for many players, Teravainen’s eligibility at all three forward positions makes him a versatile asset for your roster.
William Karlsson, C
Largely unknown and continuing his career on an expansion team, Karlsson was well down the list of centres that you were likely targeting. But a new team has created a new lease on life for Karlsson, who has 12 points in 17 games with an increase of 3-4 minutes per game, mostly in power-play time. Karlsson has been centring a line between Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith, both of whom have had productive seasons as well. He’s worth targeting in deeper leagues, particularly those with a flex position or those that don’t differentiate between the three forward positions.
Derek Grant, C/LW
Injuries to Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler have resulted in Grant being utilized as a top-six forward with a significant increase in ice time. Recently on a five-game point streak, Grant has been moved up to what has to be the Ducks’ top line at the moment with Corey Perry and Rickard Rakell. Although he hasn’t seen much power-play time, 10 points in 18 games isn’t bad for a player that is available in just about every league. Make your move if you play in the deepest of leagues.
