Eight days and 62 games remain before the NHL heads into its annual holiday freeze, a three-day span between December 24th and 26th. No hockey means more turkey and more Fortnite, if you’re into that type of stuff. It’s also a time of reflection, especially in Philadelphia if you catch my drift.
For some NHL squads, the holiday break can’t come soon enough.
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1. If you currently own a New Jersey Devils goaltender, firstly – I’m sorry. Secondly, it’s time to not own a New Jersey Devils goaltender. That’s right, it’s time to cut ties with both Keith Kinkaid and Cory Schneider. Uncharacteristically, the Devils have surrendered the fourth-most goals in the NHL to date and seem destined for a lottery selection in June.
2. Scrambling to recover after losing Antti Raanta long-term? Internally, I expect Darcy Kuemper to play more than Adin Hill for the Coyotes. Effective external options are harder to come by this time of year. You’ll find greater success streaming goalies on a weekly basis. Capitalize on favourable matchups.
3. Considering the way this season is trending for St. Louis, don’t be surprised to see the Blues give new backup Jordan Binnington a serious look. The 25-year-old will be a restricted free agent after this season and a decision on his future with the organization could be in the balance. Before the call-up, the 2011 third rounder was off to a solid start with the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL (8-4-0, 2.34 goals against average, .914 save percentage and two shutouts).
4. Speaking of St. Louis, find a way to acquire Jaden Schwartz. After missing 11-games due to an upper-body injury, the 26-year-old has two assists in two games since his return to the lineup. Over his last 77 regular season games, Schwartz contributed at almost a point-per-game clip (26 goals, 45 assists, 71 points).
5. Stick tap to Tampa’s Louis Domingue. The 26-year-old was extremely dependable covering for the injured Andrei Vasilevskiy. The Lighting went an impressive 12-2-0 without their number-one goalie.
Tampa wants Vasilevskiy as fresh as possible for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Domingue has earned some extra starts down the road. You can drop him now, but don’t be afraid to stream him in the future.
6. Here comes contract year Jake Gardiner. The 28-year-old Leafs defender has notched at least one point in six of his last seven outings (last seven games played: three goals, nine assists). Trade for Gardiner.
7. Andreas Johnsson is worth plucking off waivers as long as he continues to skate with Auston Matthews. The 24-year-old has five goals and 10 points over the last 11 contests. Johnsson’s speed compliments that Toronto top-line with Matthews and Kasperi Kapanen perfectly. Value play!
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8. A current Ducks player recently told me he thinks Ondrej Kase is the best kept secret in the league. Well, not anymore.
Rickard Rakell’s high ankle sprain has paved the way for considerable Kase exposure. That Anaheim first line, in general, is sneaky good. For my money, Kase (28 per cent Yahoo! ownership) and Pontus Aberg (14 per cent Yahoo! ownership) are must-owns right now. Jump on it!
9. Scoop up Jake Muzzin off waivers. The 29-year-old has registered seven points in his last six games. Additionally, Muzzin is believed to be on trade market. A move out of Los Angeles could boost his fantasy value considerably. Monitor this situation.
10. With Oscar Klefbom sidelined in Edmonton, Darnell Nurse is making a strong case to be owned right now. The 23-year-old is starting to cook offensively, tallying three goals and four assists over the last six games. Nurse is already one goal and 12 points off establishing new career highs. Very attainable if you ask me.
11. Paul Stastny is a sleeper to have a strong second half. After missing 30 games due to injury, the veteran pivot is back and in between Alex Tuch and Max Pacioretty. Be ahead of the curve. Those two have been on fire.
12. If you own Semyon Varlamov, you might want to double down with Philipp Grubauer too. Varlamov, who’s likely to hit the market next summer, has struggled after a hot start. Grubauer is the future number-one in Denver. Think about it.
13. I wonder if you could steal John Klingberg on the trade market right now. Miro Heiskanen’s emergence in Dallas could scare off Klingberg owners. That’s when you swoop in. The 26-year-old Klingberg is expected to return from a hand injury over the next couple of weeks, and when healthy he’s one of the top fantasy defenceman out there. No harm in trying.
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14. The time has come to move on from Kevin Shattenkirk. Once a top-10 fantasy defenceman, the 29-year-old’s fantasy stock plummeted early in the season when he lost his top power play duties to Neal Pionk. Signing with the Rangers has turned out to be a lousy decision. Additionally, he has a separated shoulder and isn’t expected back until January. Good riddance.
15. Grab Duncan Keith. The 35-year-old will likely never score a goal for you, but will be of service if you’re in need of some assists. The three-time Stanley Cup winner now has seven ‘apples’ over the last six games.
16. The Mike Green injury in Detroit bodes well for youngsters Dennis Cholowski and Filip Hronek, the latter of which was recently recalled from the AHL (Grand Rapids – 20 games played: five goals, 13 assists). The Red Wings aren’t getting the respect they deserve. Plan accordingly.
17. Can’t get a save? Pick up Vancouver’s Jacob Markstrom. The Canucks are getting healthier and when they have a semi-full roster, they’re actually much better than what they get credit for. Markstrom has been reliable and consistent for the most part this season.
18. Watch out for Mathew Barzal in the second half of this season. The Islanders sophomore is mirroring what Mitch Marner did last year; slow start, unbelievable finish. He can put up points in a hurry. The speedster is currently riding a modest four-game point streak (one goal, five assists). Trade for Barzal before it’s too late.
19. Marcus Johansson is currently only one per cent owned in Yahoo! leagues. If you’re in a deeper league, pick him up immediately. The 28-year-old is a UFA-to-be and only a year and a half removed from a 24-goal 58-point output with Washington. Johansson has five points over the last four games. Take a flyer.
20. The Oilers are hot, but this isn’t the week to dress Connor McDavid on your Sportsnet Fantasy Hockey Pool team. Edmonton plays just twice. I’d fill your roster with players on these 18 teams (Anaheim, Arizona, Boston, Chicago, Colorado, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Florida, Montreal, Nashville, New Jersey, New York (Islanders), Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Jose, Toronto, and Vegas). All have four games.
Happy Holidays!
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