Happy Black Friday! Let the bargain shopping begin for fantasy owners across the world.
Over the last five seasons, 77.5 per cent of NHL teams in a playoff spot at American Thanksgiving have went on to clinch a post-season berth. The race is already on.
As we’ve seen over the last couple of weeks, jobs are on the line, whether it be coaches or players. Keep that in mind as you assemble your Sportsnet Fantasy Hockey Pool roster for the week.
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Owning desperate players in fantasy hockey is never a bad thing. After all, I’m the biggest contract year advocator you’ll find.
Now to your questions:
Winning Getter – @jawcheeseman
Thoughts on Jimmy Howard?
Similar to the New York Rangers, the Detroit Red Wings have been on fire recently. They’ve won nine of the last 11 games, averaging 1.81 goals-against per game in that stretch. Both Howard and Jonathan Bernier have provided exceptional goaltending.
When it comes to the Red Wings in general, this recent stretch isn’t sustainable. Just look at where the New York Islanders and Vancouver Canucks were two weeks ago. Things can change quickly.
As I’ve lamented time and time again, players come to play in a contract season. Howard is no different. He’s currently 7-6-2 with a 2.60 goals-against-average and a .924 save percentage. Don’t expect Detroit to stick around this season. Howard is a perfect sell-high option right now.
Jeff Walters – @JeffVertex
How much longer should I wait before deciding to drop Max Pacioretty?
As I tweeted out the other day, the Max Pacioretty buy-low window is closing quicker than you can say the word “gobble.”
After a dismal start, the left winger has shown substantial signs of breaking out lately. The 30-year-old has four goals in the last three games and six points over the past five outings. Due to his putrid start, I still think you can acquire him for peanuts right now.
Act quickly.
Brian Luzny – @iris_rider
Would you trade Thomas Chabot for Erik Karlsson?
Hands up if you thought this would be a legitimate fantasy question back in the summer? I didn’t.
I’d be inclined to go with Chabot. The youngster has free reign on the back end for the Senators, a team that has shown an uncanny ability to score goals. Their defensive play is another story.
When it comes to Karlsson, I think the numbers will come. He’s been really good lately. With Brent Burns there too and only one puck to go around, it was inevitable someone would take a statistical hit. It appears that’s Karlsson.
I’m siding with Chabot.
Rich Hertzog – @abvnbyd
I need to drop one, maybe two of Tuukka Rask, Cory Schneider, Juuse Saros, David Rittich and Scott Darling. What would you do?
Struggling to find consistent goaltending? Trust me, you’re not alone. It seems like everyone has their issues at some point or another.
I’d keep Rask, Saros and Rittich. All three are on good teams and are in favourable situations. Rask should find his game soon. Saros will play a bunch with the aging Rinne in front of him and Rittich is Calgary’s starter now.
Hip issues are tough to overcome if you’re a goaltender and Cory Schneider is finding that out. The 32-year-old is 0-4-0 with a 4.08 goals-against-average and a .865 save percentage in limited time this season for the Devils. I like Kinkaid to keep that No. 1 job.
As for Darling, he’s fallen out of favour recently with the current three-goalie system in Carolina. You can drop him but keep a close eye on the situation. The goalie carousel is so fluid.
SLAV – @Slav_Dr
What’s your expectation for the LA Kings for the rest of the season? I own Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter.
I actually think the Kings will be a sneaky team once Jonathan Quick returns from his torn meniscus. Given the horrendous start, the pressure is off. They’ve buried themselves and now, they’re playing to stay in Los Angeles. Just ask Tanner Pearson.
At this point, consider Anze Kopitar, Ilya Kovalchuk, Drew Doughty and Jonathan Quick the only Kings players worth owning at the moment.
Everyone else can go.
Additionally, there no point in trying to trade Kopitar or Carter right now. You won’t get much.
Wait it out.
Emily – @emilymcphersun
Who are some suitable replacements for the injured Vincent Trocheck?
Sending well wishes to Vinny Trocheck for a speedy recovery. That was gruesome.
In-house, you can give Jared McCann and Nick Bjugstad a spin. Tough skates to fill, no doubt about that.
Realistically, I’d advise you to go outside the Panthers organization.
Here are some options:
Tampa Bay Lightning – J.T. Miller (C/LW/RW) – Yahoo! Ownership – 57 per cent
Montreal Canadiens – Jonathan Drouin (C/LW) – Yahoo! Ownership – 54 per cent
Arizona Coyotes – Alex Galchenyuk (C/LW) – Yahoo! Ownership – 47 per cent
New Jersey Devils – Nico Hischier (C) – Yahoo! Ownership – 47 per cent
Nashville Predators – Kyle Turris (C) – Yahoo! Ownership – 20 per cent
Tim Hewitt – @timhewitt02
Evander Kane or Alex Tuch? (Rest of Season)
Great question.
Trust me, Alex Tuch’s hot start hasn’t gone unnoticed. I think he’s destined to finish the year with 20-25 goals and 50-55 points. That contract may look terrific in a hurry.
The numbers are close.
Alex Tuch: Last 35 GP: 21 G, 12 A, 33 P
Evander Kane: Last 48 GP: 17 G, 30 A, 47 P
I give a slight edge to Kane, however. He’s a brand name, there’s a larger resume and he’ll continue to play with better players.
Spencer Berk – @SpenceBerk
Is David Krejci fantasy relevant with Patrice Bergeron out long-term?
I’m really starting to wonder if the Bruins can stay afloat with all the injury concerns.
By far, the biggest loss is Patrice Bergeron, who’s widely regarded as one of the best two-way players in the game.
Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy has decided to split up David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand, at least to start.
Line 1: Anders Bjork – David Krejci – David Pastrnak
Line 2: Brad Marchand – Joakim Nordstrom – Jake DeBrusk
Krejci is off to a good start this season with two goals and 14 assists through 21 games, a 0.76 point-per-game clip. The 32-year-old always seems to put up consistent numbers but sadly, it’s rarely discussed. Understandable, too, as to why not.
Yes. Your answer is oui.
Yung Dak – @dakg
Is it time to cut ties with Shayne Gostisbehere or do you just chalk this up to a slow start?
In general, Philadelphia’s back-end has had big-time issues generating offence. They’ve accounted for a measly eight goals. Minnesota’s Matt Dumba already has 10.
After a huge 13-goal, 65-point season, the 25-year-old Gostisbehere is on pace for 12 goals and 31 helpers, obviously a letdown from his standards.
That being said, I think that the the return of James van Riemsdyk from injury bodes very well for Gostisbehere owners. Historically, most of his damage has come via the man advantage. Through his first three full seasons in the NHL, he’s averaged 28 power-play points a season.
Keep the faith. It will come.
Meh – @gongshow922
I need a goalie. Who should I pick up? (Jaroslav Halak, David Rittich, Carter Hutton, Thomas Greiss, Casey DeSmith)
Easy decision here. Pick up Carter Hutton and don’t look back.
The Buffalo Sabres are on fire. They’ve won seven in a row, six of them with Hutton as the goalie of record. The 32-year-old is 10-6-1 with a 2.57 goals-against-average and a .917 save percentage.
Furthermore, a couple more victories and I think Hutton will be in high demand, trade wise, in the fantasy world. People always want to believe. You can sell off on him in a couple of weeks.
Thank me later.
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