David Pastrnak owners — I’m here for you.
Without question, it’s a ghastly feeling, as a fantasy owner, to see one of your core pieces go down with an injury. All you can do is cross your fingers that he’s ready for the start of your playoffs.
As disappointing as it is, life does go on. When a key injury does occur, be sure to scour the team’s roster for the next man up. In Boston, it looks like Danton Heinen will have the luxury of skating with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand to start.
This information translates perfectly to the Sportsnet Fantasy Hockey Pool. Take advantage of players with favourable assignments. Often, you’ll be able to dress them for cheap which is pivotal when dealing with the capped 30-point system.
Now to your questions:
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Kyle (@boringname11): What do you think of Danton Heinen getting the initial opportunity on Boston’s No. 1 line?
No one is David Pastrnak. I’m intrigued to see if this injury affects the Bruins’ plans for the upcoming trade deadline.
Despite his impactful first game on Boston’s top line, it’s unfair to expect Heinen to stick there long-term. After all, the 23-year-old was a healthy scratch in back-to-back games not too long ago. Short-term, consider him a must-own. However, anyone who plays consistently with Bergeron and Marchand will carry legitimate fantasy worth.
In the long-run, I expect Bruce Cassidy to utilize a mixture of Heinen, sophomore forward Jake DeBrusk and perhaps maybe even an external addition to fill that massive void.
It’s a really good position to be in, that’s for sure.
Ziggy Bombadil (@ZiggyBombadil): Need to drop a goalie — Henrik Lundqvist or Jaroslav Halak? I already own Carter Hart, Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray.
Easy decision — it’s Jaroslav Halak.
Tuukka Rask has stolen the crease back. He’s started five of the last seven contests for the Bruins and, for the most part, he’s looked pretty locked in since the calendar turn.
My full expectation is that Rask will start most of the meaningful games down the stretch. If the Stanley Cup Playoffs started today, he’d be Boston’s No. 1, and it’s not even a question right now. They’ll ride Rask.
Additionally, I’d try to deal Lundqvist as soon as possible. New York is definitively a seller and that won’t bode well for their post-trade deadline roster.
Jezze (@JezzeG): Who’s a good player likely to be traded before the deadline that can really help my fantasy roster?
Sticking with the Rangers connection, I’ll go with Mats Zuccarello. Since Jan. 1, the 31-year-old pending UFA is actually tied for sixth in the NHL in points with 20 (17 GP: 5 G, 15 A, 20 P, +5, 16 PIM). He’s really turned a corner after a dreadful first half.
It’ll be interesting to see where he lands. Essentially any team looking for secondary scoring will have interest. The Norwegian is certainly looking to have a strong offensive finish to build his case for significant coin on July 1.
Additionally, Zuccarello is only 43-per-cent-owned right now in Yahoo! Leagues. He’s very attainable at this point. Act quickly.
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Douglas Forsyth (@douglas_forsyth): How much fantasy value does Bryan Little hold in a points-only league?
This question will be easier to answer once 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 25 rolls around. The expectation is that the Jets will be hot and heavy in the centre market, especially for Ottawa’s Matt Duchene.
For the time being, Little has a favourable line assignment but all that can change — clearly — in one fell swoop. With their first-rounder profoundly in play, I fully expect Winnipeg to add a top-six forward. That won’t bode well for Little’s fantasy value. Regardless, he’s having an excellent season and deserves a lot of credit for his bounceback season.
The Jets are going big-game hunting.
RichZIsles (@ZmanIsles): Other than their goalies, are the Islanders the worst fantasy team with the best record?
Solid question. They really do seem to produce by committee. In fact, the Islanders currently don’t possess a skater inside the top 60 of Yahoo!’s rankings.
Far and away, Anders Lee, Mathew Barzal and Josh Bailey are the most relevant fantasy pieces on New York’s roster currently. Additionally, I think players like Ryan Pulock, Brock Nelson and Jordan Eberle can offer occasional value. They’re just really streaky.
James Hilario (@Jameshilario7): I’m in an eight-player keeper league. I can keep two of Dylan Strome, Jamie Benn, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Jonathan Drouin. What do you say?
I’m huge on track record and pedigree. For that reason, I’d go with Benn and Drouin.
Strome has been great with Chicago so far after being reunited with his old pal Alex DeBrincat but the sample size is too small for me. Meantime, Kotkaniemi has shown flashes of brilliance but nothing long-term yet either.
When playing his best, Benn is a perennial 30-goal, 80-point threat. I think he’ll bounce back next season.
When it comes to Drouin, I think an appropriate ceiling is 25 goals and 70-80 points. It’s not an easy league to play in. Strome and Kotkaniemi will have their consistency issues before reaching full potential.
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