Attention fantasy owners: Get familiar with the names Jack Quinn and Scott Perunovich.
Quinn, picked in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, is off to a blazing start in the AHL with nine goals in 11 games for the Rochester Americans. The 20-year-old sniper has been skating with the likes of J.J. Peterka and the recently acquired Peyton Krebs, a trio that conceivably could all be in the NHL sooner rather than later.
Multi-point nights for JJ Peterka (1 goal, 1 assist), Jack Quinn (1 goal, 1 assist) and Brandon Biro (2 assists).
Shutout for UPL (32 saves).
REDEMPTION
— Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) November 14, 2021
Meantime, Perunovich, who’s widely regarded as one of the best blueliners currently not in the NHL, has been ripping it up for AHL Springfield — the St. Louis Blues‘ top minor-league affiliate. The 23-year-old has two goals and 20 points in 12 games. At this point, a call up to the show seems inevitable.
1. Two notes on the struggling Vancouver Canucks to kick things off. You might want to bench Thatcher Demko for a couple starts until he finds his footing again. Also, I’d be looking to execute a buy low on Elias Pettersson as soon as possible. There’s no way this continues — on both fronts.
2. Additionally, John Carlson, Alex DeBrincat, Jake Guentzel, Mark Schefiele and Alex Radulov are five other excellent buy-low targets right now.
3. Vegas’ Reilly Smith and Evgenii Dadonov have emerged as two enticing waiver looks. Both forwards have been starting to heat up, especially Smith, who’s tallied three goals and eight points over the past eight games. Dadonov played with Mark Stone on Saturday night — that’s a quality assignment. Be mindful.
4. If you own Semyon Varlamov, you may want to contemplate moving him. Early on, Ilya Sorokin has lived up to the billing, stepping up large in Varlamov’s absence. It’s quite clear the power is shifting in the New York Islanders’ crease — be ahead of it.
5. Clearly, the in-house replacement for the injured Jake Allen would be Samuel Montembeault, but you might want to look elsewhere for goalie help. Sheer speculation on my part but I wonder if Montreal gives Cayden Primeau some starts if Allen’s forced to miss time.
6. Pick up Anton Khudobin. With Braden Holtby considered day-to-day with a minor injury, the Dallas net is there for the veteran Khudobin to grab. The Stars have been really struggling, but Saturday night’s 5-2 win over Philadelphia was a start.
7. On that note, put Jake Oettinger on your watchlist — at least for now. The phenom was summoned from the AHL to backup Khudobin on Saturday night. We’ll see where this goes.
8. Alex Nedeljkovic, Jonathan Quick, Cal Petersen and Kaapo Kahkonen are a couple other steady crease options right now.
9. With Nathan MacKinnon out for the next three weeks and now J.T. Compher injured too, Nazem Kadri stands to gain a big-time boost in Colorado. The 31-year-old tallied a goal and two helpers in Saturday night’s 6-2 beatdown of San Jose. Make the move.
10. Scoop up Phillip Danault. The Los Angeles Kings centre has eight points over his past nine outings.
11. Take a flier on Kevin Hayes. After missing the first 12 games of the season due to abdominal surgery, the 29-year-old made his season debut for the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night centering a line with Joel Farabee and Cam Atkinson. The entire hockey world is pulling for Hayes following the death of his brother Jimmy in the summer.
12. Listen, I’m all about Troy Terry, but you wouldn’t be doing your job as a fantasy owner if you didn’t at least entertain the possibility of selling high. As Nelly Furtado once said, all good things come to an end.
13. Let’s end the debate. Unequivocally, Matt Duchene is a must-own fantasy option right now. The Nashville Predators centre has nine goals and 16 points in 15 games.
14. Drop Jeff Petry. The 33-year-old Montreal Canadiens defenceman has two measly assists in 16 contests. What happened?
15. Add Shayne Gostisbehere. Yes, I’m endorsing the pickup of a player on the Arizona Coyotes. Waiver options are thin on the back end, and Gostisbehere has been hot. The 28-year-old has eight points in his past seven games. What year is it?
16. Chalk this one up under deep sleeper. Anyone been monitoring Oliver Kylington lately? After being held pointless in the first three games of the season, the 24-year-old Calgary Flames blueliner has erupted for two goals and nine points in nine games. Breakout season?
17. Stream Ondrej Kase. The 26-year-old, who was promoted to Toronto’s top line on Saturday night alongside Auston Matthews and William Nylander, has scored in three straight games. The Leafs play four times this week.
18. Grab Pavel Buchnevich. The 26-year-old Blues winger has three goals over the past six contests
19. The week of Nov. 15 – 21 will feature a total of 51 games in the NHL:
Monday: 2 Games
Tuesday: 12 Games
Wednesday: 3 Games
Thursday: 12 Games
Friday: 2 Games
Saturday: 13 Games
Sunday: 7 Games
Here are your four-game teams: ARI, CGY, DET, MIN, NYI, NYR, TBL, TOR, WSH.
20. For what it’s worth, I like these two schedules the most:
Tampa Bay Lightning: Mon (NYI), Thurs (@PHI), Sat (NJD), Sun (MIN)
Waiver Looks: Anthony Cirelli, Mathieu Joseph
SN Fantasy Pool: TBL Goalies 4, Brayden Point 3, Victor Hedman 2
Washington Capitals: Tues (@ANA), Wed (@LAK), Sat (@SJS), Sun (@SEA)
Waiver Looks: Conor Sheary, Connor McMichael
SN Fantasy Pool: WSH Goalies 3, Alex Ovechkin 3, Evgeny Kuznetsov 2
Lastly, steer clear of Anaheim, Boston and Colorado. Each plays just twice.
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