Fantasy hockey: Duclair, Nyquist on hot scoring runs
About 48 hours away from this year’s NHL trade deadline, it certainly feels like the sluice gates are about to burst open, flooding the market with a deluge of new faces in new places. Many moves that will affect fantasy squads, for richer or poorer. So keep a close eye on this space as we dissect every fantasy-relevant deal in helpful detail, beginning early Thursday.
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For now, Anthony Mantha earns attention as the only player of (some) prominence who’s swapped in one jersey for another in the past couple of days. On a roll leading up to his trade out of Washington, Mantha has performed as a more valuable fantasy asset than usual in collecting four goals and six assists in nine games. A gig within the Golden Knights’ top-six could see the 29-year-old extend that run. Remember how Ivan Barbashev contributed through to the Stanley Cup Final after being traded to Vegas last year? Kelly McCrimmon and Co. are hoping to strike the same good fortune after acquiring the former Capital/Red Wing. Even though he’s never blossomed as hoped after being drafted 20th overall in 2013, Mantha could still be worth a flier in deeper fantasy leagues.
As for the NHL’s schedule over the next three days, only the Blackhawks and Rangers are off entirely. A total of 24 teams compete Thursday, while just a handful see action on Wednesday’s three-game docket, and Friday’s four-contest slate. The Avalanche, Red Wings and Ducks compete on both slower nights when most others are off. All the more reason to give one particular Anaheim forward extra fantasy consideration, along with a top-line sub in Detroit. Check them out below.
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Anthony Duclair, F, San Jose Sharks: He’s certainly making a solid case for himself if hoping to join a contender before 3 p.m. ET on Friday. Sizzling with five goals and three assists in four games, the 28-year-old is indeed expected to be headed for more competitive pastures shortly. Which could be a good thing. Plus, we’ve seen such successful scoring runs from Duclair in the past. Sometimes they last a while.
Nazem Kadri, F, Calgary Flames: Logging mega minutes in centering a top line and power play, Kadri is putting up points – often plural – more nights than not. Honestly, this guy is going to ride his point/game pace right into mid-April and still remain rostered in less than 60% of ESPN Fantasy leagues. Puzzling
Gustav Nyquist, F, Nashville Predators: Making yet another appearance on this page, the Predators’ top-line winger has 16 points in 13 games since Jan. 31, yet remains available in nearly 70% of ESPN.com leagues.
Max Pacioretty, F, Washington Capitals: Even if he isn’t traded to a contender as anticipated, Pacioretty is putting up better numbers these days, collecting seven points in his past eight games. But I’m still waiting for the 35-year-old shot-happy veteran to start firing on net again like he has through most of his career. It was only two years ago that he scored 19 goals and 18 assists in 39 games with the Golden Knights. Perhaps another change in scenery might do the trick. Any such movement is definitely worth monitoring in deeper fantasy leagues.
Adam Henrique, F, Anaheim Ducks: Same approach applies to the Ducks forward. Even if he ends up staying in Anaheim – which seems highly unlikely – Henrique can still be counted on to put up solid numbers, regularly enough. But maybe he ends up in a better position elsewhere. Like a member of the top-six in Edmonton. That could be neat.
Owen Power, D, Buffalo Sabres: The Sabres top-four defender is back, blocking shots and pitching in a bit of production. Available in more than 75% of ESPN Fantasy leagues, Power is averaging 3.4 fantasy points/contest through his five games back. That number will obviously decrease, but probably not catastrophically.
Frederik Andersen, G, Carolina Hurricanes: There’s a good chance we’ll see Andersen back in Carolina’s net this week. The Hurricanes play the Canadiens Thursday before a weekend back-to-back set with the Devils and Flames.
Elias Lindholm, F, Vancouver Canucks: If you’ve held onto the former Flame until this point, may as well wait out the next couple of days in case he lands somewhere else. Like Boston, as rumored. Otherwise, think about giving the (now) third-line center the fantasy boot. Failing to register a single point in seven games, Lindholm hasn’t thrived in Vancouver as anticipated.
Connor Ingram, G, Arizona Coyotes: He hasn’t won a game since Jan. 22, and it isn’t like the Coyotes will immediately improve themselves in the next couple of days. Also, after winning two-straight, Karel Vejmelka should be the busier of Arizona’s two netminders in the coming days. Ingram’s hot run through November and December feels like ancient history now.
Scott Wedgewood, G, Dallas Stars: If he gets the start in Anaheim Friday ahead of Saturday’s tilt with the Kings, absolutely. The Stars are better with Chris Tanev on the blue line, rookie Logan Stankoven is providing a valuable spark, and Wedgwood has been more unlucky than bad this past month.
Joe Veleno, F, Detroit Red Wings: The young forward appears to be earning a shot at centering Detroit’s top line between Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat, while Dylan Larkin recuperates from a lower-body injury. The club’s captain is expected to miss the next couple of weeks. The Red Wings visit Colorado on Wednesday before travelling to Arizona and Vegas Friday/Saturday.