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Kaplan: Jason Robertson’s superstar rise, trade targets and other rumblings around NHL
Welcome to December in the NHL, where parity reigns more than ever and no lead is safe. And while I’ve heard plenty of theories on why — defense taking a backseat, special teams mattering more, a rash of injuries, the rebuilding teams improving faster than expected — do we really care to figure out why? […]
Continue readingFantasy hockey rankings: Can these disappointing starters turn it around?
Injuries don’t count, so Zach Werenski and Josh Norris get a pass. Rookies don’t count either, so we aren’t bothering with Marco Rossi and Shane Wright. This is about established NHLers with a reliable baseline coming well short of expectations. They are arranged by how much they are missing the preseason projections I assigned to […]
Continue readingFantasy hockey rankings: Why these two Coyotes can keep scoring
Jakob Chychrun and Nick Schmaltz returned to the lineup for the Arizona Coyotes for the first time this season (basically, as Schmaltz was hurt two minutes into the opener and Chychrun hadn’t yet played in 2022-23). In four games since then, the upstart Coyotes have earned four of a possible eight points (great by their […]
Continue readingFantasy hockey rankings: What’s behind Mikhail Sergachev’s rise?
Since the change, the Bolts advantage has gone six-for-19 on the advantage (31.6%). On the surface and certainly by the statistics, Sergachev is beating Hedman when it comes to fantasy value. But don’t be so hasty now. Sergachev deserves to push up these rankings. His offense off the power play has leveled up, with 10 […]
Continue readingWeekend fantasy hockey tips: NHL picks, matchups, more
Eight of the 15 games scheduled comprise of inter-conference tilts, highlighted by ex-Colorado Avalanche Darcy Kuemper‘s projected encounter with his former Stanley Cup-winning teammates in his new Washington Capitals home. Plus, two enduring quality goalies, who are enjoying more success of late, are forecast to meet when Andrei Vasilevskiy travels to stare down Juuse Saros […]
Continue readingNHL Power Rankings: 1-32 poll, each team’s MVP so far
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors rates teams against one another — taking into account game results, injuries and upcoming schedule — and those results are tabulated to produce the list featured here. Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Nov. 11. Points […]
Continue readingFantasy hockey rankings: Power play roles to watch
Brandon Montour (up one spot to No. 158) has been dazzling on the point for the Panthers for the past few weeks, sitting sixth in fantasy points among defensemen. Hampus Lindholm (up eight spots to No. 189) has been nearly as good for the Boston Bruins and sits 11th among defenders. So why are they […]
Continue reading‘It’s discouraging’: Penguins’ losing streak pushed to seven
PITTSBURGH — Brandon Tanev scored the game-winning goal with 3:39 remaining and the Seattle Kraken defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 on Saturday night, sending the home team to its seventh straight loss. The Penguins are 4-6-2 and haven’t tasted a victory since Oct. 22, a 6-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. “It’s tough. It’s […]
Continue readingFantasy hockey rankings: How to plan for injuries and returns
Brad Marchand, at this time last week, was listed to miss another 16 games, returning after the month of November was done. Late Wednesday, his timetable became “before Thanksgiving.” Then, on Thursday, he laced up and scored two goals and one assist in 18 minutes of surprise action. The Bruins gave Marchand the night off […]
Continue readingNHL season preview: Power rankings, best- and worst-case scenarios and bold predictions
The 2021-22 NHL season is being called a return to normalcy. Last season was an unprecedented one for the NHL due to the COVID-19 pandemic: Four geographically realigned divisions, including one solely comprising Canadian teams; teams playing only opponents within those divisions; and a new playoff format that eschewed wild-card teams. But it ended just […]
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