Looking Ahead: Strong Schedules for the Avalanche and Islanders; Adding Levshunov; Buium’s Slide, and More
Welcome back to another edition of Looking Ahead! With the NHL season reaching the quarter-mark, it means that fantasy managers need to make some firm decisions about their rosters.
Whether you are scanning the waiver wire for possible additions, or scouring the trade market, we have the information you need. Managers, let’s take a spin around the league!
Fantasy Hockey Player Outlook
Here is a look at which players you should be targeting in your league’s fantasy season. Who can be had on the waiver wire, and who should you avoid picking up? Take a gander at our fantasy hockey players’ outlook for the upcoming week.
*Note: All stats are courtesy of ESPN Fantasy Hockey.
Early Season Adds (Claim these players on the waiver wire)
Mats Zuccarello, RW, Minnesota Wild, Rostered-23.3%
Wild forward Mats Zuccarello missed the beginning of the season with an injury. He’s only played in six games so far this year; however, he’s been productive over a small sample size. He is currently on a point-per-game pace and is featured on the team’s top line alongside Kirill Kaprizov, as well as the top power-play unit. Zuccarello’s low ownership is more a reflection of his injury than his fantasy value.
Pavel Zacha, C, Boston Bruins, Rostered-44.5%
Zacha has had a productive start to his season with 17 points in 22 games, and the injury to Elias Lindholm has seen him receive more playing time. Boston has been off to a hot start, but the expectation is that they will be sellers as the season progresses. Zacha is their top trade chip and could find himself on a contender soon. Until then, he should still be productive in the Bruins top six, even once Lindholm returns.
Young Players to Build Off (Young players off to hot starts)
Emil Heineman, LW, New York Islanders, Rostered-42.1%
Emil Heineman found himself in New York after being a key piece in the trade that sent Noah Dobson to Montreal. The 24-year-old had only 10 goals last season with the Canadiens, but has already posted nine this year. It’s unclear whether he can maintain this torrid pace, but managers should ride the young forward while he’s on a hot streak.
Artyom Levshunov, D, Chicago Blackhawks, Rostered-10.8%
The former second overall pick, Levshunov, is having a solid rookie season in Chicago. The Blackhawks have found some surprising success this year, and Levshunov has been a big part of that. He is the top offensive option from the backend. With 10 points already on the year, managers should take a chance on his offensive upside.
Buy-Now Players (You should trade for these players as soon as possible)
Juraj Slafkovsky, RW, Montreal Canadiens, Rostered-67.8%
The Montreal Canadiens former number one pick, Juraj Slafkovsky, hasn’t had the offensive start many had hoped. However, his shot volume and hit totals have still made him a solid fantasy option. He typically turns it on in the latter half of the season, so managers should trade for him before he takes off offensively.
Ryan O’Reilly, C, Nashville Predators, Rostered-64.1%
Almost everyone on the Predators has struggled offensively over the last two seasons. Veteran center Ryan O’Reilly has been an outlier in that department this year with 13 points. With the team expected to go on a fire sale, O’Reilly should find himself on a contender as the season progresses. This should only further increase his fantasy value.
Steer Clear (Players you should avoid in fantasy leagues, or trade immediately if you own them)
Zeev Buium, D, Minnesota Wild, Rostered-36%
After a strong start to his rookie season, Buium’s production has slowed with one point in his last seven games. He has also been moved off the top power play at times. It’s only Buium’s first season in the NHL, and it was unrealistic to expect him to maintain his hot start to the year. His ownership has steadily been on the decline as a result.
Shane Pinto, C, Ottawa Senators, Rostered-75.4%
Shane Pinto held the NHL goal-scoring lead early in the year but he has since come down to Earth. With only two tallies in his last 11 games, it’s safe to say that Pinto won’t be the Rocket Richard candidate he appeared to be early on.
NHL Team Outlooks
Analyzing the upcoming week’s schedule and looking at which NHL teams are expected to have a strong week and who will be in tough. Which teams’ players should you be buying stock in, and which teams should you avoid at all costs? Take a peek at the NHL team outlook for the upcoming week.
*Note: This week’s analysis runs from Nov 21-27. The weekly fantasy matchup runs from Nov 24-30. Teams that play more games during the week/matchup often gain favor in the schedule analysis.
Matchup Favorites (These teams will pay dividends in the coming games.)
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche have been at the top of the NHL all season and are showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. With a favorable schedule coming up, don’t expect that to change.
New York Islanders
The Islanders have surprisingly crept their way into a wild-card position early on. Their upcoming homestand provides them with an opportunity to continue building upon that position.
Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas is on the road against a struggling Utah Mammoth team, before hosting the sliding Montreal Canadiens during their homestand. This should help them build on their Pacific Division standing.
Matchup Killers (Avoid players from these teams at all costs in the upcoming games.)
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers and superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl haven’t been able to outscore their problems so far this year. Don’t expect their struggles to end anytime soon, as they have a thin schedule against strong rosters in Florida and Dallas.
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens have lost four straight and six of their last seven contests. Their upcoming schedule likely won’t give them any relief as their injury-riddled squad looks to rebound.
Calgary Flames
The Flames find themselves at the bottom of the NHL early on with only six wins. Their tough upcoming schedule isn’t going to give them any relief, and nobody in the league is doing them any favors. Expect the Flames struggles to persist.
*For more hockey and fantasy coverage, follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @Cdesjardins67
