by: Viz
For today’s post, I’m going to write about one thing for each NHL team about their first two weeks that I think it was worth discussing. This is going to be a long post, so let’s get right to it! Buffalo Sabres – Life without Jack Eichel is just fine for Jeff Skinner. When the Sabres decided to […]
Please, blog, may I have some more?Hey guys! Sven here, back with a new kind of article. I was asked to make a prospect list of some sort in addition to my “pipeline” analysis sprinkled into the team previews. This one will be a little different than most prospect information, as you’ve already heard so much about the Jack Hughes’, Kappo Kakko’s, and Cale Makar’s out there. Team by team, we’ll look at a few guys that may have an immediate impact and are up with the big club right now, guys we may see this season, and look at a couple bright spots down the road. Let’s kick it off, alphabetical order this time!
Please, blog, may I have some more? by: Viz
Hat tricks aren’t that uncommon in the NHL. First period hat tricks are. Evander Kane became the first player in Sharks history to do so, scoring three goals and adding an assist with five shots in the 5-2 win over the Hurricanes on Wednesday. Kane has long been a player that I rate higher than consensus because of his shot rate and penalty minutes. Kane has four goals and two assists in four games since returning from suspension to go along with four PIM and 13 shots. Pretty, pretty good. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the Sharks went 0-3 without Kane and are 3-1 since. With their current depth issues, Kane should be leaned on heavily giving him a great chance at a top 50 fantasy season. Let’s take a look at what else happened over the last two nights:
Please, blog, may I have some more? by: Viz
Not sure David Pastrnak even knows who Christopher Columbus is, but he sure dominated on his day Monday. Pastrnak won the game for the Bruins scoring all four goals on five shots. Two of those goals were on the power play, he chipped in two penalty minutes, and finished +1. I generally don’t like to lead off posts talking about superstars, but I feel obligated to give Pasta props for a four goal game. The top seven going into the season were pretty clear for me but who was eighth was a debate. I ultimately decided on Draisaitl but went with Pastrnak in the nine spot. So far, so good. Look for the Bruins top line to dominate on a nightly basis. Let’s take a look at what else happened over the last two nights:
Please, blog, may I have some more? by: Viz
I’ve been stubborn in terms of thinking Dougie Hamilton was going to have a massive fantasy season for years now. Loyal Razzballers know my love for guys who hit all of the categories, and Hamilton has always done that. It seems like Carolina is finally giving him the chance to be the #1 guy in all situations and he’s off to a tremendous start. On Friday, Dougie scored a goal and an assist with four shots and two PIM. He followed that up with a goal on five shots Saturday, bringing him to 4+4 in 6 games with 19 shots, 6 PIM and +7. Obviously he’s not going to keep up this pace, but this is the kind of start that can allow Hamilton to finish as a top five defenseman. In fact, gun to head, I’d bet on it happening right now. If you follow my rankings, odds are that you have Hamilton on your team in redrafts or keepers. If that’s the case, don’t even consider selling high because this isn’t a fluke. Let’s take a look at what else happened over the weekend:
Please, blog, may I have some more? by: Viz
Brayden Point made his season debut on Thursday for a big showdown with the Maple Leafs. Unsurprisingly, he started right where he left off, scoring two goals and adding an assist with five shots in the 7-3 win. The Bucs beat the Argonauts! Anyways, we know how good Point is and that he’s an elite options in all formats. A couple other takeaways from this game. One, Point went on the first line with Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov, who had four points each. If that line sticks together, watch out. Two, the new fifth person on the top power play unit was Anthony Cirelli, who ended up with three assists, two on the power play. I’m a big fan of Cirelli’s game but he didn’t get the opportunity. Now, he is centering the second line and on the top power play unit. He’s a must own in all formats. Three, Tampa Bay really is the better version of Toronto. The defensemen on Toronto just can’t keep up. I mean, Cody Ceci? Even Rielly and Barrie aren’t good defensively. Let’s take a look at what else happened over the last two nights:
Please, blog, may I have some more? by: Viz
On Monday, I wrote the following about James Neal: “As long as he’s on the first power play unit, Neal has a real chance to bounce back. I wouldn’t hold him yet, but he’s a solid streaming option.” And that’s me quoting me copying what Grey does! Well, I hope that you streamed him on Tuesday. Neal stayed on the first power play unit, and the time to hold him is now. Neal scored four goals on eight shots on Tuesday, playing almost 21 minutes, in the 5-2 win over the Islanders. Two of those goals came on the power play where it’s clear Edmonton is using him as one of their primary shooters. Am I saying Neal is going to score 40 goals again? Definitely not. However, the upside is too high to leave him on the waiver wire. He’s always had a quality shot rate and there’s a chance of good penalty minutes on top of the goals. Let’s take a look at what else happened over the last two nights:
Please, blog, may I have some more? by: Viz
While general sports fans were watching playoff baseball (Go Braves!) or Sunday Night Baseball, hockey fans saw one of the best performances of the season take place on the first weekend. Anthony Mantha scored four goals on eight shot, including the winner in the last minute of the game, to beat the Stars 4-3. This comes after an incredible performance in his season opener in which he scored a goal and two assists with five shots and four penalty minutes in the upset win over Nashville. In both games, the players on the top line were at or above 20 minutes each. That’s extremely encouraging for their long-term success. Obviously we’re not expecting Mantha to be a top 25 player all of a sudden, but the potential is there for 30 goals, 50 PIM and a very good shot rate. Let’s take a look at what else happened over the weekend:
Please, blog, may I have some more? by: Viz
The first draft pick in Vegas history, Cody Glass, scored the first goal of his career in his first game, a 4-1 win over the Sharks. First, the good news. He played with Mark Stone (G+A) and Max Pacioretty (A, 5 SOG) which puts Glass in a great position to succeed going forward. He also played with these guys on the power play. The bad news: his minutes were down because Gallant doesn’t trust him defensively yet. Whenever they had a defensive zone start, Stastny started on the ice and would go off for Glass if they exited the zone. Yes, it’s only a defensive zone start, but on a team that transitions as well as Vegas does, the more minutes the better, and Glass didn’t cross the 15 minute mark. I’m good with picking him up if you want the upside, but let’s not go crazy spending a lot of FAAB on Glass. I like him plenty long term, and perhaps Stone drags him into be a hold all season, but it’s far from a guarantee. Let’s take a look at what else happened over the first two nights of the season:
Please, blog, may I have some more? by: Viz
The day has come! The NHL Season starts today! I’ll be waiting for daily notes until Friday since there are only four games tonight, but for this post I’m going to write about what I’m looking for from each team in their opening game. Yes, some teams don’t start until Friday, but we’re covering all 31 of them here. Let’s get to it!
Please, blog, may I have some more?
