Viz

Kadri Keeping Hold Status

January 22, 2020 | 2019-20 Fantasy Hockey, Fantasy Hockey Daily Notes | 1 Comment

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I was expecting a big bounce back from Nazem Kadri this season in Colorado after being stuck on the third line in Toronto last season.  It hasn’t been spectacular, but Kadri has been a hold all season.  He was going through a rough patch with only one point in seven games before Monday, but he broke out in a big way.  Kadri scored two goals on four shots and added an assist in the Colorado victory over Detroit.  Sure, it’s Detroit, but three points is three points.  Kadri has already surpassed last season’s goal total in 27 less games and the penalty minutes are through the roof.  His spot on the top power play unit appears locked in, therefore making him a hold for the foreseeable future.  The big offseason trade has been a huge win for the Avalanche, no doubt about it.  Let’s take a look at what else happened over the last two nights:

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Viz

Welcome Back Williams

January 19, 2020 | 2019-20 Fantasy Hockey, Fantasy Hockey Daily Notes | 2 Comments

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He’s backkkk.  Justin Williams made his return on Sunday, totaling three shots on goal in 13 minutes of action before scoring the shootout winner for the Hurricanes.  So what should we expect from him going forward?  Well, the Hurricanes are in a bigger dog fight for the playoffs than expected, so I do expect Williams’ workload to ramp up sooner than later.  He skated on the fourth line in this game, but there’s a spot for him right now in the top six that’s currently occupied by Foegele.  It should only be a matter of time until he fills that role.  How much does that matter?  Well, we know that Williams is a great source of shots.  He pushed close to three per game last season while totaling 53 points and 44 PIM.  That sounds like a guy firmly on the fringe to me.  I wouldn’t be rushing to grab Williams, especially with Carolina only having one game between now and January 31st, but he’s back to elite streamer status with the upside of being a bottom end hold.  Let’s take a look at what else happened over the weekend:

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Viz

Crosby Crushes In Comeback

January 14, 2020 | 2019-20 Fantasy Hockey, Fantasy Hockey Daily Notes | 14 Comments

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The Pittsburgh Penguins have taken a beating this season in terms of injuries, but they’ve kept chugging along piling up the wins.  On Tuesday, Sidney Crosby returned and he didn’t miss a beat.  Crosby had a goal and three assists with three shots in the 7-3 win over the Wild.  So what impact does Crosby’s return to the lineup have in fantasy?  Crosby centered Jared McCann and Dominik Simon on Tuesday.  McCann had a goal and an assist with three shots and two PIM while Simon had a goal and an assist.  These two guys are massive winners in this.  Both are elite streamers with upside from there.  Of the two, I prefer McCann going forward.  Props to Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo for picking Crosby for three points!  Let’s take a look at what else happened over the last two nights:

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Viz

Huberdeau Becomes Highest Scorer In Florida History

January 13, 2020 | 2019-20 Fantasy Hockey, Fantasy Hockey Daily Notes | 13 Comments

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It’s safe to say that at 26 years old, Jonathan Huberdeau has plenty of hockey to play in his career.  The scary thing is that he’s going to destroy the Panthers point record.  In Sunday’s big win over the Maple Leafs, Huberdeau had a goal and an assist to pass Olli Jokinen for the most points in franchise history. After last season’s breakout campaign where Huberdeau had 92 points, he’s on pace to blow by that this season with 61 points in their first 45 games.  The shot rate has fallen off to slightly below average, but I don’t think anyone who drafted Huberdeau is complaining.  He’s a safe bet to finish as a top 20 overall player this season, and since he’s entering his prime along with some of his other teammates (notably Barkov), the future is incredibly bright.  Let’s take a look at what else happened over the weekend:

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Viz

Tony Dogs Destroys The Devils

January 9, 2020 | 2019-20 Fantasy Hockey, Fantasy Hockey Daily Notes | 6 Comments

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Tony DeAngelo grew up in New Jersey and on Thursday, he had the best game of his career against the Devils.  DeAngelo scored a hat trick on seven shots while adding two assists to have the best game of the NHL season by a defenseman.  In the preseason, I ranked DeAngelo 32nd at defensemen, way above consensus.  Here’s what I said: “Alright, somebody I really like!  Now, that’s not to say there’s concern here with DeAngelo.  One, he’s still unsigned and I’m not sure if a deal gets done sooner than later.  Two, it’s possible that Fox takes his PP time.  I think the two play together on PP2 but we’ll have to wait and see.  However, if DeAngelo is playing on opening night getting PP2 time, he could get 40 points and 100 PIM.  Yes, the shot rate is slightly below average, but it’s extremely difficult to get that out of anyone on the blue line.  You won’t need to take him this early, but I’m targeting DeAngelo because he fits so many team builds.”  And that’s me quoting me copying what Grey does!  Well, I may have overshot the PIM, but I was way under on the points.  DeAngelo now has 11+25 in 42 games and he worked his shot rate up to over two per game, a solid number for a defenseman.  Hopefully you guys checked out my preseason rankings and you own DeAngelo everywhere because I’m not expecting a drop off given the style the Rangers play.  Let’s take a look at what else happened over the last two nights:

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Viz

V-V For Varlamov’s Vendetta

January 8, 2020 | 2019-20 Fantasy Hockey, Fantasy Hockey Daily Notes | 10 Comments

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I’m a big fan of the revenge game and Semyon Varlamov had one on Monday night against his old team in Colorado.  Varlamov had a 32 save shutout to earn the 1-0 victory.  I have a few points on Varly.  One, he’s proving to be the #1 goalie we hoped he would be when he went to the Islanders.  Barry Trotz has the best defensive system in the league.  Two, how the hell wasn’t he an All-Star?  He’s clearly had the best season for goalies in his division.  I get having Korpisalo because the Jackets need a representative, but Holtby?  Come on, Varly has been much better.  Anyways, keep rolling the Isles goalies.  Let’s take a look at what else happened over the last two nights:

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Viz

Hope For Hornqvist?

January 3, 2020 | 2019-20 Fantasy Hockey, Fantasy Hockey Daily Notes | 4 Comments

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For years, Patric Hornqvist has been an easy hold in fantasy, but last season brought some doubt if the 32 year old would get back to that level.  Injuries have set back Honrqvist this season, but his first three games back have been strong, namely the last two.  On Thursday, Hornqvist scored two goals on eight shots in the 3-2 loss to the Sharks.  So why am I excited for Hornqvist?  One is the shots.  He’s pushing three per game which brings plenty of value.  Two is the top power play time on a strong unit.  Three, and this is the main one, is that Sidney Crosby should be returning within a week or so, and given the injuries Pittsburgh has suffered, it seems likely that Hornqvist ends up playing on his wing.  This would do wonders for his value and give him the chance to be a solid hold again.  Hornqvist is available in almost two-thirds of leagues right now which makes him an incredible speculation add in all formats.  If he can stay healthy and plays with Crosby, we could get borderline top 100 value the rest of the way from Hornqvist.  Let’s take a look at what else happened on Thursday night:

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Viz

Neal Back To Real Deal?

January 2, 2020 | 2019-20 Fantasy Hockey, Fantasy Hockey Daily Notes | 5 Comments

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James Neal opened the season on an absolute tear, a stretch that included a four goal game.  He fell off dramatically over the last two months, but he had another massive game on Tuesday.  Neal had a hat trick and an assist in the 7-5 win over the Rangers.  So should we care?  I mean, the Rangers are a disaster defensively.  And the answer is… yes and no.  What great advice!  It all comes down to your team needs.  Neal has been excellent on the power play and should continue to do so on Edmonton’s first unit.  The goals are going to keep coming in.  On the other hand, he’s -23 and has only eight assists on the season.  If you’re desperate for goals and power play points, or are in a league with extra categories that include PPG, then there’s a case to hold Neal.  Otherwise, I would prefer to stream him so he doesn’t tank my plus-minus while also giving less assists than any other fantasy relevant player.  Let’s take a look at what else happened over the last three nights:

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Viz

Updated Hold/Stream List

December 29, 2019 | 2019-20 Fantasy Hockey, Buy/Sell/Hold, Fantasy Hockey Daily Notes | 12 Comments

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I hope that all Razzballers had a great festive period!  It’s time for an updated hold/stream list, so I’m going to get right to it!

ANAHEIM DUCKS

Hold: Getzlaf, Gibson, Fowler

Stream: Rakell, Silfverberg, Lindholm, Kase

Rickard Rakell is right on the fringe, but he has missed the last three games.  He’s not good enough that he’s a must hold, so I cut him on one of my teams.  I will probably look to stream him when he returns, but if someone else picks him up, it’s not the end of the world.  Cam Fowler is super boring but he’s doing just enough to be a bottom end hold.

Please, blog, may I have some more?