Happy Wednesday, Razzball faithful!
Well, fantasy baseball drafts are in full swing (pun relatively unintended), and I’m knee deep in preparations and writing for those.
And I’ve been sick for three days.
But…HOCKEY IS BACK! And I’m pretty excited to have an 11-game schedule of matchups to run down for y’all on the last Tuesday night of games before the Friday afternoon trade deadline.
As for more names on the trade block? Well, I can guarantee this guy isn’t going anywhere.
Leon Draisaitl – 2 G (33), 3 A (57), +2, 4 SOG, 2 PPA, 1 BLK, 23:06 TOI, 12-for-18 FOW, had a night to remember against the Ottawa Senators. Ho hum. It’s just another 5-point night for Draisaitl. That gives him 90 points in 59 games. How slick is this Leon? Greasy. Just filthy.
How many of these guys that I write up tonight will be on the same team by the time I write up next week’s roundup? I’d guess some, but not all.
So let’s take a peek at my final evening to write up games before the Friday Trade Deadline (3:00 PM ET) shuffles up the rosters!
Here’s what else I saw in Tuesday night’s NHL action…
Karel Vejmelka – 23 saves on 25 shots and the 3-2 win at WSH. The veggie milker hung in tight and managed to pull out his 30th win of the season. Utah’s playoff hopes hinge on a few players, but none more than the Vej.
Dylan Guenther – 1 G (28), 1 A (23), +1, 3 SOG, 1 H, 17:28 TOI. If Vejmelka is the #1 most important key to Utah’s success, Dylan Guenther and Clayton Keller are 2 A & B. Start all of them, no matter the opponent.
Clayton Keller – 2 A (42), +1, 2 SOG. 60 points in 61 games, and one of the quietest point producers out there. He has 10 pts in his last 6 games.
Logan Thompson – 20 saves on 23 shots and the 3-2 loss to UTA. I know it’s easy to say after the fact, but I still think Canada should’ve given the keys to this guy over Binnington.
Pierre-Luc Dubois – 1 G (4), -1, 4 SOG, 1 H, 2 BLK, and 19:09 TOI. Dubois is a sneaky add, but especially if your league-mates have been asleep at the free agent wheel. He’s a good one to consider as he should get top-6 minutes the rest of the way. He has 6 pts in his last 5 GP.
Ryan Leonard – 1 G (11), -1, 2 SOG, 3 H, 1 BLK, 14:16 TOI. It was a nice sprinkle of stats for those of us in H2H leagues. The kid I called my “Marmo Marvel” way back in the October 7th Metropolitan Division Preview has 31 points in 56 games. Pretty pretty good!
Sergei Bobrovsky – 28 saves on 31 shots and the 5-1 loss at NJ. You’re off the case, Bobrovsky!
He didn’t look like the Hockey News’ second “most likely to be traded” goalie (behind Jesper Wallstedt). I said a few weeks ago that it’ll be tough to see Florida as a seller unless they come out of the Olympic break with no fight. Well, losing 5-1 to New Jersey is not the same team that fought like those juggernaut back-to-back Stanley Cup winners. At least Bobrovsky wasn’t on the hook for all 5 GA.
Jacob Markstrom – 20 saves on 21 shots and the 5-1 win. Don’t look now, but that’s two straight wins coming out of the break with just one GA in each.
Dougie Hamilton – 1 G (9), 1 A (16), +1, 3 SOG, 1 H, 18:29 TOI. Here’s another trade target on the hot seat. Many contenders could use a smooth-skating RD that can still run an effective power play. Expect to see Hamilton suiting up elsewhere by the end of the afternoon on Friday.
Jack Hughes – 2 A (29), +3, 1 SOG, 19:44 TOI. He’s officially up over a point a game now (41 PTS in 40 GP), and should be an auto-start in any league.
Stuart Skinner – 26 saves on 28 shots and a tough luck loss in Boston. Skinner had a nice 5-game win streak going to end off January, but is 0-2 after the break. It’s been more tough luck than anything else, though (49 saves on 53 shots total).
Erik Karlsson – 1 G (5), 6 SOG, 2 BLK, 21:18 TOI. Grandpa Erik just keeps chugging along. The 4.2 shooting percentage isn’t great, though.
Sidney Crosby – Nothing to report from a points perspective, but the Bruins feed mentioned the Pens announced they expect to be without Crosby for at least another two weeks. If you haven’t made moves before your league’s trade deadline, and you roster Sid, you might want to find some insurance while you still can.
Jeremy Swayman – 32 saves on 33 shots and the 2-1 win vs PIT. It was a nice little bounce back for Swayman after dropping his first start after the break at Philly, where he faced half as many shots (14 saves on 16 shots). He’s 22-13-1 and looks like he’s more than comfortable manning the crease as the Bruins try to hold on to that wild card spot in the East.
Casey Mittelstadt – 1 G (13), +1, 2 PIM, 1 SOG, 1 H, 15:57 TOI. He’s still too streaky for my liking, but he’s been better than he was to start the year. 7 points in his last 10 games.
Nikita Zadorov – 1 A (17), +1, 5 SOG, 2 H, 19:33 TOI. “Little Zee” ripping off 5 clappers? If you’re in an H2H league with extra categories and were hoping for a bunch of hits and blocks, the shots on goal are a nice bonus tonight.
Justus Annunen – 24 saves on 27 shots and a 3-2 loss at CLM. There’s just no Justus for anyone who wears the Predators jersey these days.
Ryan O’Reilly – 1 G (22), -1, 3 SOG, 1 H, 1 BLK, 18:36 TOI. He’s one of a few names that are being discussed in the Nashville exit plan. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him head back to where it all started (COL).
Jet Greaves – 21 saves on 22 shots and the 3-2 win. Blue Jackets fans got a bit of a scare when Elvis Merzlikins came in to relieve Greaves at the 12:14 mark in the first period, but the injury scare turned out to be all for naught as Greaves returned with 3:58 remaining.
Charlie Coyle – 1 G (16), +2, 6 SOG, 2 H, 2 BLK, 22:11 TOI. He’s up to 46 points on the season and is logging some serious minutes. Look for the trade rumor mill to be churning out of CLM with Coyle’s name up front, align with…
Adam Fantilli – 1 G (17), +1, 1 SOG, 1 H, 16:58 TOI. Speaking of 40-point seasons, Fantilli has a nice little 4-game goal-scoring streak of his own going right now. There has been mention of his name in the rumor mill, but I can’t see Columbus dealing a kid with such a big upside unless they can convince someone to overpay by a lot.
Akira Schmid – 25 saves on 28 shots and a 3-2 loss at BUF. He’s won just once in his last 6 starts. And he’s allowed 6 GA in 2 GP since the break. Hey, sometimes Schmid happens.
Pavel Dorofeyev – 1 G (29), +1, 4 SOG, 20:48 TOI. This guy picked up right where he left off before the break. 5 G in his last 6 GP.
Alex Lyon – 27 saves on 29 shots and his 16th win in 29 games played. It feels a bit weird thinking of Lyon as the guy the Sabres are going to ride or die with in the playoffs, but between him and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, they should be just fine. Buffalo is 35-19-6 and has a 7-2-1 record in its last 10 games.
Tage Thompson – 1 G (33), +1, 2 SOG, GWG, 21:07 TOI, 7-for-15 FOW. This is one guy who isn’t going anywhere on Friday. But some of his teammates might be, because THE SABRES are reportedly “in on” Robert Thomas.
That may not directly affect Thompson or his linemates, but adding an impact forward would do wonders for the Sabres’ hopes for a deep playoff run.
Rasmus Dahlin – 2 A (41), +2, 1 SOG, 3 H, 1 BLK, 25:50 TOI. He’s among the best in the league and should be fun to see if he hits another gear when the playoffs roll around.
Spencer Knight – 29 saves on 32 shots in a tough 3-2 OT loss at WPG. He has one win in his last 8 GS. Oof.
Connor Bedard – 2 A (32), 2 PIM, 3 SOG, 1 H, 19:19 TOI, 3-for-10 FOW. The story that Bedard was left off the Team Canada roster because Crosby was bothered by the former’s refusal to represent his country at the 2025 IIHF WC tourney raised some eyebrows last week. I’m sure Blackhawks fans couldn’t care less, and are just happy to see him healthy and producing in Chicago.
Connor Hellebuyck – 18 saves on 20 shots and the OT win vs CHI. After giving up 5 GA in his first game back and losing back-to-back OT games since the break, Hellebuyck is back in the win column. Winnipeg is 10 points behind Edmonton for the last wild-card spot in the west, so they’re going to need Hellebuyck to be the same guy he was in the gold medal game for the next 10-20 matchups to have a shot.
Mark Scheifele – 1 G (28), 2 A (45), +3, 6 SOG, 1 H, 23:51 TOI. Hindsight 50/50 and all of that fun stuff, but it’s still puzzling that this guy was left off the Olympic squad. Scheifele is still chugging along with 73 points in 60 games. He’s going to need some help if Winnipeg is going to make a run.
Cole Perfetti – 1 G (8), +2, 3 SOG, 16:21 TOI, Another kid whose name has surfaced in trade talks. I’ll assume this guy falls into the “have to be blown away by a trade offer” category for him to switch teams this weekend, but stranger things have happened. If he gets dealt to a team that gives him Top 6 minutes with PP1 time, the change of scenery might unlock another level.
Linus Ullmark – 32 saves on 37 shots in the 5-4 OT loss. Linus got peppered all night, but the defense couldn’t help him hold down the fort. When you’re up 4-2 heading into the third on the road, and your offense records one shot on net…that’s not a good recipe for insurance markers.
Drake Batherson – 2 G (23), -1, 3 SOG, 1 PPG, 1 H, 1 BLK. Back-to-back two-goal games for Batherson make him a hot hand to stream for right now.
Brady Tkachuk – 1 A (25), -1, 2 PIM, 1 SOG, 1 H, 19:18 TOI. The penalty was in OT when he thought it was a good idea to drape himself over Leon Draisaitl as the latter crossed over the blue line into the offensive zone, and cost the Sens the extra point. I don’t think there’s much steam to the rumors of the Senators dealing Brady on Friday, but maybe Ottawa can get a couple of bags of One-Eyed Willy’s treasure and a glass of water from the Fratellis for him.
Connor Ingram – 17 saves on 21 shots in the 5-4 OT win vs OTT. Oh man. I tuned in to this one for the third period, and listening to the Oilers’ TV crew, you’d think the team was fighting for the bottom spot in the Western Conference. Edmonton is still clinging to that final wild card spot, but getting blown out in the first two periods at home by the lowly Sens is not an encouraging sign. Edmonton pushed back at the start of the third, allowed one shot on net in 18 minutes of the final period, and, lo and behold, Zach Hyman tied it up with 1:25 left in the game.
Evan Bouchard – 1 G (18), 1 A (53), -1, 2 PIM, GWG, 4 SOG, 1 BLK, 28:37 TOI. 73 points for our defensive scoring leader, but one point shy of another MarmosDad 3-point challenge victory. Sad emoji.
Casey DeSmith – 20 saves on 21 shots and the 6-1 win at CGY. That’s three straight wins for one of the quietest backup goalies in the league. 4 GA in 3 starts and an overall record of 13-4-3-2 is about as solid as it gets.
Sam Steel – 2 G (10), 1 A (19), 3 SOG, 1 H, 1 BLK, 13:52 TOI. Steel made the most of the limited time on the ice. He has 3 G and 6 PTS in his last 4 games.
Jamie Benn and Wyatt Johnston – 1 G and 1 A (each). I decided to pair these two up to save some space, but also show the natural contrast between the two Stars. One is the grizzled old veteran (Benn – 25 PTS in 39 games), and the other is the hotshot kid making a name for himself (Johnston – 65 PTS in 61 games). These two will be fun to watch in the playoffs.
Matt Duchene – 4 A (16), +3, 1 PPA, 13:07 TOI. I almost missed this one because I thought the “4” was PIMS. Four assists?! That was almost as surprising as seeing his point total over the last 10 games. It’s 17.
Dustin Wolf – 13 saves on 17 shots and yet another loss. I keep telling myself that he’ll get better, and if you roster him in a keeper league, be patient. If it’s a redraft…I’m sorry.
Andrei Vasilevskiy – 15 saves on 19 shots through the 10:00 mark in the third period. It was a 9-game win streak for Vasilevskiy before he dropped one to Buffalo last week. Tuesday night was just as unkind to him. Ouch.
Nikita Kucherov – 1 G (32), -1, 1 SOG, 19:44 TOI (10 mins left in the third). At least Tampa’s superstar is still lighting the lamp.
Filip Gustavsson – 19 saves on 20 shots and heading to his 22nd win of the year. If Minnesota holds on, it’s a pretty big statement against a very strong Tampa Bay team. The Wild aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, and GM Bill Guerin is ready to add even more at the trade deadline. Look out.
Quinn Hughes – 1 G (6), 1 A (55), +1, 4 SOG, 2 BLK, 25:08 TOI. If there’s a better trade pickup this year, I’d love to hear the reasoning behind the argument. Hughes boosted the Wild to a whole new level, and they’ll be a tough ticket come playoff time.
Mats Zuccarello – 1 G (11), 1 A (26), +1, 2 SOG, 18:57 TOI.
Matt Boldy – 2 A (36), +1, 3 SOG, 1 H.
Jakub Dobes – 15 saves on 20 shots with 16:00 left in the third. It’s been a feeding frenzy in San Jose, and the Sharks aren’t playing nicely. Dobes is well on his way to giving up a half dozen and then some.
Yaroslav Askarov – 18 saves on 20 shots through 16:00 in the third period. Askarov is looking to record back-to-back wins after snapping a personal 4-game losing streak.
Macklin Celebrini – 1 G (30), 2 A (56), 2 PIM, 5 SOG, 1 BLK, 16:07 TOI with more than half a period to play. This kid is unreal. Honest question: Does Celebrini go any lower than a Top 3 pick next year? Top 5?
Will Smith – 1 G (19), 2 A (25), -1, 1 SOG. He’s not as impressive as Celebrini, but with 44 points in 46 games, he’s still gettin’ jiggy with it.
Scott Wedgewood – 24 saves on 25 shots with 13 minutes left in the third. He’s 21-4-1-4 with a 2.26 GAA and a .914 SV%. I don’t know how anyone stops this juggernaut. IF they face Minnesota in the playoffs, it’ll be must-see TV.
Cale Makar – 1 G (18), 2 A (46), +2, 2 SOG, 1 BLK. 19:39 TOI with 12:00 minutes to go.
Martin Necas – 1 G (27), +1, 2 PIM, 2 SOG, 1 BLK, 19:58 TOI. There was 10:00 left in the third when I wrote this one up, so if goodfold is going to win the 3-point challenge, Necas had better get some more pucks on the net!
Lukas Dostal – I had to explain this guy to the kids at school when we opened up the Olympic Games to watch on our projector during Math class.
“Hey, why isn’t Canada crushing this team? I thought they weren’t supposed to be good.”
To which I replied, “Oh, this guy isn’t just some random goalie from Czechia. He plays in the NHL. And he’s really good.
Well, by the end of the second period, Dostal and his quackers were losing 2-0. With 10 minutes left in the third, he was down 5-1. I guess it’s a good thing all the kids from school are fast asleep, so they don’t have a chance to call me a liar.
That’s all for this week! I hope you enjoyed it. If you have any questions or comments, leave them below, and I’ll get back to you ASAP.
Happy Wednesday, and I’ll see you next week!
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