Hi all and welcome to week 4 of the NHL season. This week features a bit more of an “open” schedule that includes a larger number of teams playing the week high of four total games. This is good news, as it gives us a bit more to work with in terms of streaming players or at least more options than we’ve had in weeks 1-3 where there were generally only 3-4 teams max worth streaming.
- The teams this week playing four games are as follows (in order of strength of schedule): Winnipeg, Tampa Bay, Calgary, Columbus, New York Islanders, Washington, Seattle, Boston, Toronto, Chicago, and San Jose.
- All other teams in the league will be playing three games this week besides the following which only play two and are thus our top priority drop for streaming candidates for this week: New Jersey, Detroit, and Dallas.
Top streaming targets of the week:
- Anthony Cirelli (C ) was my very first recommendation last week and if you picked him up I hope you held onto him because he’s going to be my very first rec this week as well. In Tampa’s four games this past week he averaged 16:34 TOI, had 6 helpers, 6 shots on goal, and went +2. Not half bad for a sub-30% rostered forward. I think we keep the good times rolling this week with a very strong Tampa schedule (2nd best in the league adjusted by strength of opponent and schedule) and hope for another handful of helpers and hopefully a goal or two as well which I think is entirely within the realm of possibility.
- Winnipeg is still undefeated. The men cannot be stopped apparently. Not only that but they have the strongest adjusted strength of schedule for this coming week. As such I’m targeting two lower rostered forwards to make some noise this week. My primary target is Cole Perfetti (C/LW). I’ve always liked him as a prospect and during his first couple years in the league but on a stacked Jets offense he’s had to earn his playing time. As such his upside has generally been capped the last two seasons. However, the Jets are absolutely rolling and he’s seeing a solid 14 mins of TOI as LW on the second line and second powerplay. In the past four games he has four helpers, a goal, and 8 shots on goal (which to me bodes well for increased goal production moving forward). Alternatively if he’s already been scooped up in your league look to his 2nd PP mate Nino Niederreiter (RW). He has four goals, 2 assists, and a whopping 14 shots on goal in the Jet’s past four games. In fact, just go ahead and pick up both if you’re able.
- A few other quick streaming names to take a look at include: Mikael Granlund (C/RW – SJ), Kyle Palmieri (RW – NYI), and if you’re in need of a defenseman JJ Moser is now on Tampa Bay (if you hadn’t heard) and has been playing well the past week or two.
One final topic I wanted to touch upon briefly this week is Connor Bedard. I’ve seen a lot of media postings in the past week calling into question his production so far this season which I think is entirely undue and for the record I’m neither a big Bedard fan nor do I dislike the guy. I’d categorize myself as pretty neutral on the young star but I think both professional media outlets and fans alike losing it over a slightly slow start is crazy. First off, he’s actually at a point per game pace right now with 3 goals and 6 assists over Chicago’s first nine games. Secondly, the kid has 32 shots on goal. He’s had three games this season out of nine in which he’s taken 5 or more shots on goal and in those three games has not tallied a goal. I think it’s safe to say that some positive goal scoring regression is on the horizon.
Additionally, one of the main gripes I’ve seen people making is that he’s getting more assists than goals and seems to be taking on more of a play-making role in the Blackhawks’ offense rather than a pure goal-scoring role. People in fantasy are upset over this and people who just want to see highlight reel goals are apparently upset over this as well. Like I said, I think there are definitely more goals coming, and soon, but it makes a lot of sense that Bedard is having to take on the role of goal facilitator rather than goal scorer more often in this offense. Because frankly who else is going to make opportunities happen if not him? All that being said I wouldn’t panic at all in fantasy. DO NOT sell Beddard off right now. Goals are coming, for where you likely got him in your draft he’s still been relatively effective even with diminished goal scoring, and his peripherals are awesome. He’s getting all the TOI, PP deployment, etc that he can handle.
So this is me saying don’t sell, if anything now might be the time to run out and buy if you have a disgruntled Bedard manager in your league. Broach the topic of acquiring him and see what you can make happen and expect much bigger and better things from the young star moving forward.
