Fantasy Focus November 18
The National Hockey League season continues to truck along and players from across the League are beginning to establish themselves as surprise point-getters and goal scorers. It is an all important point in the fantasy season when team owners need to commit
to their line-ups and try and pick up a sleeper they can use through the year.
Hot streak
Logan Couture – F – San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks centre Logan Couture looks to be finding his form in the NHL, as he has netted five points in his last three games. Couture’s recent success has gotten him in coach Todd McLellan’s good books and he has been moved up to the second line. The
young centre is a great pick-up for people with room in their keeper pools. However, in yearlong pools it may be worth waiting before filling up a valuable centre spot with the 21-year-old.
Milan Hejduk – F – Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche winger Milan Hejduk is still capable of putting up the points even at 34 years old. The Czech seems to be ageless, as he has managed 20 points in 18 games this season and is currently third in the League with 15 assists. Constantly underrated,
Hejduk is a beast in points pools. However, watch out for him in rotisserie leagues as his minus-six rating and four penalty minutes are sure to bring you down in those categories.
Thomas Vanek – F – Buffalo Sabres
After a slow start to the season, Buffalo Sabres forward Thomas Vanek seems to have found his stride over the past five games. Vanek’s overall numbers are still a little weak, as the 26-year-old has only managed 14 points in 20 games. However, seven of those
points have come in the last five games. Nevertheless, like Hejduk, watch out for the Austrian in rotisseries leagues as he is already a minus-four this season and has only recorded six penalty minutes.
Chad LaRose – F – Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes forward Chad LaRose is benefiting from the time he is spending with Eric Staal on the club’s top line. Although LaRose is not a stud on the right side, with 12 points in 18 games, he is a strong depth player in any fantasy league. In
addition, the 28-year-old has been scoring well lately with six points in his last five games. LaRose is a helpful player as he takes plenty of shots and has tallied 18 penalty minutes this season.
Injuries
J-S Giguere – G – Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs net-minder J-S Giguere has been ruled out for up to two weeks with a groin injury he suffered during a game against the Nashville Predators on 16 November. So far this season Giguere has been anything but a fantasy stud in net, but could
be a strong depth goaltender.
Expect Giguere to be replaced by Jonas Gustavsson, who despite his poor record has put up some strong number this season. If you are in need of a goalie and Gustavsson is available, he is worth adding over the next two weeks in a support role.
Vincent Lecavalier – F – Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning centre Vincent Lecavalier has been ruled out for the next four to five weeks after undergoing surgery on a broken hand. Lecavalier is having another under-productive season this year and may be worth trading. Lecavalier’s name alone should
make him worth something on the fantasy market, and if you are in a keeper pool, you may be able to get a promising youngster back in return.
Rookie
Jeff Skinner – F – Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes centre Jeff Skinner continues to be the best rookie in the league this season and at 18 years old is a tremendous fantasy player in keeper leagues. Skinner is getting plenty of time in all situations and there is nothing to suggest that
he will slow down any time soon. The youngster has managed 15 points in just 18 games and is a respectable minus-three.
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