Fantasy Hockey: Risers & Fallers (Week 1)
T-minus one more sleep until the unofficial official start to another fantasy hockey season.
With that in mind, I’m happy to introduce a new weekly piece here at Daily Faceoff: Risers & Fallers. Every Monday, I’ll be providing a list of hot players to target, whether it be through the waiver wire, or the trade market. In addition to that, you’ll also get some advice on what to do with slumping files. That will include drop and buy-low candidates.
Without further ado, let’s get into it:
RISERS
Artturi Lehkonen, LW/RW, Colorado Avalanche (Owned: 52%)
Full disclosure, the Lehkonen file is selling like hot cakes right now, so you better act quickly if you want to secure him. With Gabriel Landeskog on the shelf to start the year, the dual-eligible winger has found a nice cozy home on Colorado’s top line with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. On top of that, he’s been skating with the big boys on the first power play unit, too.
Andre Kuzmenko, LW, Vancouver Canucks (Owned: 36%)
It’s always important to take preseason production with a grain of salt, but at the very least, Kuzmenko has caught the ire of the fantasy community. The 26-year-old, who’s too old to be eligible for rookie status, notched three goals and six points in four outings for the Canucks in the preseason. It looks like the Russian will start the season in Vancouver’s top-six, and for that reason, he’s worthy of a flier —at the very least.
Nino Niederreiter, LW, Nashville Predators (Owned: 22%)
It didn’t take long for Niederreiter to make an impact with his new team. Over the weekend, the new Predators winger potted three goals on three shots in two games as Nashville swept the NHL Global Series in Prague against the San Jose Sharks. On top of being deployed on the second power play unit, the 30-year-old, who’s coming off a 24-goal campaign with Carolina, has been skating with Ryan Johansen and Kiefer Sherwood at five on five.
Calen Addison, D, Minnesota Wild (Owned: 11%)
Never say never, but it appears that the youngster, Addison, will start the year quarterbacking the first power play unit for the Wild. And that means prolific attachment to the likes of Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy. In 18 career NHL games, Addison has registered two goals and four points.
Alexander Holtz, RW, New Jersey Devils (Owned: 3%)
Talk about sleepers. Barring something unexpected, it looks like the 2020 seventh overall pick will crack New Jersey’s opening night roster and play on a line with Jack Hughes and newcomer Ondrej Palat. In five preseason contests, Holtz impressed tallying one goal, two assists and 13 shots on goal. The 20-year-old has tallied two assists in nine career NHL games.
FALLERS
Matthew Tkachuk, RW, Florida Panthers (ADP: 16.3)
It appears Tkachuk will start the season away from Aleksander Barkov five-on-five, and that stinks. No slight on Sam Bennett, who figures to be Tkachuk’s centre, but we’ve already seen a that combination before. When the blockbuster trade went down in the summer, we all expected Barkov and Tkachuk to be a thing. Well, we might have to wait a bit for that.
Andrei Svechnikov, LW, Carolina Hurricanes (ADP: 37.5)
Considering he’s widely considered a top-40 file, fantasy owners are hoping Svechnikov will be elevated up the Canes lineup in short order. To start, it looks like the sniper will be deployed on the second power play unit as well as line number two. Suffice it is to say, the Hurricanes are putting a lot of faith in Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Svechnikov’s pivot, to take the next step offensively in his career.
MacKenzie Weegar, D, Calgary Flames (ADP: 81)
Out of camp, it appears Rasmus Andersson has retained his first power play quarterback duties from last season. That said, things can change quickly in the NHL world, but Weegar’s initial stock undoubtedly will take a bit of a bump. That shouldn’t scare you off completely, though; 40 of Weegar’s 44 points last season with the Panthers came at even strength. He’ll get his shot eventually.
Patrice Bergeron, C, Boston Bruins (ADP: 82.4)
Obviously taking into account that Bergeron’s been an undervalued fantasy gem for many years now, there’s two main reasons why I’m apprehensive about owning him at the moment. Firstly, it’s the injuries up front. No Brad Marchand, no Taylor Hall —among others. Secondly, the veteran centre is expected to start the season away from David Pastrnak. Yes, the first power play touches will be there, but I still wonder about the even strength production.
Cole Sillinger, C, Columbus Blue Jackets (ADP: N/A)
As expected, Boone Jenner will begin the year centering Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine, which is tough news for Sillinger believers. The 19-year-old was dinged up to start camp, so he’ll need some time to start cooking again. For now, the sophomore is expected to start the regular season as Columbus’ third line centre.