Fantasy Hockey: Targeting Multi-Category Players Late in the Draft
With more and more fantasy leagues opting to include hits, assigning the correct worth to a player can become difficult. Top-round shoe-ins and players poised to flirt with 100 points, like Jack Hughes (C, LW) and Artemi Panarin (LW), suddenly become less appealing when each is projected to get only 11 and 23 hits this season, respectively. Even so, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone willing to pass up on their talents in the early rounds of a draft. Premier multi-category studs like Brady Tkachuk (LW) and Alex Ovechkin (LW) don’t last long so it’s essential to make the most of the later rounds when their understudies go unnoticed.
Below is a list of players that average over one hit per game in addition to more than two shots per game, all being drafted, on average, in the 12th round or later.
Valeri Nichushkin – COL – LW/RW – ADP : 143.9
Before battling with injury problems that had him in and out of the lineup, Nichushkin started last season with an eight-game point streak where he put up 12 points (7G / 5A). Nichushkin’s early season stock has taken a hit as he has been working with the second powerplay unit early in the preseason. While this lowers his ceiling, he should remain a lock for at least 55 points. The talented winger has averaged more than a hit per game during his eight-year NHL career and holds great value as a 12th-round selection. If he can find his way back to the top powerplay unit, Nichushkin could become one of the steals of your draft.
David Perron – DET – LW, RW – ADP : 146.6
Entering his 17th season, veteran David Perron has become the picture of consistency in the latter years of his NHL career. He has finished between 56 and 60 points in his past four seasons, averaging 2.5 shots per game. In his first season with Detroit, he eclipsed the 100-hit mark for the fifth time in his career, an inevitability when playing on a team that struggles with puck possession. Though the Red Wings appear to be vastly improved in his second year with the team, you can expect more of the same from Perron in his cemented role as a top-six forward.
Joel Eriksson Ek – MIN – C – ADP : 147.0
Defence and heavy hitting have always been a staple of Eriksson Ek’s game, but the lack of center-depth for the Minnesota Wild has thrust him into a more offensive role. As a result, last season, he showed the hockey world he is more than just a defensive specialist by scoring 61 points (23G / 38A) to become a genuine scoring threat for the Wild. As long as Eriksson Ek remains an integral part of Minnesota’s top powerplay unit, he should have no problem continuing the success he found last season.
Owen Tippett – PHI – RW – ADP : 167.5
Tippett played most of his first three seasons, struggling to stay in the lineup, while a member of the Florida Panthers. Last year, in his first full season with the Philadelphia Flyers, Tippett made his presence heard in 77 games, recording 49 points (27G / 22A) along with 231 shots and 125 hits. He should be able to improve those totals on what should be an improved Flyers team. Tippett is projected to be in near-elite company as one of only three players with over 250 shots and 120 hits last season. Be bold and reach a little for Tippett, who is currently being drafted towards the end of the 13th round.
Artturi Lehkonen – COL – LW – ADP : 170.2
A preseason demotion off the top powerplay unit for Nichushkin has opened up the doors for Lehkonen. Lehkonen may not have Nichushkin’s consistent shot totals, but he is essentially his equal in all other major categories. A massive time-on-ice increase last season saw him shatter his previous career high, scoring 51 points (21G / 30A) in 64 games. A spot on the top powerplay unit almost guarantees Lehkonen improves on these totals, in addition to the 1.4 hits per game he has averaged over his eight-year career.
Oliver Wahlstrom – NYI – RW – ADP : Undrafted
Wahlstrom has been a high-pedigree player since being drafted 11th overall in 2018. Due to injuries and partly to coaching decisions, he’s been unable to solidify his position as a top-six forward with the New York Islanders. However, while averaging only 12:04 time on ice in his first 161 games, Wahlstrom is averaging over two shots and 1.4 hits per game. Although the Islanders will continue to play a defensive structure, Wahlstrom will likely see top-6 deployment this season and should obliterate his previous career highs if he can stay healthy. Look for him as a great, low-risk pick at the end of your draft.