Fantasy impostor syndrome is real. After 10 weeks in the 14-team RotoWire Staff Hockey League, I’m in first at 9-1. I’ve also accumulated the most fantasy points from the head-to-head matchups. At the same time, my opponents have scored the second-fewest points. And while I’ve got a couple stars at forward and defense, none of my four goalies (Karel Vejmelka, Juuse Saros and the Detroit tandem) would be called elite.
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Regression is coming. I can feel it. Some players are performing well above expectations. And Connor Bedard just went down, though he should be back sometime next month. I’ve been pretty fortunate with injuries overall, so I’m just waiting for a flood that may never end up happening. The key is to stay active and (relatively) positive to ensure fantasy decisions aren’t made too quickly and/or without proper consideration.
So be sure to take your time and check out the latest suggestions.
(Rostered rates as of Dec. 19)
Forwards
Ryan O’Reilly, NSH (Yahoo: 32%): O’Reilly has been a fairly reliable scorer throughout his career with only a handful of injuries over 17 seasons. Even on a subpar Nashville offense, he’s recorded 27 points — with 14 coming in the last 11 games. O’Reilly also centers the top line during all attacking situations, having recently rejoined the lead power play while reuniting with Filip Forsberg. Throw in a handful of shots and his continued mastery on faceoffs (averaging almost 10 wins on a 57.7% success rate) to further enhance his fantasy appeal.
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Vasily Podkolzin, EDM (Yahoo: 30%): It’s taken a while for Podkolzin to get settled in the NHL since he was drafted 10th overall by Vancouver in 2019. He showed some flashes of brilliance last year and even racked up 10 points during the playoffs. Podkolzin has potted five goals over eight outings to go with an assist, 13 shots and 26 hits. And while there’s no man-advantage minutes, the even-strength spot next to Leon Draisaitl will do just fine.
Mikael Granlund, ANA (Yahoo: 24%): A lower-body injury kept Granlund out for more than a month, and then he returned to post six straight scoreless efforts before a goal and assist on Tuesday. He may have been shut out on the scoresheet during that stretch, but he managed to contribute 11 shots, seven blocks and six hits on 18:27 of ice time per game — 3:46 of that on Anaheim’s lead PP. As long as Granlund stays healthy and is surrounded by skilled teammates, he needs to be on more lineups.
Boone Jenner, CBJ (Yahoo: 22%): On the topic of multi-category veterans missing significant action, Jenner recently came back and has delivered two goals, two assists, 11 shots, 14 hits and six blocks from four matchups. It’s been a while since he’s been able to go even close to a full campaign without getting hurt, though he’s a fantasy player’s dream when available. Jenner should also get more clicks holding down a top-six slot and skating on the Blue Jackets’ second power play.
Anders Lee, NYI (Yahoo: 20%): Lee can claim three performances of at least three points this season while being blanked 21 times. That kind of inconsistency and a middle-six role will put a dent in your coverage, but maybe not for a forward with a somewhat successful pedigree who continues to direct plenty of pucks on net. Lee’s latest mini-run has him tallying three goals, five assists and 16 shots from seven games with three of those eight points of the PP variety. Expect him to keep producing, as three of the Isles’ next five opponents are bottom-10 defenses (Canucks, Sabres, Blue Jackets).
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Vladimir Tarasenko, MIN (Yahoo: 13%): Quinn Hughes’ arrival in Minnesota should benefit some of his new teammates, especially those who regularly share the ice with him. Tarasenko lines up with the blueline star on the first PP, a group that also boasts Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek. That’s a pretty big opportunity, provided he can stay there for more than a couple of outings. Mats Zuccarello could eventually replace Tarasenko within that elite unit after he comes back, though the latter is there right now and grabbed three points on Tuesday with a goal and three shots Thursday.
Chandler Stephenson, SEA (Yahoo: 12%): Stephenson set a career high last year with 18 PPPs and is already at eight, with four during his current seven-game scoring streak that also covers 20 shots and 68 faceoff wins. And he’s been doing all that on a 19:57 average ice time. It’s hard to rely on any Kraken forward for offense, as the club ranks 31st in average goals, yet Stephenson seems too hard to pass up based on recent form and ice time.
Jackson Blake, CAR (Yahoo: 12%): After a successful second half last season and a hot start to this campaign, Blake registered a string of zeroes surrounding a night where he delivered two goals, an assist and five shots. He’s gotten back on track, picking up points in each of his last two contests — two of the three on Carolina’s top power play — while joining forces with Logan Stankoven and Nikolaj Ehlers at five-on-five. Blake is talented and part of a top-10 offense, so he deserves more fantasy attention. Give him a chance.
Defensemen
Zeev Buium, VAN (Yahoo: 58%): To no one’s surprise, Buium immediately operated as Vancouver’s top power-play quarterback and posted two PPPs during his debut on Sunday. He doesn’t do much in other areas but still offers offensive upside outside of that prime man-advantage placement. Even with the Canucks rebuilding, Buium represents their future centerpiece who’s also going to log decent ice time right now. Get him while he’s still available.
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Josh Manson, COL (Yahoo: 25%): December has so far been productive for Manson, as he’s notched six assists, 13 shots, a plus-8 and 26 hits. The 17-minute average may be a bit low and his points probably can’t be sustained based on previous output, though he’ll keep getting chances being paired at even-strength with Brent Burns. And even if the scoring dries up, Manson’s secondary stats should keep him on enough fantasy lineups.
Sean Durzi, UTA (Yahoo: 9%): Durzi has been impacted by injuries the last couple of seasons, with the latest setback sidelining him for six weeks. While his stats weren’t great right after he returned, he’s found the scoresheet from five of the last six games in which he’s totaled six points, 13 shots, 16 PIM and 10 blocks. Durzi is also on Utah’s backup man-advantage, where he registered a PPA on Tuesday. And if you’re concerned about him maintaining this type of offense, don’t forget he recently established back-to-back campaigns with at least 38 points.
Tony DeAngelo, NYI (Yahoo: 4%): A significant share of DeAngelo’s scoring used to be dependent on the power play, yet that’s changed the last couple years. In fact, his first 10 points this season came at five-on-five, as the Isles had been horrendous while up a man. And DeAngelo’s last three have all been PPPs as part of a solid second unit. He’s not going to supply much else besides offense, though that should be enough to warrant additional coverage.
Goaltenders
Pyotr Kochetkov, CAR (Yahoo: 57%): Brandon Bussi was featured last week and is now up to nine straight wins. Kochetkov returned two weeks ago and is essentially splitting the starts, as Frederik Andersen hasn’t played since Dec. 4. Kochetkov has performed well in his last two outings, only allowing a combined four goals while coming out on top in both. Bussi may be the one grabbing the headlines, though Kochetkov is Carolina’s long-term No. 1 and will be given enough opportunities to prove that. Playing behind a strong attack and league-leading defense for shots allowed also won’t hurt his fantasy production.
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Joel Hofer, STL (Yahoo: 11%): We’re not sayingJordan Binnington is in danger of losing his starting role in St. Louis, but he’s been pulled twice this month with a 3.89 GAA and .870 save percentage from his last 11 appearances going into Thursday. Over that same stretch, Hofer has posted a 2.22/.920 line alongside three shutouts, including one on Wednesday against the Jets. If Binnington continues to struggle, Hofer should keep getting enough work.