Fantasy hockey: Accidents and returns shake up high six in Toronto, Colorado, Vancouver and extra

Invested fantasy managers are justified in feeling as pissed off about Auston Matthews and his present harm as devoted followers of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Not solely do we all know little about no matter is ailing the Leafs’ captain, apart from it is an upper-body subject, however there is no decided timeline in sight. Whereas not presently shelved out for an prolonged time period, he nonetheless is not skating. Recognised for holding his health-related playing cards carefully tucked to his chest, Matthews is once more disclosing zero hints as to after we can count on him again. As of Thursday, these outdoors the group – i.e. all of us – are being notified on a need-to-know, game-by-game foundation. Sure, it is annoying.

This is what we do know: Matthews has missed 5 contests thus far. Subsequent up is Saturday’s tilt with Connor McDavid and the remainder of the visiting Oilers. After Max Domi was given a flip, John Tavares is now serving as Matthews’ most up-to-date substitute at heart on a scoring line with Mitch Marner. The unlucky harm suffered by Max Pacioretty — who’s listed out long run — has resulted in an extra shuffling of the top-six. Which now contains Bobby McMann on Tavares’ different wing and Matthew Knies skating alongside Domi and William Nylander.

Promoted from the bottom-six, McMann stands to personally profit most from this present configuration. After scoring an unprecedented 15 objectives in 59 video games this previous season, the previous minor-leaguer has hardly been heard from this fall. Till he fired six photographs on web two video games in the past. After which scored (major help: Tavares) on eight photographs in Wednesday’s 4-3 OT win over the Capitals. Managers in deeper leagues would possibly need to strike when the McMann iron is sizzling. Primarily based on his fourteen photographs in two contests alone.

As for Matthews, fantasy managers can solely tuck him away on IR till his return. Or burn a bench spot. Nobody is dropping this man. One the upside, there’s phrase out of Leafs’ camp that when the ailing subject is healed, it is going to be resolved absolutely. So, there’s that. Till then? We wait.

Different key harm notes from across the league:

Assets: Goalie depth chart | Daily lines | Projections | Play for free | Player rater | Most added/dropped | Mock draft lobby | How to watch on ESPN+

Colorado Avalanche: With all that is happening in Colorado, the Avs would possibly benefit a column all their very own. First off, one of many sport’s extra harmful energy forwards is predicted again on the ice imminently after an prolonged absence. Suspended six months whereas in Stage 3 of the participant help program, Valeri Nichushkin is projected to lace them again up towards the visiting Capitals Friday. When wholesome and energetic, Nichushkin is a difference-maker for the Avalanche and fantasy squads alike. He shoots, he scores, he hits, he punches in factors on the facility play. If in some way accessible in your league — as he is in 60% of ESPN Fantasy competitors — choose him up instantly. Like, proper now.

Ahead Jonathan Drouin can be anticipated to return after being activated off injured reserve. With each Nichushkin and Drouin again, Colorado’s top-six takes on fairly a special look, benefiting the membership’s second-line heart most of all. Splitting a pair of rookies — Nikolai Kovalenko and Ivan Ivan — in latest play, Casey Mittelstadt is about to get a lift from seemingly competing with Nichushkin and/or Arturri Lehkonen and/or Drouin. With simply the one helper in 4 video games, Mittelstadt has turn into accessible in virtually a 3rd of ESPN Fantasy competitors.

Final bits from Denver: Whereas ahead Ross Colton stays on monitor to return from a damaged foot in early to mid-December, there’s nonetheless no timeline for Gabriel Landeskog. Until armed with a plethora of IR spots, fantasy managers would possibly begin to consider giving Landeskog a roster go as soon as extra. Until we hear extra optimistic tidings within the subsequent whereas.

Vancouver Canucks: From all angles, the most recent harm to Brock Boeser feels hideously unfair. As if this participant hasn’t endured sufficient on that entrance, and others. Out indefinitely after being clobbered within the head by L.A.’s Tanner Jeannot (suspended three video games), Boeser is not anticipated to return to play anytime quickly.

With out Boeser within the lineup, the Canucks known as up Jonathan Lekkerimaki from the minors, who already has a aim and 5 photographs to point out for his first two video games within the NHL. The fifteenth total draft choose (2022) is skating on a high line and energy play with J.T. Miller. A apparent dynasty addition, Lekkerimaki must also be contemplated as a fantasy performer in deeper re-draft leagues.

Montreal Canadiens: In happier restoration information, Patrik Laine (knee) is again skating and going through a return to aggressive play within the foreseeable future. As early as the top of November, in response to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports activities. That is two weeks away. Destined to right away fill a top-six function for a membership that is languishing within the Atlantic basement, Laine might be relied upon to offer some scoring pop straight off. He will not stay accessible in additional than 71% of ESPN Fantasy leagues for lengthy.

Vegas Golden Knights: Sure, there’s all the time trigger for concern when Mark Stone is stored out of the lineup due to a bodily subject. The distinguished ahead’s harm historical past is way too colourful. Nonetheless, the membership nonetheless sounds comparatively optimistic that Stone might be again in motion sooner fairly than later after shedding three video games to a lower-body subject. Hopefully Friday towards Utah. If not, Sunday versus the visiting Capitals. If not by that time, then we panic. Averaging 2.9(!) fantasy factors/sport in ESPN Fantasy customary leagues, Stone is a key element of top-of-the-line ahead strains — with Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev — within the sport.

Within the crease, Ilya Samsonov is not anticipated to overlook rather more time with no matter is proving a hassle nowadays. Since Adin Hill has performed simply okay is latest competitors, the Golden Knights’ different goalie ought to get some common alternatives as soon as able to roll once more. Fantasy managers craving stable goaltending ought to definitely give Samsonov a glance.

Carolina Hurricanes: The Hurricanes might need goalie points as soon as extra. With Frederik Andersen already listed as week-to-week with a lower-body ailment, Pyotr Kochetkov is now reportedly coping with a bodily subject after leaving Wednesday’s contest towards Utah. If this finally ends up as greater than some minor tweak, third-stringer Spencer Martin is about to get quite a bit busier for top-of-the-line groups within the East. As you may think, the 29-year-old stays overwhelmingly accessible in ESPN Fantasy competitors. At minimal, he may be price streaming in a extra favorable matchup. Once more, if Kochetkov is belabored by one thing vital.

Different notes:

• Whereas Drew Doughty stays out, rookie defenseman Brandt Clarke continues to place up stable fantasy figures because the Kings’ go-to on the highest energy play. Regardless of averaging 2.3 fantasy factors/sport, Clarke stays there for the grabbing in 1 / 4 of ESPN Fantasy leagues.

• Additionally, maintain a view of what is going on on with L.A. goalie Darcy Kuemper, who left Wednesday’s sport in Colorado with some concern. Does not sound too severe at this level, however deserves monitoring.

• Finally verify, neither star ahead Tage Thompson nor No. 1 goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen are anticipated to overlook vital time with their respective worries. Fingers crossed.

• Defender Alec Martinez is again to enterprise for the Blackhawks. In case your league rewards blocked photographs, Martinez deserves consideration.

• After lacking three video games, Tampa’s Brayden Point is taken into account a chance for Saturday’s contest towards New Jersey. Most likely ending Nick Paul‘s latest run in Tampa’s top-six.

• Ahead Jean-Gabriel Pageau — rostered in solely 6% of ESPN competitors — continues to rock out with three objectives and two assists in 5 video games as a top-line substitute in Mathew Barzal‘s absence. Barzal initiatives to overlook roughly one other 4 weeks.