Fantasy hockey tendencies: Add these gamers for hits and blocks

New Jersey Devils third-liner Paul Cotter is on tempo for 66 targets and 280 hits. No-brainer in your fantasy squad, proper?

Not so quick. Whereas I’d completely argue that Cotter is a shrewd pickup, it is not as a result of he’s going to push Auston Matthews for the Rocket Richard Trophy.

We’re nonetheless within the early section of the season by which small samples of scorching streaks could make, nicely, Paul Cotter appear to be Gordie Howe. It isn’t going to maintain and it is not price giving up precise fantasy potential to chase.

Do you have to decide him up? If the associated fee is a trivial bench spot and no waiver place loss, completely. However giving up one thing of worth to chase bottom-six scorching streaks isn’t a successful fantasy technique.

However even if you happen to do play in a deeper ESPN commonplace league, the place Cotter’s mixture of targets and hits is unquestionably intriguing, there are different short-term speculative hits specialists you may make so as to add some physicality to your crew. Cotter has 3.2 fantasy factors from hits and blocked photographs (FPHBS), which is nice, however I might argue there are even higher choices in your crew as soon as his 44% taking pictures proportion cools off.

Soar forward: Goalies | Power Play | Droppables

Martin Pospisil, LW, Calgary Flames (rostered in 6.3%): Getting the identical common ice time as Cotter per recreation, Pospisil has 2.0 FPHBS (in two fewer video games) from 10 hits and two blocked photographs. And his ice time with Jonathan Huberdeau has resulted in 5 factors throughout three outings.

Mark Kastelic, C, Boston Bruins (rostered in 5.4%): Regardless that he exploded for 3 assists on Monday, ignore the factors and financial institution the league-leading 19 hits and spectacular (for a ahead) 5 blocked photographs throughout 4 video games. Or contemplate his running-mate on the Bruins backside line, as Johnny Beecher has 9 hits and 7 blocked photographs.

Wyatt Kaiser, D, Chicago Blackhawks (rostered in 0.4%): By shot blocking and hits, Kaiser has collected 2.8 fantasy factors per recreation throughout his first two outings. He is in all probability the odd one out if rookie Artyom Levshunov joins the membership when wholesome, however there’s nonetheless a while for Kaiser.

Eeli Tolvanen, LW, Seattle Kraken (rostered in 46.8%): Tolvanen is not getting the premium ice time wanted to star in fantasy, however he’s utilizing the time he’s getting properly. When enjoying bottom-six minutes, Tolvanen finishes his checks and will get in entrance of pucks (seven hits and 7 blocks in three video games.

However the identical is true about any and the entire above gamers: If you find yourself focusing on hits and blocked photographs, you’ll be able to discount hunt. Do not feel such as you want Cotter as a result of he’s on the high of the targets and hits leaders in the intervening time. On the finish of the day, it is his hits that can assist your fantasy crew – and you will get these from different sources.

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

Goalie notes

Vancouver Canucks in two video games: Kevin Lankinen (51.7% crease share, 2.8 fantasy factors, 95.9% out there) and Arturs Silovs (48.3% crease share, -7.0 fantasy factors, 88.5% out there)

The Thatcher Demko damage positive appears prefer it has the potential to stretch into the season. With nobody providing a agency timeline, weeks or months each appear to be on the desk. With solely two video games performed, there is not sufficient right here to advocate chasing both goaltender, however watch the returns within the coming week. If one in every of Silovs or Lankinen can seize the crease, they could possibly be an prolonged run of worth.

Dallas Stars in three video games: Jake Oettinger (66.7% crease share, 18.4 fantasy factors, 2.4% out there) and Casey DeSmith (33.3% crease share, 12.0 fantasy factors, 93.8% out there)

Two shutouts in three video games by the goaltenders is the sort of begin you need to see from Stanley Cup contenders. The shutout from DeSmith cements him as a fascinating handcuff in deeper leagues.

Minnesota Wild in three video games: Filip Gustavsson (65.2% crease share, 9.8 fantasy factors, 14.9% out there) and Marc-Andre Fleury (34.8% crease share, -1.0 fantasy factors, 37.0% out there)

San Jose Sharks in two video games: Mackenzie Blackwood (51.2% crease share, -2.0 fantasy factors, 99.0% out there) and Vitek Vanecek (48.8% crease share, 3.6 fantasy factors, 99.3% out there)

These two groups are right here simply to level out that we have now but to see Jesper Wallstedt or Yaroslav Askarov within the NHL but this season. Each have dipped into the AHL to start out, the place Askarov already has a shutout. Each tenders of the long run are trying like they are going to have relevancy later within the season — if in any respect.

Pittsburgh Penguins in 4 video games: Tristan Jarry (50.3% crease share, -2.4 fantasy factors, 59.1% out there) and Joel Blomqvist (49.7% crease share, 3.6 fantasy factors, 99.2% out there)

With Alex Nedeljkovic nonetheless on the IR, Blomqvist is making a case for extra NHL motion in his break up of duties thus far this season. Hold an in depth eye on the Pens this week to see who begins in opposition to the Sabres, Hurricanes and Jets.

Montreal Canadiens in 4 video games: Sam Montembeault (75.6% crease share, 18.4 fantasy factors, 45.5% out there) and Cayden Primeau (24.4% crease share, -7.4 fantasy factors, 99.6% out there)

Do not get too lured in by the Montembeault stats, as 16.6 of these fantasy factors got here from his dazzling debut shutout in opposition to the Leafs. His two followup begins have been 6.8 fantasy factors and -5.0 fantasy factors, which is nearer to the mercurial output anticipated. That 16.6-point efficiency is tied for the twelfth finest fantasy recreation from a goalie since 2009-10.

Los Angeles Kings in three video games: Darcy Kuemper (100.0% crease share, 1.6 fantasy factors, 67.7% out there)

Two steps ahead, one large step again. Kuemper erased his Kings debut of 8.4 fantasy factors in opposition to the Sabres by permitting exactly -8.4 fantasy factors in opposition to the Senators on Monday. That mentioned, it was an unsightly contest and it has been reassuring to see the Kings give him the entire motion thus far. He is extra out there in fantasy than a confirmed starter on a playoff-hopeful crew ought to be.

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Stat Tales: Monday’s standout NHL fantasy performances

Try among the high performers in fantasy NHL from Monday, together with Josh Norris and Evgeni Malkin.

Energy play notes

• Josh Norris, C, Ottawa Senators (out there in 89.9%): Early returns could possibly be pointing to a bounceback marketing campaign from the Senators ahead. An injury-riddled profession like this behooves warning, however Norris is on the Sens high power-play unit and has three factors on the benefit thus far. With specialist veteran David Perron within the wings, Norris should sustain the scoring to maintain the spot although.

• Shayne Gostisbehere, D, Carolina Hurricanes (out there in 68.3%): It is solely been one recreation, however Gostisbehere led the Hurricanes in power-play minutes. That’s nice information for his prospects, not so nice information for Brent Burns.

• Jake DeBrusk, RW, Vancouver Canucks (out there in 58.9%): In case you have room to take a position on a winger, do not hesitate so as to add DeBrusk to any lineup. When the Canucks’ overpowered high unit begins connecting, it could possibly be big for whoever joins the core 4. For the time being, that job belongs to DeBrusk.

• Brandt Clarke, D, Los Angeles Kings (out there in 90.6%): Not each recreation can have 15 complete targets like Monday’s, however Clarke is a no brainer pickup for fantasy till Drew Doughty heals up. He cemented his fill-in power-play quarterback standing with the three-assist outing.

• Kris Letang, D, Pittsburgh Penguins (out there in 10.7%): The Penguins are choosing two blue-liners on the highest unit, so Letang has extra fantasy upside than initially anticipated. Certain sufficient, he already has two power-play factors via 4 video games.

• Victor Olofsson, RW, Vegas Golden Knights (out there in 92.3%): With 4 locks on the highest unit, the Golden Knights have presently chosen Olofsson because the fortunate participant to hitch Mark Stone, Tomas Hertl, Jack Eichel and Shea Theodore on the benefit. It could not keep that manner, however he is fantasy related so long as it does.

• Maxim Tsyplakov, RW, New York Islanders (out there in 97.2%): Second on the crew in power-play minutes per recreation thus far, the KHL addition is off to a solid-enough begin for the Isles. Actually top-six minutes and top-unit duties are sufficient for many gamers to earn their fantasy hold.

• Alex Laferriere, RW, Los Angeles Kings (out there in 98.2%): Appears the Kings are happy sufficient to maintain the primary line intact on the benefit, as Laferriere is becoming a member of Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe on the highest unit. If the ten photographs in three video games are any indication, Laferriere could possibly be in for a stable season as Kopitar’s linemate.

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NHL Frozen Frenzy

Catch all of the Frozen Frenzy motion on ESPN and ESPN+ on Tuesday, October twenty second.

Droppables

• Frank Vatrano, RW, Anaheim Ducks (rostered in 94.0%): The youth motion is in full impact. With simply 15:31 of ice time per recreation, Vatrano might be arduous pressed to do a lot for fantasy groups this season.

• Anders Lee, LW, New York Islanders (rostered in 60.4%): Tsyplakov has saved Lee down on the third line and off the highest power-play unit.

• Neal Pionk, D, Winnipeg Jets (rostered in 65.0%): Examine your leagues free-agent pool for a defender with extra upside than Pionk. Secondary power-play minutes should not imply a lot with this top-heavy Jets roster.

• Michael Bunting, LW, Pittsburgh Penguins (rostered in 57.7%): No top-unit power-play time? No real interest in Bunting.