It doesn’t seem like it, but the fantasy hockey regular season is fast approaching. For most standard leagues, starting next week, there will only be five weeks left to earn your spot into the most glorious feeling of all: the fantasy playoffs. So if you think you’re out of it, you’re not! But it’s time to hurry and get behind our fantasy hockey pick-ups. These hot names will improve your chances to get to the dance.
* Stats not including last night’s games (Jan 29)
Gustav Nyquist – Detroit Red Wings (C, RW) – 11% owned
Gustav Nyquist (14) is heating up for the Red Wings with 3 goals and 5 points in his previous fours games
Fresh off 2nd star of the week honors, he has impressed head coach Mike Babcock who calls him a dynamic player for the team. High praise from the coach of Team Canada. Once Nyquist was called up in November, he scored 7 points in first eight games which is pretty solid – and we spoke about it at the time. Then he seemed to hit a bit of wall but he’s certainly got his groove back! He should continue to produce as he has been promoted to the top line. He was playing with Henrik Zetterberg who seemed to be getting healthier – he’s nicked up again at the moment but should be back soon playing with Nyquist. Detroit always finds away to go on a late run in the season, and you can count on Gustav being a part of that.
Andrej Sekera – Carolina Hurricanes – (D) -28 to 35% owned
Another man named a star of the week. Andrej Sekera was the NHL’s third star. He posted one goal, five assists and a plus-8 rating in three games to earn the honor. It’s usually pretty tough to find solid consistent production from the blue-line, but Sekera is starting to provide it. His power-play point production is a plus making Sekera a solid add.
Jacob Trouba – Winnipeg Jets – (D) – 19% owned
Speaking of defense, Jacob Trouba is making a name for himself as one of the best young defensemen in the league. I’m not sure what Paul Maurice is doing, but whatever is, it’s working. The Jets are 6-2 under coach Maurice and Trouba is one that is definitely benefiting. The 19 year old is plus 11 since Maurice took over and has three goals and seven points. Those seven points are 3rd among all NHL defensemen in the last two weeks! Trouba is another player we were high on early this year.
Brandon Pirri – Chicago Blackhawks – (C) – 1 % owned
Brandon Pirri has been called up to center the second line with Patrick Kane and Kris Versteeg.
A lot of times you’ve just got to go with a guy who can feed off a stud. And that right now may be rookie Brandon Pirri. Pirri just recently promoted back to the Blackhawks, centered the 2nd line playing with Patrick Kane and Kris Versteeg. That’s automatic scoring opportunities for ya, because Patrick Kane is a stud!
Pirri went through a stretch from early to mid November where he scored six points in six straight games including three goals in three straight. So the kid definitely has potential to produce, now on the 2nd line, it’s time to take a chance.
Cody Hodgson – Buffalo Sabres – (C,RW) – 34 % owned
I rarely like to recommend a Buffalo Sabre. But Cody Hodgson is tearing it up right now. So far in 2014, Hodgson has 10 points in nine games including six goals! Two, of them coming his last time out. Hodgson is worth taking a chance on, even if he plays for the struggling Sabres.
Vincent Lecavalier – Philadelphia Flyers – (C) – 44 % owned
Something to play close attention to in fantasy hockey are line-switches! And although having a disappointing season sometimes all you need is a change of lines. Lecavalier now finds himself on the 2nd line playing with Wayne Simmonds who has been a beast all season and Brayden Schenn who’s picked it up of late. There’s no doubt Lecavalier still has some left in the tank, but a season that’s been hampered by injuries could take a turn in the right direction if he can stay healthy.
Honorable mentions
Matthew Nieto – San Jose Sharks – (LW)- 1% owned
Similar to Brandon Pirri, I want a guy who is playing with a stud. And there ain’t a better line-mate than Mr. Setup himself Joe Thornton. Matthew Nieto found himself last game on a line with Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski so he may in line for a decent amount of points if he can stick. After scoring seven points in 10 games, Nieto has been given the opportunity of a life-time! Not too bad of a gamble if you ask me !
Alex Killorn – Tampa Bay Lightning – (C, LW) – 17% owned
Alex Killorn was one of the hottest pick-ups a couple short months ago, as the forward got off to quite the start. Now I know Killorn hasn’t really done anything significant to garner himself a waiver add but you have to keep in mind one thing! And that’s Steven Stamkos is nearing a return. Killorn was paired on a line with Stamkos and Martin St. Louis in early November and Killorn flourished. He netted five points and a plus seven rating in three games with the duo. There’s no certainty he will get paired with Stamkos, but if there’s no one else worth adding, I’ll take my chances that Killorn gets united with Stammer and flourishes once again. Fellow locker roomer Chris Meaney definitely thinks so too, just check what he wrote about Killorn not too long ago.
Any questions/comments/suggestions? Feel free to write below!
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