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Stats are as of Thursday, December 29; advanced stats courtesy of Corsica.Hockey.
Sell high on Jeff Carter
Carter has been magnificent for fantasy owners this season. He is second in the NHL with 19 goals. He takes plenty of shots and also chips in with a healthy amount of hits and blocks.
Now is the best time to trade Carter for an elite asset. His 17.0 shooting percentage is the second-highest of his career. Furthermore, his linemate, Tyler Toffoli was recently placed on IR, leaving him with Devin Setoguchi and Tanner Pearson on his wings. Yikes.
Add Anders Lee
Lee scored 25 goals in 2014-15, but really bottomed out a season ago, scoring just 15. This season he got off to a terrible start, but now has 12 goals in his last 16 games. Playing on a line with John Tavares is a big part of his success.
Lee won't add much in the assists column, but 30 goals is a realistic possibility. He also has 80 hits on the year, helping those in banger leagues.
Drop Pittsburgh's depth players
The 2016-17 NHL schedule introduced bye weeks, sort of like the NFL. The Penguins will have theirs this coming week. They play against Montreal on December 31, but then don't hit the ice again until January 8 against Tampa Bay.
Obviously Pittsburgh's marquee players should be held onto, but if you were streaming the Bryan Rusts and Chris Kunitzs of the world, they can be dropped for players who play three or four games this coming week.
Hang on to Marc-Andre Fleury
Despite the fact that Pittsburgh only has one game this coming week, you must keep Marc-Andre Fleury, even though he is having his worst season in more than a decade. Matt Murray is considered week-to-week with a lower-body injury, but for goalies, it could it always be much longer. Fleury has regained the starting role for the time being, giving him great fantasy value.
Avoid outdoor games in daily fantasy
On January 1, the Toronto Maple Leafs will host the Detroit Red Wings at BMO Field. The following day, the St. Louis Blues will host the Chicago Blackhawks at Busch Stadium.
No matter how much work gets put into the ice, the playing surface will always be much worse than a regular indoor game. Teams simplify their approach and usually play a chip-and-chase type of game.
Some of the most recent outdoor games have ended in lopsided affairs, but it is still best to stay away from these games in daily fantasy.
Take a flier on Brandon Montour
Montour, 22, has 88 points in 107 games in his AHL career across three seasons. These are pretty impressive numbers, but even more so since he is a defenseman. The second-round pick by the Ducks in 2014 has recently been called up to the show. If you need help on the back end, get him on your roster. There is obviously plenty of upside.
Pick up Mika Zibanejad
Zibanejad is injured, but he is expected to return to the lineup in mid-January. The 23-year-old was on the verge of a breakout season before being sidelined, picking up 15 points in 19 games. He was getting 4.63 iSCF60 (individual scoring chances for per 60 minutes) at 5v5, the the ninth-most in the NHL among players with at least 200 5v5 minutes.
Scoop up Timo Meier in keeper leagues
Meier, 20, has only played five NHL games this season - and in his career for that matter - but his 19.64 iSF60 (individual shots for per 60 minutes) at 5v5 is the highest in the NHL - by far. The next highest is Patric Hornqvist with 13.67.
Meier only has one goal in his brief five-game career, but his willingness to get pucks to the net could earn him more ice time and maybe even an audition on Joe Thornton's line.
Scout the World Juniors for future fantasy talent
The IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship is not only great for pure viewing purposes, but it is a great way to recognize future fantasy stars. Some of these teenagers may not be fantasy relevant for another five years or so, but if you make a list of players you think stood out to you from an offensive standpoint, you will remember their names when they get called up.
This is especially helpful in keeper leagues. Some keeper leagues have multiple NA spots where you can stash high-potential youngsters before they're even in the NHL.
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