McLeod has appeared in 28 games with the Avalanche this season, scoring one goal. He has one year remaining on his contract, owning a $1.33 million cap hit.
FYI the Avs retain 40 percent of McLoed's salary/cap hit. He has another year on his deal next season at $1.33 M cap hit https://t.co/MqK2m0WJLf
Girard has spent the season with Milwaukee, the Predators' AHL affiliate. The 22-year-old has appeared in 35 games, tallying three goals and five assists. The Predators selected Girard 95th overall in 2013.
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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Friday, Jan. 13:
Dynamic Duos
C Vincent Trocheck (71K) and RW Jaromir Jagr (59K), Panthers (vs. Islanders): Trocheck has picked up his scoring pace with four points over his last four games, and should be a good bet to continue that rate against an Islanders team that has allowed better than three goals per game on the road. Jagr has been quiet in January, but has recorded 15 of his 25 points at home so far this season.
C Mark Scheifele (67K) and RW Nikolaj Ehlers (54K), Jets (at Coyotes): Hot-shot rookie Patrik Laine is out for this one, placing the scoring burden on the rest of the Jets' forwards. Scheifele already has four goals through five January games, and is in good position to add to that total against a porous Arizona defense. Ehlers has been sensational this month (5 GP, 4 G, 3 A) and comes at a huge bargain.
C Derek Stepan (60K) and LW Chris Kreider (56K), Rangers (vs. Maple Leafs): The Rangers and their league-best 3.4 goals per game should make it a long night for the Maple Leafs' wonky defense. Stepan is averaging just under a point per game at Madison Square Garden in 2016-17, while Kreider has 19 points in 18 home games and has scored seven times over his last seven contests.
Goalie Breakdown
TARGET - Cam Ward (92K), Hurricanes (vs. Sabres): Oddsmakers have made Ward a sizable favorite in this one, with the Hurricanes enjoying home-ice advantage against a Sabres team playing the second game of a back-to-back set. The only danger here is that Buffalo falls asleep on offense, which could conceivably limit Ward's saves. From a win perspective, however, he's the surest play of the night.
BARGAIN - Connor Hellebuyck (81K), Jets (at Coyotes): Hellebuyck is the cheapest goaltender on the Squad Up slate, which makes him the top value play among netminders. The Coyotes possess one of the league's most anemic offenses, and rank in the top-10 in minor penalties, further squelching their offensive potential. If you want to load up on big-name forwards, slot Hellebuyck into your goalie slot with confidence.
FADE - Mike Smith (114K), Coyotes (vs. Jets): It would be easy enough to simply say "see above," but that seems kind of lazy, so I'll explain the Smith pick like this: Arizona doesn't score enough goals. Arizona takes too many penalties. Arizona's defense isn't great. And if those three facts don't dissuade you from selecting Smith, consider a fourth: He's the most expensive goalie on the slate. Stay far away.
CONTRARIAN - Andrei Vasilevskiy (105K), Lightning (vs. Blue Jackets): Vasilevskiy's high price tag and recent struggles, combined with a matchup against a Columbus team that is still elite in the eye of daily fantasy players, should depress ownership numbers. But this matchup isn't as daunting as it seems, with the Blue Jackets coming back to Earth of late. Vasilevskiy is high-risk, but worth a look.
Bargain Plays
C Mathieu Perreault (47K), Jets (at Coyotes): Perreault is a terrific value play in Arizona, skating on the first line with Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler while also slotting into the first power-play unit. The veteran forward played more than 21 minutes against Montreal on Wednesday and recorded a goal; he's a great bet to return value against a Coyotes penalty kill that ranks 28th in the NHL (76.3 percent).
RW T.J. Oshie (47K), Capitals (vs. Blackhawks): Oshie is in the same situation as Perreault, but finds himself in a better situation against the visiting Blackhawks as he skates alongside Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. Oshie is red-hot right now with eight points in his last six games, but hasn't seen a corresponding price bump. Continue to ride him until the hot streak subsides.
D Jason Demers (25K), Panthers (vs. Islanders): If you would rather not buy low at goaltender or forward, you can easily do so on the back end by selecting Demers. While he isn't a power-play fixture, he does average better than one shot, one blocked shot and one hit in just over 20 minutes per contest. He also has eight goals and nine assists, with a good shot at increasing that point total against visiting New York.
Top Fades
C Ryan O'Reilly (70K), Sabres (at Hurricanes): O'Reilly has 16 points in the Sabres' 12 wins and just eight - including a lone goal - in their 19 defeats. With Carolina heavily favored, he'll be in tough to produce. He has yet to score in the second game of a back-to-back this season, and may be looking at an ice time reduction after playing no less than 22 minutes in each of his last three games. Don't spend up for him Friday.
RW Patrick Kane (80K), Blackhawks (at Capitals): Kane's elevated price tag is warranted given his recent hot streak (eight points over his last four games), but tread lightly here. He has just 15 points in 19 road games this season, and faces a Washington team allowing the second-fewest goals per game at home (1.82). With the highest salary among non-goaltenders, Kane is a hard fade.
LW Jonathan Drouin (59K), Lightning (vs. Blue Jackets): Drouin is far from the only Tampa Bay player to struggle against Columbus, but his numbers - zero points and a minus-4 rating in two games - certainly don't instill confidence for Friday's third meeting of the season. With G Sergei Bobrovsky back in the fold, the Blue Jackets are in good position to halt Drouin's recent hot spell (five points in his past five games).
Contrarian Options
C Jonathan Marchessault (60K), Panthers (vs. Islanders): Don't expect to see Marchessault widely owned, with plenty of other viable center options on the slate. Yet, despite having recorded just two points in five January games, he remains a pivotal part of the Panthers' offense - and with the struggling Islanders coming to down, he's in great shape to end his recent offensive slump and return nice value.
LW Jeff Skinner (62K), Hurricanes (vs. Sabres): Skinner is coming off a three-point effort against the Blue Jackets, but is priced aggressively considering he had recorded just three points in 10 games prior. Still, he has a matchup with what should be a tired Buffalo team, and is averaging nearly a point per game at home on the season. He's a little riskier than other left wingers, but has a nice ceiling.
D Dustin Byfuglien (59K), Jets (at Coyotes): There are plenty of salary-friendly options on the blue-line Friday, which should leave Byfuglien with low ownership numbers. But the bruising defenseman has one of the highest floors of anyone at his position, having recorded three or more shots on goal in 15 of his last 18 games while playing more than 24 minutes 15 times over that stretch. He's a terrific 50-50 play.
If the Anaheim Ducks' expansion draft strategy was to let the situation play itself out, the situation has since been muddled.
As they're configured right now, Anaheim's one of a handful of teams that must seriously consider exposing a greater percentage of its total roster in order to preserve four defenders. Because veteran Kevin Bieksa is protected with a no-movement agreement, either Hampus Lindholm, Sami Vatanen, or Cam Fowler will be exposed should they choose the opposite.
It goes without saying, Silfverberg would be a major coup for the Vegas Golden Knights. But here's the thing: he's playing far too well right now to cough up for free.
Silfverberg scored his 13th goal and earned his 29th point in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Avalanche. He leads the team in shots, lands comfortably on the right side of the possession war, and will blow by his career-best totals shortly after the All-Star break.
This is a player the Ducks have to keep. But at what cost? An All-Star?
Similarly, Fowler is having a career season.
He ranks third among defenders league wide with nine goals, and logs a team-high 24:43 minutes a night. He's been indispensable for Anaheim, and remains relatively cheap for one more season. And he'll ride shotgun with Kesler to Los Angeles for the All-Star Game at the end of the month.
At this point, trading Sami Vatanen - himself another talented defender recently signed to a reasonable long-term contract - for a top-six forward or high-end prospect might be the most advantageous option in terms of preserving assets.
Regardless, Bob Murray will soon swallow a bitter pill.
He may not have closure, and surely still feels the sting, but Taylor Hall's never been more prepared to turn the page.
In the visitors locker room inside the shiny new arena in Edmonton, and after facing the Oilers - the club that drafted him first overall almost seven years ago - for the second time in five nights, Hall was able to breathe a massive sigh of relief.
"On a personal level I'm glad to have these games out of the way," Hall said in his scrum. "Not in a sense that I was dreading them, but it's a lot to take. All and all, I had a fun night (with) the ovation. And I think even got booed a little bit by the end; I think you could say I'm a former player now after you get booed.
"These last six or seven days have been kinda stressful, just not knowing what to expect and having you play your former team. But we got two points out of the two games. (It) should have been a lot more."
Hall has been markedly transparent since he was dealt to New Jersey for his exact opposite: lead-footed stabilizing defender Adam Larsson. He hasn't tried to hide the fact he was hurt by the move, and that it's affected him throughout his first three months as a Devil.
Part of it was being discredited as a player, as well as his love for the city, his teammates, and the desire to see it through with the Oilers. But feelings of apprehension, and not knowing what to expect in the lead-up to his return, factored in as well.
"I said it was a weird night the first (time) playing. Tonight was just a whole different level," Hall said. "Even though I have never played in this building before, hearing that from the fans and seeing the video, it was all kind of surreal.
"It's a night I will remember for a long time. I was very very grateful for the applause, and the way people have treated me since I've been here has been awesome."
He may not have closure, and surely still feels the sting, but Taylor Hall's never been more prepared to turn the page.
In the visitors locker room inside the shiny new arena in Edmonton, and after facing the Oilers - the club that drafted him first overall almost seven years ago - for the second time in five nights, Hall was able to breathe a massive sigh of relief.
"On a personal level I'm glad to have these games out of the way," Hall said in his scrum. "Not in a sense that I was dreading them, but it's a lot to take. All and all, I had a fun night (with) the ovation. And I think even got booed a little bit by the end; I think you could say I'm a former player now after you get booed.
"These last six or seven days have been kinda stressful, just not knowing what to expect and having you play your former team. But we got two points out of the two games. (It) should have been a lot more."
Hall has been markedly transparent since he was dealt to New Jersey for his exact opposite: lead-footed stabilizing defender Adam Larsson. He hasn't tried to hide the fact he was hurt by the move, and that it's affected him throughout his first three months as a Devil.
Part of it was being discredited as a player, as well as his love for the city, his teammates, and the desire to see it through with the Oilers. But feelings of apprehension, and not knowing what to expect in the lead-up to his return, factored in as well.
"I said it was a weird night the first (time) playing. Tonight was just a whole different level," Hall said. "Even though I have never played in this building before, hearing that from the fans and seeing the video, it was all kind of surreal.
"It's a night I will remember for a long time. I was very very grateful for the applause, and the way people have treated me since I've been here has been awesome."
Very seriously - they're 15-1-2 over their last 18 games.
The Wild are quietly one of the best teams in hockey, one of only three to not yet lose 10 games in regulation (Columbus and Washington are the others).
While Minnesota doesn't have a 16-game winning streak to show for its stellar first half, it ran off a franchise-best 12 victories in a row, and after 40 games is only three points behind the NHL-best Blue Jackets.
Minnesota also has the Western Conference's best goal differential - and it isn't close:
Rank
Team
Goal Differential
1
Wild
+44
2
Blackhawks
+17
3
Sharks
+16
4
Oilers
+6
5
Ducks
+5
6
Predators
+4
It's worth mentioning: Columbus owns the NHL's top goal differential, one better than Minnesota, at plus-45.
As of Friday morning, the Wild are second in the West to the Chicago Blackhawks, who have 59 points to Minnesota's 57, but the Wild have four games in hand. It's no longer a stretch to say it: The Wild are the best team in the West.
Eating up the Atlantic
A good portion of Minnesota's success can be chalked up to its dominance of the Eastern Conference, and the Atlantic Division in particular.
The Montreal Canadiens, the division's best team, were spanked by the Wild 7-1 on Thursday - Minnesota swept the season series with a combined goal differential of 11-3. Montreal can take solace, though, at least they managed to score a few goals against Devan Dubnyk and company, unlike the Boston Bruins, who were shut out in both meetings against the Wild.
Here's what Minny's done to the Atlantic, in order:
Atlantic Opponent
Result
Maple Leafs
W 3-2
Bruins
W 5-0
Sabres
W 4-0
Sabres
L 1-2
Senators
W 2-1
Bruins
W 1-0
Maple Leafs
W 3-2
Panthers
W 5-1
Canadiens
W 4-2
Canadiens
W 7-1
That's a 9-1 record against the Atlantic, outscoring the opposition 35-11, with three shutouts, all of them Dubnyk's.
After Thursday's 20-save performance, the 30-year-old 'tender now commands a sparkling .940 save percentage on the season to go along with a 1.17 goals-against average.
He's currently on another level.
Dubnyk is having a career year in is third season in the North Star State, and after Thursday night's contest, he currently leads the league in goals-against average, save percentage, and is tied for the lead in shutouts with five. He also sits second in wins with 22.
His turnaround since arriving in Minnesota is one of the best stories in hockey since January 2015.
The Wild are a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, and if a team from the Atlantic represents the East in the Cup final, well, good luck.
Trevor Lewis also scored and Peter Budaj made 21 saves for the Kings, who raced to a 4-0 lead early in the second period with a rare offensive burst from one of the NHL's lowest-scoring teams.
Los Angeles chased Jake Allen with Muzzin's second goal, sending the St. Louis goalie to the bench early in his second straight game.
Paul Stastny scored on a skate deflection for the Blues, who have lost four of six. Carter Hutton replaced Allen and gave up two quick goals to Pearson.
The Blues opened their three-game California road trip with another defensive disappointment. St. Louis has given up 30 goals in its last eight games, with Allen struggling in several recent starts.
Marian Gaborik had two assists for the Kings in his first multi-point game since Feb. 9. All-Star Jeff Carter and Dustin Brown also had two assists apiece.
Muzzin scored his fifth goal of the season 3:18 after the opening faceoff. The steady defenseman added another for just the second multi-goal game of his career and his first since March 5, 2013, also against St. Louis.
Pearson's 12th and 13th goals of the season moved him within two goals of his career-high, set last year in nearly twice as many games. Pearson tapped in his second goal after bulling to the net for Carter's pinpoint pass.
St. Louis only put two shots on net during the Kings' dominant second period, and one wasn't a shot at all: Alexander Steen's pass toward the net deflected off Stastny's skate and slipped past Budaj.
Trevor Lewis also scored and Peter Budaj made 21 saves for the Kings, who raced to a 4-0 lead early in the second period with a rare offensive burst from one of the NHL's lowest-scoring teams.
Los Angeles chased Jake Allen with Muzzin's second goal, sending the St. Louis goalie to the bench early in his second straight game.
Paul Stastny scored on a skate deflection for the Blues, who have lost four of six. Carter Hutton replaced Allen and gave up two quick goals to Pearson.
The Blues opened their three-game California road trip with another defensive disappointment. St. Louis has given up 30 goals in its last eight games, with Allen struggling in several recent starts.
Marian Gaborik had two assists for the Kings in his first multi-point game since Feb. 9. All-Star Jeff Carter and Dustin Brown also had two assists apiece.
Muzzin scored his fifth goal of the season 3:18 after the opening faceoff. The steady defenseman added another for just the second multi-goal game of his career and his first since March 5, 2013, also against St. Louis.
Pearson's 12th and 13th goals of the season moved him within two goals of his career-high, set last year in nearly twice as many games. Pearson tapped in his second goal after bulling to the net for Carter's pinpoint pass.
St. Louis only put two shots on net during the Kings' dominant second period, and one wasn't a shot at all: Alexander Steen's pass toward the net deflected off Stastny's skate and slipped past Budaj.
