Every Monday, theScore will offer a weekly fantasy hockey column detailing five moves you should make. Ownership percentages (as of Nov. 11) and position eligibility are courtesy of Yahoo.
Scoop up David Rittich
Team: Flames
Position: G
Ownership: 19 percent
David Rittich is on the verge of stealing the Calgary Flames' No. 1 job from Mike Smith, despite the latter's strong showing Sunday. Rittich owns a .935 save percentage and a 1.91 goals-against average compared to Smith's .877 save percentage and 3.51 goals-against average. At the very least, Rittich has played himself into a timeshare and needs to be owned in all leagues.
Add Miro Heiskanen
Team: Stars
Position: D
Ownership: 41 percent
John Klingberg's injury was a blow for the Dallas Stars, but Miro Heiskanen stands to benefit greatly in fantasy circles.
The smooth-skating rookie defenseman logged 29:26 in Dallas' first game without Klingberg. While that tilt did enter overtime, Heiskanen is primed for a significantly larger role with the Stars' top puck mover expected to be out of the lineup for a month. Not only will Heiskanen garner more ice time at even strength, but he's also been promoted to the team's top power-play unit.
Heiskanen was already gaining confidence prior to Klingberg's injury, tallying three points in his last four games.
Drop Kasperi Kapanen
Team: Maple Leafs
Position: RW
Ownership: 55 percent
Auston Matthews' absence from the Maple Leafs' lineup has affected Kasperi Kapanen's fantasy value more than anyone else's, and not in a good way.
Stat | Pre-Matthews injury | Post-Matthews injury |
---|---|---|
GP | 11 | 6 |
G | 6 | 0 |
A | 4 | 2 |
P | 10 | 2 |
SOG | 25 | 6 |
It's safe to drop Kapanen for now, but he can be re-added once Matthews returns - assuming he regains his role on Matthews' wing.
Buy low on William Nylander
Team: Maple Leafs
Position: C/RW
Ownership: 71 percent
The Maple Leafs have reportedly begun testing the trade market for unsigned forward William Nylander. If he isn't signed by Dec. 1, he will be forced to sit out the entire season, giving the Leafs a tight deadline.
Now would be the time to buy low on Nylander in fantasy. Such a move should only be made if you're comfortably near the top of your league standings given the risk that he won't play at all in 2018-19.
If Nylander's owner in your league is near the bottom of the standings, they may be willing to trade the dynamic forward for a fraction of his actual value.
Give Neal Pionk a chance
Team: Rangers
Position: D
Ownership: 26 percent
If you're looking for help on defense and Heiskanen is already owned in your league, turn to Neal Pionk. The 23-year-old has three goals in his last four games and has found himself quarterbacking the New York Rangers' top power-play unit.
Pionk may not be a permanent fix, but New York has been red-hot lately, and the second-year blue-liner could continue to benefit.
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