Every week, theScore offers a fantasy hockey column detailing a handful of moves you should make. This edition focuses on Week 6. Roster percentages and position eligibility are courtesy of Yahoo.
Buy low on Mika Zibanejad
Team: Rangers
Position: C
Rostered: 90%
Zibanejad has been one of the league's most disappointing players so far, tallying just two goals and two assists in 16 games. A year ago, he recorded 41 goals and 34 helpers in 57 contests.
But it's clear Zibanejad has been a victim of poor puck luck:
The New York Rangers pivot is shooting just 4.3%. His 19.7% mark last year was a career high and perhaps unsustainable, but he shot 12.1% across the previous six campaigns and never finished below 10.4% over that span.
Zibanejad is bound to turn it around at some point, so now is the time to trade for him. With his value is at an all-time low, managers can probably acquire the 27-year-old for pennies on the dollar.
Add Trevor Zegras
Team: Ducks
Position: C
Rostered: 6%
The Anaheim Ducks promoted Zegras to the NHL on Sunday after a successful AHL stint in which he tallied nine points in eight games. The 19-year-old was named MVP of the world juniors in January after leading the tournament with 18 points in seven games for the U.S.
It remains to be seen what kind of impact Zegras can make at the NHL level. There are concerns about his skating, but he'll likely get a chance to produce for an Anaheim team that sorely lacks offensive firepower. The highly skilled and intelligent center should play in the Ducks' top six and on the No. 1 power-play unit.
Drop Tomas Tatar
Team: Canadiens
Position: LW/RW
Rostered: 57%
Tatar is still rostered in more than half of fantasy leagues despite a recent demotion to the Montreal Canadiens' third line. He was even a healthy scratch at one point last week. The 30-year-old entered Sunday with a respectful nine points in 15 games, but there are likely better players available on the waiver wire in 10- and 12-team leagues.
Add Calvin Petersen
Team: Kings
Position: G
Rostered: 21%
Petersen has been a bright spot for the Los Angeles Kings this season while drastically outplaying teammate Jonathan Quick.
Stat | Petersen | Quick |
---|---|---|
GP | 9 | 8 |
GAA | 2.43 | 3.19 |
SV% | .926 | .889 |
GSAA | 5.3 | -3.8 |
Petersen's strong start doesn't appear to be a fluke, either: He entered the campaign with a .923 save percentage and 2.62 goals-against average in 19 career games.
Quick played well this past week, but look for the 26-year-old Petersen to receive the lion's share of the workload as the season progresses. Playing in the weak West Division also helps his fantasy outlook.
Add Sam Reinhart
Team: Sabres
Position: C/RW
Rostered: 43%
Reinhart has produced four points in his last four games and is back playing alongside Jack Eichel and Victor Olofsson on the Buffalo Sabres' top line and No. 1 power-play unit.
Buffalo is scheduled to play an NHL-high five games this week, so if Reinhart is already rostered in your league, it may be worth looking into Eric Staal, Dylan Cozens, or even Jeff Skinner. Skinner should only be considered if he can find his way off the fourth line, though.
Josh Wegman has been theScore's resident fantasy hockey expert since 2015. Find him on Twitter @JoshWegman_.
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