We have 14 teams on the main slate tonight. My New Year’s resolution is to find some great value plays today, and then slip back into all my terrible habits. These options will free up some more cap space to snag a stud or two and should reward you with their under-the-radar production. Using all of them tonight would increase your average salary per player from $6,111 to $7,350.
Center
Adam Henrique (ANH): $4,600 vs. CGY
Henrique has been quiet lately but may be due to break out against the Flames (13th in goals against). Many hockey players are streaky, and Henrique is no exception but certainly has enough skill to be productive, as evidenced by his potential goal of the year candidate against the Devils. Anaheim has endured prolonged absences from three of their top players in Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler, and now Corey Perry and are still finding their way back, but both Ryan’s are back at it and there is a still a lot of talent among the Duck’s top six. Henrique is on pace for 44 points this year, which would give him six straight seasons of hitting 40 points and seven overall. His 2:24 of average power play ice time should increase until Perry returns.
Wing
Marian Gaborik (LA): $4,500 vs. NSH
Gaborik’s rise from obscurity has been one of the pleasant surprises this season in the NHL. Once capable of producing 80+ point seasons, Marion only tallied 43 in the last two seasons combined, and many thought his career had hit that cliff scene in Thelma and Louise. With 13 points (seven goals) in 19 games this year, he has worked his way back into the ranks of the relevant, playing on the second line with impressive rookie Adrian Kempe and the King’s fourth highest scorer, Tyler Toffoli. He is averaging 2:20 of power play time and the Kings are a surprising 12th in offense this season.
Micheal Ferland (CGY): $4,600 vs. ANH
With four points in his last five games, Ferland is continuing to justify his place on Calgary’s top line with Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau. Ferland has come a long way from his days as a young fighter with substance abuse issues. He has power forward moves in close, surprisingly good hands, and can easily skate well enough to keep up with his linemates. He is currently fourth in ice time among active forwards with the Flames and is averaging a solid 2:14 on the power play. If you haven’t seen Glen Gulutzan’s stick throwing tantrum during yesterday’s practice, it’s actually pretty impressive (like 13 rows impressive), so we’ll have to see if the Flames respond with a strong game tonight.
Defense
Erik Johnson (COL): $4,700 vs. MIN
Johnson has posted a solid four points in his last six games, including two goals, and is plus three in that span of games. The Avalanche are continuing to sneak up on their opponents this year but have improved their overall play both defensively (22nd) and especially offensively (6th). Johnson’s typically been a minute muncher and this season is no different (an impressive 25:37 per game). With Tyson Barrie out with a broken hand, Johnson’s ice time may not increase, but his power play time (already at 2:30) should.
Goalie
Antti Raanta (ARI): $7,200 vs. NYR
Raanta is currently slated to start against the Blueshirts at home. He is definitely leading the pack among Coyote’s goalies with a 2.82 goals against average and 0.915 save percentage. If his win-loss record of 6-11-2 is terrifying, another projected starter to consider is Jonathan Bernier (COL) @ $7,500. Colorado is 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and 14-7-1 at home. His stats are 8-7-1 with a 2.94 goals against average and a 0.906 save percentage. As always, make sure you verify the starting goalie before entering your lineup.
Sheldon Curtis is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Sheldon, check out his archive.
