In recent weeks I’ve been asked to answer a consistent question — how do you obtain players that can add points to the overlooked/undervalued stat categories such as hits, blocked shots, or shots on goal, while not destroying a team’s core or overpaying? The answer may be as simple as it sounds…give up what you are comfortable with. Fantasy hockey is one of the most up and down games there is, but it may be easier than it seems to spot a lesser-known player that you can add to your lineup, while giving away a bigger name who may be having a down year.
Find someone who needs what you have a surplus of. If you can afford to give up some assists and/or goals without worry in that category, do so. With that said, I looked into changing up this week’s buy/sell just for you. Let’s take a look at some players that may not be the elite scoring type, but will help stuff those other stat categories.
Buy
Calvin de Haan (D – CHI)
As long as de Haan stays healthy, he is going to help your fantasy team. Chicago has cooled off over the past few games, but de Haan is still producing in those underrated categories.
Our first look shows he is in the top 20 (17th) for hits with 66 and sits in ninth place as of now with 54 blocked shots. He is averaging 2.6 blocked shots per game, which happens to be a three-way tie for fifth place in the league. He also has 1.10 shots per game.
While the shooting total may not be ideal, de Haan can still add an immediate presence in two out of the three categories that were mentioned. Here is the best part, he is owned in only a little over 10% of leagues.
Ryan Reaves (RW – VGK)
Alright, I understand that he only has three points and maybe his shot total is not soaring to new heights, but can someone explain to me why he is only owned in 14 percent of leagues? Rotisserie league default settings have hits and head-to-head default settings have hits being a category as well. Does this mean 86 percent of other leagues are doing some sort of variation that does not include hits?
He has 130 hits, which is 34 more than the next player and a full hit per game more than that same player. His drawbacks include only 0.5 blocked shots a game and just shy of one shot on goal per game. I would rather rack up the hits when the Knights play.
Zach Aston-Reese (LW/RW – PIT)
A player only owned in three percent of leagues, Aston-Reese has a 1.92 shots on goal average. That seems like more than enough to stash him on the bench and play as needed. Of course, there is more, as he also has 60 hits this year tying him for 25th in the league and translating to an average of 2.5 per game. The 0.5 shots he blocks per game is less than pleasing, but once again, two out of three isn’t bad. Obviously, he should be available for a low FAAB price in most leagues.
Here are a couple bigger names to buy if you are into making a blockbuster deal. These players should be sought after, providing you have a surplus in scoring and your trade partner needs what you can offer.
Rasmus Ristolainen (D – BUF)
He is owned in over 83 percent of leagues and for good reason — 3.3 hits per game, 1.5 blocked shots per game, and 2.17 shots per game are his averages. That is pretty much all you need to know about Ristolainen. He also makes an appearance on the power-play unit and has eight scoring points this year. Buffalo has been a great team this season and almost every player is benefitting from the success.
Jeff Petry (D – MTL)
Petry is owned in about 75 percent of leagues and there is good reason as to why. He has value across all three categories we have discussed. Petry averages 2.6 hits per game, 1.2 blocked shots per game, and let’s not forget he shoots the puck as well, averaging 2.17 shots per game. He is easily one of the more consistent defenders that you can add to your lineup, but be prepared to pay as he also comes with two goals and 10 assists. Petry should be considered for a team near the top of the fantasy standings that is looking to add that extra depth.
Here are some players to think about selling this week.
Sell
Joe Pavelski (C/RW – DAL)
An elite talent for so long in this league may finally be showing the toll this game can take on a player. Through the years, we have known Pavelski as a scoring machine and a premier talent. I have always thought of him and Kris Versteeg as twins separated at birth. Anyways, Pavelski is on pace to have his worst season since the 2012-2013 campaign. He has 12 points in 25 games, which results in 0.48 points per game. He has zero goals over the last five games. Sell the big name high for some production.
P.K. Subban (D – NJ)
It’s hard for me to put him on this list, but I may have finally given up hope. Everything the Devils did this offseason gave way to a promising start, and that included getting Subban from Nashville. With five points on the year and zero on the power play, it’s time to cut the ties and sell Subban to an owner that may believe in him. It would be one thing if the problem was only points, but he only has 21 hits, which is good for one per game, along with 26 blocks, which is barely over one a game. The only stat Subban has given us this year is 2.50 shots per game, but that is not nearly enough for how high most fantasy players drafted him.
I hope a slight change was able to answer some questions this week. Have fun hockey friends.
Mat Vilcek is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Mat, follow him @Mat1Thockey.
