If you’re on the postseason bubble, you’re running out of time to get your fantasy roster in order.
While some leagues rapidly approach the trade deadline, let’s look at some names to buy and sell as crunch time is here.
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NHL Fantasy Hockey Trade Advice (Week 20)
Buy
Patrick Kane was featured as a buy candidate in this piece not too long ago, and now that he’s officially no longer on one of the worst offenses in the league, he’s an elite buying option with the New York Rangers.
Now, Kane is only going to be available on non-playoff fantasy teams. That said, it’s going to be fascinating to see how Kane will fare in New York. Personally, I believe it will be electric as he’s likely to slide in on a line with Artemi Panarin, a player Kane helped take under his wing in Panarin’s first two NHL seasons with the Blackhawks. Kane helped Panarin notch 151 points across his first 162 NHL contests while he personally notched 195 points in 164 games in that time.
The notion that Kane is injured and/or aging should be washed away. He’s recovered from a dreadful shooting rate to score seven goals and 10 points over his last four games. It was quite the exit for Kane in a Blackhawks uniform, and his current form should translate nicely to Broadway.
Add it up, and Kane should be a major trade target so long as he’s available in your league.
Another veteran enduring a down season was Ryan O’Reilly, who has excelled since being traded to the Maple Leafs.
O’Reilly has collected five points in as many games in a Leafs’ uniform, albeit with four of those points coming in the same game as part of a hat-trick effort in Buffalo last week. Nonetheless, he’s skating on a line with John Tavares and William Nylander, the latter of whom just so happens to be leading a high-octane Maple Leafs’ offense in goals this season.
His ice time is down more than two minutes per game since the deal, but skating with that duo should absolutely ensure consistent point production and a quality plus/minus. Tavares and Nylande have combined for 133 points in 120 games on the season, and O’Reilly is a plus-three in five Maple Leafs games compared to -24 in 40 contests with the Blues.
Sell
Despite inevitable regression on the horizon, Kuzmenko has continued to chug along with five goals and seven points over his last five games. However, he’s not offering much outside of points, and his shooting rate should crumble moving forward.
He’s blown past expectations with 28 goals and 54 points in 59 games while skating on a line with Elias Pettersson. However, Kuzmenko’s 25.7% shooting rate is the highest mark in the NHL, as he’s put just 109 shots on goal for the season, or just 1.85 shots per game.
Furthermore, he’s registered just 11 hits and six penalty minutes, along with 11 power-play points. One thing he has done well is record a plus-six rating, an impressive feat on a Canucks team that is a -36 in goal differential this season.
He’s certainly a very good young player. However, as I’ve noted all season long, you have to give something to get something. Those non-playoff dynasty format teams should certainly be in the market for a player like this. However, there’s no doubt he’s going to see his shooting rate sink, whether it be this year or next.
Sell Kuzmenko while the production remains high.
Nothing like a four-goal effort to boost some value!
Kopitar’s dominant effort Tuesday in Winnipeg certainly helps those considering trading the veteran pivot, but it also added to a solid season in which he’s contributed a healthy 57 points in 62 games on the season. Furthermore, Kopitar has delivered nicely in the peripheral areas with 60 hits, 15 power-play points, and a nice plus-10 rating on a quality Kings club.
So, why the sell signal? Like Kuzmenko, Kopitar is benefiting from increased puck luck as his 18.3% shooting rate not only sits well above his 12.7% career mark but would also be a career-high 17 years into his NHL tenure.
At nearly 94% owned in ESPN leagues, Kopitar is receiving plenty of love from the fantasy community, and rightfully so. However, he’s still tied for just 38th in league scoring. In other words, the likes of Brock Nelson, Kevin Fiala, Alex Tuch, Jeff Skinner, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and more have been more productive in the points categories.
The year he is having should net you a nice return. Toss Kopitar into a package alongside another productive player, and you could have an elite asset on your hands for the stretch run.
View daily consensus odds from all major sportsbooks for the NHL at BettingPros
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