The fantasy hockey season rolls on into March, and we’ve got about 20-22 games remaining for each team. That means the fantasy playoffs will soon be starting, so it’s important, now more than ever, to make the right decisions to get your roster championship-ready.
NHL Fantasy Hockey Trade Advice (Week 20)
Buy
Rasmus Andersson has hit the skids — again. The 28-year-old Swedish rearguard certainly has been a streaky player this season, and there is nothing fantasy managers have more disdain for than a streaky player. You bench a guy, he catches fire; you put him back in, he goes cold. It’s enough to make you pull out your hair. I know I can’t afford to do that any longer.
It seems like the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament break derailed the Calgary defenseman, as he is scoreless in six games with a -6 rating since the break. Andersson appeared in one game for Team Sweden at TD Garden in Boston against Team USA. He was scoreless in that game with one shot on goal. Before the break, he was blanked against Seattle, too, posting a -1 rating. His last point game when he lit the lamp was in a loss against the Colorado Avalanche back on February 6th.
Going without a point in one full calendar month, even if there was a pause in play, simply will not do. However, Andersson is a guy proven to be capable of notching 40-50 points from the blue line but is on pace for just 11 goals and 28 points. If he was to get to even 40 points, he would need to go on a tear. And, he is certainly capable of doing so.
Don’t overpay, but consider scooping up Andersson on the cheap. You can never have enough offensive defensemen. A hot streak for the Swede might be just around the corner.
The 30-year-old defenseman is from Lakeville, Minnesota, a town that has cranked out NHLer after NHLer recently. Brady Skjei, Ryan Poehling, Jake Oettinger, Charlie Lindgren, etc. all hail from this Minneapolis-St. Paul suburb of around 74,000 citizens.
Skjei was inked to a free-agent deal this past offseason and was supposed to team with fellow newcomer Steven Stamkos to take this organization to a new level. Instead, it’s been a nightmare season in the Music City. Skjei is currently amid a seven-game scoreless skid, as he hasn’t had a point since before the 4 Nations Face-Off break.
The last time Skjei etched his name on the scoresheet was when he had two goals in a win over the Buffalo Sabres on February 8th. Again, it isn’t great seeing your fantasy player go a full month, break or not, with an extended scoreless skid. The 30-year-old is on pace for just nine goals, 28 points and a -13 rating. Why would you want that on your fantasy roster?
Well, he had 13 goals and 47 points last season in Carolina and has managed nine or more goals and 38 or more points in each of the past three seasons. Is it a system thing? It is certainly looking like it, as Skjei just hasn’t been firing on all cylinders at any point in Smashville. If you need goals from your defenseman and a smattering of power-play points, you should be able to acquire Skjei for a low price. It’s low-risk, high-reward at this point.
Sell
Roope Hintz has been blistering hot since coming back from the 4 Nations Face-Off break. The rest did wonders for him. What’s crazier is that Hintz didn’t take off during the break, but he represented Team Finland in the tournament, going scoreless with a -1 rating and just two shots on goal. Fantasy managers are certainly glad he didn’t score meaningless points for Team Finland and saved his offensive outburst for his NHL team.
Hintz has managed three goals and 11 assists in just the past five games, posting at least two points in four of the outings during his impressive point streak. He has a power-play goal and six assists on the man advantage during the red-hot run, too. Why would you trade such a player? Hintz is good and has 30 or more goals and 65 or more points in each of the past three seasons.
He is on pace for 34 goals and 67 points, which is pretty much in line with his normal production. Still, his fantasy appeal is at its pinnacle. You might be able to flip Hintz for a guy who is struggling now but is capable of taking your fantasy team to a new level. If you believe somebody in Hintz, hang onto him. But, his fantasy value is at an all-time high and you could acquire a bigger name.
Thomas Harley was running hot before the 4 Nations Face-Off break, going for two goals and five points in four games before the hiatus. He was summoned to play for Team Canada in Montreal once Shea Theodore went down with an injury. He made a name for himself with an assist and two goals, while showing off solid defensive skills and nice backchecking.
Harley has carried the momentum over since play resumed, going for two goals and eight points in six games since the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament ended. He has at least one power-play assist in each of his past three outings. Harley scored the game-winning goal against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, too.
Harley has revved up the offense rather nicely and has three consecutive multi-point performances. He is just 23 years old, so if you’re in a dynasty pool, you absolutely must keep him. But, if you’re in a redraft league, you should be able to upgrade nicely on the back of his hot streak.
Joe Williams is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joe, follow him @WinWithJoe.
