Hello! This is my weekly installment of my fantasy hockey sleepers post. I go through the top performers from last week that are owned in <50% of leagues (ESPN) and give you my take on whether they are worth adding or not. Many of these players are certainly worth at minimum a “watch list” addition, but some are also worth an outright add. I have broken down the lists into both banger and standard leagues below.
Banger Categories: G, A, +/-, PIM, SOG, HIT, BLK, STP, W, SV, SO, GAA, SV%
Standard Categories: G, A +/-, PIM, SOG, STP, W, SV, SO, GAA, SV%
Forwards (Banger)
Jordan Kyrou/Blues (C/L) - One of the top performers across the entire NHL last week, Kyrou has really come into his own as a top line forward. He put up was a goal per game through the four contests last week and also tossed in two assists. He plays a significant amount of time on special teams, with four of his six points coming during that time. His 15 shots were notable given that he now only has 37 through 14 games, a noticeable change that may have given him the push to reach these new heights.
Garnet Hathaway/Capitals (R) - Who had Hathaway as a possible four-point player last week? I certainly did not. Garnet is a physical player, don’t get me wrong. He usually gives you some waiver wire value in a pinch if you need “meat”. But last week he was a point per game. He of course also provided the “meat” with 32 total in the category, 19 of which were hits.
Jesper Bratt/Devils (R) - One of the more underrated players in the league in my opinion, Bratt is an elite 5v5 producer and has been for some time. This past week he showed up big on a line with another player on this list. Bratt put up six points in four games, two of them coming on special teams. But that just shows what I mean by 5v5 production, a point per game with four in four. One area he struggles is shots, but he did take three a game and now has 36 in 14.
Pavel Zacha/Devils (C/L) - Another Devil on the list, Zacha was on the line above Bratt with the elite Nico Hischier. Since moving Zacha to wing, the former 1st round pick has found a new groove. Most of his production came on special teams, three of his four points on his way to a point per game week. The 17 “meat” was nice too, 13 of which were shots. He’s on pace for over 35 goals, which is something worth owning in my opinion.
Robert Thomas/Blues (C) - Kyrou wasn’t the only former 1st round pick of the Blues to end up on this list. Robert Thomas is playing C2 and put it together last week between Barbashev/Tarasenko. The setup man did just that with SEVEN assists in four games, only two of which were on special teams. He was not good enough in the other categories, going –1 despite all the offensive success. Thomas only put in 5 “meat” as well.
Philip Danault/Kings (C) - One of the more contested free agents of the last off season, Danault had struggled at first with his new club. Last week the two ways forward was solid, going a point per game at 5v5 through four games. His 5v5 play is his calling card and the 18 shots are nothing to scoff at. A total of 27 “meat” is something that banger leagues like to see.
Zach Sanford/Senators (L) - A Senator on this list? What? He isn’t on COVID protocol? Sanford is one of the few who has been spared thus far from the protocol list as the outbreak goes through the squad. Sanford was not great in anything, but dipped his toe into every category. Most notably, he took nine minutes in penalties, which made up for his two assists in four games. The 21 “meat” also was nice, including nine shots.
Andreas Johnsson/Devils (L) - The other Devil I referenced above in Bratt’s breakdown, Johnsson paired well with his Swedish brother. The 5v5 skill is there between them, going a point per game in four games and a +3 to his credit. The 17 “meat” was enough to keep him on this list, the 22 shots through 14 is very concerning though.
Ryan Getzlaf/Ducks (C) - This is going to be the Jordan Staal of 2021-22. Last season Staal appeared on this list time and time again, people leaving him on waivers. Getzlaf is playing great hockey and he should be owned. Ryan had SIX assists in three games last week, only one coming on special teams. He has 17 points through 16 games and isn’t owned in most of leagues, this is embarrassing.
Reilly Smith/Golden Knights (R) - A team that struggled with injuries earlier in the season seems to be coming around. Smith was a goal per game last week and totaled five points overall in three games. The 50 shots through 13 games this season is promising and a sign that things may continue to go in a positive direction for the winger.
Evgeni Dadonov/Golden Knights (R/L) - Another Vegas winger, I am surprised it’s taken so long for Dadonov to get a chance in the top six. For so long he’s been mired in the bottom six and struggled. He was able to score three goals himself last week, and put up 18 “meat”, of which 12 were shots.
Adrian Kempe/Kings (C/R) - The winger was able to put up a meaty week for the Kings as he played L1 with Brown/Kopitar. Kempe accrued double digits in both hits and shots, totaling 24 “meat”, and three points in four games. He’s on a pace for roughly a 225/150 season in the shots/hits department.
Forwards (Standard)
Jordan Kyrou/Blues (C/L)
Jesper Bratt/Devils (R)
Robert Thomas/Blues (C)
Pavel Zacha/Devils (C/L)
Reilly Smith/Golden Knights (R)
Philip Danault/Kings (C)
Garnet Hathaway/Capitals (R)
Nils Hoglander/Canucks (L/R) - The young forward isn’t overly known for his physical play, thus resulting in him appearing on this list and not the bangers. However, he did live up to his reputation on the offensive end of the ice. Nils was a goal per game through four tilts, putting up five total points at 5v5. His 15 shots are promising, pushing his total near 2.5 a game. Hopefully this road trip can light the fire under him that was needed to realize his potential.
Evgeni Dadonov/Golden Knights (l/R)
Dawson Mercer/Devils (C) - Another young forward in the league finding his way, Mercer made some heads spin this past week with his speed on the ice. Dawson totaled six 5v5 points during a four-game span, something that simply cannot be ignored. His impact at even strength is something to monitor going forward throughout the season. One drawback is his lack of shooting, only seven shots during the 7-day period and 33 in 14 games.
Jeff Carter/Penguins (C) - The complete opposite of Mercer when it comes to the point in which Carter is at in his career. Jeff was relegated to L2 after the return of Crosby this past week, but he still found a way to make his presence known. He had a two-goal game, and took a penalty in each contest throughout the week. If he was a younger player this would get him benched, but the Penguins cannot afford such a punishment.
Ryan Getzlaf/Ducks (C)
Defense (Banger)
Dmitry Orlov/Capitals - Not the first time the Russian has appeared on the list this season. Orlov receives big minutes on the top pair with the Capitals and prime PP2 time. Last week was a well-rounded effort by Orlov, especially at 5v5 with a +5 to his credit. Dmitry totaled 23 “meat” with three points to his credit in four games. He’s on a 100/125/125/125 pace in the “banger” categories.
PK Subban/Devils - I don’t know how much Subban will help you going forward in the short term with an expected suspension coming. He got into a kerfuffle with Sammy Blais that has put him on slew foot watch once more. He was a point per game through four games last week, and had 15 “meat”.
Chris Wideman/Canadiens - Another player that may not find himself on this list next week, Wideman is here for his 10 PIMs. I mean, sure, the three points are legitimate as are is his PP1 time he gets nightly. But the misconduct he took last night against Boston is the reason why he ended up so high on the list. The years of players putting up double digits in PIMs are over.
Alex Edler/Kings - Not too many years back you could put Edler in some serious conversations as a defenseman. He was a stalwart for the Canucks and is now moonlighting with the Kings. Edler is the first player on the list to appear for his “meat” potential. Last week he totaled 27 in said category with 6 PIMs on the side. The 13 blocks were huge as he’s usually towards the top of the list on a yearly basis. Add him if you need meat, more specifically blocks though.
Hampus Lindholm/Ducks - Somebody has to benefit from Getzlaf and Zegras carrying their lines last week at 5v5, and Lindholm seemed to be that guy. He went +6 through three contests, getting in on two goals. Impressively one of his goals were on special teams so that goes to show just how great the forwards were. He plays 20 or more a night.
Nick Jensen/Capitals - I feel like I forget Jensen even exists on the Capitals until I see him playing because they have so many mainstays on the backend. Jensen last week was +5 at 5v5, assisting on two goals. His meat production was solid with 22, nine of which were shots.
Brayden McNabb/Golden Knights – When Vegas was beginning as a club, McNabb was one of the biggest contributors on the backend. Now he is relegated to a lesser role but found a way to make an impact. He scored on his only shot of the week, which helped. If anything, that should be to his detriment, no fantasy player of value has only one shot in a three-game span. Regardless, he contributed 9 blocks and 7 hits as well.
Logan Stanley/Jets - The big man is feeling the pressure from Ville Heinola in Manitoba, coming to take his spot. The former 1st round pick put it together last week with three assists in three games after only one through 13. Stanley was physical with his play as well, totaling 10 hits.
Defense (Standard)
Chris Wideman/Canadiens
PK Subban/Devils
Dmitry Orlov/Capitals
Hampus Lindholm/Ducks
Shayne Gostisbehere/Coyotes - Ghost is, and has proven to be this season once more, one of the best offensive defensemen in the game. He lacks a lot at the other end of the ice and that is what gets him benched, but on the PP and in the offensive zone he is a beast. He leads the Coyotes in points thus far and is getting minutes. Add him. Shayne had three points in three games and the minutes are impossible to ignore.
Oliver Kylington/Flames - This isn’t the first time that Kylington has appeared on this list, and it may even be the third time this season. Oliver is playing in a bigger role this season and has taken it by the horns. He took 9 shots in four games and had three points to his credit. This gives him ten in 14, and that isn’t something to ignore.
Ben Chiarot/Canadiens - The veteran defenseman was given an opportunity on PP1 yesterday after Mike Hoffman was absent, and the Canadiens coaching staff are beginning to give him more responsibility. For example, in this tilt he played 27 minutes, pushing to a 23 average for the season. Last week he had two goals in four games, took 9 shots and 2 penalties as well.
Logan Stanley/Jets
Goalies
Jonathan Quick/Kings - Is this 2011-12? What the hell is going on with Jon Quick? He’s been ELITE to start the season with a .935 through eight games this season. Last week he won both his starts, allowing one goal and thus meaning he achieved a shutout. He made 67 saves between the two starts.
Dan Vladar/Flames - The run by the Flames has been a benefit to both Markstrom and Vladar between the pipes. Vladar made two starts last week, one of which was a shutout. Unfortunately, he lost his other start but only allowed two goals. If you need a spot start it may be wise to add Vladar in the future.
Zach Fucale/Capitals - In such an incredible story of disappointment and perseverance, Fucale made his NHL debut this past week. In that debut, Fucale would achieve a shutout and thus quiet haters from the last eight years who thought he was a bust. It’s incredible when you look at his journey and see that he could still live up to that draft hype from 2013.