Fantasy hockey rankings update – Week 3

Fantasy hockey rankings update – Week 3

Clearly the New York Rangers have some things to figure out.

And I’m not even talking about the waiving of Tony DeAngelo, who finished 21st in the NHL last season among defensemen in fantasy points.

Mika Zibanejad has played between 13 and 35 minutes this season with four separate line combinations — only one of which has a Corsi for percentage over 50. Eleven of the team’s total 17 power-play points have been collected by just Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox. At 5-on-5, the Rangers have just 14 goals in nine games, the same as the Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks.

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But let’s focus on Zibanejad, as he’s the one being punished in the rankings this week, sliding from No. 9 to No. 21. In 185 minutes of ice time this season, Zibanejad has collected one goal and one assist. What were we thinking ranking him in the top 10?

Oh, he was there for a reason. During the past two seasons, Zibanejad has been one of the most effective players for fantasy in the NHL. The only forwards ahead of him in fantasy points per games played (FPPG) throughout all of 2018-19 and 2019-20 were: Connor McDavid, David Pastrnak, Alex Ovechkin, Leon Draisaitl, Auston Matthews, Nathan MacKinnon and Nikita Kucherov.

I could have just said he was eighth among forwards over the past two seasons in FPPG, but I felt it was important to individually list the names ahead of him. That is some heady company.

So why the slide now? As ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported this past weekend, the Rangers were perhaps playing a bit over their heads last season and expectations have soared prematurely for the club as a whole.

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Is Zibanejad a top-10 fantasy player on a Rangers team competing for the playoffs? No doubt. But he probably isn’t in that elusive top 10 if the club is experimenting with lines and trying to find a new power-play groove after waiving last year’s quarterback.

When things get back on track, Zibanejad is a fantasy beast. But until they get back on track, I’m tempering expectations.

Forwards on the move

Evgeni Malkin, C, Pittsburgh Penguins (down 13 spots to No. 57): Why beat around the bush: This is all about the Penguins power play. Malkin’s value will ebb and flow with the success of the Pens power play. Right now they have a collective five power-play goals. What we need for Malkin to be a top-30 fantasy asset is for the Penguins to be among the teams already in the double digits. Of course, the look-ahead for that isn’t exactly rosy with Kris Letang missing Monday’s game.

Nicklas Backstrom, C, Washington Capitals (up 24 spots to No. 78): How much of Backstrom’s scorching start is just him putting the team on his back while key teammates were out for COVID protocols? That’s a fair question to ask. Admittedly, Backstrom’s 8.50 fantasy points per 60 minutes (FPP60) is out of character, having turned in 5.88 last season. But I think Backstrom is a buy for fantasy. If the Caps power play is going to do that much damage without some key personnel (chiefly Alex Ovechkin), then some good times are ahead when they are back to full strength.

James van Riemsdyk, W, Philadelphia Flyers (enters rankings at No. 191): The Flyers have been a puzzle to solve for exactly who is driving this offense. Having Sean Couturier on the sidelines for much of the season hasn’t helped shape the picture. Despite the team sitting fourth in even strength goals so far this season, only one line trio has scored more than two goals together (and, yes, van Riemsdyk is a part of it).

Most recently, van Riemsdyk has been with Scott Laughton and Joel Farabee on what you might even consider the team’s third line, but the combo has been finding success. But what really has van Riemsdyk shining so far has been his work on the power play. Despite being a specialist in the role in his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, van Riemsdyk was largely left out of the Flyers man advantage last season. That looks like a mistake. He’s already collected five power-play points as part of his 13 total points in 10 games. But, before he rockets up the rankings, does he get to stay there on the power play after Couturier returns? And, if so, who gets bumped?

Defensemen on the move

Victor Hedman, D, Tampa Bay Lightning (up 11 spots to No. 19): I use FPP60 so often to evaluate players now that ESPN.com has switched the default game to a points format, that I sometimes forget that it doesn’t account for all things. Hedman is the prime example. His FPP60 so far this season is a modest 6.88. That’s solid. It’s tied for 79th among skaters with at least 35 minutes of ice time.

But, as a direct comparison, Hedman is tied with Brock Boeser at 6.88 FPP60. One of them has been played more than 26 minutes per game, while the other has averaged 18:43. See how FPP60 fails to account for the fact that Hedman plays almost 1.5 times the minutes of Boeser? Hedman is playing monster minutes for the Lightning so far and he is just piling up the points. Based on the early returns, I expect Hedman and John Carlson to be standing alone in their own tier by the end of the campaign.

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John Klingberg, D, Dallas Stars (up 44 spots to No. 104): Not so fast, Miro Heiskanen. Klingberg, apparently, isn’t going to go quietly into the night. He’s stormed back into the Stars power-play quarterbacking role and has been en fuego to start the campaign. It was more than fair to have them reversed on your cheat sheets coming into the season. Heiskanen had usurped the role by the end of last season and even collected more power-play points than Klingberg during their run to the Stanley Cup final. But the Stars are back to all-in on Klingberg so far.

Goaltenders on the move
For the second week in a row, I’m choosing not to highlight any individuals here, but instead talk overall strategy. While it’s still too soon to make any harsh decisions about any one goaltender, it’s also been enough time to start slipping some of the up-and-comers onto your bench. Those two statements may seem to be mutually exclusive, but it’s just a delicate balance.

You don’t want to pitch players like Igor Shesterkin or Ilya Samsonov overboard yet, as there is still plenty of time for them to earn your draft capital. But you also can’t sit on yours hands on a Chris Driedger or Kevin Lankinen or James Reimer (especially with Petr Mrazek possibly out for a while). You need to find the balance on your individual fantasy roster to do some goaltender speculation, while also hanging on to the goalies with the upside to be among the best.

Admittedly, I wish I had a better answer. But I can’t in good conscience suggest pitching aside many of the goaltenders that we invested in at the draft after just a couple of weeks. Team defense can get better. Scoring can get better. The balance between the two can bring wins, which will bring fantasy points quickly to the right goaltender in the right place.

2 Related

So, hang in there, use your injured reserve to free up a spot for an extra goalie and just have some patience.

Unless you have Tristan Jarry. You can pitch him.

New to rankings
James van Riemsdyk (No. 191), Denis Gurianov (209), Jordan Kyrou (210), Kevin Lankinen (211), Chris Driedger (218), Joel Eriksson Ek (237), Calvin Peterson (240), Devon Toews (242), Brian Elliott (248), Carter Verhaege (249), Tyler Motte (250).

Just missed
Paul Stastny, Ty Smith, Connor Murphy, Noah Dobson, Hampus Lindholm, Thatcher Demko, Casey DeSmith, Alex Tuch, Jordan Greenway.

Dropped out
Dylan Strome, Derek Stepan, Nico Hischier, Robert Thomas, Tony DeAngelo, Kevin Shattenkirk, Noah Hanifin, P.K. Subban, Linus Ullmark, Matt Murray, Reilly Smith, Maxime Comtois, Alex Iafallo, Christian Dvorak.

Fantasy hockey top-250 rankings
1. Connor McDavid, C, Edm (C1)
2. Nathan MacKinnon, C, Col (C2)
3. David Pastrnak, RW, Bos (RW1)
4. Leon Draisaitl, LW, Edm (LW1)
5. Jack Eichel, C, Buf (C3)
6. Auston Matthews, C, Tor (C4)
7. Steven Stamkos, C, TB (C5)
8. Alex Ovechkin, LW, Wsh (LW2)
9. Mitchell Marner, RW, Tor (RW2)
10. John Carlson, D, Wsh (D1)
11. Andrei Vasilevskiy, G, TB (G1)
12. Brad Marchand, LW, Bos (LW3)
13. Connor Hellebuyck, G, Wpg (G2)
14. Patrick Kane, RW, Chi (RW3)
15. Sebastian Aho, C, Car (C6)
16. Jonathan Huberdeau, LW, Fla (LW4)
17. Artemi Panarin, LW, NYR (LW5)
18. Sidney Crosby, C, Pit (C7)
19. Victor Hedman, D, TB (D2)
20. Brent Burns, D, SJ (D3)
21. Mika Zibanejad, C, NYR (C8)
22. Mark Scheifele, C, Wpg (C9)
23. John Tavares, C, Tor (C10)
24. Mikko Rantanen, RW, Col (RW4)
25. Blake Wheeler, RW, Wpg (RW5)
26. Jake Guentzel, LW, Pit (LW6)
27. Alex Pietrangelo, D, Vgs (D4)
28. Roman Josi, D, Nsh (D5)
29. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, Edm (C11)
30. Patrice Bergeron, C, Bos (C12)
31. Tuukka Rask, G, Bos (G3)
32. Taylor Hall, LW, Buf (LW7)
33. Kyle Connor, LW, Wpg (LW8)
34. Patrik Laine, RW, Cls (RW6)
35. Brayden Point, C, TB (C13)
36. Elias Pettersson, C, Van (C14)
37. Ivan Provorov, D, Phi (D6)
38. Aleksander Barkov, C, Fla (C15)
39. Mark Stone, RW, Vgs (RW7)
40. Travis Konecny, RW, Phi (RW8)
41. Cale Makar, D, Col (D7)
42. Jeff Petry, D, Mon (D8)
43. Andrei Svechnikov, LW, Car (LW9)
44. J.T. Miller, C, Van (C16)
45. Jordan Binnington, G, StL (G4)
46. Carter Hart, G, Phi (G5)
47. Anze Kopitar, C, LA (C17)
48. Frederik Andersen, G, Tor (G6)
49. Philipp Grubauer, G, Col (G7)
50. Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Col (LW10)
51. Charlie McAvoy, D, Bos (D9)
52. Dougie Hamilton, D, Car (D10)
53. Carey Price, G, Mon (G8)
54. Erik Karlsson, D, SJ (D11)
55. Ryan Pulock, D, NYI (D12)
56. Bo Horvat, C, Van (C18)
57. Evgeni Malkin, C, Pit (C19)
58. Igor Shesterkin, G, NYR (G9)
59. Anton Khudobin, G, Dal (G10)
60. Darnell Nurse, D, Edm (D13)
61. Robin Lehner, G, Vgs (G11)
62. Morgan Rielly, D, Tor (D14)
63. Semyon Varlamov, G, NYI (G12)
64. Kris Letang, D, Pit (D15)
65. Seth Jones, D, Cls (D16)
66. Sean Couturier, C, Phi (C20)
67. Jacob Markstrom, G, Cgy (G13)
68. Jamie Benn, LW, Dal (LW11)
69. Logan Couture, C, SJ (C21)
70. Thomas Chabot, D, Ott (D17)
71. Tyson Barrie, D, Edm (D18)
72. Max Pacioretty, LW, Vgs (LW12)
73. Juuse Saros, G, Nsh (G14)
74. Ilya Samsonov, G, Wsh (G15)
75. Dylan Larkin, C, Det (C22)
76. Mathew Barzal, C, NYI (C23)
77. Brayden Schenn, C, StL (C24)
78. Nicklas Backstrom, C, Wsh (C25)
79. T.J. Oshie, RW, Wsh (RW9)
80. Quinn Hughes, D, Van (D19)
81. Kailer Yamamoto, RW, Edm (RW10)
82. Shea Weber, D, Mon (D20)
83. Kirill Kaprizov, LW, Min (LW13)
84. Ryan Ellis, D, Nsh (D21)
85. Matthew Tkachuk, LW, Cgy (LW14)
86. Teuvo Teravainen, RW, Car (RW11)
87. Johnny Gaudreau, LW, Cgy (LW15)
88. Elias Lindholm, RW, Cgy (RW12)
89. William Nylander, RW, Tor (RW13)
90. Tomas Hertl, C, SJ (C26)
91. Jacob Trouba, D, NYR (D22)
92. Brady Tkachuk, LW, Ott (LW16)
93. Evander Kane, LW, SJ (LW17)
94. Darcy Kuemper, G, Ari (G16)
95. Alex DeBrincat, LW, Chi (LW18)
96. Chris Kreider, LW, NYR (LW19)
97. Anthony Mantha, RW, Det (RW14)
98. Pierre-Luc Dubois, C, Wpg (C27)
99. Brock Boeser, RW, Van (RW15)
100. Aaron Ekblad, D, Fla (D23)
101. Marc-Andre Fleury, G, Vgs (G17)
102. Bryan Rust, RW, Pit (RW16)
103. Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, Cls (RW17)
104. John Klingberg, D, Dal (D24)
105. Sergei Bobrovsky, G, Fla (G18)
106. Ryan O’Reilly, C, StL (C28)
107. Jake Muzzin, D, Tor (D25)
108. Joe Pavelski, RW, Dal (RW18)
109. Jared Spurgeon, D, Min (D26)
110. Claude Giroux, LW, Phi (LW20)
111. Zach Parise, LW, Min (LW21)
112. Joonas Korpisalo, G, Cls (G19)
113. Ryan Suter, D, Min (D27)
114. Rasmus Dahlin, D, Buf (D28)
115. Filip Forsberg, LW, Nsh (LW22)
116. Drew Doughty, D, LA (D29)
117. Nick Suzuki, C, Mon (C29)
118. Timo Meier, RW, SJ (RW19)
119. Mackenzie Blackwood, G, NJ (G20)
120. Alexander Edler, D, Van (D30)
121. Shea Theodore, D, Vgs (D31)
122. Ondrej Palat, LW, TB (LW23)
123. Zach Werenski, D, Cls (D32)
124. Rasmus Ristolainen, D, Buf (D33)
125. Sam Reinhart, RW, Buf (RW20)
126. Rasmus Andersson, D, Cgy (D34)
127. Patric Hornqvist, RW, Fla (RW21)
128. Mikhail Sergachev, D, TB (D35)
129. Keith Yandle, D, Fla (D36)
130. David Perron, RW, StL (RW22)
131. Tom Wilson, RW, Wsh (RW23)
132. Sean Monahan, C, Cgy (C30)
133. Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, Wpg (LW24)
134. Miro Heiskanen, D, Dal (D37)
135. Mikko Koskinen, G, Edm (G21)
136. Torey Krug, D, StL (D38)
137. Cam Talbot, G, Min (G22)
138. Victor Olofsson, RW, Buf (RW24)
139. Adam Fox, D, NYR (D39)
140. Tomas Tatar, LW, Mon (LW25)
141. Jakob Chychrun, D, Ari (D40)
142. Elvis Merzlikins, G, Cls (G23)
143. Mike Hoffman, LW, StL (LW26)
144. John Gibson, G, Ana (G24)
145. Alexis Lafreniere, LW, NYR (LW27)
146. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D, Ari (D41)
147. Matt Dumba, D, Min (D42)
148. Kevin Fiala, C, Min (C31)
149. Josh Morrissey, D, Wpg (D43)
150. Max Domi, C, Cls (C32)
151. Tanner Pearson, LW, Van (LW28)
152. Brendan Gallagher, RW, Mon (RW25)
153. Cam Atkinson, RW, Cls (RW26)
154. Nazem Kadri, C, Col (C33)
155. Jakub Vrana, C, Wsh (C34)
156. William Karlsson, C, Vgs (C35)
157. Mark Giordano, D, Cgy (D44)
158. Evgeny Kuznetsov, C, Wsh (C36)
159. Ryan Strome, C, NYR (C37)
160. Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, StL (RW27)
161. Tyler Toffoli, RW, Mon (RW28)
162. Viktor Arvidsson, RW, Nsh (RW29)
163. Braden Holtby, G, Van (G25)
164. Alexander Radulov, RW, Dal (RW30)
165. Tristan Jarry, G, Pit (G26)
166. Blake Coleman, LW, TB (LW29)
167. Ryan Graves, D, Col (D45)
168. Evgenii Dadonov, RW, Ott (RW31)
169. Jaccob Slavin, D, Car (D46)
170. Adam Henrique, C, Ana (C38)
171. Esa Lindell, D, Dal (D47)
172. Alec Martinez, D, Vgs (D48)
173. Brock Nelson, C, NYI (C39)
174. Colton Parayko, D, StL (D49)
175. Anders Lee, LW, NYI (LW30)
176. Jaroslav Halak, G, Bos (G27)
177. Josh Norris, C, Ott (C40)
178. Pavel Buchnevich, RW, NYR (RW32)
179. Kyle Palmieri, RW, NJ (RW33)
180. Ryan McDonagh, D, TB (D50)
181. Roope Hintz, C, Dal (C41)
182. Jakub Voracek, RW, Phi (RW34)
183. Andre Burakovsky, LW, Col (LW31)
184. Duncan Keith, D, Chi (D51)
185. Matt Grzelcyk, D, Bos (D52)
186. Filip Hronek, D, Det (D53)
187. Samuel Girard, D, Col (D54)
188. Anthony Duclair, LW, Fla (LW32)
189. Jason Zucker, LW, Pit (LW33)
190. Nate Schmidt, D, Van (D55)
191. James van Riemsdyk, LW, Phi (LW34)
192. Damon Severson, D, NJ (D56)
193. Alex Killorn, LW, TB (LW35)
194. Neal Pionk, D, Wpg (D57)
195. Adam Boqvist, D, Chi (D58)
196. Nikita Gusev, LW, NJ (LW36)
197. Ryan Johansen, C, Nsh (C42)
198. Ilya Sorokin, G, NYI (G28)
199. Petr Mrazek, G, Car (G29)
200. Phillip Danault, C, Mon (C43)
201. Jake Allen, G, Mon (G30)
202. Jean-Gabriel Pageau, C, NYI (C44)
203. Phil Kessel, RW, Ari (RW35)
204. Eric Staal, C, Buf (C45)
205. Vincent Trocheck, C, Car (C46)
206. Jack Hughes, C, NJ (C47)
207. Pavel Francouz, G, Col (G31)
208. Tyler Bertuzzi, LW, Det (LW37)
209. Denis Gurianov, LW, Dal (LW38)
210. Jordan Kyrou, C, StL (C48)
211. Kevin Lankinen, G, Chi (G32)
212. Antti Raanta, G, Ari (G33)
213. Ryan Getzlaf, C, Ana (C49)
214. Erik Gustafsson, D, Phi (D59)
215. Kevin Hayes, C, Phi (C50)
216. Matt Duchene, C, Nsh (C51)
217. Pius Suter, C, Chi (C52)
218. Chris Driedger, G, Fla (G34)
219. Mattias Ekholm, D, Nsh (D60)
220. Jonathan Marchessault, LW, Vgs (LW39)
221. Mikael Granlund, LW, Nsh (LW40)
222. Clayton Keller, C, Ari (C53)
223. Nick Ritchie, LW, Bos (LW41)
224. Dominik Kubalik, LW, Chi (LW42)
225. Kasperi Kapanen, RW, Pit (RW36)
226. Pekka Rinne, G, Nsh (G35)
227. Jeff Skinner, LW, Buf (LW43)
228. Dustin Brown, RW, LA (RW37)
229. Tyler Myers, D, Van (D61)
230. Kaapo Kahkonen, G, Min (G36)
231. Jonathan Drouin, LW, Mon (LW44)
232. Charlie Coyle, C, Bos (C54)
233. Anthony Cirelli, C, TB (C55)
234. Jordan Eberle, RW, NYI (RW38)
235. Zach Hyman, LW, Tor (LW45)
236. Rickard Rakell, C, Ana (C56)
237. Joel Eriksson Ek, C, Min (C57)
238. Vince Dunn, D, StL (D62)
239. Alexandar Georgiev, G, NYR (G37)
240. Calvin Petersen, G, LA (G38)
241. Jaden Schwartz, LW, StL (LW46)
242. Devon Toews, D, Col (D63)
243. Nolan Patrick, C, Phi (C58)
244. Jesse Puljujarvi, RW, Edm (RW39)
245. Josh Anderson, RW, Mon (RW40)
246. Jakob Silfverberg, RW, Ana (RW41)
247. Boone Jenner, C, Cls (C59)
248. Brian Elliott, G, Phi (G39)
249. Carter Verhaeghe, C, Fla (C60)
250. Tyler Motte, LW, Van (LW47)

Clearly, the New York Rangers have some things to work out.

Not to mention the passing of Tony DiAngelo, who finished 21st in fantasy points among NHL defensemen last season.

Mika Zibanejad played between 13 and 35 minutes in four different line combinations this season – only one of which had a Corsi percentage over 50. 11 of the team’s 17 power play points came from Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox. In the 5-on-5 game, the Rangers scored only 14 goals in nine games, the same number as the Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks.

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But let’s focus on Zibanejad, because he is the only one who was penalized this week, moving from 9th to 21st place. In 185 minutes of ice time this season, Zibanejad scored a goal and an assist. What would we have thought if he had made the top 10?

Oh, he was there for a reason. For the last two seasons, Zibanejad has been one of the most effective fantasy players in the NHL. The only forwards who have surpassed him in Fantasy Points in All Games Played (FPPG) for the entire 2018-19 and 2019-20 season have been Connor McDavid, David Pastrnak, Alex Ovechkin, Leon Draisaitl, Auston Matthews, Nathan MacKinnon and Nikita Kucherov.

I could have just said he was eighth among FPPG forwards in the last two seasons, but I felt it important to mention the names before him separately. It’s a dizzying company.

So why the slide now? As Emily Kaplan of ESPN reported last weekend, the Rangers may have been a little overwhelmed last season, and expectations for the club as a whole rose too quickly.

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Is Zibanejad one of the top 10 great players on a Rangers team fighting for the playoffs? Without a doubt. But he’s probably not in that elusive top 10 as the club experiments with the lines and tries to find a new facet to the power play after passing on last year’s quarterback.

When everything returns to normal, Zibanejad is a fantastic monster. But until they get back on track, I’m putting the brakes on.

Forward, in motion

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Evgeni Malkin, C, Pittsburgh Penguins (down 13 spots, 57): Why beat around the bush: it’s all about the Penguins’ power play. Malkin’s value will fluctuate depending on the success of the Penguins’ power play. Right now, they have five collective power play targets. To get Malkin into the fantasy top 30, the Penguins already need to be in the double digits. Of course, it’s not very satisfying that Chris Letang missed Monday’s game.

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Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals (up 24 spots to 78): How did Backstrom manage to get the team on track when his key teammates were absent for minutes at COVID? Legitimate question. Backstrom’s 8.50 fantasy points per 60 minutes (FPP60) is certainly unusual; last season he conceded 5.88. But I think Backstrom is a fantasy acquisition. If the Caps’ power play can do that much damage without some key players (Alex Ovechkin in particular), they’ll have a good time when they get back to full strength.

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James van Riemsdyk, W, Philadelphia Flyers (#191): For the Flyers, it’s hard to know exactly who is leading the offense. Sean Couturier has not helped shape the picture for most of the season. Although he is fourth in the scoring standings this season, only one lineman has scored more than two goals (and yes, van Riemsdyk is one of them).

Lately, Van Riemsdyk has been working with Scott Laughton and Joel Farabee in what could even be called the team’s third row, but the combo has been successful. But what has really set Van Riemsdyk apart so far is his work on the power play. Although he is a specialist in his role with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Van Riemsdyk missed punch against the Flyers last season. That sounds like a mistake. He has already scored five points on the power play and is part of a 13-point, 10-game winning streak. But, before he moves up, can he stay on the power play after Couturier’s return? And if so, who will?

Defenders in motion

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Victor Hedman, D, Tampa Bay Lightning (up 11 places to 19th): I use FPP60 so often to rank players that ESPN.com has changed the standard game to a scoring format that I sometimes forget doesn’t take everything into account. Hedman is a good example. So far this season, his FPP60 is a modest 6.88, which is solid. He is 79th among skaters with at least 35 minutes of ice time.

But in a direct comparison, Hedman is tied with Brock Boeser at 6.88 FPP60. One of them played more than 26 minutes per game, while the other averaged 18.43. Notice how FPP60 doesn’t take into account the fact that Hedman plays almost 1.5 times as many minutes as Boeser? So far, Hedman is playing monster minutes for the Lightning, and he’s only making points. Based on the initial results, I expect Hedman and John Carlson to be on their own at the end of the season.

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John Klingberg, D, Dallas Stars (44 pitches, 104): Not so fast, Miro Heiskanen. Clearly, Klingberg will not go quietly into the night. He has taken on the role of quarterback for the Power Playing Stars to launch the campaign. It would be more than fair to put them on your cheat sheets at the beginning of the season. Heiskanen took over this role toward the end of last season and even scored more power play points than Klingberg in their run to the Stanley Cup Final. But so far, the Stars have been champions again with Klingberg.

The moving goalie

For the second week in a row, I prefer not to point the finger at specific individuals here, but to talk about the overall strategy. While it is too early to make difficult decisions about a goalkeeper, there has also been plenty of time to bench some players. These two statements may be mutually exclusive, but it is a delicate balance.

Players like Igor Shesterkin or Ilya Samsonov should not be thrown into the sea right away, as they still have plenty of time to earn recruiting capital. But you also can’t sit on the hands of Chris Drieder, Kevin Lankinen or James Reimer (especially not Petr Mrazek, maybe for a while). You have to find the balance in your individual fantasy range to make some speculation about goalies while sticking with goalies who have the advantage of being among the best.

Okay, I wish I had a better answer. But I can’t in good conscience suggest that we discard many of the goals we have invested in the project in a few weeks. A team’s defense can improve. Scores can improve. The balance between the two can produce victories that quickly yield fantasy points for the right goalie in the right place.

2 Connected

So hang in there, use your injured reserve to make room for an extra goalie, and be patient.

Unless you have Tristan Jarry. You can serve him.

Newcomers to the rankings

James van Riemsdyk (#191), Denis Gurianov (209), Jordan Kiru (210), Kevin Lankinen (211), Chris Dridger (218), Joel Eriksson Eck (237), Calvin Peterson (240), Devon Toews (242), Brian Elliott (248), Carter Verhedge (249), Tyler Motte (250).

I just

Paul Stastny, Ty Smith, Connor Murphy, Noah Dobson, Hampus Lindholm, Thatcher Demko, Casey DeSmith, Alex Tuch, Jordan Greenway.

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Dylan Strome, Derek Stepan, Nico Hischier, Robert Thomas, Tony DeAngelo, Kevin Shattenkirk, Noah Hanifin, P.K. Subban, Linus Ulmark, Matt Murray, Reilly Smith, Maxime Comtois, Alex Yafallo, Christian Dvorak.

Fantasy Hockey Top 250 rankings

1. ConnorMcDavid, C,Edm(C1)
2.Nathan MacKinnon, C, Oberst (C2)
3DavidPasternak, RW,Bos(RW1)
4.LeonDraisaitl, LW,Edmar(LW)
5.JackEichel, C,Boothe(C3)
6.AustinMatthews, C, Thor (C4)
7.StevenStamkos, C, TB (C5)
8.AlexOvechkin, LW,Wsh(LW2)
9.MitchellMarner, RW, Tor (RW2)
10.John Carlson, D,Wsh(D1)
11.AndreiVasilevsky, G, TB (G1)
12.BradMarchand, LW,Bos (LW3)
13ConnorHellbake, G,Wpg(G2)
14.Patrick Kane, RW, Chi (RW3)
15.SebastianAho, C, Maschine (C6)
16.JonathanHuberdeau, LW,Fla(LW4)
17.ArtemiPanarin, LW, New York (LW5)
18.Sidney Crosby, C, Pit (C7)
19.VictorHedman, D, TB (D2)
20.Brent Burns, D, SJ (D3)
21.MikaZibanejad, C, New York (C8)
22.MarkScheifele, C.,Upg(C9)
23.John Tavares, C., Tor (C10)
24.MikkoRantanen, RW, Col (RW4)
25.Blake Wheeler, RW,Wpg(RW5)
26.JakeGuentzel, LW, Pit (LW6)
27.AlexPietrangelo, D,Vgs(D4)
28.RomanJosi, D,Nsh(D5)
29.Ryan Nugen-Hopkins, C,Edm(C11)
30.Patrice Bergeron, C,Bos(C12)
31TuukkaRask, G,Bos(G3)
32Taylor Hall, LW,Booth(LW7).
33. Kyle Connor, LW,Wpg(LW8)
34PatrickLane, RW,Cls(RW6)
35.BraydenPoint, C, TB (C13)
36.EliasPettersson, C, Van (C14)
37IvanProvorov, D, Phi (D6)
38AlexanderBarkov, C,Fla(C15)
39Mark Stone, RV,Vgs(RW7)
40TravisKonecny, RV, Phi (RW8)
41CaleMakar, D, Oberst (D7)
42JeffPetrie, D, Mon (D8)
43AndreySvechnikov, LW, Auto (LW9)
44JT Miller, C, Wang (C16)
45JordanBinnington, G,StL(G4)
46.Carter Hart, G, Phi (G5)
47.AnzeKopitar, C, LA (C17)
48.FrederikAndersen, G, Thor (G6)
49.PhilippGrubauer, G., Oberst (G7)
50.GabrielLandeskog, LW, Col (LW10)
51.CharlieMcAvoy, D,Bos(D9)
52.DougieHamilton, D, Auto (D10)
53.Cary Price, G, Mo (G8)
54.ErikKarlsson, D, SJ (D11)
55.RyanPulock, D, New York (D12)
56BoHorvath, C, Wang (C18)
57EvgenyMalkin, C, Pete (C19)
58.IgorShesterkin, G, New York (G9)
59.AntonKhudobin, G, Dal (G10)
60.Darnell Nurse, D,Edmar(D13)
61.RobinLehner, G,Vgs(G11)
62MorganRilley, D, Thor (D14)
63SemyonVarlamov, G, NYI (G12)
64ChrisLetang, D, Pete (D15)
65Seth Jones, D,Cls(D16)
66Sean Couturier, C, Phi (C20)
67JacobMarkstrom, G,Cgy(G13)
68Jamie Benn, LW, Dal (LW11)
69Logan Couture, C, SJ (C21)
70Thomas Chabot, D,Ott(D17)
71Tyson Barry, D,Edm(D18)
72MaxPacioretty, LW,Vgs(LW12)
73JuuseSaros, G,Nsh(G14)
74IlyaSamsonov, G,Wsh(G15)
75Dylan Larkin, C,Det(C22)
76MatthewBarzal, C, New York (C23)
77BraydenSchenn, C,StL(C24)
78NicklasBackstrom, C,Ush(C25)
79.T.J.Oshie, RW,Ush(RW9)
80Quinn Hughes, D, Wang (D19)
81KylerYamamoto, RW,Edm(RW10)
82.Shea Weber, D, Mon (D20)
83KirillKaprizov, LW, Min (LW13)
84Ryan Ellis, D,Nsh(D21)
85MatthewTkachuk, LW,Cgy(LW14)
86TeuvoTeravainen, RV, Auto (RW11)
87JohnnyGaudreau, LW,Cgy (LW15)
88EliasLindholm, RV,(RW12)
89WilliamNylander, RW, Tor (RW13)
90ThomasHertl, C, SJ (C26)
91JacobTrouba, D, NY (D22)
92BradyTkachuk, LV,Ott(LW16)
93.Evander Kane, LV, SJ (LW17)
94.DarcyKemper, G, Ari (G16)
95.AlexDeBrincat, LW, Chi (LW18)
96.ChrisKreider, LW, NYR (LW19)
97.AnthonyManta, RW,Det(RW14)
98.Pierre-Luc Dubois, C,Wpg(C27)
99.BrockBoozer, RW, Wang (RW15)
100.AaronEkblad, D,Fla(D23)
101.Marc-AndreFleury, G,Wgs(G17)
102Brian Rast, RW, Pete (RW16)
103OliverBjorkstrand, RW,Cls(RW17)
104JohnKlingberg, D, Dal (D24)
105SergeyBobrovsky, G,Fla(G18)
106.Ryan O’Reilly, C,StL(C28)
107.JakeMuzzin, D, Thor (D25)
108JoePavelski, RW, Dal (RW18)
109.Jared Spurgeon, D, Min (D26)
110Claude Giroux, LW, Fee (LW20)
111ZachParadise, LW, Min (LW21)
112ChunasKorpisalo, G,Cls(G19)
113RyanSuter, D, Min (D27)
114.RasmusDahlin, D,Boothe(D28)
115FilipForsberg, LW,Nsh(LW22)
116Drew Doughty, D, LA (D29)
117Nick Suzuki, C, Mo (C29)
118TimoMeyer, RW, SJ (RW19)
119.Mackenzie Blackwood, G, NJ (G20)
120.AlexanderEdler, D, Van (D30)
121Shea Theodore, D,Vgs(D31)
122OndrejPalat, LW, TB (LW23)
123ZakWierenski, D,Cls(D32)
124RasmusRistolainen, D,Boothe(D33)
125. Sam Reinhart, RV,Boothe(RW20)
126RasmusAndersson, D,Cgy(D34)
127PatrikHornqvist, RV,Fla(RW21)
128MikhailSergachev, D, TB (D35)
129KeithYandle, D,Fla(D36)
130DavidPerron, RV,St.-Petersburg(PB22)
131Tom Wilson, RW,Ush(RW23)
132.Sean Monahan, C,Cgy(C30)
133NicholasEhlers, LW,Wpg(LW24)
134MiroHeiskanen, D, Dal (D37)
135MikkoKoskinen, G,Edm(G21)
136ToreyKrug, D,StL(D38)
137Cam Talbot, G, Min (G22)
138VictorOlofsson, RV,Boothe(RW24)
139Adam Fox, D, New York (D39)
140Thomas Tatar, LW, Mon (LW25)
141JacobCichrun, D, Ari (D40)
142ElvisMerzlikins, G,Cls(G23)
143.Mike Hoffman, LW,StL(LW26)
144.John Gibson, G, Ana (G24)
145.AlexisLafreniere, LW, New York (LW27)
146Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D, Ari (D41)
147MattDumba, D, Min (D42)
148KevinFiala, C, Min (C31)
149.Josh Morrissey, D,Wpg(D43)
150.MaxDomi, C,Cls(C32)
151.Tanner Pearson, LW, Wang (LW28)
152.Brendan Gallagher, RW, Mon (RW25)
153.Cam Atkinson, RW,Cls(RW26)
154NazemKadri, C, Col (C33)
155JakubVrana, C,Wsh(C34)
156WilliamKarlsson, C,Wgs(C35)
157Mark Giordano, D,Cgy(D44)
158EvgenyKuznetsov, C,Wsh(L36)
159RyanStrom, C, New York (37)
160VladimirTarasenko, Südafrika,St.L(RW27)
161TylerToffoli, RW, Mo (RW28)
162ViktorArvidsson, RW,Nsh(RW29)
163BradenHoltby, G, Wang (G25)
164AlexanderRadulov, RW, Dahl (RW30)
165TristanJarry, G, Pete (G26)
166Blake Coleman, LV, TB (LW29)
167Ryan Graves, D, Oberst (D45)
168EvgenyDadonov, RV,Ott(RW31)
169.JakobSlavin, D, Auto (D46)
170Adam Enrique, K, Ana (C38).
171. EsaLindell, D, Dal (D47)
172Alec Martinez, D,Vgs(D48)
173.Brock Nelson, C, NYI (C39)
174.ColtonParayko, D,StL(D49)
175Anders Lee, LA, NYI (LW30)
176JaroslavHalak, G,Bos(G27)
177Josh Norris, C,Ott(C40)
178PavelBuchnevich, RW, New York (RW32)
179KylePalmieri, RV, NJ (RW33)
180.RyanMcDonagh, D, TB (D50)
181.SeilHinz, K, Dahl (C41)
182.Jakub Voracek, RW, Phi (RW34)
183. Andrei Burakovsky, LW, Col (LW31)
184. Duncan Keith, D, Chi (D51)
185. Matt Grzelcyk, D, Bos (D52)
186. Philip Hronek, D, Det (D53)
187. Samuel Girard, D, Oberst (D54)
188. Anthony Duclair, LW, Fla (LW32)
189. Jason Zucker, LW, Pete (LW33)
190. Nate Schmidt, D, Van (D55)
191. James van Riemsdyk, LW, Phi (LW34)
192. Damon Severson, D, NJ (D56)
193. Alex Killorn, LW, TB (LW35)
194. Neil Pionk, D, Wpg (D57)
195. Adam Boquist, D, Chi (D58)
196. Nikita Gusev, LA, NJ (LW36)
197. Ryan Johansen, C, Nsh (C42)
198. Ilya Sorokin, G, New York (G28)
199. Petr Mrazek, G, Auto (G29)
200. Philippe Dano, C, Mon (C43)
201. Jake Allen, G, Mo (G30)
202. Jean-Gabriel Pago, C, New York (C44)
203. Phil Kessel, RV, Ari (RW35)
204. Eric Staal, C, Boothe (C45)
205. Vincent Trocheck, K, Auto (C46)
206. Jack Hughes, C, NJ (C47)
207. Paul Francouze, G, Oberst (G31)
208. Tyler Bertuzzi, LW, Det (LW37)
209. Denis Gurianov, LW, Dal (LW38)
210. Jordan Kiru, C, StL (C48)
211. Kevin Lankinen, G, Chi (G32)
212 Antti Raanta, G, Ari (G33)
213. Ryan Getzlaf, K, Ana (C49)
214. Erik Gustafsson, D, Fi (D59)
215. Kevin Hayes, C, Fee (C50)
216. Matt Duchene, C, Nsh (C51).
217. Pius Suter, C, Chi (C52)
218. Chris Dreiger, G, Fla (G34)
219. Matthias Ekholm, D, Nsh (D60)
220. Jonathan Marchessault, LW, Vgs (LW39)
221. Mikael Granlund, LW, Nsh (LW40)
222. Clayton Keller, C, Ari (C53)
223. Nick Ritchie, LW, Bos (LW41)
224. Dominic Kubalik, LV, Chi (LW42)
225. Kasperi Kapanin, RV, Yama (RW36)
226. Pekka Rinne, G, Nsh (G35)
227. Jeff Skinner, LW, Boothe (LW43)
228. Dustin Brown, RW, LW (RW37)
229. Tyler Myers, D, Wang (D61)
230. Kaapo Kahkonen, G, Min (G36)
231. Jonathan Drouin, LA, Mo (LW44)
232. Charlie Coyle, C, Bos (C54)
233. Anthony Cirelli, K, TB (C55)
234. Jordan Eberle, RW, New York (RW38)
235. Zach Hyman, LA, Tor (LW45)
236. Rickard Rakell, C, Ana (C56)
237. Joel Eriksson Eck, C, Min (C57)
238. Vince Dunn, D, StL (D62)
239. Alexander Georgiev, G, New York (G37)
240. Calvin Petersen, G, LA (G38)
241. Jaden Schwartz, LW, StL (LW46)
242. Devon Toews, D, Oberst (D63)
243. Nolan Patrick, C, Phi (C58)
244. Jesse Puljujarvi, RW, Edmar (RW39)
245. Josh Anderson, RV, Mon (RW40)
246. Jacob Silfverberg, RW, Ana (RW41)
247. Boone Jenner, C, Cls (C59)
248. Brian Elliott, G, Fi (G39)
249. Carter Verhege, C, Fla (C60)
250. Tyler Motte, LW, Wang (LW47).

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