Exclusive to Yahoo Sports
Injuries start to pile up and the natural response is to feel overwhelmed. The key is not to think of it as a big problem, but something that can be fixed one matter at a time. Take the situation that needs the most attention and solve that. Then move on to the next step. Rinse, repeat, reload.
Below you will find 14 people who will help ease your fantasy pain and get you through the next series of games.
Onward
Brayden Schenn, St. Louis Blues (Yahoo: 54%)
Pretty messy by the usual coverage criteria, but let me make sure Schenn was at 50% when I started compiling this column. Like most of the Blues in the early series, he hasn’t done much offensively with just one assist through nine games. Then the team remembered how to start scoring, and Schenn has since tallied five goals and four assists on Thursday – including separate three- and four-point attempts – with 14 shots, nine hits, five blocks and 41 faceoffs. St. Louis has been on the rise recently while Schenn holds the top six and first power play positions (and both C and LW eligibility on Yahoo).
Check your leagues to see if it’s still available.
Lawson Crouse, Arizona Coyotes (Yahoo: 27%)
The previous two seasons were very good for Crouse as he averaged 0.56 points, double his mark from the rest of his career and mainly due to better line positioning and more minutes. He has missed some ice time this year, but his scoring rate is up by 10 points, all in his last 10 games. Crouse has also put up decent numbers in other categories during the same schedule with 26 hits and 19 hits, and his involvement on both special teams units makes him more attractive in both fantasy and real life
Eeli Tolvanen, Seattle Kraken (Yahoo: 27%)
It’s safe to say Tolvanen enjoyed his time in Seattle after not getting many opportunities while with Nashville. After all, he started his Kraken career right away with points from six of his nine rounds in January. Tolvanen hasn’t slowed down despite technically being on the third line at five-on-five, though it’s also part of the man advantage that arguably has more talent. He has posted three goals and eight assists – with four of those PPAs – along with 32 hits, 26 shots and 18 blocks since October 19. Tolvanen surprised the KHL and AHL comeback when he might have you want to catch up before his NHL stats are out. of control.
Tyler Seguin, DAL (Yahoo: 24%)
Gone are the days when Seguin would take away huge amounts, but something around 50 isn’t terrible. He’s at least brought back some of that old scoring style in two-point bursts in three of the last four games, which isn’t surprising considering the Stars have scored 20 goals over him. that time. Seguin is benefiting as a member of Dallas’ good power play, although he has only recorded one point there. He will continue to receive opportunities as long as he continues to work with talented promoters.
JT Compher, Detroit Red Wings (Yahoo: 21%)
Compher enjoyed a career year when he was last in Colorado and his career and fantasy value were expected to decline significantly in Detroit. He may have had no way of repeating the 20:32 night, but he has posted enough points to match anyone’s record. Comper may not be shooting pucks on net at his usual rate, although two goals and seven assists over seven appearances should get the job done.
Cole Perfetti, Winnipeg Jets (Yahoo: 19%)
Perfetti may very well have earned a few Calder votes with an injury that sidelined him in February, as he had posted 30 points through 51 outings. He gets to showcase his talent on Winnipeg’s dominant power play and has found the back of the net while being up one in two of the last three. Perfetti is also riding a seven-game scoring streak where he managed four goals, five assists and 17 shots. This kind of offensive consistency and upside shouldn’t be available in just over 80 percent of leagues, though a big boost may have to wait until his Yahoo wing starts to qualify.
James van Riemsdyk, Boston Bruins (Yahoo: 13%)
Anyone on the Bruins’ main advantage should be listed. Now I’m not advocating 100% coverage for van Riemsdyk; just pointing out how rewarding it is to be with the likes of David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy for two or more minutes at a time. So being a part of that situation is reason enough to have JVR on board. Oh, and did I mention the six points in four games played last week? Or the fact that it has worked well with Charlie Coyle? Take a chance on van Riemsdyk and see what happens. And if it doesn’t work out, you can always throw it back to the wire.
Luke Evangelista, Nashville Predators (Yahoo: 3%)
Speaking of ROTY consideration, Evangelista is already getting attention for his Music City debut. And it wasn’t like he was invisible during his abbreviated stint last season, as he put up 15 points and 54 rebounds in just 24 contests. The current numbers may not be that impressive, but a goal and eight assists – including three PPAs – have been enough on a thin group up front. The Preds may be a year or two away from truly contending, but young guys like Evangelista should get their fans excited for the future.
Defenders
Erik Gustafsson, NYR (Yahoo: 30%)
It’s been two weeks since Adam Fox went down. In the following four games, Gustafsson has stepped up to add a goal, five assists, seven shots and six blocks. He has also accepted Fox’s role as the primary power-play quarterback, where he is caught by PPA. The former Norris Trophy winner is expected to return by the end of the month, but until then Gustafsson will continue to log more ice time (like his 26:18 on Sunday) and get more offensive opportunities.
Jared Spurgeon, Minnesota Wild (Yahoo: 19%)
Some fans may have forgotten about Spurgeon because he only made his season debut last Friday. Although he hasn’t recorded a point in either contest, he has managed six blocks while resuming important duties, including a spot on Minnesota’s second baseman and shortstop role. strong Spurgeon scored at least 10 goals and 32 points in six of the last eight years, so he should get back on track soon enough.
Rasmus Sandin, Washington Capitals (Yahoo: 19%)
Sandin’s coverage fell as he went scoreless in his first nine innings. To be fair, he skated 22-plus minutes and put up 12 shots, 17 blocks and nine steals over that stretch while Washington only made 19 goals. Sandin has chipped in with four assists over five appearances with seven shots, a plus-8 and a whopping 17 blocks on a 25:18 average. And let’s not forget that he went off for 15 points in 18 games after coming over from Toronto in early March (although some of that was aided by John Carlson’s absence).
Samuel Girard, Colorado Avalanche (Yahoo: 4%)
Luck has not been on Girard’s side. Despite 13 hits, 22 blocks and 12 hits in the opening month, his only output came in the form of an early assist. Girard’s power play time wasn’t there for the first half but he has slowly ascended to a regular gig on the second unit along with fellow blueliners Devon Toews and Bowen Byram. Wednesday’s performance against Anaheim could be the turning point as he tallies a goal and assists with three shots.
Visitors
Casey DeSmith, Vancouver Canucks (Yahoo: 24%)
After five seasons in Pittsburgh in which he compiled a 2.81 GAA and .912 save percentage, DeSmith was traded to the Canucks at the end of the summer. Thatcher Demko came into the campaign after struggling last year, but has been outstanding so far. DeSmith has performed well over seven appearances with a 2.89/.912 line and suffered only his first loss of regulation on Thursday. Demko probably won’t be used as a point guard, but DeSmith should get plenty of work and wins behind the league’s top offense.
Charlie Lindgren, Washington Capitals (Yahoo: 14%)
Lindgren finally won a good number of games last season, which resulted in a GAA over 3.00 and a save percentage under .900. Darcy Kuemper, also in his second year with the Caps, remains the primary goaltender but has suffered a couple of injuries recently. That’s opened the door for Lindgren, and he’s thrilled to get three straight wins — the last one a 35-save shutout against Vegas. Because he has had a good run and Kuemper’s status is unknown, there will be more potential to shine through the rest of the home stretch against weaker defenses in Columbus, Buffalo and Edmonton.
Players to consider from past columns
Pavel Zacha, Seth Jarvis, Ryan O’Reilly, Logan Cooley, William Karlsson, Wyatt Johnston, Bryan Rust, Ryan Hartman, Jaden Schwartz, Josh Norris, Robert Thomas, Nazem Kadri, Evan Rodrigues, Ryan Johansen, Adam Fantilli, Alex Iafallo, Dylan Strome, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Trevor Moore, Ryan Strome, John-Jason Peterka, Cam Atkinson, Sean Couturier, Kirill Marchenko, Leo Carlsson, Matthew Knies, Jake Sanderson, Owen Power, Mike Matheson, Filip Hronek, Calen Addison, Bowen Byram, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Pavel Mintyukov, Travis Sanheim, Mattias Ekholm, Ivan Provorov, Karel Vejmelka, Elvis Merzlikins, Connor Ingram, Petr Mrazek, Joel Hofer
