Fantasy Hockey: Navigating Player Valuations
As the holiday festivities ramp up, fantasy hockey managers face a tough reality: certain players once deemed vital to their rosters are now liabilities. After initially holding out hope during the Halloween stretch, it’s become apparent for some that it’s best to part ways with these underperformers. Here’s a recap of notable players who have dramatically fallen in their fantasy valuations since the end of October, spotlighting those who may now elicit a sigh of disappointment rather than anger as they languish outside the top 250 rankings.
Notable Player Declines
Shane Wright, center for the Seattle Kraken, has seen a significant drop in his rankings. After being placed at 129 on October 31, he plummeted to 270 last week. Wright, starting the season with a mere 14% ownership, was once considered a promising asset due to a noteworthy finish last season, where he ranked 136th among forwards after December 1. However, he hasn’t secured a position in the Kraken’s top six, a significant factor given the team’s different distribution of ice time this year.
Next, we look at Jimmy Snuggerud of the St. Louis Blues, who dropped from 98 to 244 in the same timeframe. Despite showing flashes of promise last season, which convinced around 15% of fantasy players to draft him, Snuggerud has been unable to deliver substantial results. A recent wrist injury sidelining him until January might be the final straw for those holding onto hopes of his revival.
Logan Stankoven from the Carolina Hurricanes is another name to consider, going from 202 to 299. While his advanced stats suggest he excels at maintaining possession and generating scoring chances, the lack of direct contributions to counting stats keeps him from being a valuable fantasy option.
Defensive rookie Alexander Nikishin has also faced a harsh reality check, rated at 139 on Halloween and now sitting at 255. Following a promising start with four points in his first four games, he has managed only five additional points in the following 20 games. With the Hurricanes still experimenting with defensive pairings in the absence of Jaccob Slavin, it remains uncertain whether Nikishin will manage to solidify his role once Slavin returns later this month.
Goaltending Situations
In addition to these players, a deeper look at goaltending situations across the league reveals shifts as teams make strategic decisions. For instance, Boston’s Jeremy Swayman has regained form this season, boasting an impressive 67.8% share of the crease last week, propelling him into the upper echelons of goaltending fantasy points. Meanwhile, Carolina’s Frederik Andersen suffers from a lack of support, continually facing minimal shot volume.
Conclusion
As managers navigate these tumultuous waters, adaptability and timely decisions become crucial for successful roster management. With the fantasy season in full swing and critical updates on player performances emerging, it’s essential to keep an eye on potential pickups that may offer the necessary boost to struggling lineups.
Now is the perfect time to reassess your fantasy outlook and make the informed moves that can save your season.
