We may be three weeks in, yet it’s still too early to make any definitive statements. But that’s not gonna stop me from making a few anyway. The Preds really need to start scoring more goals. The Avs should be trying to let fewer in. And there are already way more injuries than there should be.
Of course, we can’t control what happens in real-life hockey. That’s where fantasy hockey comes in.
It represents the dream job we say we’d like to have but really wouldn’t want. Because there’s no way an individual could possibly keep it together being an actual owner, general manager and head coach all at the same time.
With that said, here are 14 NHLers who can help your rosters. Whether they succeed is somewhat under their control, though outside factors often change expected outcomes. So be ready for anything and adjust if necessary.
(Rostered rates as of Oct. 18)
Forwards
Logan Stankoven, DAL (Yahoo: 43%)
Last chance to get on the Stankoven train before his coverage goes above the 50% threshold. The 2022 CHL Player of the Year earned his shot with the Stars last season after going off for 57 points in 47 AHL games. Stankoven would go on to pot five goals in his first six contests with Dallas and would add another marker alongside eight assists before tallying another eight playoff points. Although he hasn’t found the back of the net this season, it’ll come eventually. And the five helpers and 11 shots will do enough to earn more attention.
Pavel Zacha, BOS (Yahoo: 26%)
Zacha set a personal best last season with 59 points, two more than his first campaign in Boston. Part of that was due to assuming a more prominent offensive capacity after the departures of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. Zacha has built a great chemistry with linemate and fellow Czech David Pastrnak, and both feature as the wingers on the top even-strength trio and power play. He hasn’t managed anything yet while up a man, but don’t be surprised if he breaks his high of 15 PPPs or finally reaches the 60-point plateau.
Martin Pospisil, CGY (Yahoo: 24%)
This column has been known to highlight a few players who do more with limited ice time. Daniel Sprong is probably the most frequent recent example, as he’s been able to produce consecutive 40-plus point campaigns while skating less than 12 minutes a night. Pospisil averaged 12:43 across 63 appearances last year and still accumulated…