PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 7: Sean Monahan has returned, so fantasy hockey managers should jump to add hi. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)
(Joe Sargent via Getty Images)
Anyone who’s reading this is either participating in the fantasy hockey playoffs, looking ahead to next season, in a roto format or just plain bored (or interested!).
And if you’re still part of that first group, the following player suggestions may come in handy on your quest to cash in.
Advertisement
(Rostered rates as of Mar. 28)
Forwards
Sean Monahan, CLS (Yahoo: 49%)
It was a shame when Monahan suffered a wrist injury in January as he had been one of the Blue Jackets’ driving forces the first half of the season with 41 points in as many games. He returned on Monday after missing more than two months, and didn’t look out of place as he notched two assists, a shot, three hits, and 11 face-off wins on 18:51 as the No. 1 center in all scoring situations. Get Monahan before others realize he’s back.
Anthony Cirelli, TB (Yahoo: 44%)
The post-Steven Stamkos era in Tampa has benefited Cirelli, as he’s well past his career high in points (at 52, seven more than 2023-24’s peak) and occasionally gets looks on the first power play on top of a lead shorthanded role. And he’s been especially productive the past seven contests with six goals on 18 shots alongside an assist and 51 FW. Cirelli may be limited in Yahoo by only qualifying at C, though is well-positioned within the Bolts’ lineup where he can post plenty of counting stats.
Kiefer Sherwood, VAN (Yahoo: 39%)
Sherwood had quite the night for himself on Wednesday as he accumulated two goals, an assist, four shots, a plus-3, four hits and a block. He’s surpassed his personal best with 32 points, but is probably more recognized in fantasy circles for having already obliterated Jeremy Lauzon’s hits record of 383 from last year at 404 with 10 matchups remaining. Combine all that with a secondary PP spot and the flexibility to fit anywhere allows Sherwood to be a reliable fantasy player.
William Karlsson, VGK (Yahoo: 16%)
Injuries and inconsistency have hurt Karlsson’s output to where he’s averaging just 0.5 points per game, a mark he’s previously hovered around only once (39 in 67 during 2021-22) since joining the Golden Knights. From the four contests since he returned from an extended lower-body absence, he’s chipped in with three helpers — two of those PPAs — eight shots, three hits and three blocks. And with Tomas Hertl out, Karlsson has…