DFO Fantasy Mailbag: Jan. 27

Nick Alberga
Nick Alberga(@thegoldenmuzzy)
DFO Fantasy Mailbag: Jan. 27
Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Alberga: Yeah, to be honest, due to the lack of clarity, I’m fading on Landeskog. It’s been really quiet on him, which concerns me. I don’t think he’s close, but that’s just sheer speculation on my part. At this point, I think you’re better off cutting your losses and adding him to a sweeten package in a potential deal. Just what I would do.

Brock Seguin: According to Pierre LeBrun, the Avalanche are hoping to have Landeskog back by early-March. [Most] Fantasy playoffs start March 13th, so it seems like there’s a good chance Landeskog is back just in time for the Fantasy playoffs.

Matt Larkin: What we know so far: he’ll begin skating after the All-Star break. But there are still many hurdles to clear in the progression: skating, practicing off to the side, practicing in full and then practicing with full contact. With the Avs’ bye week overlapping with the All-Star break to boot, the earliest Landeskog would be skating with his teammates might be Feb. 6 or 7. Given the Avs are surging with a six-game winning streak, there’s less urgency to get Landeskog into the lineup to help make the playoffs. It’s more about having him for the playoffs, so I’d bet he’s still a month away.

Nick Alberga: Hypothetically, yes. Additionally, while it’s hard to forecast what the Ducks will do over the offseason, it’ll probably be worth your time to keep Zegras anyway. They’re building. Also, he’s continuing to get better and better. Easy decision, regardless of where Bedard ends up.

Brock Seguin: Yes, absolutely. Zegras is playing well right now as the Ducks’ “No.2 centre” behind Mason McTavish. If they land Bedard, McTavish will likely go to the wing, and Zegras will remain a top-6 centre. If Bedard hits the ground running in 2023-24, it could lead to easier matchups for Zegras on a nightly basis. Bedard would also improve the Ducks’ top power-play unit, so Zegras’ numbers should improve there as well.

Matt Larkin: Trevor Zegras will be worth keeping with or without Bedard. Zegras is one of the sport’s most exciting young talents, still just 21 years old. But if Bedard ends up a Duck? Giddyup. Knowing the Ducks are a lock to add a mega talent, be it Bedard or someone like Adam Fantilli even if they don’t win the lottery, is one extra reason to keep an already keepable player in Zegras.

Nick Alberga: If it’s three of five, give me Raymond, Kane and Terry. But I won’t like, this was a tough one because I like five players. Firstly, in Detroit, I think Raymond’s primed for monster things in fantasy hockey. On top of that, I wouldn’t be shocked to see them add significantly to help him out over the next few months leading into next summer. They’re ready to take that next step. Kane’s Kane; he’s a fantasy monster. And lastly, I like Terry’s trajectory, especially with Zegras in the mix and the Ducks rebuilding. Connor Bedard would look like nice there.

Brock Seguin: Boldy is the unquestioned No.1 keeper in this group. Evander Kane would be my second choice, with three years left in Edmonton with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. From the rest of the group, I still think Lucas Raymond has the highest ceiling; Terry is the safest pick. It depends on how much risk you’re willing to take.

Matt Larkin: OK. So if you’re referencing a ‘3 keepers league’ I assume you can keep three of the five names listed here. I’d lean Evander Kane first because he’s a stat-stuffer in an extremely fertile fantasy environment with the Oilers. Based on pure talent, I like the cerebral Lucas Raymond the best of the group, so I keep him. Then, for the goal-scoring upside, I’d go Matt Boldy. It’s tempting to consider Cozens, but I want to see him sustain this breakout a bit longer before I take the plunge.

Nick Alberga: Give me Kane and Toffoli. Kane’s self-explanatory, Toffoli’s a bigger conversation. Almost crazily, I’m still under the impression that Calgary’s going to go on a run. Additionally, Toffoli’s been solid to begin with. It’s a bit of a gamble, but I’m willing to give it a go.

Brock Seguin: Evander Kane and Valeri Nichushkin, without question.

Matt Larkin: For pure points, I think Evander Kane settles in once his personal matter is behind him (though you never know with Kane). David Krejci has the lowest fantasy value of this group in most formats, but points only? I think he’s the one I hold here. He’s having a great year primarily centering Pavel Zacha and David Pastrnak on the Czech Line.

Nick Alberga: It’s close, but I probably prefer Markstrom. As mentioned earlier, I do expect the Flames to go on some sort of a run here. It has happened yet, but you would think Markstrom’s going to figure this out, right? He has the better team in front of him, so I’d probably side with him. Also, there’s just so much uncertainty with Demko. Why bring him back at this point? Oh yeah, I forgot, tanking isn’t a thing in the NHL.

Brock Seguin: As poor as he’s played this season, the answer has to be Markstrom. The Flames are a much better team, especially defensively, and goaltending is mostly a team statistic. Calgary is fifth in All Situations xGA/60 (2.82), and the Canucks are 21st (3.20).

Matt Larkin: I’d go Markstrom despite his struggles. The Canucks are a mess and might get worse down the stretch if they start trading stars and removing helpful players from their lineup. The Flames, on the other hand, have designs on a playoff berth and are more likely to add personnel to improve down the stretch. I know Markstrom has been hard to trust, but so was Demko before he got hurt this season, so the team situation breaks the tie for me.

Nick Alberga: Truthfully, I don’t expect much movement when it comes to goaltending. If there is, I don’t think it will involve anyone who’s worth stashing. I guess the one team worth monitor is Los Angeles, though. If they have playoff aspirations, I’m not sure they’ll be able to get there with a Pheonix Copley/Jonathan Quick combo.

Brock Seguin: If you’re asking which goalies could be in for a larger role after the trade deadline, the only answer is probably Kaapo Kahkonen. James Reimer seems like the only prominent starter that could get moved at the deadline. But Timo Meier may be on the move as well, making the Sharks’ starter less desirable. So no one? There are some solid goalies on the wire right now, though, if you need goaltending help (in order of Own%): Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (35%), Anton Forsberg (34%), Dan Vladar (25%), Casey DeSmith (18%), and Philipp Grubauer (12%).

Matt Larkin: The goalie market doesn’t project to be robust this year. If we’re wondering which goalie could be traded to a team that will use him in a prominent role? I’d look at Ottawa’s Cam Talbot, assuming he recovers in time from the injury he sustained Wednesday. We also have to consider goalies who might gain playing time because a teammate gets traded, such as Elvis Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov in Columbus (bye bye Joonas Korpisalo) or Kaapo Kahkonen in San Jose (bye bye James Reimer), but who wants a starter from those teams right now anyway?

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