Fantasy Hockey: Risers & Fallers (Week 5)
Erik Karlsson and John Tavares are currently top-20 in league scoring, what year is it?
We’re only four weeks in, and already, the 2022-23 NHL regular season is shaping up to be just as unpredictable as the ones previous to it.
Honestly, it’s been utter chaos. But that’s the way we like it in the fantasy hockey world, right?
RISERS
Vitek Vanecek, G, New Jersey Devils (OWNED: 55%)
With Mackenzie Blackwood on the shelf, it’ll most likely be Vanecek’s crease for the foreseeable future in New Jersey. And to his credit, the 25-year-old has earned it. Since being lit up in his first two appearances of the season, he’s rifled off five straight victories registering a 1.64 goals-against average, 0.933 save-percentage and one shutout. The Devils look real.
Andrei Kuzmenko, LW, Vancouver Canucks (OWNED: 34%)
We’re back on the Kuzmenko train, baby! In his past five outings, the Russian has notched six goals, three assists, four power play points, one game winning goal and 14 shots. He continues to ride on PP1, and on top of that, he’s been skating with the red-hot Elias Pettersson at even strength. It’s great to be back.
Jamie Benn, C/LW, Dallas Stars (OWNED: 31%)
The 33-year-old is coming off a tremendous three-game week where he picked up four goals, eight points, five power play points and 16 shots on goal. Furthermore, Benn continues to get favourable exposure to the likes of Jason Robertson, Joe Pavelski and Roope Hintz on the first power play unit. Ride him while he’s hot, this won’t last forever.
Martin Jones, G, Seattle Kraken (OWNED: 19%)
Over his past five starts, Jones is 4-1-0 with a 1.61 goals-against, 0.937 save-percentage and one shutout. In general, the Kraken have been a tremendous story out of the gates posting a 7-4-2 record through 13 games. On this week’s slate, Seattle has Nashville, Minnesota, and Winnipeg —all at home.
Kirby Dach, C/RW, Montreal Canadiens (OWNED: 13%)
After a quiet start, Dach’s really started to come on lately. During this mini four-game point streak he’s on, the 21-year-old has racked up one goal, six helpers and three power play points. Furthermore, he was recently promoted to Montreal’s top line to play with Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki as well as PP1. Talk about a plum assignment. Life’s good right now for Kirby Dach.
FALLERS
Jonathan Huberdeau, LW, Calgary Flames (OWNED: 99%)
As expected, given the big offseason move and all, it’s taking some time for Huberdeau to find his stride in Calgary. He had four assists in four games to start, he has just one goal in six games since. Be patient, there’s absolutely nothing to see here. If anything, you may want to investigate buying low on him.
Thomas Chabot, D, Ottawa Senators (OWNED: 87%)
After a semi-decent start, Chabot’s coming off a very barren week. In four outings, he failed to notch a point and managed to muster just five shots on goal. There’s no need to panic just yet, but Ottawa needs to get going here. Overall, considering what they did in the offseason, the Senators been failed to live up to expectations thus far.
Vincent Trocheck, C, New York Rangers (OWNED: 78%)
Trocheck’s another guy who’s really tapered off after a hot start with his new team. He’s pointless in four straight and has just two goals and an assist over his past eight outings. Nothing to see here either, he’ll find it again sooner rather than later. Simply put, there’s too much talent around him in the top-six on Broadway for this to continue long-term.
Jeff Petry, D, Pittsburgh Penguins (OWNED: 66%)
Like his team in general, the veteran has fallen off the map after enjoying initial success to start his first season in Pittsburgh. In fact, Petry’s currently riding a nasty eight-game pointless drought. In 12 games, he’s tallied one goal and three helpers. If it doesn’t start to happen soon, drop him. Plain and simple. I got John Klingberg going last week, just saying.
Ryan O’Reilly, C, St. Louis Blues (OWNED: 40%)
There’s no other way to put it, O’Reilly, who’s in a contract year, is off to a nightmare start. Through nine games, he’s picked up one measly goal, and that’s it. Having said that, believe it or not, I’m still a big-time believer in this file this season. For now, just monitor, but there’s no way this persists all season long. He’s too good of a player.