It was simply one other day on the workplace for Jack Eichel on Saturday evening.
A objective and a pair of assists powered the Vegas Golden Knights to a simple victory over the Montreal Canadiens and it was Eichel’s fourth sport this season the place he had at the least three factors. It’s nonetheless very early, however any Hart Trophy conversations at this level ought to embody Eichel’s identify.
Eichel began off the 12 months with a bang, selecting up 4 factors in his first sport, and he hasn’t slowed down since. He’s within the high 5 in league scoring, leads the NHL in power-play assists and is on tempo for 125 factors. The Golden Knights star has additionally been extremely constant, selecting up at the least some extent in 17 of his 21 video games.
What’s maybe most spectacular about Eichel’s 2024-25 marketing campaign is that he’s continued his manufacturing even when Mark Stone went down with harm. Eichel and Stone had been dominating collectively within the early a part of the season, however Eichel has nonetheless notched 13 factors up to now eight video games that Stone has missed. When Stone will get again, that ought to solely enhance the speed of Eichel’s manufacturing as soon as once more.
The opposite vital factor to level out is the affect Eichel has had on his teammates. For example, Ivan Barbashev is scoring at over a point-per-game tempo after ending with solely 45 factors a 12 months in the past. Actually, Barbashev has solely crossed the 50-point barrier as soon as in his profession, so he may very effectively be in for a profession 12 months subsequent to Eichel. You could possibly additionally say the identical about Pavel Dorofeyev, who has taken benefit of enjoying with Eichel on the ability play. 4 of Dorofeyev’s 10 targets this season have come on the person benefit after coming into the season with solely two power-play targets for his profession.
Eichel can also find yourself being top-of-the-line worth picks in fantasy this season. He was drafted, on common, across the 38th choose throughout all drafts, roughly across the late third or early fourth spherical, relying on the dimensions of your league. If he does find yourself crossing the 100-point mark by a considerable margin, you would simply make the argument that he ought to have been taken within the first spherical within the majority of codecs.
The one factor that’s ever actually held Eichel again from being a bona fide top-15 fantasy choose is well being. It’s been a number of years since Eichel has performed something near a full season, and if he can keep wholesome in 2024-25, he’s bought an actual probability to take residence some particular person {hardware} on the finish of the 12 months.
1. Travis Konecny is on some form of heater proper now. The Philadelphia Flyers ahead has 15 factors in his previous 9 video games, which has him pacing for near a 100-point season. Contemplating Konecny hasn’t even had an 80-point season earlier than and is taking pictures virtually 20 per cent, it could possibly be time to promote excessive. If you happen to’re in a keeper league and don’t assume you’re going to have the ability to compete this season, it’s in all probability a good suggestion to see what you possibly can again for Konecny to assist rebuild your roster.
2. I didn’t have Sidney Crosby selecting up seven penalty minutes on my bingo card for Friday evening. Crosby took exception to successful from Kyle Connor and dropped the gloves for a uncommon struggle, giving these rostering him an sudden enhance in leagues that depend PIM. That class can simply be one of the random, and it’s usually determined by uncommon incidents the place a participant will get a bunch of penalty minutes late within the week. Case and level, Brady Tkachuk’s third-period shenanigans on Saturday in opposition to the Vancouver Canucks. If you happen to can preserve the class shut going into the weekend, you all the time have an opportunity.
3. It’s wonderful that Neal Pionk is already as much as 17 factors on the season. Usually only a hits and blocks specialist, Pionk is on tempo for 66 factors, which might shatter his career-best offensive numbers. I don’t assume this scoring run will stick, however the Winnipeg Jets blueliner does have a 45-point marketing campaign to his credit score, and even when he finishes anyplace round 50 factors or so, Pionk goes to be an enormous difference-maker in multi-cat leagues.
4. Patrik Laine has been skating and should make his return within the subsequent few weeks. Control your waiver when you want scoring assist and perhaps take into account stashing him in the meanwhile. It’s a low-risk, high-reward transfer if Laine is accessible.
5. Actually disappointing to see Alexander Ovechkin go down whereas he was scorching on the path of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time objective report. I’m most curious to see how this can affect Dylan Strome, who has had a terrific begin to the season and assisted on 12 of Ovechkin’s 15 targets. Andrew Mangiapane changed Ovechkin initially subsequent to Strome and Aliaksei Protas earlier than Ivan Miroshnichenko bought a shot. So, can Strome preserve the manufacturing going with this new line? It stays to be seen, however I wouldn’t panic the place Strome is anxious. Ultimately, Ovechkin will probably be again and that duo ought to be very productive down the stretch.
6. Don’t look now, however Rasmus Sandin has six factors in his previous eight video games. Since he doesn’t get any power-play time and isn’t on the highest pair, I can’t see this lasting, however Sandin continues to be superb for blocked pictures, averaging two per sport. It’s all the time good to focus on a participant with offensive upside whenever you’re trying to choose up a block specialist.
7. I’m going to offer Jonathan Fast a go for Saturday’s outing as a result of the New York Rangers didn’t play very effectively in Alberta, conceding 89 pictures over the 2 video games. For my cash, Fast has simply been the very best backup to show to for spot begins this 12 months. Previous to Saturday, he was coming off back-to-back shutouts and had allowed simply three targets in 4 begins. Granted, he isn’t going to play a lot as a result of the Rangers lean on Igor Shesterkin closely, however goal Fast if he’s beginning whenever you want a one-game pickup between the pipes.
8. Olen Zellweger is one to look at whereas Cam Fowler is sidelined. He’s enjoying huge minutes and has 5 factors in his previous 4 video games whereas getting high power-play time. Zellweger has some worth in factors leagues and should find yourself being greater than a streamer, as Fowler could possibly be a commerce candidate as we strategy the deadline. If he strikes, Zellweger’s long-term worth will rise.
9. Some encouraging indicators for Wyatt Johnston this week. The Dallas Stars ahead had a terrific sport in opposition to the San Jose Sharks, posting two factors and 5 pictures. Remember, Johnston is barely taking pictures 6.1 per cent this season, so ultimately, that’s going to return up and produce some factors with it. Attempt to keep the course with Johnston when you can.
10. Solely seven factors for Miro Heiskanen this season and one in his previous 5 video games. Heiskanen is a superb defenceman for a variety of causes, nevertheless it simply by no means interprets that effectively to fantasy. There are extra invaluable gamers for class protection that go after Heiskanen in drafts due to his identify recognition. Don’t attain for him too early sooner or later.
11. Issues proceed to look very promising for Dustin Wolf’s worth. My major concern heading into the season was by no means across the Calgary Flames goaltender’s expertise, however extra concerning the power of the group in entrance of him. The Flames, although, are nonetheless enjoying very effectively and dominated the Rangers for many of the sport on Thursday. For his half, Wolf has received 4 straight video games and owns an 8-2-1 report on the season, to go together with a glowing .926 save share. So long as Wolf retains successful at this price, maintain on to him tightly.
12. Jack Roslovic is your front-runner for hockey’s model of the Cy Younger this season, with 12 targets and only one help. Rangers ahead Chris Kreider isn’t far behind with 9 targets and no assists.
13. Yaroslav Asakrov’s debut with the San Jose Sharks went about as I anticipated, as he posted a high quality begin however took the loss. I believe Askarov will in all probability comply with Lukas Dostal’s fantasy worth path over the following 12 months or two, with some sturdy video games however few wins till the Sharks enhance. Equally to Dostal, Askarov will in all probability have some good worth for saves within the brief time period, as San Jose ranks 31st in pictures allowed.
14. Previous to the beginning of the season, somebody requested me who was an off-the-board identify that had an opportunity to attain 50 targets. I went with Matt Boldy, and up to now, he’s on tempo for 45 to go together with almost 300 pictures. I’m undecided the Minnesota Wild ahead will have the ability to attain the 50-goal mark, however I believe he’s going to be a perennial 40-goal scorer on this league. Boldy will probably be a reputation to focus on within the first few rounds of drafts sooner fairly than later.
15. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen continues to be thriving on a mediocre group. The Buffalo Sabres have been up and down once more this season, however Luukkonen has a .933 save share in November, and 6 of his seven begins this month have been high quality. There would be the occasional hiccup for Luukkonen when the Sabres have a foul evening, although there ought to be no hesitation about rostering him the remainder of the way in which.
16. I began to get the sensation Owen Energy would develop right into a stable NHL defenceman who simply wouldn’t be nice for fantasy, however this 12 months he’s proving me fallacious. Heading into Saturday, Energy led all blueliners in even power factors with 15, pacing for over 60 on the season. If he may ever get high power-play time, Energy may change into an enormous asset.
17. Somebody requested me this week if Juraj Slafkovsky was droppable in one-year leagues after scoring only one objective this season. He additionally has just about no shot quantity and minimal power-play manufacturing. Very similar to Quinton Byfield, it’s reminder that manufacturing for younger gamers isn’t all the time linear, and persistence is vital. That mentioned, when you’re in a shallow one-year league, gamers like Byfield and Slafkovsky could possibly be dropped. In deep keeper codecs, you’ll wish to grasp on and see the funding via.
18. Bo Horvat is beginning to actually miss Mat Barzal. The New York Islanders centre has been held off the scoresheet in six of his previous seven video games and hasn’t had a power-play level since Oct. twenty ninth. Horvat continues to be actually invaluable in leagues that depend faceoff wins, however count on his offensive numbers to slip whereas Barzal is sidelined.
19. I wrote extensively in my Friday 4 column this week about Jeremy Swayman’s struggles to start out the season, and it’s value noting Joonas Korpisalo has been glorious of late. He’s bought two shutouts and a .945 save share in his previous 5 begins. Perhaps he’ll get slightly extra enjoying time within the subsequent few weeks, with the hope he can preserve the Boston Bruins within the playoff image whereas Swayman finds his sport. I’d examine to see if Korpisalo is accessible.
20. It’s a jam-packed schedule subsequent week with loads of groups enjoying 4 instances, so there are many waiver wire choices to select from, however the distribution of video games is a bit uncommon. Because it’s American Thanksgiving, there aren’t any video games on Thursday and Monday. In the meantime, Wednesday and Friday, that are usually quiet nights, are filled with video games.
I’d check out Anthony Cirelli from the Tampa Bay Lightning, who has targets in 5 straight video games and is further invaluable in leagues that depend faceoffs. Cirelli may be further motivated over the following two weeks to attempt to earn a spot on Workforce Canada.
I would give Matt Coronato a shot, too. He’s tied for the Flames lead in targets, and Calgary has Ottawa, Detroit, Columbus and Pittsburgh on the schedule subsequent week. All very pleasant opponents on the subject of giving up targets.
So far as drops go, it could possibly be time to surrender on Jeff Skinner. He has only one objective in 10 video games and has been inconsistent all 12 months, getting bumped down the lineup at instances. Plus, the Oilers solely play twice, and their first sport of the week isn’t till Friday.
