Jonathan Drouin has bargain potential in Monday’s Daily Hockey slate

By Neil Parker
RotoWire Hockey Writer

It is an early start Monday, so tee up your daily lineups early. Expect the goalie confirmations to roll in sooner than later, and most specifically, daily will want to keep an eye on the health of Jaroslav Halak. He has missed the first two games of the season with an upper-body injury.

Here are your value plays to open up cap space to live large with a few high-priced stars.

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GOALIE

Frederik Andersen, ANA vs. VAN ($36) – While still pricy, Andersen isn’t the most expensive netminder, and he likely should be. He was 18-7-2 at the Honda Center last season with a .917 save percentage and a pair of shutouts. Andersen also posted a .936 save percentage, a 1.35 goals-against average and a shutout over his five starts against the Canucks last season. Plus, the Ducks went 26-12-3 in their barn last season.

Player to Avoid:

Tuukka Rask, BOS vs. TB ($35) – The Bruins are a mess, and the injury problems got worse with Bran Marchand diagnosed with a concussion Sunday. Rask has surrendered eight goals through the first two games of the season, and there is no reason to expect things to improve. Tampa Bay brings a high-powered offense. At best, Rask should be viewed as a contrarian flier.

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CENTER

Ryan Strome, NYI vs. WPG ($17) – Pointless with just three shots on goal through his first two games of the season, Strome should fly under the radar Monday. He is stapled to John Tavares in all situations, and Strome owns high-end playmaking acumen. His career trajectory suggests a solid campaign ahead, and look for the party to start Monday. He is well below average salary, too.

Player to Avoid:

Henrik Sedin, VAN at ANA ($20) – Lining up opposite Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler all night is a daunting matchup, and Sedin managed just a single helper and five shots through his five games against the Ducks last season.

WING

Jonathan Drouin, TB at BOS ($12) – Savings and prime real estate next to Steven Stamkos are reason enough to lock Drouin into your lineups Monday. He is a low risk to return a minus-rating, and the sophomore is receiving power-play looks. Boston, as mentioned, has allowed goals in bunches this season, too.

Chris Stewart, ANA vs. VAN ($12) – The well-traveled winger has been skating with Ryan Getzlaf at even strength and lining up with the No. 2 power-play unit. At a minimum price, Stewart is an upside source of cap relief. The Canucks have historically struggled with physically imposing players, and Stewart — along with a number of his teammates — certainly fits the bill.

Players to Avoid:

Cam Atkinson, CLS at BUF ($20) – This billing is more about price and value than Atkinson. With consecutive 20-goal campaigns, the offensive upside is there. It also isn’t an intimidating matchup against the Sabres. Still, Atkinson hasn’t been a plus-player since 2012-13, and he isn’t spending any time with Ryan Johansen this year.

Patrick Maroon, ANA vs. VAN ($17) – Line assignments change quickly in the National Hockey League, but Maroon is being deployed as a fourth-line winger and posted just one shot through his 12:09 minutes in the opener. As long as Maroon is relegated down the depth chart, the juice isn’t worth the squeeze at his cap hit.

DEFENSEMEN

Victor Hedman, TB at BOS ($20) – Relative to the field, Hedman screams value Monday. He moves the needle across categories and logs huge minutes for the Lightning Bolts. Including the playoffs, Hedman has posted 0.67 points per game dating to the beginning of the 2013-14 season. He is an elite talent, but his price tag doesn’t reflect it.

Simon Despres, ANA vs. VAN ($13) – Despres had a rough opening night with a minus-2 rating and zeros in the shot and point columns. However, he got in the way of five shots, which highlights his cross-category upside. In a favorable matchup, look for the newly inked rearguard to return a profit on his affordable cap hit Monday.

Players to Avoid:

Johnny Boychuk, NYI vs. WPG ($20) – Leaving a home-and-home series against the Chicago Blackhawks with a helper, equal rating, nine shots and five blocked shots is impressive. And while Boychuk’s ability to tip the scales across all categories provides a high floor, he doesn’t log huge minutes, and he is expensive. The four-line depth Winnipeg brings won’t leave any cushy minutes or assignments for the Islanders on Monday, and Boychuk is priced among the Tier 1 options.

Michael Del Zotto, PHI vs. FLA ($19) – Under the daily microscope, Del Zotto checks out as a high-risk play Monday, especially at his hefty cap hit. The Panthers rooting of Philadelphia on Saturday is unlikely to be repeated, but Del Zotto struggles in the plus/minus department and isn’t rolling with the No. 1 power-play unit. The upside is there, no doubt, but you have to pay up to acquire it.

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