Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey: Brandon Saad among potential bargain plays for Wednesday
By Neil Parker
RotoWire Hockey Writer
It is a four-game NHL slate Wednesday, which puts a premium on a balanced lineup in cash games and finding value skaters to spend up for stars in GPP contests.
It is an interesting night, too, with the Bruins, Blue Jackets and Ducks winless and reeling, while the Coyotes are 2-0.
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GOALIE
Sergei Bobrovsky, CLS vs. OTT ($33) – Goalie Bob has been shelled through the first three games of the season, and his current form makes him a risky investment in the daily racket. Still, Columbus is due to tighten up, which projects favorably for Bobrovsky posting a profitable return as your No. 2 goalie. Remember, he closed out the 2014-15 season with a 14-1-1 record and a .930 save percentage, and he has a Veznia Trophy on his mantle.
Player to Avoid:
Mike Smith, ARI at ANA ($32) – The “Bizarro NHL” should come to a crashing halt when the projected lottery-bound Coyotes visit the projected conference-contending Ducks. Smith posted a 3.30 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage through his 30 road appearances last season, and the Ducks are receiving significant chalk Wednesday.
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CENTER
David Krejci, BOS at COL ($15) – Colorado has allowed eight goals through their first two games, and the Bruins are in dire need of a win. Krejci carries a plus/minus risk, but he also has two goals and five points through his first three showings. Given the discounted cap hit and early season surge, Krejci stands as a worthwhile dice roll, especially since he skates with the No. 1 power-play unit.
Player to Avoid:
Martin Hanzal, ARI at ANA ($19) – There are far better values than Hanzal, and the issue with the Ducks has been their offense. Anaheim has surrendered just four goals through its two games, and Hanzal is centering two inexperienced wingers.
WING
Brandon Saad, CLS vs. Ott ($19) – The winger has a pair of power-play goals to start the season and plays alongside emerging superstar Ryan Johansen in all situations. Saad has averaged three shots per game to begin the season, and he is logging huge minutes. Look for a big game from the winless Blue Jackets.
Mike Hoffman, OTT at CLS ($16) – Playing prime minutes alongside Kyle Turris and Mark Stoneis a nice fantasy spot for Hoffman who boasts blazing speed and an underappreciated shooting arsenal. It isn’t a high-end matchup, but there have been at least six goals in each of the Blue Jackets’ three games this season. Expect a back-and-forth affair, which will suit Hoffman’s game nicely.
Players to Avoid:
Jakob Silfverberg, ANA vs. ARI ($21) – There is a lot going for Silfverberg, as he brings a heady two-way game, but there is no profit potential in his cap hit. Sure, he is a high-volume shooter, but with 33 goals through 183 games in the league, take a wait-and-see approach with the 25-year-old winger.
Scott Hartnell, CLS vs. OTT ($21) – Hartnell is too far down the depth chart to warrant the hefty salary. The upside is there, without doubt, but he loses value in formats without a reward for penalty minutes. Top billing with the man advantage helps, but your investing a lot of capital in a veteran in the twilight of his career.
DEFENSEMEN
Ryan Murray, CLS vs. OTT ($12) – The highly regarded rearguard carries a contest-minimum salary, which makes him a high-end source of cap relief. Murray was the second overall selection in the 2012 Entry Draft, and he is quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play unit. The price is right.
Tyson Barrie, COL vs. BOS ($17) – Barrie posted 53 points last season, yet he is priced well below his top-tier peers. Boston has allowed 16 goals through its first three games (all at home), which checks nicely for the opportunistic defenseman playing in his own rink. Barrie is also locked onto the No. 1 power-play unit.
Players to Avoid:
Francois Beauchemin, COL vs. BOS ($21) – The veteran is a steady rearguard in the real and fake game, but he is priced as a second-tier fantasy contributor. He isn’t one. The last time he hit 30 points was 10 years ago during the 2005-06 season when the Anaheim Ducks were still dubbed “Mighty.” Don’t overvalue Beauchemin’s hot start.
Michael Del Zotto, PHI vs. CHI ($20) – The steep cap hit is a risky undertaking with the Blackhawks in town. Del Zotto isn’t skating with the No. 1 power-play unit, and he hasn’t found the score sheet through the first three games of the season. At best, Del Zotto is a contrarian flier, but one with oodles of risk attached, especially in the plus/minus department.
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