NHL fantasy hockey: Who to start, sit and drop after Week 3

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Here’s which NHL players you should be keeping, benching, and getting rid of in fantasy hockey after Week 3.

Fantasy hockey has been around for a number of years now, and it’s only getting bigger. Just watching the game is exciting, but some are not content just being spectators. Fantasy hockey gives you the opportunity to actually manage a team with NHL players.

Although there are many settings and formats, all of the fantasy leagues share one goal – to have one champion at the end. And, although not all leagues have trophies, they all have each managers vying for the pride and attention of the entire league.

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Whether you are blasting the competition, just maintaining the status quo or in the basement, all teams should be constantly figuring out how to get better. There’s a lot to consider when managing a team. And although it gets easier with time, it is not an exact science.

When it is time to drop a player who is underperforming? How do you know which free agent to pick up and at what time? Who do I trade for and how much should I give up? If I am tired of a player, how do I know whether to drop him or shop him?

As you get a knack for fantasy hockey, things become clear, but only experience can help guide you in the right direction. That being said, there is no black and white. Some things seem dumb, but they work out amazingly, while some things seem a no brainer, but they don’t turn out right.

For those who are lost, in the know or simply keeping an open mind, here are some tips to keep you moving in the right direction when it comes to fantasy hockey. I’ve listed a player for each position that you should either have on your roster or get rid of, be it by trading away, trading for, picking up as free agents or dropping outright.

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Who To Pick Up

There’s lots of fresh meat on the waiver wire. Not all players are known to the entire league. In every group, there are hidden gems, just waiting to be excavated. Here is one from each position that is owned by less than 55% in Yahoo leagues, just ripe for the plucking.

Center: Roope Hintz of the Dallas Stars is still unknown to quite a few, but he shouldn’t be. The Stars are struggling, but he is one of the bright spots. Already with 6 goals and at only 54% ownership, there’s a good chance he’s still there. He has left-wing eligibility to ice the cake.

Left Wing: Jonathan Drouin of the Montreal Canadiens has a lot to prove. Last season he started on fire, but in the last 26 games, he only got on the scoresheet 3 times. Having scored at least a point in 7 of 9 games so far, he’s money again. He’s only 40% owned and has center eligibility.

Right Wing: Jakob Silfverberg of the Anaheim Ducks has emerged as the top goal threat for the team. Not only has he scored 5 goals in the last 8 games, he’s also getting the ice time needed for piece of mind. At only 42% ownership, it’s only a matter of time until he gets claimed.

Defenseman: Neal Pionk of the Winnipeg Jets offers hope for the once star-studded blue line that has been overhauled. With 7 points in 11 games, he is clearly the go to for offense among Jets rearguards. By the way, he’s only owned in 38% of Yahoo leagues, so get in on him now.

Goalie: Mikko Koskinen of the Edmonton Oilers is showing that the team will not lose forever. Although Mike Smith is also a good pick, I believe Koskinen is the better pick up. He’s already won four games, but he also has lost zero. He’s only owned by 45% of Yahoo leagues.

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Who To Drop

It’s like Kenny Rogers says, “You gotta know when to hold ‘em; know when to fold ‘em”. Some players simply don’t yield what you paid in the draft. It happens. You just need to know when to let go. Here is one of each position that should be set free.

Center: Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks has been good for a long time but, his place among the elites is gone. He may get better, but chances are there is someone better out there to take his place. He might still kill it in real life, but not so much in fantasy hockey. With only two points and a -3 this season, it’s time to say goodbye.

Left Wing: Timo Meier of the San Jose Sharks has not started well. The draft capital you spent has not been returned. That being said, he does have four points in the last five games, but I don’t see that being the norm here. If you can trade him, do so, but I doubt you’ll have takers.

Right Wing: Joe Pavelski of the Dallas Stars has let a lot of us down. Mr. Consistent, with the exception of the 2013 season, has never been below 60 points in the last nine seasons. Now in with a new team in Dallas, it reminds me of when David Backes left the Blues. It’s time to cut him loose.

Defenseman: Matthew Dumba of the Minnesota Wild had his coming out party two seasons ago, followed by injured one last year. It hasn’t gone well for him so far; although much can be attributed to the team. Don’t run to drop him, but if you need a spot, don’t be afraid to.

Goalie: Ilya Samsonov of the Washington Capitals has been amazing. In fact, he’s been light years better than Braden Holtby, but Holtby is the starter and that’s not changing. He always starts slow. With three wins in a row for Holtby, it’s time to let go of Samsonov, no matter how good he is.

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Who To Trade For

While you may be experiencing your own frustrations, 100% of the rest of the league is also suffering in one way or another. There are many who simply want to get rid of players, but they can’t because they are too good to drop. Here is one of each position to buy low on.

Center: Tyler Seguin of the Dallas Stars hasn’t been awful, especially when looking at the team. Since he came to town, he has never once been below 72 points. Whether it be Jamie Benn, John Klingberg, or someone else, they all have down seasons, but Seguin doesn’t. Buy low while he’s for sale.

Left Wing: Claude Giroux of the Philadelphia Flyers is one of the only players will triple position eligibility, and he’s the best one. He only has four assists, but let’s not forget he’s scored 187 points in the last two seasons. Overpay if you have to; he’s worth it.

Right Wing: Blake Wheeler of the Winnipeg Jets already has six points, but he’s scoreless in his last five. This shouldn’t be a big deal, but many people have their trigger finger on the panic button. Only Connor McDavid has more assists over the last three years than Wheeler.

Defenseman: Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres is someone everyone should be talking about. He has a point per game so far and an amazing seven powerplay points. If Buffalo fades a bit as the season goes on, Dahlin won’t. The former 1st overall pick is worth every penny, so go spend.

Goalie: David Rittich of the Calgary Flames had quite an impressive rookie campaign. Although his stats look sluggish, it is worth noting that he has three games with one goal or less. The Flames were second best last season and Calgary isn’t going downward. Go get their goalie.

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Who To Trade Away

You have to know when your gold is indeed fool’s gold. No matter how good a player is, knowing when he’s hit his peak is an art. If you can cash in on a player at his most valuable, you set yourself up for the future. Here is one of each position you should sell high on.

Center: Mika Zibanejad of the New York Rangers started the year with back to back four point games. Since then, he only has three assists. I’m not saying he’s going to be bad for the year, but I am saying you’ll get more than he’s worth if you pull the trigger now.

Left Wing: Erik Haula of the Carolina Hurricanes has been a nice surprise for the “Jerks”. With seven goals in only nine games, he has been simply unreal. The problem is that he is unreal. It’s simply not sustainable. Now that he’s injured, you need to cash in before people forget.

Right Wing: James Neal of the Edmonton Oilers is leading the league in goals, but it ain’t gonna last. Last year was the first that the Oilers had a 30 goal scorer other than McDavid in Connor’s career. Neal’s only had two 30 goal seasons in his career, last time was four years ago.

Defenseman: Oscar Klefbom of the Edmonton Oilers is one who teases me every year. He has flashes, but has only been over 6 goals and 29 points once in his career. He may have nine points, but he’s already gone scoreless in his last three, so trade him while you can.

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Goalie: Carter Hutton of the Buffalo Sabres deserves huge props. He has 6 wins, 0 losses, a 1.65 GAA, a .943 SV% and 2 shut outs. But, already in his seventh year, he’s topped 20 wins only once. As good as he is, you want to keep him, but you know you could make a ton in a trade in your fantasy hockey league.

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