This is the second edition of weekly roundup. In this article we take a look at the last seven days of hockey in the NHL. The article will focus on players who might not be a franchise star, but have been lighting the lamp for their team. We also look at the stars of the game and which of them aren’t getting on the game sheet.
Who Is Finding the Twine?
Mats Zuccarello – Owned in 78% of Yahoo leagues
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Zuccarello has been lighting it up for the Rangers all season and fantasy owners are starting to take notice. The 28 year-old managed 49 points in 78 games last year and was likely a late round pick for some people in their draft this year. His ownership in Yahoo pools has shot up five per cent in the last day. He has 18 points in 18 games this year. He managed two goals and five assists in four games last week and if he stays this productive will surely top his career best 59 points in a season. If Zuccarello is available in your keeper league he is definitely worth a pickup and is also worth a roster spot in weekly pools.
Leon Draisaitl – Owned in 37% of Yahoo leagues
Draisaitl has been fantastic for the Oilers since Connor McDavid’s injury. Draisaitl has 13 points in eight games played for Edmonton and is a plus 6. He is playing on the first line in the middle of Taylor Hall and Teddy Purcell and is also on the top powerplay unit. Draisaitl, the third overall draft pick from 2014, should be added in all format pools moving forward as he is playing fantastic hockey.
Boone Jenner – Owned in 25% of Yahoo leagues
Jenner has been solid under new coach John Tortorella and has been awarded consistent top six minutes for his hard work. In three games last week Jenner had five points, giving him 13 points in 18 games this year. He is also valuable in extended category pools as he had 10 penalty minutes last week, putting him at 16 on the season. He is currently playing on the top line with Ryan Johansen and Brandon Saad and is also on the top powerplay unit. One thing worth noting about Jenner’s game is that he is a minus 6, however this will likely even out if he continues to produce. If he can stay healthy and continues to play on the top line, Jenner may have a break out year.
Who Isn’t Living up to Their Name?
Henrik Zetterberg
Zetterberg is a minus two rating with no points in his last five games. He is not alone however, as the whole Red Wings offense has been struggling lately. The Red Wings were averaging only one goal for in their last five games until last nights 4-3 win over the Ottawa Senators. With Datsyuk back in the lineup and Dylan Larkin having the season he is, one would expect that there would be no shortage of goals for the Red Wings. Zetterberg is still having a solid year with 15 points in 18 games played. Owners should not be too worried as everyone has cold streaks. Hopefully Zetterberg can turn it around this week.
Anze Kopitar
Kopitar hasn’t been producing like he is capable of, managing only one assist in three games last week. Kopitar, who played his 700th NHL career game on Saturday has only seven points in 17 games this season. Kopitar is struggling but will likely pick up his play. He is a reliable fantasy option, managing almost a point per game average throughout his whole career.
Jason Spezza
Spezza had a fantastic start to the season with the Stars, putting up 10 points in his first 10 games. However, he is in a bit of a slump lately only managing one point and a minus two rating in his last five games. The Stars have a high scoring offense and Spezza isn’t having a bad year by any means with 13 points in 18 games played. Playing with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin on the first powerplay unit won’t hurt his production. He will surely break out of this slump.
With another week in the books, keep an eye on these names moving forward and tune in next week for more fantasy analysis.