From the Press Box: Last Gasp Fantasy Heroes

Today, From the Pressbox: Some late season fantasy pool strategies and decision making need to be a part of your thinking if you are a fantasy owner in contention in season-long leagues. We also include compelling information regarding some players who are likely available in your fantasy leagues right now.

What do you do if you have Dougie Hamilton or Nick Bjugstad on your roster - they are both out with season injuries? If you have a chance to win your pool in a keeper league, what do you do about them?

You have to drop these guys. In season-long pools, you are not necessarily going to be in contention every year, so when you are, you need to go for it. Trust in your ability to find those gems again next year and forget about these two. You were good enough to find these guys for this season and you can find more gems next year. Don't be married to players who can no longer help you. See who can make an impact in the next two weeks to put you over the top.

When you are looking for late-season help, what factors do you consider when making roster moves?

a) games remaining/strength of schedule – Some teams have five games left while others have up to seven more potential starts. Some teams may have a skew toward more home games or weaker opposition in the remaining schedule, and those factors may well impact their performance.

b) performance in the last two weeks (when play around the league is more playoff-like) – See who are the hottest free agent scorers over the last two weeks and you have a sense for what they may be able to do for you in the next two weeks, under similar conditions.

c) ice time, particularly special teams, who are line-mates – Take note of the rate of usage for comparable players and how much time they are getting in top line and special teams roles.

d) does the team have something to play for (motivation) – If you have to chose between comparable players, with regards to the previous factors, consider the players' teams and see if they are going to play meaningful games or playing out the schedule, with nothing on the line. Teams with meaningful games will be leaning on their hottest players and so should you.  

Henrik Lundqvist returns, what does that do for Cam Talbot's value?

When Lundqvist went down with his serious vascular injury to his throat, it was thought that the Rangers would stumble toward the regular season finish line. Instead, they have rallied behind Talbot, who has been instrumental in the Rangers' push to the top of their division. He has a 20-9-4 record with a 2.21 goals-against average on the season, with a 16-5-3 mark in Lundqvist's absence.

Now that Lundqvist is healthy, there is already recognition that the King will resume his role as the No. 1 goalie on Broadway.

The aspect that has been clarified is that the Blueshirts have found out that Talbot is a viable No. 1 in his own right and becomes a more valuable asset going forward.

He has given the Rangers another quality asset and may be a trade chip in the offseason for a team looking for a new starting goalie, or he can take on more games next year in relief of Lundqvist, with the team being safe in the knowledge that he is not much of a downgrade.

The bottom line for the Rangers is that Lundqvist is the unquestioned No. 1 here, in the class of Pekka Rinne and Carey Price. In fact, he was in that class first. He's only 33 and should still have a few good years left.

Centerman David Krejci returns from injury. Are we buying into him?

Absolutely. He has always been 1-2 with Bergeron at center for Boston. We have also seen his value to this team during his absence. They have struggled mightily due to offensive instability and lack of scoring. Krejci makes his line-mates, particularly Milan Lucic, more valuable. He returned to the lineup last week and is already back to 20+ minutes per game and playing on special teams. Boston is one team that will be playing meaningful games the rest of this schedule and they will lean heavily on Krejci throughout those contests. 

Teams with meaningful games remaining and what are they playing for...Their hot depth players?

Montreal and Tampa are battling for first place in the Atlantic division. The Habs have relied on David Desharnais to be the center who plays a regular shift with their most productive forward, Max Pacioretty. The diminutive pivot is owned in just over 50 percent of fantasy leagues, but he has been a consistent point-producer, earning regular power-play time. He has two goals and five points in his last six games.

Tampa has received a nice burst of secondary scoring from Vladislav Namestnikov, who has 16 points in 39 games during his rookie campaign. What makes him an intriguing option, as the season is winding down, is that he has been most productive of late, with four goals and two assists in his last six games.

Ottawa is battling Boston for one of the last wild-card spots, and they have benefitted from the growing confidence in rookie Mark Stone, who has improved his productivity throughout this season to the point where he must now be considered one of the top first-year pros in the NHL. He has 54 points in 74 games, with eight points coming in his last seven.

We have spoken in prior weeks about the two young Bruins forwards who have been vital to their recent surge toward a playoff spot. Well, Ryan Spooner and David Pastrnak both have eight points in their last seven games and are both apparently available in more than 50 percent of fantasy leagues.

The Penguins, Islanders and Capitals are in a three-way battle for second place in the Metropolitan division, separated by a single point, and each team will make the postseason. However, only one of them will begin the playoffs on home ice.

Matt Niskanen is playing his best hockey of the season, with six points in his last six games. Prior to this stretch, he had only 23 points in 71 games. It looks like he is finally comfortable with mixing in the required defensive zone duties from head coach oach Barry Trotz's defensive scheme with his strong offensive skills.

In Pittsburgh, Daniel Winnik has made a seamless transition to the Penguins' high-octane offense since joining them at the trade deadline. He has injected a sense of defensive responsibility (plus-19 for the year) while chipping in with four points in his last six games, earning him playing time with their top offensive stars.

Isles captain John Tavares may overshadow Ryan Strome in terms of his overall profile, but the former first round picks both have five points in their last five games. Strome is starting in fewer than 40 percent of fantasy leagues, even though he has 48 points and a plus-20 rating.

In the Western conference, Calgary, Winnipeg and Los Angeles are in a battle for two playoff spots, and are separated by three points.

We all know about the offense from the defense and the top forwards in Calgary who have spearheaded their playoff chase. Lance Bouma, a 25-year old journeyman, who has never been more than a fourth liner, has certainly raised his profile due to his breakout campaign. He has 34 points and a plus-11 in 75 games, but has peaked most recently, with six points in his last seven games.

Perhaps, some fantasy league managers have forgotten about right-winger Drew Stafford since he was toiling, anonymously, for the Sabres until the trade deadline. Since he was dealt to a contending team in Winnipeg, he has reprised his role as a competent offensive producer. He has fit in beautifully with the Jets, producing at a point per game in his last seven starts.

In prior years, the Kings, have found their way back to the postseason after sluggish beginnings. This season, Jake Muzzin started slowly, like many of his defending championship teammates. They may not be so lucky this time around. Muzzin, for his part, has retained the plum assignment as Drew Doughty's defense partner. He has rebounded very nicely and has a career-high 38 points in 70 games, with five coming in his last seven starts. He is likely to log huge minutes in the Kings' aggressive pursuit of the postseason.