A number of scorching hot wingers are taking the league by storm, and Shea Weber’s strong return after a lengthy injury headline this week’s risers in the Week 10 Fantasy Hockey Stock Report.
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Week 10 Fantasy Hockey Stock Report: Risers
C Anze Kopitar, LA: Beginning in mid-November, Kopitar has began to show signs of life offensively with three goals, nine assists and three power-play points through his latest 11 contests. He’s logged a hefty 23:02 of ice time (2:57 with the man advantage) during that stretch, and projects to remain in a huge role, so there’s reason for optimism after his slow start.
C Mika Zibanejad, NYR: The 25-year-old center is in the midst of a breakout campaign with 25 points — eight goals — through 25 games to start the year. Zibanejad should also see positive regression to his current 8.8 shooting percentage considering he posted a 12.3 mark over the previous four seasons.
C/LW Jake Guentzel, PIT: It’s been an impressive run for Guentzel of late, as he’s found the scoresheet in 10 of his past 13 outings for seven goals, nine assists and 34 shots. He’s been skating more frequently with Sidney Crosby recently, too, and the duo have clicked for a dominant 5.19 goals per 60 minutes and 59.5 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five this season.
LW Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA: With multi-point showings in seven of his past nine contests, Huberdeau is one of the hottest scorers in the league. His 31 points through 27 games is a career-best pace, and there’s a strong possibility the true breakout is sustainable, as he’s now in the heart of his offensive prime at 25 years old.
LW/RW Nikolaj Ehlers, WPG: A return to top-line duty has been a huge boon to Ehlers’ numbers. He’s collected eight tallies, five assists and 36 shots through his past 15 games while connected with linemates Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler for a respectable 3.36 goals and a 54.1 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five.
RW Cam Atkinson, CBJ: Currently sporting a 12-game point streak consisting of 13 tallies, seven helpers and 46 shots, Atkinson is carrying the Columbus offense on his back. He’s already half way to his career-best, 62-point showing in 2016-17 through 27 games this year and is also just a goal shy of his sixth consecutive 20-goal campaign. Don’t be shocked if he’s still undervalued in some circles, either.
D Oscar Klefbom, EDM: New head coach Ken Hitchcock has sparked a breakout run for Klefbom. The Swedish defenseman has three goals, four assists, three power-play points, 22 shots and 21 blocked shots through his past seven games, and he’s averaged a hefty 26:19 of ice time with 3:36 on the man advantage.
D Gavin Bayreuther, DAL: The rookie has been a respectable contributor of late with five points, 14 shots, eight PIM, eight hits and eight blocked shots through his past nine contests. Bayreuther has also been quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play unit recent and should remain a serviceable asset over the coming weeks. Just note that his value could plummet once John Klingberg (hand) returns from injury later this month.
D Shea Weber, MON: With an average of 24:52 of ice time (2:48 on the power play), there have been no worries about Weber since returning from an injury absence that dated back to last season. The veteran has collected two goals, two assists, 16 shots and 17 hits through the five-game stretch and should be owned in most settings.
G Mike Smith, CGY: After handing out a chunk of starts to David Rittich, Smith has probably won the No. 1 gig back by rolling off five consecutive wins with a .939 save percentage and 1.50 GAA. Those who were patient during his slow start could be rewarded handsomely moving forward.
Week 10 Fantasy Hockey Stock Report: Fallers
C Mathew Barzal, NYI: It’s been a bit of a sophomore slump for the reigning Calder Trophy winner. Barzal has just a single assist through his past five contests and only 21 points — three goals — over 27 games for the campaign. The offense would be more acceptable if he helped out in the secondary categories. Thankfully, his 5.6 shooting percentage is unsustainably low.
C/LW/RW Sebastian Aho, CAR: With just two goals and two assists through his past nine outings, Aho has cooled off over the past few weeks. He’s obviously well on his way to a huge season, and there’s also likely positive regression ahead of his 9.9 shooting percentage. However, the young Finn probably shouldn’t be viewed as an elite scorer just yet.
C/LW/RW Nick Bjugstad, FLA: It’s been a major slide for Bjugstad over few weeks. He’s now centering the third line and has just a single goal and assist through his past 14 contests. There aren’t many fantasy formats where he’s currently a serviceable option.
LW Evander Kane, SJ: Friday’s goal was the first in nine games for Kane, and he’s now collected just two points during that stretch. Additionally, considering 10 of his 17 points came through the first 10 outings of the season, the streaky scorer is clearly falling back into old patterns. He’ll probably flirt with another 30-goal showing, but his game-to-game consistency will likely continue.
D Mikhail Sergachev, TB: The Russian has cooled off in his sophomore campaign with just 10 assists through the first 30 games of the season. Sergachev is starting 55.5 percent of his five-on-five shifts in the offensive zone compared to a sheltered 70.2 last season, and he’s not a consistent contributor in the hits or blocked shots columns.
G Carey Price, MON: Mediocrity has been a theme for Price this season. He’s started 10 of the past 11 games and posted a 5-4-1 record with a .908 save percentage and 2.82 GAA, which aligns with his 10-8-4, .900 and 2.96 marks for the campaign. Additionally, his past three wins have come against the Senators and Rangers — hardly difficult opponents.
For more great fantasy hockey talk, listen in on Chris Meaney and Neil Parker on the Fantrax Fantasy Hockey Podcast, as they hit on all the injuries, streamers, and recent trends you need to know to stay on top of the fantasy ice.
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