Fantasy hockey rankings are a big deal for fans who play the game. They help determine which players are worth picking up and which ones might not be performing as well as expected. The rankings are based on projections of how many fantasy points a player will earn from a certain date until the end of the season. This is important for points leagues, where quantitative data is key.
But sometimes, the rankings don’t tell the whole story. For example, there needs to be a balance between positions in the rankings to make them useful for fantasy leagues. This means that there are specific numbers of forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders that need to be included in the top 250 rankings. Sometimes, this can lead to clusters of players at the bottom of the list to ensure positional balance.
Now, let’s take a look at some players who have seen their rankings rise or fall since the preseason. Lukas Dostal from the Anaheim Ducks has seen a significant jump in his ranking due to his improved performance in the crease. Pavel Dorofeyev from the Vegas Golden Knights has solidified his role on the power play, while Ian Cole from the Utah Hockey Club has quietly been putting up impressive stats on the blue line.
On the other hand, players like Quinton Byfield from the Los Angeles Kings and Cam York from the Philadelphia Flyers have seen their rankings drop due to changes in their roles on their respective teams. Tristan Jarry from the Pittsburgh Penguins, who was expected to have a bounce-back season, has found himself in the AHL after a rough start.
In addition to analyzing player rankings, it’s important to keep an eye on goalie and power-play notes to make informed decisions for your fantasy team. Players like Frank Vatrano from the Anaheim Ducks and Jason Zucker from the Buffalo Sabres have been making an impact on their respective power-play units, while defenseman Uvis Balinskis from the Florida Panthers has secured the top quarterback role on the power play.
As the season progresses, fantasy hockey managers will need to stay updated on player performances and make strategic decisions to stay competitive in their leagues. By paying attention to rising and falling players, as well as key trends in goalie and power-play situations, fantasy hockey enthusiasts can make informed choices to build a winning team.