Every Monday, we’ll look at some players who are not widely owned in fantasy hockey leagues but have the potential to make a big impact. Here are some top pickups for this week:
Logan Stankoven, Forward, Dallas Stars (Rostered in 29.1% of ESPN Fantasy leagues): Stankoven has been performing well with four assists in recent games. He is projected to have a breakout season and is off to a strong start at just 21 years old.
Jonathan Huberdeau, Forward, Calgary Flames (43.6%): While he may not reach the same heights as a few years ago, Huberdeau is showing promise with three goals and two assists. He is a proven contributor and worth considering for deeper leagues.
Casey Mittelstadt, Forward, Colorado Avalanche (20.2%): Mittelstadt has two goals in two games and is benefitting from playing on the second line. As key players return to the roster, his scoring prospects should only improve.
Pavel Zacha, Forward, Boston Bruins (30.0%): Skating on the top line and power play with notable players, Zacha is poised to have a strong season. He scored a career-high 59 points last season and could exceed that this year.
Ivan Barbashev, Forward, Vegas Golden Knights (61.0%): Barbashev has been impressive with three goals and three assists in three games. He is a valuable addition to fantasy teams, especially in deeper leagues.
Barrett Hayton, Forward, Utah Hockey Club (29.3%): Hayton has five points in three games and is worth considering for fantasy teams. He is performing well alongside Clayton Keller and could continue to produce.
In addition to these forwards, there are also some standout defensemen and goaltenders to keep an eye on:
Shayne Gostisbehere, Defenseman, Carolina Hurricanes (32.3%): Gostisbehere is a strong option on the power play and should be considered in leagues that reward scoring from defensemen.
Brandt Clarke, Defenseman, Los Angeles Kings (7.6%): With Drew Doughty out, Clarke is stepping up on the Kings’ power play. He has the potential to put up impressive numbers this season.
In the goaltending department, Anthony Stolarz of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Sam Montembeault of the Montreal Canadiens have been performing well and could be valuable additions to fantasy teams.
For short-term streaming options, consider players like Ross Colton, Phillip Danault, Mikael Granlund, and Paul Cotter, who have favorable matchups in the coming days.
These players may not be widely owned in fantasy leagues, but they have the potential to make a significant impact and help fantasy teams succeed. Keep an eye on them as the season progresses.