Best Fantasy Hockey Pickups: Robert Thomas, Alex Iafallo, Ryan Strome
We are quickly approaching the quarter mark of the season, and teams are settling into a rhythm. Teams who started hot, like the Red Wings, have cooled off. Others like St Louis and Anaheim are exceeding expectations. San Jose is comically bad and is tanking their way to a top lottery pick.
The big news of the week is the shakeup in Edmonton. The Oilers loss to the Sharks doomed Jay Woodcroft and the coaching staff. Connor McDavid was off to a horrible start, and Edmonton managed only three wins in their first 13 games. I am not sure the Oilers have the right group of secondary players, but a change had to happen. In a move that will make all Detroit fans chuckle, GM Ken Holland hired Paul Coffey as an assistant coach to appease the fan base.
We have also seen a ton of injuries around the league; here are some situations to track this week:
- Jack Hughes, NJ
- Nico Hischier, NJ
- Alex Tuch, BUF
- Chandler Stephenson, VGK
- Trevor Zegras, ANA
- Artturi Lehkonen, COL
- Taylor Hall, CHI
- Jordan Eberle, SEA
- Adam Fox, NYR
- Thomas Chabot, OTT
- Brandon Montour, FLA
- Igor Shesterkin, NYR
- Frederik Andersen, CAR
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Best Fantasy Hockey Pickups
C Robert Thomas, St. Louis Blues
St. Louis is playing extremely well right now, and they are being led by Thomas. He has 10 points in the last six games with a four-assist effort against Colorado. He will be a popular pickup this week, so you may have to spend up in FAAB to get him. He is currently available in about 60% of Yahoo leagues.
RW/LW Alex Iafallo, Winnipeg Jets
Iafallo, a big free agent signing in the offseason, started off slow while being delegated to the middle and bottom-six lines for the Jets. But now he has been put on the wing on the top line with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor, and he has responded with eight points in five games. He is only around 20% owned in Yahoo leagues and is a must-add as long as he stays on Line 1.
C Ryan Strome & C Leo Carlsson, Anaheim Ducks
I wrote about Strome a couple of weeks ago, and it's worth repeating that if you need a center, pick him up. Anaheim's top six is playing well, and they play four games this week. Also, check out rookie Leo Carlsson, especially in Dynasty leagues. His ice team is being limited, but he is showing a lot of potential.
C/RW Matt Duchene, Dallas Stars
I think everyone has forgotten about Duchene playing for Dallas. He is heating up with six points in three games since returning from injury and eight points in his last nine games.
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