Connor McDavid Among Fantasy Hockey Players Who Returned to Ice

We are nearly at the end of the regular season, and subsequently at the end of fantasy league playoffs. Today, our focus is with two franchises, and the returns are absolute game changers.

I guess we don't have an Alex Ovechkin goal scoring record update anymore, since he broke that on April 6 against the New York Islanders. Congrats Ovi, you deserve it. You can read all about the greatest goal scorer in NHL history in my article covering his career, and his historic bomb of a goal against fellow Russian, and Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin here.

Without further ado, let's get into today's injury updates!

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers

The best player in the world is finally back! McDavid missed eight games with a lower body injury. Sadly, his injury came at the worst possible time as Leon Draisaitl also was out for injury. This left the Oilers quite thin down the middle. 

While Draisaitl did come back for three games since the pair were deemed out, Draisaitl is back injured again, and missed his third straight game on Wednesday.

Despite this, contrary to previous reports of McDavid not suiting up, he did end up returning on Wednesday against the St. Louis Blues, who are reeling after having their 12-game win streak ended at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets on Monday.

The Oilers are comfortably six points ahead of their division rivals the Calgary Flames, with five games each yet to play. It is safe to assume that the Oilers will make the playoffs, so while Draisaitl is still out, it is good news for everyone that McDavid is returning to get warmed up before the postseason.

McDavid will make an immediate impact on the Oilers, and especially your fantasy team. His return may win you the championship if you are still in your final round of playoffs.

McDavid has 26 goals, 64 assists, and 29 powerplay points as a forward in 63 games played. He also has 187 shots on goal, 39 hits, and 17 blocked shots.

Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild

Kirill the thrill is also finally back! The Wild are in need of firepower, and they are certainly getting it back with two players returning in one night, but especially for their franchise forward.

Playing in a keeper league, this would have been incredibly frustrating this year as most of the season Kaprizov has been taking up an IR slot, and you would be unable to replace him with anyone close to his offensive caliber. Hopeful you've made the finals, he has come back at the right time to cross the finish line for you. To nobody's surprise, Kaprizov scored two goals and an assist in his return!

Kaprizov returns to elite deployment in top line and number one powerplay time. There are very few players with his offensive talent in the league.

Kaprizov has 25 goals, 30 assists, and 12 powerplay points as a forward in 38 games played. He also has 128 shots on goal, but the rest of his peripherals are pitiful to say the least, at only 12 hits and 15 blocked shots.

Kaprizov did return at one point, but re-aggravated his injury, which then required surgery and that kept him out of play for majority of the season. It's nice to see him back in action.

Joel Eriksson Ek, Minnesota Wild

Another Wild forward returning to give them some added firepower. A good night for your fantasy league finals matchup if you have JEEK, and a better night for the Wild, who got two offensive weapons back at once.

The timing could not be better for the Wild, for the depth down the middle in the return of JEEK, and the franchise scoring ability of Kaprizov. They are three points ahead of the Flames, and holding onto the second wild card spot. These returning players should be enough to keep them in the playoff race, and having them back for the postseason will be a pivotal part of their success. 

JEEK plays down the middle of the second line, and the number one powerplay unit, as well as the second powerplay unit. He has really good deployment, and decent peripherals. He also had a breakout Four Nations showing, which gave him a boost in confidence. Clearly it has carried over, as in his return JEEK scored four goals!

JEEK has 13 goals, 15 assists, and eight powerplay points as a forward in only 43 games played. He also has 131 shots on goal, 69 hits, and 31 blocked shots.

Stuart Skinner, Edmonton Oilers

Skinner was clipped in the head by Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen on March 26 and has not played since, although he has resumed skating and has noted that he feels good. He is expected to return to the blue paint this Friday against the San Jose Sharks.

Getting McDavid back is great, but getting Skinner back too is the cherry on top. If Draisaitl returns before the postseason, it would be a hat trick of good news for the Alberta hockey club.

It's possible that Draisaitl and Skinner return in the same game, which would mirror the same excitement as the aforementioned Wild, who also gained two impact players back in the same game.

Skinner has 24 wins in 48 starts as a goaltender. He also has a .894 save percentage, a 2.91 goals against average, and two shutouts this year.

Skinner hasn't had the season we as fantasy players or the Oilers had hoped for, but when healthy, he was the main starter for a team that won more than they lost and had two of the best players in the league. If nothing else, he's still worth a shot at the end of the year as he returns. I think the team will want to play for him to win, as much as they are still trying to grind points.

Closing Thoughts

Again, the end of the NHL regular season and fantasy playoffs is nearly here.

Now more than ever, watching for player returns, and picking up streamers on the waiver wire is absolutely critical. Good luck in your final week!