NHL: FanDuel Value Picks

by landsharkhockey Last Updated 2011-03-11 13:36:29

If you’re a regular fantasy hockey player on Fanduel, you know that putting together a quality roster under the daily cap is never a simple job. More than most other sites, Fanduel’s salary structure is challenging to the point where you just can’t stack your team at every position. Even if you go cheap on defense, you’re still required to budget wisely on offense and goaltending to field a roster. So, finding quality value picks at the bottom of the page are critical to winning here. This week, I’ll zero in on the players most worth targeting at a price under $6k.

Goalie

Fanduel seems to undervalue rookies as a rule, and that’s certainly been the case all season at the goalie position. While he’s faltered a bit lately, Sergei Bobrovsky has been a consistent, go-to guy most of the year in net, and has just recently risen above the $6k price. Here are some guys priced under $6k to consider:

• James Reimer (TOR) – $5,200 – Reimer has stumbled badly in his last two starts; however, prior to that, he had been on quite a run. He’s been Toronto’s best goalie this season and a big reason they are still in the playoff picture. He has an impressive .922 save percentage.
• Cory Schneider (VAN) – $5,200 – In 19 games this season, he has just 3 regulation losses. On any other team, Schneider would have a case to earn much more playing time. For now, he remains in the shadow of Luongo. If he gets the start, he always provides value.
• Jose Theodore (MIN) – $4,800 – Theodore has been every bit as good as Backstrom in Minnesota. He’s starting to get more games, so expect his salary to climb.
• Braden Holtby (WAS) – $3,800 – Depending on the injury situation to Neuvirth and Varlamov, Holtby becomes a fine default option in the interim. He just posted a shutout and is a steal at his price.
• Al Montoya (NYI) – $3,700 – Montoya is about the 10th option to tend the pipes on the Island. He’s 6-2-2 on the season, and the price can’t be beat.

Defense

As a rule, you just can’t spend more than $5k on a defenseman on Fanduel and expect to field a decent offensive. These guys are sufficient options at a discount:

• Marc-Andre Bergeron (TB – $3,400) – Be careful to monitor his injury status before committing him to your lineup, as his back has him in and out. However, we he’s playing, he’s a must start. He’s averaging 2.3 PPG for just $3.4k. Bergeron didn’t kick off his season until February, but become a steady producer right away.
• Deryk Engelland (PIT – $4,200) – If only he would fight like he did in the opening month of the season. With the recent injury to Orpik, Engelland has been a constant in the Pens lineup. He chips in the occasional point, but the promise of PIMs makes him worth selecting.
• Kevin Shattenkirk (STL – $4,400) – He’s been streaky since the trade to the Blues, but he’s registered points in 2 straight games now. Averaging 2.14 ppg.
• Grant Clitsome (COB – $4,400) – The rookie averages almost 3 PPG. No other defenseman at this price comes close.

Center

Tough finding steals at the center position, but here a couple:

• Derick Brassard (COB – $6,000) – Brassard just returned from a hand injury and scored a point in his return. He should be back to top line center duty now.
• Derek Stepan (NYR – $5,200) – Stepan should hit 20 goals in his rookie season and is always a threat to score.
• Dustin Jeffrey (PIT – $3,700) – No guarantees that Jeffrey will stay with the big club for the remainder of the season, but for now, it’s tough to ignore what he’s doing at that price. He has 3 goals in his last 5 games.

Left Wing

• Guillaume Latendress (MIN – $5,700) – After a terrific start to the season, Latendress was put on the shelf with a groin injury for several months. He just returned and you should find value here for the rest of the season.
• Tyler Kennedy (PIT – $5,700) – Kennedy has been a key factor in keeping the Pens afloat. He’s averaging a goal every other game these days.
• Joffrey Lupul (TOR – $5,400) – His numbers haven’t arrived yet, but his chances are there. Expect better performance from Lupul down the stretch than what he’s shown so far in his spotty career.
• Pierre-Marc Bouchard (MIN – $4,100) – Bouchard is starting to find his stride, with 10 points in his last 10 games. Expect that price to rise before the season ends.

Right Wing

• Jeff Skinner (CAR – $5,600) – Another rookie being undervalue due to his age. Skinner has been a steady offensive producer all season, averaging 3.25 PPG on Fanduel. No one else under $6k comes close.
• Alex Kovalev (PIT – $5,600) – Kovy is back in black and looking like his younger self. That means wildly streaky and inconsistent. However, he’s always a threat for a big game and a decent price.
• Erik Condra (OTT – $3,700) – Tough to find a player worth selecting at $3.7k, but Condra should catch your eye. He’s come up with two 2-goal performances in the past 5 games, as the Sens have nowhere else to turn.

My Roster

Here are my picks for tonight’s action on Fanduel. The worst defensive teams all seem to be in action tonight against top offensive stars. Should make for some high-scoring matches.

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About the Writer: ‘Chewy’ aka Gary Wilson, operates LandShark Hockey, and has been helping others dominate Fantasy Hockey Leagues for almost 20 years now. Landshark Hockey provides fantasy hockey fans with daily news, updates, and draft strategy including the LandShark Hockey War Room for Daily Fantasy Hockey Lineup Help.