NHL Grind Down: Tuesday, January 17th
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The RotoGrinders NHL Grind Down article will give you an in-depth analysis into the NHL schedule. This article will break down the numbers for every single game and give you analysis on which trends you can exploit. While matchups are a major factor in daily fantasy hockey there are plenty of other factors to consider such as injuries, salaries, and more.
The analysis should point you in the right direction, but it is still up to you to decipher the information and make your own selections. Hockey is an extremely high variance sport. The best choice is not always the right choice but following the trends will win you money over time.
Remember, these writeups are done prior to lineups being released, so make sure to check our Starting Lineups page to ensure the recommended options are playing.
Note: As always, if you want to try a new DFS site, be sure to click through a RotoGrinders link and use our FanDuel promo code to receive the best perks in the industry.
Carolina Hurricanes at Columbus Blue Jackets
| Carolina Hurricanes | Columbus Blue Jackets | ||||||||
 | Cam Ward |  | Sergei Bobrovsky | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 21-15-7 | 29-9-4 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.77 | 2.63 | 17.20% | 88.70% | Team Stats | 3.31 | 2.24 | 26.00% | 83.00% |
Several advanced metrics had been pointing towards a Carolina turnaround for weeks, and we’re starting to see the Hurricanes play tremendously well down the stretch. Their 51.69 CF% shows their abilities to control the puck while their 2.72 xGF60 happens to trail only Pittsburgh, Toronto and Montreal. Carolina has won each of their last four games and are quickly putting their name back in the playoff race in the Eastern Conference. With all of that said, we’re on the verge of learning a ton about this hockey club over the next week as tonight battle with Columbus marks the beginning of a brutal schedule the rest of the month. Carolina exploded for seven goals in their last game but figure to have a much harder time getting the puck in the net tonight as Columbus has allowed just 2.24 goals against per game this season. Carolina did skate to a 5-3 victory when these teams met last week and nobody seems to be able to slow down their two-headed offensive attack right now. Jeff Skinner leads the way with 35 points in 42 games and his 154 shots on goal make him a fine cash game option pretty much on a nightly basis. He’ll be joined by Victor Rask and Derek Ryan on the top forward line, leaving Jordan Staal to center Brock McGinn and Elias Lindholm on a secondary scoring line that’s been gaining a lot of traction. Staal scored against Columbus last week and has now racked up two goals and five assists in the last four games. On defense, Justin Faulk is temporarily healthy and therefore an offensive weapon. He and Noah Hanifin share the duties on the point of the top power-play unit.
A 16-game winning streak made sure the entire NHL was aware of Columbus’ emergence this season, but the streaking Washington Capitals have actually taken over as the leaders in the Metropolitan Division. Columbus will be looking to bounce-back from a disappointing loss to the Florida Panthers on Saturday. Columbus has a plethora of offensive weapons, but their success this season can widely be contributed to their NHL best 26.0% power-play. The problem tonight? Carolina’s 88.7% penalty kill happens to easily be the top mark in the NHL and that battle will likely determine who leaves Nationwide Arena with two points this evening. Cam Atkinson scored his 21st goal of the season on Saturday night and now leads Columbus with 41 points in 42 games. He headlines the #1 power-play unit alongside Nick Foligno, Alexander Wennberg and Sam Gagner up-front with rookie Zach Werenski facilitating things from the blue-line. Columbus was 0-4 on the power-play in that first meeting, but John Tortorella will be counting on this group to produce plenty of scoring chances.
Carolina Hurricanes
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 51.69 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -5, 110.31 CP60
Elite Options
Jeff Skinner ($7,000 FD, $6,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 60.85 CF60, 3.05 xGF60, 98.61 PDO
Jordan Staal ($5,500 FD, $4,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 65.07 CF60, 3.59 xGF60, 99.8 PDO
Secondary Options
Victor Rask ($5,700 FD, $5,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 57.03 CF60, 2.61 xGF60, 100.73 PDO
Derek Ryan ($4,500 FD, $4,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 55.46 CF60, 2.57 xGF60, 98.59 PDO
Elias Lindholm ($4,700 FD, $4,000 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 62.9 CF60, 2.84 xGF60, 96.87 PDO
Justin Faulk ($6,000 FD, $5,300 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 59.51 CF60, 2.85 xGF60, 97.18 PDO
Expected Netminder
Cam Ward – My Ratings (out of 10): 5.5 Cash, 6.5 GPP
Columbus Blue Jackets
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 50.08 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential 25, 112.4 CP60
Elite Options
Cam Atkinson ($7,200 FD, $7,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 59.12 CF60, 2.55 xGF60, 101.06 PDO
Zach Werenski ($5,500 FD, $5,000 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 57.63 CF60, 2.27 xGF60, 101.13 PDO
Secondary Options
Brandon Saad ($6,600 FD, $6,000 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 63.32 CF60, 2.91 xGF60, 104.33 PDO
Nick Foligno ($6,600 FD, $6,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 58.95 CF60, 2.64 xGF60, 102.95 PDO
Seth Jones ($5,300 FD, $4,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 57.9 CF60, 2.27 xGF60, 100.54 PDO
Expected Netminder
“(player-popup)Sergei Bobrovsky”:/players/sergei-bobrovsky-14298 – My Ratings (out of 10): 6.5 Cash, 7 GPP
Dallas Stars at New York Rangers
| Dallas Stars | New York Rangers | ||||||||
 | Antti Niemi |  | Henrik Lundqvist | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 18-19-8 | 28-15-1 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.68 | 3.05 | 16.90% | 74.30% | Team Stats | 3.41 | 2.61 | 22.40% | 82.30% |
Dallas came out flat and were rather easily swept aside by the Buffalo Sabres yesterday afternoon. They’ve now gone just 2-5-1 over their last eight games and their playoff hopes are diminishing quickly with each subsequent loss. They’ll make the trip across the state of New York for tonight’s battle at Madison Square Garden against a Rangers team likely looking for revenge after Cody Eakin decision to run over Henrik Lundqvist in their only previous meeting this season. New York shut them out in that first meeting, and while I don’t love Dallas in this matchup at all, it’s simply impossible to overlook the firepower on their top forward line where Tyler Seguin centers Jamie Benn and Patrick Eaves. Seguin and Benn have connected for points on the same goal already on 21 occasions this season, which trails only the duo of Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin. If you’re in need of some salary relief, Radek Faska has turned up his offensive game lately and now owns a goal and six assists over the last six games. On defense, John Klingberg has actually been Dallas’ top offensive weapon lately. He’s locked into nearly 25+ minutes of ice-time per game at this point and has poured in four goals and four assists in seven games this month.
New York has played very well all season, but playing in the absurdly tough Metropolitan Division has them sitting in fourth place (despite having enough points to share the lead in the Pacific). They’ll look to snap a two game losing streak against the visiting Dallas Stars and should benefit from Dallas’ up-tempo approach. The Rangers own an NHL best 3.41 goals per game this season, but their ability to spread that scoring across three different forward lines has been a frustration point for DFS players all season. Their top line of Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan and Mats Zuccarello is loaded with speed and looks the most dangerous (at least to me) of the bunch. Stepan snapped out of a mini-slump with a goal and an assist on Saturday against Montreal and shares the team lead with 33 points in 44 games. Meanwhile it’s actually been their third line quietly providing the bulk of the offense lately. The trio of Michael Grabner, Kevin Hayes and J.T. Miller have combined for nine goals and nine assist in just five games this month and tend to almost always be a bit overshadowed from an ownership perspective by some of the more household names on this hockey club. On defense, Ryan McDonagh is the clear #1 option. He’s runs the show from the point of the top power-play unit, is locked into nearly 25 minutes of ice-time per game and has dished out an assist in each of the last two games. If you’re in need of some value, Adam Clendening has been given a chance as the point-man on the second power-play unit and has responded with a goal and two assists over the last three games.
Dallas Stars
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 49.7 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential 2, 118.06 CP60
Elite Options
None
John Klingberg ($6,200 FD, $4,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 58.01 CF60, 2.69 xGF60, 101.55 PDO
Secondary Options
Jamie Benn ($8,200 FD, $6,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 57.33 CF60, 2.26 xGF60, 98.75 PDO
Patrick Eaves ($5,400 FD, $5,100 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 60.26 CF60, 2.51 xGF60, 95.93 PDO
Jason Spezza ($6,600 FD, $5,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 62.76 CF60, 2.47 xGF60, 99.36 PDO
Radek Faksa ($4,500 FD, $3,900 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 59.94 CF60, 2.97 xGF60, 101.81 PDO
Expected Netminder
Antti Niemi – My Ratings (out of 10): 4 Cash, 5.5 GPP
New York Rangers
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 47.74 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential 10, 110.13 CP60
Elite Options
Derek Stepan ($6,600 FD, $6,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 54.47 CF60, 2.6 xGF60, 101.73 PDO
Mats Zuccarello ($6,500 FD, $6,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 58.42 CF60, 2.77 xGF60, 99.39 PDO
Secondary Options
Mika Zibanejad ($5,700 FD, $5,900 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 60.41 CF60, 3.04 xGF60, 97.98 PDO
Rick Nash ($6,700 FD, $6,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 50.41 CF60, 2.8 xGF60, 99.73 PDO
Kevin Hayes ($5,500 FD, $5,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 46.13 CF60, 2.52 xGF60, 105.82 PDO
J.T. Miller ($5,800 FD, $5,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 49.3 CF60, 2.45 xGF60, 104.16 PDO
Adam Clendening ($3,500 FD, $3,100 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 58.59 CF60, 2.73 xGF60, 99.76 PDO
Expected Netminder
Henrik Lundqvist – My Ratings (out of 10): 6.5 Cash, 7 GPP
Buffalo Sabres at Toronto Maple Leafs
| Buffalo Sabres | Toronto Maple Leafs | ||||||||
 | Anders Nilsson |  | Frederik Andersen | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 17-17-9 | 20-13-8 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.29 | 2.71 | 22.30% | 74.40% | Team Stats | 3.10 | 2.80 | 23.80% | 84.40% |
Buffalo snapped a two-game losing streak with an impressive victory over the Dallas Stars yesterday afternoon, but won’t have much time to enjoy it as they make the short trip to Toronto for tonight’s clash with the suddenly surging Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite their recent strong play, Toronto is not a team to shy away from in DFS as their 122.06 CP60 makes them easily the fastest paced team in the NHL this season. While I’m not a fan who Dan Bylsma stuck him with most of the season, Jack Eichel was the story of the game yesterday as the phenom lit the lamp twice and unloaded 10 shots on goal. He’s now slated to play alongside fellow #2 overall pick Sam Reinhart and that should bode well for both of them going forward. Meanwhile, Ryan O’Reilly and Kyle Okposo continue to be a dangerous tandem on the top forward line (along with the finally healthy Tyler Ennis). O’Reilly was held off the scoresheet last night but had tallied a goal and six assists in the five game prior. On defense, Rasmus Ristolainen is the player to target. The 22 year-old has taken a major step forward this season and will enter tonight’s game with 27 points in 42 games.
With an 8-1-1 record over their last ten games, it’s safe to say that there will be plenty of excitement pumping through the Air Canada Centre this evening. Toronto will return home to kick off a four game home-stand that kicks off this evening against the Buffalo Sabres and their fine play of late suddenly has them pulling within striking distance of the leaders in the Atlantic Division. Mike Babcock appears this team to have at least one year ahead of schedule and has three very dangerous scoring lines to throw over the boards. Deservedly so, Auston Matthews tends to draw the most attention from fantasy owners here. The #1 overall pick in the 2016 draft has shown off his immense talent throughout his rookie campaign and leads Toronto with 37 points in 41 games. With that said, and with Babcock’s balanced scoring attack still in mind, this looks like a great spot to target the Toronto power-play as Buffalo owns an ugly 74.4% penalty kill. Matthews headlines the top power-play unit with Leo Komarov, William Nylander and Connor Brown playing down-low and Jake Gardiner manning the blue-line. Meanwhile, the second power-play unit is also very dangerous with James van Riemsdyk Tyler Bozak, Mitchell Marner and Nazem Kadri playing with Morgan Rielly on the point. It’s worth noting that Marner has thrived on home ice where he’s posted seven goals and 15 assists in just 19 home games this season. He’s also been red-hot with two goals and seven assists in six games this month.
Buffalo Sabres
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 47.32 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -8, 108.67 CP60
Elite Options
Ryan O’Reilly ($6,300 FD, $5,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 56.68 CF60, 2.7 xGF60, 100.4 PDO
Jack Eichel ($7,400 FD, $6,900 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 52.56 CF60, 2.11 xGF60, 102.05 PDO
Rasmus Ristolainen ($5,900 FD, $5,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 50.58 CF60, 2.37 xGF60, 100.52 PDO
Secondary Options
Kyle Okposo ($6,400 FD, $5,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 53.97 CF60, 2.65 xGF60, 99.96 PDO
Sam Reinhart ($5,800 FD, $5,000 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 55.98 CF60, 2.77 xGF60, 100.94 PDO
Evander Kane ($6,100 FD, $4,900 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 52.62 CF60, 2.31 xGF60, 97.67 PDO
Expected Netminder
Anders Nilsson – My Ratings (out of 10): 4.5 Cash, 5.5 GPP
Toronto Maple Leafs
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 49.81 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential 5, 122.06 CP60
Elite Options
Auston Matthews ($7,700 FD, $7,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 64.21 CF60, 3.22 xGF60, 100.24 PDO
James van Riemsdyk ($7,400 FD, $5,900 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 62.49 CF60, 3.09 xGF60, 101.05 PDO
Mitchell Marner ($6,500 FD, $5,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 60.79 CF60, 3 xGF60, 101.87 PDO
Secondary Options
Tyler Bozak ($5,500 FD, $4,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 62.42 CF60, 3.21 xGF60, 101.77 PDO
Connor Brown ($5,200 FD, $4,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 62.15 CF60, 3.01 xGF60, 102.17 PDO
Nazem Kadri ($6,800 FD, $5,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 62.36 CF60, 2.74 xGF60, 97.97 PDO
Morgan Rielly ($4,300 FD, $4,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 62.76 CF60, 2.88 xGF60, 98.41 PDO
Jake Gardiner ($4,800 FD, $4,300 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 65.95 CF60, 3.31 xGF60, 100.81 PDO
Expected Netminder
Frederik Andersen – My Ratings (out of 10): 7 Cash, 7.5 GPP
Ottawa Senators at St. Louis Blues
| Ottawa Senators | St. Louis Blues | ||||||||
 | Mike Condon |  | Jake Allen | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 22-15-4 | 23-16-5 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.49 | 2.59 | 17.10% | 82.70% | Team Stats | 2.80 | 2.91 | 21.80% | 85.30% |
It’s been an up-and-down season for the Ottawa Senators, but they’re starting to run out of time to gain some traction if they plan on making a push for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They’ll kick off a tough three-game road trip tonight in St. Louis desperately needing to rebound after dropping five of their last seven games. St. Louis is generally a team I try not to pick on too heavily in DFS, but with Jake Allen clearly fighting the puck right now (we may very well see Carter Hutton between the pipes again), this Ottawa offense does have some upside tonight. By little surprise to anyone, it’s actually Erik Karlsson that leads the Senators with 35 points this season. The dangerous defenseman also sits fifth in the entire NHL with 105 blocked shots which solidifies him as a top-tier option in all formats this evening. Up-front, things are a bit less straight-forward as Guy Boucher continues to try and squeeze three scoring lines out of six offensive weapons. The top line of Zack Smith, Derick Brassard and Mark Stone tends to draw the most attention from fantasy owners, but this also means they’ll likely draw the less than desirable matchup of seeing a heavy dose of Alex Steen. Meanwhile, Mike Hoffman is immensely talented but rarely seems to be given a chance to shine (he’s currently set to skate with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Tom Pyatt). Hoffman does have the luxury of being a key fixture on the wing of the top power-play unit where he and the dangerous Kyle Turris join Mark Stone up-front with Karlsson and Dion Phaneuf running things from the point. However, St. Louis does own an impressive 85.3% penalty kill, so keep your expectations in check to some degree.
Goaltending issues have put some panic in the air in the Gateway City, but St. Louis (namely, Carter Hutton) eased some of the tension by picking up two key victories to close out their west coast road trip. They’ll return home for a quick two-game home stand needing to keep things rolling tonight as the Ottawa Senators invade the Scottrade Center. While Ottawa has been solid defensively all season, St. Louis does enter tonight’s game as solid favorites by Vegas Standards and they’ll likely be somewhat popular selections this evening. It’s no secret that the St. Louis offense runs through Vladimir Tarasenko. The sniper is running away with the team scoring title (44 points in 44 games) and has also unloaded a team high 147 shots on goal. Coach Hitchcock has been tinkering with his forward lines all season and, for some odd reason, appears ready to stick Tarasenko with Nail Yakupov and Jori Lehtera on the top line. While that’s great news for the mediocre fantasy appeal of both Yakupov and Lehtera, there is no way to spin that positively for Tarasenko. With that said, Tarasenko’s stock doesn’t fall much as he’s already racked up 17 power-play points this season and he’ll see as many minutes with the man-advantage as he can handle. Jaden Schwartz, Paul Stastny and Alex Steen join him up-front on that top power-play unit with Kevin Shattenkirk distributing the puck from the point. It’s been a slow offensive season for Steen, but he finally appears to be heating up as he’s posted two goals and added five assists in seven games this month. Shattenkirk’s role with the #1 power-play unit may make him the preferred option on the St. Louis blue-line, but both Colton Parayko and Alex Pietrangelo share the duties on the point of the second unit and both have solid floors as well as some GPP upside.
Ottawa Senators
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 47.94 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -5, 113.36 CP60
Elite Options
Erik Karlsson ($7,400 FD, $6,900 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 55.73 CF60, 2.51 xGF60, 99.93 PDO
Secondary Options
Mike Hoffman ($6,600 FD, $5,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 55.94 CF60, 2.39 xGF60, 101.79 PDO
Kyle Turris ($5,700 FD, $5,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 53.19 CF60, 2.38 xGF60, 101.26 PDO
Mark Stone ($6,500 FD, $5,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 61.07 CF60, 2.75 xGF60, 99.75 PDO
Zack Smith ($4,700 FD, $4,300 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 57.1 CF60, 2.48 xGF60, 100.56 PDO
Expected Netminder
Mike Condon – My Ratings (out of 10): 5.5 Cash, 6 GPP
St. Louis Blues
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 51.46 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -4, 103.79 CP60
Elite Options
Vladimir Tarasenko ($8,500 FD, $7,500 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 60.96 CF60, 2.82 xGF60, 101.76 PDO
Kevin Shattenkirk ($6,200 FD, $5,000 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 51.73 CF60, 2.3 xGF60, 99.54 PDO
Secondary Options
Alex Steen ( FD, DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 46 CF60, 1.83 xGF60, 98.37 PDO
Jaden Schwartz ($5,600 FD, $5,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 57.09 CF60, 2.45 xGF60, 101.1 PDO
Paul Stastny ($5,300 FD, $4,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 50.83 CF60, 2.02 xGF60, 100.43 PDO
Robby Fabbri ($5,600 FD, $5,000 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 56.88 CF60, 2.24 xGF60, 101.5 PDO
Alex Pietrangelo ($5,500 FD, $5,100 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 55.94 CF60, 2.27 xGF60, 101.42 PDO
Colton Parayko ($5,400 FD, $4,700 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 55.1 CF60, 2.18 xGF60, 99.56 PDO
Expected Netminder
Jake Allen – My Ratings (out of 10): 5 Cash, 6.5 GPP
New Jersey Devils at Minnesota Wild
| New Jersey Devils | Minnesota Wild | ||||||||
 | Cory Schneider |  | Devan Dubnyk | ||||||
| Record | Record | ||||||||
| 18-18-9 | 28-9-5 | ||||||||
| Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% | Stats | GF/GP | GA/GP | PP% | PK% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Stats | 2.18 | 2.82 | 13.20% | 83.30% | Team Stats | 3.26 | 2.14 | 20.20% | 84.90% |
The Devils have won each of their last two games, but there’s not much to like about them tonight. They’ll head to Minnesota to face a Minnesota team that owns a 14-4-0 record at the Xcel Energy Center and who have allowed a Western Conference low 2.14 goals against per game this season. New Jersey has averaged just 2.18 goals per game this season, own an ugly 6-11-3 record over their last 20 games, and Devan Dubnyk may just be on the way to a Vezina Trophy this offseason. This is a pretty easy fade for me in cash games and Taylor Hall is really the only player I’m interested in for GPPs. I’ll be looking elsewhere and I suggest that you do the same.
Long winning streaks by the Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets have somehow overshadowed how well this Minnesota team has been playing down the stretch. Bruce Boudreau’s club picked up a very important victory over the Chicago Blackhawks their last time out and now own a ridiculous 17-1-1 record over their last 18 games. They’re known for their rock solid defense, but the Wild have also shown plenty of offensive abilities lately as well. Eric Staal is in the midst of a tremendous bounce-back season and centers Zach Parise and Charlie Coyle on the top forward line and #1 power-play unit. Staal leads the team with 39 points in 42 games and has picked up at least one point in 14 of his last 16 games (9 goals and 12 assists in that span). Meanwhile, the trio of Jason Zucker, Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund have flown under-the-radar a bit, but they’ve provided a very dangerous secondary scoring punch all season. Granlund has picked up points in three straight games and the former first-round pick is having the best offensive season of his young career (10 goals and 25 assists in 42 games). The options on the Minnesota blue-line are abundant. Ryan Suter is the one of the biggest work-horses in the NHL and is the top option as his puck-moving skills are of full display as the quarterback of the #1 power-play. Alternatively, Mathew Dumba, Jonas Brodin and Jared Spurgeon all also see plenty of run with the man-advantage and each carry a very reasonable asking price.
New Jersey Devils
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 47.03 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential -22, 103.46 CP60
Elite Options
None
Secondary Options
Taylor Hall ($7,100 FD, $6,300 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 54.44 CF60, 2.55 xGF60, 98.3 PDO
Kyle Palmieri ($5,700 FD, $4,600 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 46.87 CF60, 1.91 xGF60, 104.26 PDO
Expected Netminder
Cory Schneider – My Ratings (out of 10): 4 Cash, 6.5 GPP
Minnesota Wild
Team Metrics – 2016-17 – 47.82 CF%, 5×5 Goal Differential 33, 111.48 CP60
Elite Options
Eric Staal ($6,600 FD, $6,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 57.95 CF60, 2.81 xGF60, 102.14 PDO
Zach Parise ($7,300 FD, $6,300 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 55.68 CF60, 2.64 xGF60, 100.82 PDO
Ryan Suter ($5,700 FD, $5,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 52.14 CF60, 2.51 xGF60, 106.11 PDO
Secondary Options
Charlie Coyle ($6,000 FD, $6,000 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 54.04 CF60, 2.4 xGF60, 101.41 PDO
Mikko Koivu ($6,400 FD, $5,300 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 54.43 CF60, 2.6 xGF60, 105.97 PDO
Mikael Granlund ($6,500 FD, $5,400 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 53.84 CF60, 2.59 xGF60, 106.63 PDO
Matt Dumba ($5,000 FD, $4,200 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 53.29 CF60, 2.29 xGF60, 106.31 PDO
Jared Spurgeon ($5,400 FD, $4,800 DK) – 16-17 Metrics – 52.55 CF60, 2.56 xGF60, 105.34 PDO
Expected Netminder
Devan Dubnyk – My Ratings (out of 10): 9 Cash, 9 GPP