RADIO
Hey RotoBallers. Here is my weekly rundown of NHL forwards, defenseman and goaltenders whose fantasy hockey values have been rising and falling over the past week of action.
The rising players can be considered fantasy hockey sleepers or waiver wire pickups, depending on your league size and format. For those trending downward, it might be time to look elsewhere for production. As always, thank you for reading and be on the lookout for more hockey analysis each week.
NHL Players Rising After Week 10 of Fantasy Hockey
Boone Jenner (F, CLS) - 20% Owned
In just 18 games this season, Boone Jenner has 12 points and 52 shots on goal. Jenner has delivered a goal in five of his last seven games. He is skating nearly 20:00 minutes per game and has been the Blue Jackets most effective player in recent weeks. Jenner should continue to see big minutes going forward and as long as he keeps putting the puck on net with regularity, results will follow.
Korbinian Holzer (D, TOR) - 3% Owned
Since being recalled to Toronto on Thanksgiving day, Korbinian Holzer has given the Maple Leafs an energy boost. Holzer has tallied an assist in three straight games and now has a +7 rating and 17 penalty minutes in 10 games. Holzer appears to finally be getting a real shot to stick with the big club after a few short stints in recent years. Fantasy owners may want to keep an eye on Holzer's play over the next few weeks. If he continues to collect points and penalties he will have some real fantasy value.
Keith Kinkaid (G, NJ) - 2% Owned
Though he has yet to record his first NHL victory, Keith Kinkaid has been very impressive in net for the New Jersey Devils. Kinkaid stopped 37 of 39 shots in his debut during a shootout loss to the Blackhawks and followed that up by making 31 saves in another shootout loss against the Islanders. Kinkaid has made some unbelievable stops and has looked very big between the pipes. He could be making a case to take some playing time away from Cory Schneider. Keep an eye on his performance over the next few weeks.
NHL Players Falling After Week 10 of Fantasy Hockey
Nathan MacKinnon (F, COL) - 89% Owned
As with a lot of young players, Nathan MacKinnon is suffering through a sophomore slump. After posting 63 points and a +20 rating en route to winning the Calder Trophy as an 18 year-old rookie, MacKinnon has 19 points and a -10 rating in 30 games so far this year. Nathan has just one point in his last six games and is skating less than 17:00 of ice-time per game. He has loads of talent and has a promising future, but his fantasy value is not very high at the moment.
Jack Johnson (D, CLS) - 41% Owned
Jack Johnson has plenty of offensive skill and his ice-time is usually around 24:00 per game. The problem with his fantasy value is that he seems to be caught in the offensive zone too often. Johnson is lowest on the team with a -18 rating in 26 games this season. No matter how skilled a player is, a plus/minus like that makes it very difficult to win in fantasy hockey.
Tuukka Rask (G, BOS) - 99% Owned
The Bruins have been just average so far this season, with injuries limiting their success. Tuukka Rask hasn't been stellar in net, either. Owners should continue to roll with Rask, as the wins should start to come a little more consistently down the stretch. His job is not in jeopardy, but he has allowed 19 goals while losing five of his last six starts. How do you say "yikes" in Finnish?
