In the coming week...

3 Games – Anaheim, Arizona, Boston, Buffalo, Calgary, Carolina, Colorado, Columbus, Detroit, Edmonton, Florida, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Montreal, Nashville, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Toronto, Vancouver

2 Games – Chicago, Dallas, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Ottawa, San Jose, Washington, Winnipeg


LEFT WING

Jason Zucker has produced three goals in five games. He’s also dished out a helper in that time. He’s only skating about 15 minutes a game in that time, but the points are there and he is spending time on the second line with Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund.

CENTER

Brandon Dubinsky has only nine points this season, and has just one goal since November 20th. So why is he listed here? He’s healthy, skating hard, and producing a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. His last three games he’s a +3 skater. His last eight games he’s a +8 skater. That’s smoking. The last six games he’s also produced 15 shots on net while producing 15 hits. Like I said, a little bit, in a lot of spots, is likely a good thing.

Sean Monahan should be owned at this point. If he’s not, change that. Sean has four goals his last eight games during which time he’s also dealt out six helpers. That’s some serious production that includes 3g, 5a (five points on the power-play) in six December contests.

Derek Ryan dealt out three assists in his last game, and that causes folks to take notice. When that same fella scores three goals the previous two outings, then we get intrigued. The 5’11”, 170 lbs. 30 year old skater is finally making a name for himself, a year after his NHL debut. “I think I have proven I can play in this league, and that’s what I have to continue to prove every day,” Ryan said. #WishingHimWell

RIGHT WING

Timo Meier was a top-10 selection by the Sharks in 2015. His time is now. He will skate on a line with Chris Tierney and Joonas Donskoi to begin his NHL career. In 17 games in the AHL this season he has produced nine goals and 15 points while his 63 shots on net were second amongst AHL rookies. Joel Ward will be a healthy scratch as the rookies tries to established himself in the lineup.

Bryan Rust is following a very simple formula: skate really hard to the net and wait for Evgeni Malkin to shoot you the puck. His last two outings Rust has two goals and that’s not five goals in five outings for the winger. He’s also posted a +5 in those five games, and he’s been feisty the last two outings with 11 hits.

DEFENSE

Mark Borowiecki returns from a suspension for the Senators. Already up to 54 penalty minutes, he’s well on pace for a third straight 100-PIM effort. He doesn’t score points, just three his last 91 games, but in addition to the rough stuff, the dude is a hit machine. After seasons of 233 and 271 the last two seasons, he’s already up to 130 hits with at least five in each of his last nine games. Hell, his last three it’s 26 in total. Think he’s going to tame down his game as he returns from a suspension? Me neither.

Jaccob Slavin has appeared in 92 career games with 30 points (three goals). That’s not a horrible total for a blue liner. He owns a +3 rating. That’s not helping anyone. However, he’s produced a +2 rating the last four games during which time he’s produced three assists, two coming on the power-play. He’s also produced four points in six games. When talking blue liners off waivers, that’s about as good as you’re gonna do.

GOALTENDER

Jean-Francois Berube can’t be sent to the minors or he will be exposed to waivers by the Islanders. He’s expected to get a start Friday, but it’s hard to see him carving out long-term value unless there is a deal of one of the keepers on that club.

The Bruins play three games in four nights meaning that Anton Khudobin will get a start, one would think. In six starts this season he’s only 1-5 with a .882 save percentage so he’s more of a H2H add than a season long get.

The Sabres play three games in four nights meaning that Anders Nilsson will get a start, one would think. Anders has appeared in nine games this season with impressive numbers (5-2-2, 2.38 GAA, .932 SV%). He’s a nice add for the coming week.

 

Yes, it happened. We released the 2017 MLB Fantasy Alarm Draft Guide. I know it’s only 2016, but you need something to read if you don’t have anyone to share the holiday with. You might need something to read if you hate the people you’re spending the holiday with (I know you are out there). You might want to give your significant other a special gift? Maybe you should just reward yourself for a good year? Whatever the reason, the Guide is available right now! For more, check out this description of the Guide and why it is so amazing this season. It will end up being our best effort yet, no doubt... and it’s available right now.

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday, 8 PM EDT, Wednesday 7 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 9 PM EDT PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).