2021 Atlantic Division Fantasy Hockey Preview Feat. Michael Amato

2021 Atlantic Division Fantasy Hockey Preview Feat. Michael Amato

In the 27th episode of the Fantasy Hockey Hacks Podcast; Devon, Bruce, John, and Tyler proudly welcome a special guest – GoaliePost.com writer, editor, and manager – Michael Amato! Michael will join us for our 2021 Atlantic Division Fantasy Preview episode; helping the FHH team assess the division. We’ll go through a fantasy hockey overview for each team, assess the goaltending situation, discuss under-valued targets and more! The FHH team did not go through the projections in detail this week, but they are still available in the show notes for those that want to review them. This should be another entertaining and informative episode that you will not want to miss!

Highlights:

• Special Guest | Michael Amato – Writer, Editor, Manager For GoaliePost.com
• Recent hockey news, injury updates, pre-season action/results
• 2021 Atlantic Division Fantasy Hockey Preview
• Top fantasy targets and projections for each team in the Atlantic Division
• Notes on team analytics and schedule

Chapters:

• 00:00 – Hockey News, Injury Updates, Pre-Season Action
• 21:58 – NHLShop.ca Partnership Announcement
• 22:40 – Special Guest – Michael Amato, Goalie Post (Dobber Sports Network)
• 39:00 – Rapid Fire (2021-22 Predictions)
• 54:17 – Boston Bruins Fantasy Hockey Preview
• 1:00:06 – Buffalo Sabres Fantasy Hockey Preview
• 1:06:10 – Detroit Red Wings Fantasy Hockey Preview
• 1:10:07 – Florida Panthers Fantasy Hockey Preview
• 1:15:59 – Montreal Canadiens Fantasy Hockey Preview
• 1:20:32 – Ottawa Senators Fantasy Hockey Preview
• 1:23:34 – Tampa Bay Lightning Fantasy Hockey Preview
• 1:29:01 – Toronto Maple Leafs Fantasy Hockey Preview

Twitter | @FHHacks
Instagram | @FantasyHockeyHacks
Questions? Email us at FantasyHockeyHacks@Gmail.com

Hockey News | September 27 – October 3

September 27 

• Jonathan Drouin had 2 assists in a 5-2 pre-season win over the Leafs, his first game back since taking a leave of absence. Christian Dvorak had 1 goal and 3 assists; and Josh Anderson had 2 goals and 1 assist. 
• Oliver Ekman-Larsson had 2 assists, and Connor Garland scored for the Vancouver Canucks in a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames. 
• Pavel Buchnevich scored a goal and an assist in his debut with St. Louis. The Blues beat the Stars 2-1 (OT). Braden Holtby stopped 15 of 16 shots faced in his debut with the Stars. 

September 28

• Auston Matthews participated in his first practice with the Leafs. The forward underwent wrist surgery on August 13th, and was expected to miss 6 weeks. 
• New Jersey Devils goaltender, Mackenzie Blackwood, is the team’s lone unvaccinated player. Will not be able to play games in Canada. 
• Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored a goal and an assist in his debut with the Carolina Hurricanes; and Frederick Andersen made 36 saves in his debut, a 3-1 win over the TB Lightning.  
• Artemi Panarin had a goal and 2 assists in his pre-season debut against the Boston Bruins, a 3-2 victory for the Rangers. 
• Noah Dobson had a goal and 2 assists as the Islanders beat the Flyers 3-2. 
• McDavid, Hyman, and Puljujarvi looked very good together as the Oilers beat the Kraken 6-0; and Edmonton’s top line combined for 7 points. 

September 30| Detroit Red Wings head coach, Jeff Blashill, told reporters that Jakub Vrana will require shoulder surgery and will be out for up to 4 months. 

September 30 | The Montreal Canadiens will be at full capacity for the entire 2021-2022 season. 

October 1 | The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed center Elias Pettersson, and defenceman Quinn Hughes. Pettersson received a $22.05M contract with a $7.35M AAV. Hughes received a $47.1M contract with a $7.85M AAV. 

October 1 | Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser is expected to miss at least a week with an undisclosed injury. 

October 2 

• Charlie McAvoy was on PP1 with Marchand, Pastrnak, Bergeron, and Hall. McAvoy played 20:46, and saw 4:26 on the power play. 1 PPA, 2 PIM, 4 SOG, 2 Hits.
• Jesse Puljujarvi scored 2 goals and played 3:52 on the power play as the Oilers beat the Jets 4-3. Draisaitl made an absolutely ridiculous pass to RNH for the game-winner. 
• Dylan Larkin scored twice in his return to the Detroit Red Wings; a 5-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

October 3 | Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel tested positive for COVID-19. 

NHLShop.ca Announcement

The Fantasy Hockey Hacks Podcast is proud to announce that we have partnered with NHLShop.ca! For all your officially licensed NHL merchandise, follow the links in our show notes, or on our website. NHLShop.ca is offering 25% off sitewide for a limited time only, so check it out today. Terms and conditions apply. Full disclosure, Fantasy Hockey Hacks may receive a small commission for your purchase, which helps us to continue providing original content.

2021 Atlantic Division Fantasy Hockey Preview

Special Guest | Michael Amato – Manager, Goalie Post

Mike Amato is a writer, editor, and manager for Goalie Post – A site where you can subscribe to daily starting goalie updates and get fantasy hockey advice. Michael has contributed content for Yahoo Hockey, theScore, and The Hockey News, among others. 

Website: GoaliePost.com | Twitter: @GoaliePost, @Amato_Mike

Topics For Discussion (Mike Amato):

• Where can our listeners find you on social media?
• Tell our listeners a bit about yourself. Where are you from, and how did you wind up with Goalie Post? What is your role with Goalie Post, and how long have you been there? 
• For anyone not familiar with Goalie Post, could you provide a brief overview of the site? Why should listeners visit the website or follow on social media? 
• What separates Goalie Post from other Fantasy Hockey sites?
• How many writers or contributors work for Goalie Post? 
• What is your Favourite fantasy format? Season-Long Redraft (H2H, Total Points, Categories), Keeper, Dynasty, DFS, etc.
• Do you prefer Yahoo or ESPN, and why?
• Are you in any competitive fantasy leagues personally? 
• What does the ideal or “perfect” fantasy hockey draft look like to you? Just a general overview would be fine, not round by round. 
• Could you provide our listeners with some of your early mock draft observations? Value picks? Players with inflated ADPs? 
• If you could give listeners one piece of advice for their upcoming fantasy draft, what would it be?

Rapid Fire Segment – 2021-2022 Predictions

• Who is your pick to win the Norris Trophy? Cale Makar
• Who is your pick to win the Vezina this year? 
• Who is your pick to win the Hart Trophy? Connor McDavid
• Who is your pick to win the Rocket Richard Trophy? Auston Matthews
• Who is your pick to win the Selke Trophy? Anze Kopitar
• Who is your pick to win the Calder Trophy? Cole Caufield
• Who is your pick to win the Jack Adams Trophy? Gerard Gallant
• Who is your pick to win the Pacific Division? Vegas Golden Knights
• Who is your pick to win the Metropolitan Division? Carolina Hurricanes
• Who is your pick to win the Central Division? Colorado Avalanche
• Who is your pic to in the Atlantic Division? Florida Panthers
• Who is your pick to win the Presidents Trophy? Colorado Avalanche
• Stanley Cup Final matchup? Colorado Avalanche vs. Carolina Hurricanes
• Stanley Cup Winner? Colorado Avalanche
• Favourite NHL team? Toronto Maple Leafs
• Will Alex Ovechkin break Wayne Gretzky’s scoring record? Yes. 

2021 Atlantic Division Fantasy Hockey Preview

Boston Bruins

33-16-7 (10th) | GF/GM: 2.93 (14th) | GA/GM: 2.39 (4th) | GF%: 55.03 (8th) | CF%: 53.65 (4th) | PP%: 21.9 (10th) | PK%: 86.0 (2nd)

Schedule Notes: The Boston Bruins have 13 back-to-back sets this season; and 37% of their games are played on “off-nights” (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday). 

Top Targets

📈 David Pastrnak, RW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 7.8 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 47 Goals, 94 Points

📈 Brad Marchand, LW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 10.3 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 37 Goals, 98 Points

📈 Taylor Hall, LW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 97.5 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 22 Goals, 67 Points

📈 Charlie McAvoy, D | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 59.5 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 8 Goals, 50 Points

📈 Linus Ullmark, G | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 90.0 (100% Drafted) | WINS. PREDICTION: 28 Wins, 2 SO

📈 Jeremy Swayman, G | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 140.9 (97% Drafted) | WINS. PREDICTION: 25 Wins, 3 SO

Buffalo Sabres

15-34-7 (20th) | GF/GM: 2.39 (28th) | GA/GM: 3.50 (29th) | GF%: 40.61 (31st) | CF%: 46.42 (29th) | PP%: 21.0 (12th) | PK%: 77.7 (26th)

Schedule Notes: The Buffalo Sabres have 17 back-to-back sets this season; and 48% of their games are played on “off-nights” (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday). 

Top Targets

📈 Casey Mittlestadt, C | 2021 Yahoo ADP: N/A (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 20 Goals, 48 Points

📈 Victor Olofsson, LW/RW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 171.6 (3% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 24 Goals, 54 Points

📈 Rasmus Dahlin, D | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 152.7 (89% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 8 Goals, 46 Points

Detroit Red Wings

19-27-10 (22nd) | GF/GM: 2.23 (30th) | GA/GM: 3.00 (20th) | GF%: 42.66 (28th) | CF%: 45.80 (31st) | PP%: 11.4 (30th) | PK%: 78.7 (22nd)

Schedule Notes: The Detroit Red Wings have 14 back-to-back sets this season; and 35% of their games are played on “off-nights” (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday). 

Top Targets

📈 Jakub Vrana, LW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 169.9 (88% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 15 Goals, 32 Points

📈 Dylan Larkin, C | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 179.4 (54% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 24 Goals, 58 Points

📈 Tyler Bertuzzi, LW/RW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 163.2 (7% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 20 Goals, 48 Points

📈 Filip Hronek, D | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 168.9 (27% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 9 Goals, 49 Points (CHECK)

📈 Nick Leddy, D | 2021 Yahoo ADP: N/A (Undrafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 4 Goals, 38 Points

📈 Moritz Seider | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 168.5 (6% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 6 Goals, 28 Points

📈 Alex Nedelkjovic, G | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 140.7 (98% Drafted) | WINS. PREDICTION: 20 Wins, 2 SO

Florida Panthers

37-14-5 (4th) | GF/GM: 3.36 (4th) | GA/GM: 2.70 (9th) | GF%: 55.46 (5th) | CF%: 53.45 (5th) | PP%: 20.5 (15th) | PK%: 79.8 (18th)

Schedule Notes: The Florida Panthers have 14 back-to-back sets this season; and 29% of their games are played on “off-nights” (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday). 

Top Targets

📈 Alexander Barkov, C | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 24.0 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 36 Goals, 94 Points

📈 Jonathan Huberdeau, LW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 16.9 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 31 Goals, 96 Points

📈 Sam Reinhart, C/RW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 83.4 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 35 Goals, 72 Points

📈 Sam Bennett, C | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 109.7 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 27 Goals, 61 Points

📈 Aaron Ekblad, D | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 48.1 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 16 Goals, 50 Points

📈 Makenzie Weegar, D | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 111.7 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 8 Goals, 45 Points

📈 Spencer Knight, G | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 85.1 (100% Drafted) | WINS. PREDICTION: 18 Wins, 3 SO

📈 Sergei Bobrovsky, G | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 117.4 (100% Drafted) | WINS. PREDICTION: 34 Wins, 2 SO

Montreal Canadiens

24-21-11 (18th) | GF/GM: 2.82 (17th) | GA/GM: 2.95 (18th) | GF%: 48.92 (19th) | CF%: 53.14 (6th) | PP%: 19.2 (17th) | PK%: 78.5 (23rd)

Schedule Notes: The Montreal Canadiens have 11 back-to-back sets this season; and 26% of their games are played on “off-nights” (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday). 

Top Targets

📈 Nick Suzuki, C/RW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 91.6 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 22 Goals, 63 Points

📈 Cole Caufield, RW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 104.6 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 30 Goals, 55 Points

📈 Tyler Toffoli, LW/RW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 152.7 (97% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 30 Goals, 59 Points

📈 Brendan Gallagher, RW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 164.7 (95% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 29 Goals, 51 Points

📈 Mike Hoffman, LW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 167.7 (50% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 31 Goals, 67 Points

📈 Jonathan Drouin, LW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 0.00 (0% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 15 Goals, 48 Points

📈 Jeff Petry, D | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 106.3 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 14 Goals, 52 Points

📈 Carey Price, G | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 62.0 (100% Drafted) | WINS. PREDICTION: 26 Wins, 2 SO

Ottawa Senators

23-28-5 (23rd) | GF/GM: 2.77 (19th) | GA/GM: 3.38 (28th) | GF%: 45.06 (23rd) | CF%: 48.03 (23rd) | PP%: 15.5 (26th) | PK%: 79.0 (20th)

Schedule Notes: The Ottawa Senators have 14 back-to-back sets this season; and 30% of their games are played on “off-nights” (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday). 

Top Targets

📈 Brady Tkachuk, LW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 25.3 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 30 Goals, 61 Points

📈 Josh Norris, C | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 180.3 (26% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 22 Goals, 52 Points

📈 Drake Batherson, RW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 174.7 (47% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 23 Goals, 55 Points

📈 Tim Stuetzle, LW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 176.1 (59% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 19 Goals, 49 Points

📈 Thomas Chabot, D | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 120.8 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 12 Goals, 57 Points

Tampa Bay Lightning

36-17-3 (8th) | GF/GM: 3.21 (8th) | GA/GM: 2.59 (6th) | GF%: 55.38 (7th) | CF%: 51.98 (10th) | PP%: 22.2 (9th) | PK%: 84.2 (4th)

Schedule Notes: The Tampa Bay Lightning have 12 back-to-back sets this season; and 28% of their games are played on “off-nights” (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday). 

Top Targets

📈 Nikita Kucherov, RW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 4.4 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 40 Goals, 110 Points

📈 Brayden Point, C/RW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 18.8 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 35 Goals, 78 Points

📈 Steven Stamkos, C/RW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 31.4 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 34 Goals, 72 Points

📈 Ondrej Palat, LW/RW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 75.0 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 18 Goals, 52 Points

📈 Alex Killorn, LW/RW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 168.4 (36% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 24 Goals, 52 Points

📈 Victor Hedman, D | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 28.8 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 14 Goals, 65 Points

📈 Andrei Vasilevskiy, G | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 5.1 (100% Drafted) | WINS. PREDICTION: 38 Wins, 5 SO

Toronto Maple Leafs

35-14-7 (6th) | GF/GM: 3.32 (6th) | GA/GM: 2.64 (7th) | GF%: 55.69 (4th) | CF%: 51.89 (11th) | PP%: 20.0 (16th) | PK%: 78.5 (24th)

Schedule Notes: The Toronto Maple Leafs have 13 back-to-back sets this season; and 39% of their games are played on “off-nights” (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday).

Top Targets

📈 Auston Matthews, C | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 7.80 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 56 Goals, 98 Points

📈 Mitch Marner, RW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 14.4 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 28 Goals, 96 Points

📈 John Tavares, C | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 40.1 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 31 Goals, 72 Points

📈 William Nylander, LW/RW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 100.0 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 28 Goals, 72 Points

📈 Morgan Rielly, D | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 56.8 (100% Drafted) | PTS. PREDICTION: 9 Goals, 52 Points

📈 Jack Campbell, G | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 65.8 (100% Drafted) | WINS. PREDICTION: 28 Wins, 3 SO

📈 Petr Mrazek, G | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 83.9 (100% Drafted) | WINS. PREDICTION: 18 Wins, 2 SO

Atlantic Division Projected Standings

Devon

• Florida Panthers, 111 Points (52-23-7)*
• Tampa Bay Lightning, 110 Points (50–22-10)*
• Toronto Maple Leafs, 101 Points (46-27-9)*
• Boston Bruins, 99 Points (45-28-9)*
• Montreal Canadiens, 92 Points (40-30-12)
• Ottawa Senators, 78 Points (35-39-8)
• Detroit Red Wings, 68 Points (29-43-10)
• Buffalo Sabres, 59 Points (25-48-9)

Bruce

• Panthers*
• Lightning*
• Bruins*
• Maple Leafs*
• Canadiens
• Senators
• Red Wings
• Sabres

*Playoffs

2021 How To Win Your Fantasy Hockey League Series

• August 8th (Ep. 19) – Guide To Wingers
• August 12th (Ep. 20) – Guide To Centers
• August 19th (Ep. 21) – Guide To Defencemen
• August 29th (Ep. 22) – Guide To Goalies & Zero G Draft Strategy
• September 7th (Ep. 23) – 2021 Fantasy Hockey Guide & The Perfect Draft

BONUS: Dom Luszczyszyn’s (The Athletic) Fantasy Hockey Rankings & Cheat Sheet