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How To Win Your Fantasy Hockey League – Wingers (Ep. 19)

Nikita Kucherov, Animated
Fantasy Hockey Hacks

Fantasy Hockey Hacks

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In the 19th episode of the Fantasy Hockey Hacks Podcast; Devon, Bruce, and John introduce a new series – How To Win Your Fantasy Hockey League! In the first episode of this series, we’re going to discuss fantasy-relevant wingers for next season, including: bounce-back candidates, break-out candidates, which wingers have been the most productive over the past three seasons (in terms of Fantasy Points Per Game), and much more! You won’t want to miss this episode, be sure to download and listen wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Highlights:

  • Evander Kane in hot water…again
  • Marc-Andre Fleury will play for the Chicago Blackhawks next season
  • John Tortorella to join ESPN next season as an analyst
  • Adin Hill Signs a two-year extension with San Jose
  • Yegor Sharangovich signs a two-year contract with the New Jersey Devils
  • Darnell Nurse signs a big-ticket contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers

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Hockey News | August 1 – 8

August 1 | Evander Kane’s wife accuses the winger of betting on and throwing San Jose Sharks games.

August 1 | Marc-Andre Fleury will play for Chicago.

August 2 | Colorado Avalanche signed Ryan Murray to a 1-year $2M contract.

August 3 | The Athletic reported that several Sharks teammates do NOT want Evander Kane back with the team next season.

August 3 | Jordan Kyrou signed a two-year $5.6M ($2.8M AAV) contract with the St. Louis Blues.

August 3 | John Tortorella has joined ESPN as an analyst starting this Fall.

August 4 | Adin Hill signs a two-year $4.35M ($2.175M AAV) contract with the San Jose Sharks.

August 5 | Yegor Sharangovich signed a two-year, $4M ($2M AAV) contract with the New Jersey Devils on Thursday.The 23-year-old forward was a restricted free agent.
Sharangovich scored 30 points (16 goals) in 54 games last season, fourth among NHL rookies in goals and points.

August 5 | Tomas Tatar signs a two-year, $9M ($4.5M AAV) contract with the New Jersey Devils. Very good 5v5 player over the past three seasons. INSERT FHH TWEET.

August 6 | Adam Pelech signs an 8-year $46M ($5.75M AAV) contract for the NYI. He’s a shutdown defenceman, but does have value in multi-category leagues (SOG, Hits, BlkS) and DFS play.

August 6 | Vince Dunn and the Seattle Kraken settle on a 2-year $8M ($4M AAV) contract.

August 6 | Darnell Nurse and the Edmonton Oilers agree to an 8-year $74M ($9.25M AAV) contract? Thoughts?

August 6 | Congratulations to the Canadian women’s soccer team for winning gold in Tokyo. Historic moment, as Canada has never won gold in Soccer.

Win Your Fantasy Hockey League | Guide To Wingers

Tiers

We have ranked the wingers by fantasy points per game (FPPG) over the past three seasons. ESPN’s standard scoring system was used to calculate fantasy point totals. As a rough guideline, we have broken the players out into “tiers”.

 

Tiers 0 | 4.5 FPPG+ – Franchise/Superstar Player

There are only a handful of wingers (and overall players) available in tier “0”. Wingers that fall in this tier include: Nikita Kucherov, David Pastrnak, Alex Ovechkin, Brad Marchand, Patrick Kane, Mikko Rantanen, Artemi Panarin, and Jonathan Huberdeau. All of these players will be off the board by round 2 (10-team league), and it’s really a matter of evaluating your league settings when determining your pick. Below are our thoughts on a few of these players for next season.

📈 Nikita Kucherov, RW, TB | 2020 ADP: N/A | 2018-2021 FPPG: 5.08
After missing all of 2020-2021, Kucherov made his presence known during the playoffs enroute to a second consecutive Stanley Cup win. “Kuch” put on a Conn Smythe worthy performance with 32 points (8 Goals, 114 point pace over 82 GP) in 23 GP, along with 19 PPP, 62 SOG, and 14 PIM. I agree with NHL.com’s ranking of 3rd for Kucherov; the only two players I would be taking ahead of him are Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

📈 Patrick Kane, RW, CHI | 2020 ADP: 13.0 | 2018-2021 FPPG: 4.52
Kane had himself a very productive season, despite no Toews or Dach in the lineup for the majority of the year. With 66 points (15 goals, 97 point pace over 82 GP), 22 PPP, and 191 SOG (6th, 3.41 SOG/GM); Kane was again worthy of a top 10 pick. The Hawks then had a very productive off-season, bringing in Seth Jones, Marc-Andre Fleury, Tyler Johnson, and Jake McCabe. Throw in a healthy Toews and Dach at center, and Kane could improve on last year’s numbers (barring injury).

📈 Mikko Rantanen, RW, COL | 2020 ADP: 21.6 | 2018-2021 FPPG: 4.47
Ranked 9th overall by NHL.com, Rantanen is the 4th ranked RW in terms of FPPG from 2018-2021 (4.47). In 2020-2022 he put up 66 points (30 goals, 99 point pace over 82 GP), 24 PPP, and 177 SOG. I would personally rank Kucherov, Pastrnak, and Kane ahead of Rantanen, mostly due to his lower shot rate, and production at 5v5 (2018-2021) where Rantanen sits 40th overall with 98 points in 168 games. For reference, Kane was 3rd (152 points in 207 games), Kucherov was 15th (117 points in 150 games), and Pastrank was 16th (116 in 184 games).

📈 Jonathan Huberdeau, LW, FLA | 2020 ADP: 21.1 | 2018-2021 FPPG: 4.11
The lowest ranked winger in this tier (4.11 FPPG), Huberdeau has been very good over the past three seasons (231 points in 206 games). The Panthers made some significant moves in free agency, picking up Sam Reinhart and Brandon Montour from the Buffalo Sabres, and locking up Sam Bennett and Anthony Duclair. Huberdeau showed some real chemistry with Bennett and Duclair at the end of last season and through the playoffs; expect to see a 90 point season from Huberdeau if he can stay healthy (3-year avg: 29 G, 63A, 92 Pts).

 

Tiers 1 | 3.50 to 4.5 FPPG – Elite Player

📈 Mitch Marner, RW, TOR | 2020 ADP: 17.0 | 2018-2021 FPPG: 3.97
Marner has the 10th highest FPPG amongst wingers over the past three seasons, and 6th highest points per game (1.16 pts/gm). He would be firmly in tier 0, if only he provided some additional category coverage. Last season was a career-high for Marner in points per game at 1.22; where he was on pace for 100 points. Plays with one of the best goal scorers in the league in Auston Mattews; don’t hesitate to grab Marner in the second round of most fantasy leagues.

📈 Jake Guentzel, LW, PIT | 2020 ADP: 26.0 | 2018-2021 FPPG: 3.84
Guentzel was on pace for another great season last year with 57 points (23 goals) in 56 games. Playing with Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust, and Kris Letang at 5v5, expect more of the same from him again next season. Again, not a player that provides much in terms of peripheral categories; but an excellent goal-scorer and point producer. 13th-highest FPPG of wingers over the past three seasons, and 7th-highest goal totals.

📈 Mark Stone, RW, VGK | 2020 ADP: 45.4 | 2018-2021 FPPG: 3.76
Stone is generally praised for his two-way play, but also boasts the 14th highest FPPG rate amongst wingers the past three seasons. With 61 points (21 goals) in 55 games last season; Stone was on his way to 91 points and carried the highest points per game rate of his career (1.11). Proceed with some caution though, as the top Vegas winger’s shot rate dropped last year from 2.6 SOG/GM to 1.8 SOG/GM; and his shooting percentage was quite a bit higher than his career average (21.4% last season versus 15.8% career). Some regression to be expected in my opinion, although I still like the player on a very good VGK team.

📈 Kirill Kaprizov, LW, MIN | 2020 ADP: 174.7 | 2018-2021 FPPG: 3.59
Kaprizov had a brilliant rookie season with 51 points (27 goals) in 55 games played; along with 157 SOG (2.9 SOG/GM), 13 PPP, 29 Hits, 16 PIM, and 18 Blks. Kaprizov has the 15th highest points per game rate (0.93 pts/gm) of all wingers over the past three seasons, although in a small-ish sample size. The young Russian also does not provide significant category coverage. Not a huge concern, just keep that in mind as you draft him; particularly if you are playing in a head-to-head categories league.

📈 Brady Tkachuk, LW, OTT | 2020 ADP: 86.2 | 2018-2021 FPPG: 3.56
Over the past three seasons, the only player to throw more hits than Brady Tkachuk (725) was Ryan Reaves (762). Additionally, there were only 4 players (MacKinnon, Ovechkin, Kane, and Matthews) that shot the puck more than Brady Tkachuk, as he ranked 5th in SOG with 694 (a whopping 3.50 SOG/GM). Add 250 PIM, and a points per game rate of 0.63, and you have a very solid fantasy producer. Expect 20-25 goals and 50 points from the younger Tkachuk; but understand that his category coverage makes him FAR more valuable in most leagues.

📈 Alex DeBrincat, LW, CHI | 2020 ADP: 116.5 | 2018-2021 FPPG: 3.54
DeBrincat was on pace last season to produce career-high numbers with 56 points (32 goals, 88 point pace over 82 games), 155 SOG, and 18 PPP. We really like the moves that Chicago made during free agency; and adding Seth Jones, Kirby Dach, and Jonathan Toews to your top 6, and first unit power play should only help DeDrincats production next season. Daily Faceoff has DeBrincat lined up with Dach and Kane…👀

 

Tier 2 | 2.50 to 3.50 FPPG – Top 6 Player

📈 Tomas Tatar, LW, NJD | 2020 ADP: 158.2 | 2018-2021 FPPG: 2.89
Tatar is very good at 5v5. Over the past 3 seasons, he is ranked 22nd in 5v5 scoring with 108 points (37 Goals) in 198 GP. That’s better 5v5 production than: Sean Couturier, Jakob Vrana, Kyle Connor, Ryan O’Reilly, Sebastian Aho, Evgeni Malkin, Mika Zibanejad, Claude Giroux, Max Pacioretty, and Steven Stamkos! If all goes well, Tatar should be given an opportunity to play with Jack Hughes, Yagor Sharangovich, and Dougie Hamilton in 5v5 situations. My bold prediction is 25 goals and 60+ points.

📈 Sam Reinhart, RW, FLA | 2020 ADP: 138.6 | 2018-2021 FPPG: 2.86
Sam Reinhart put up the highest shot rate of his career (2.4 SOG/GM) last season enroute to 40 points (25 goals) in 54 games played. The fact that Reinhart was able to achieve those numbers without Jack Eichel is incredible! Now playing with the Florida Panthers, Reinhart has a real opportunity to set career-highs across the board. We’ll see how the lines shake out, but if he lands on Barkov’s right-side, along with Carter Verhaeghe, look for him to score 70 points and 35 goals. Note, he may not receive the same top power-play usage that he received in Buffalo; and we can expect some regression in his shooting percentage which was at 19.2% this past season (15.2% career).

📈 Zach Hyman, LW, EDM | 2020 ADP: 171.4 | 2018-2021 FPPG: 2.82
After signing a 7-year $38.5M contract with the Oilers; Hyman is set to flank McDavid’s wing for the foreseeable future. That in itself is great news for any player’s fantasy prospects, but Hyman is an effective play-driver on his own. Hyman’s production has increased from 0.47 Pts/GM in 2017-2018 to 0.77 in 2020-2021 (on pace for 63 points over 82 games); and his shot rate per game reached a career-best at 2.7 last season. A 30+ goal, 65-point season is not out of the question for Hyman.

 

Tier 3 | 2.50 Points Or Less FPPG – Average/Replacement Level Player

📈 Jesse Pujlujarvi, RW, EDM | 2020 ADP: 201.6 | 2018-2021 FPPG: 1.72
Pujlujarvi had his best pro-season by far last year with 25 points (15 goals) in 55 games played. He also provides some value by way of Hits and SOG. With Zach Hyman and Connor McDavid as his linemates, I would expect further improvement from Puljujarvi next season. With some luck and a healthy season, I don’t think 20 goals and 50 points would be out of the question.

📈 Mathieu Joseph, RW, TB | 2020 ADP: N/A | 2018-2021 FPPG: 1.50
This one is a reach, but Mathieu Joseph showed flashes of brilliance in last year’s Stanley Cup final – 2 assists, 17 hits, 65.63 xGF% (1ST on TB), 61.11% Hgh-Danger Chances For (3RD on TB). Additionally, Blake Coleman, Yanni Gourde, and Barclay Goodrow are all gone next season; so there will be ample opportunity for Joseph to fill-in offensively.

📈 Tanner Pearson, LW, VAN | 2020 ADP: | 2018-2021 FPPG: 2.19
Tanner had a down year last season on a Canucks team that was not good. He was a 20 goal scorer for the Canucks in 2019-2020 look for him to repeat that in a team that is at least on paper is better.

📈 Connor Brown, RW/LW, OTT | 2020 ADP: | 2018-2021 FPPG: 1.97
Brown was playing on the 2nd line as the season ended in 2020 is currently ranked 234 in the NHL top 250. Scored 21 goals and 14 assists in 56 games last season, will be a good late round pickup

 

2018-2021 Top 30 Goal-Scorers

  • ALEX OVECHKIN, 123 Goals
  • DAVID PASTRNAK, 106 Goals
  • KYLE CONNOR, 98 Goals
  • BRAD MARCHAND, 93 Goals
  • PATRICK KANE, 92 Goals
  • ALEX DEBRINCAT, 91 Goals
  • JAKE GUENTZEL, 83 Goals
  • MIKKO RANTANEN, 80 Goals
  • EVANDER KANE, 78 Goals
  • MAX PACIORETTY, 78 Goals
  • ARTEMI PANARIN, 77 Goals
  • GABRIEL LANDESKOG, 75 Goals
  • MARK STONE, 75 Goals
  • NIKITA KUCHEROV, 74 Goals
  • JONATHAN HUBERDEAU, 73 Goals
  • MATTHEW TKACHUK, 73 Goals
  • JOHNNY GAUDREAU, 73 Goals
  • T.J. OSHIE, 73 Goals
  • CHRIS KREIDER, 72 Goals
  • PATRIK LAINE, 70 Goals
  • BRENDAN GALLAGHER, 69 Goals
  • SAM REINHART, 69 Goals
  • CAM ATKINSON, 68 Goals
  • JAKUB VRANA, 68 Goals
  • DAVID PERRON, 67 Goals
  • BRYAN RUST, 67 Goals
  • NIKOLAJ EHLERS, 67 Goals
  • EVGENII DADONOV, 66 Goals
  • BROCK BOESER, 65 Goals
  • TYLER TOFFOLI, 65 Goals

2018-2021 Top 30 Playmakers (Assists)

  • PATRICK KANE, 168 Assists
  • MITCHELL MARNER, 166 Assists
  • BRAD MARCHAND, 163 Assists
  • ARTEMI PANARIN, 163 Assists
  • JONATHAN HUBERDEAU, 158 Assists
  • BLAKE WHEELER, 145 Assists
  • NIKITA KUCHEROV, 139 Assists
  • JOHNNY GAUDREAU, 132 Assists
  • JAKUB VORACEK, 124 Assists
  • MARK STONE, 122 Assists
  • DAVID PASTRNAK, 118 Assists
  • MIKKO RANTANEN, 114 Assists
  • TEUVO TERAVAINEN, 113 Assists
  • MATTHEW TKACHUK, 108 Assists
  • PHIL KESSEL, 102 Assists
  • DAVID PERRON, 97 Assists
  • GABRIEL LANDESKOG, 96 Assists
  • JOSH BAILEY, 96 Assists
  • JAKE GUENTZEL, 93 Assists
  • TOMAS TATAR, 92 Assists
  • KYLE CONNOR, 91 Assists
  • ALEX DEBRINCAT, 86 Assists
  • SAM REINHART, 86 Assists
  • BROCK BOESER, 85 Assists
  • TRAVIS KONECNY, 85 Assists
  • TAYLOR HALL, 85 Assists
  • TIMO MEIER, 82 Assists
  • ANDREI SVECHNIKOV, 81 Assists
  • CLAYTON KELLER, 81 Assists
  • ONDREJ PALAT, 81 Assists

2018-2021 Power Play Specialists

  • JONATHAN HUBERDEAU, 87 PPP
  • DAVID PASTRNAK, 85 PPP
  • BRAD MARCHAND, 80 PPP
  • PATRICK KANE, 75 PPP
  • NIKITA KUCHEROV, 73 PPP
  • MIKKO RANTANEN, 71 PPP
  • BLAKE WHEELER, 70 PPP
  • PHIL KESSEL, 66 PPP
  • JOHNNY GAUDREAU, 64 PPP
  • ALEX OVECHKIN, 63 PPP
  • DAVID PERRON, 62 PPP
  • ARTEMI PANARIN, 60 PPP
  • MITCHELL MARNER, 59 PPP
  • MATTHEW TKACHUK, 58 PPP
  • ALEX DEBRINCAT, 58 PPP
  • GABRIEL LANDESKOG, 56 PPP
  • MARK STONE, 54 PPP
  • KYLE CONNOR, 49 PPP
  • TEUVO TERAVAINEN, 47 PPP
  • PATRIK LAINE, 46 PPP
  • CLAYTON KELLER, 44 PPP
  • T.J. OSHIE, 43 PPP
  • BROCK BOESER, 43 PPP
  • SAM REINHART, 43 PPP
  • JAKUB VORACEK, 43 PPP
  • KEVIN FIALA, 43 PPP
  • ANDREI SVECHNIKOV, 42 PPP
  • KYLE PALMIERI, 42 PPP
  • TRAVIS KONECNY, 42 PPP
  • JAKE GUENTZEL, 39 PPP

BOUNCE-BACK CANDIDATES

  • Viktor Arvidsson
  • Nolan Patrick
  • Patrick Laine
  • Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
  • Taylor Hall
  • Tyler Seguin
  • Alexander Radulov
  • Vladimir Tarasenko
  • Jason Zucker
  • Teuvo Teravainen
  • Mike Hoffman

Break-Out Candidates

  • Cole Caufield
  • Oliver Wahlstrom
  • Josh Norris
  • Jakub Vrana
  • Alexis Lafrieniere
  • Kappo Kakko

Complete Winger Fantasy Hockey Rankings – Sortable Google Sheet

We have put together a spreadsheet that organizes all players by fantasy points per game over the past three seasons. You can download a copy of that spreadsheet here.

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