With all that's going down on the injury, potential trade, or personal performance front, here's a round-up of ten fantasy-relevant headlines to help your managerial skills in conventional ESPN.com leagues or on Daily Fantasy ice.
Weber out weeks
Turns out it's not as bad as all that after all. Shea Weber is officially expected out four to six weeks with an ankle injury, not forever, as implied by some social media musings. Still, that spells the rest of the season from where I'm sitting, unless the Habs make a miraculous push and find themselves in the playoff thick come mid- to late-March. For now, Montreal's blue-line fantasy reins are passed to Jeff Petry, who has previously flourished in shouldering the extra offensive responsibility. But knowing Petry is largely unavailable across the ESPN.com fantasy spectrum, might I suggest investing instead in Calgary's Noah Hanifin? (Here's why) And if you have the IR spot to spare for Weber, great. If not, cut the veteran loose.
Oilers without Connor
While not ready to award Leon Draisaitl the Hart quite yet, there's little to find fault with Tuesday's four-point effort against the Blackhawks in Connor McDavid's absence. Now let's see how he fairs on the road against the Lightning Thursday, followed by the Panthers Saturday, before facing a desperate Hurricanes squad less than 24 hours later. Could be a tough week for those expecting similar fireworks from the Oilers' leading scorer. If anything, I prefer hitching my Daily Fantasy wagon to Draisaitl's and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins' less iconic linemate, Kailer Yamamoto - rostered in only 52% of ESPN.com leagues - who scored two goals of his own versus Chicago. Also, do we really expect McDavid to sit out a three whole weeks? Betcha he's back well before then.
Kadri-sized hole in Colorado
It's a big one. With Nazem Kadri out four to six weeks with a lower-body injury, coach Jared Bednar is initially resorting to shuffling about several members in his top-six, dismantling Kadri's unit altogether. Up jumps a fortunate Andre Burakovsky, in joining Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. Down falls Valeri Nichushkin to the third line, unfortunately, considering how well he had performed with Kadri of late. And, for now, in comes J.T. Compher to center a second unit with Gabriel Landeskog and Joonas Donskoi. Just keep in mind the Avs are shopping hard for a top-six center ahead of the deadline - that gig isn't likely to be Compher's for long. I host more fantasy interest in whoever eventually settles in the role, be it Ottawa's Jean-Gabriel Pageau or someone else.
Olofsson's return
Goodness knows the tumbling Sabres could use the boost. Victor Olofsson is back and ready to rock it out on a top line and power play with Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart, beginning Thursday against the Blue Jackets. Before sustaining a lower-body injury in early January, the rookie forward cobbled together a resume worthy of Calder consideration by scoring 16 goals and 19 assists through 42 games. If available - and he still is in a third of ESPN.com leagues - add Olofsson ASAP.
Rangers top line shines
Are we absolutely positive the Rangers are going to move Chris Kreider ahead of the Feb. 24 trade deadline? As of Thursday morning, the club remains nine points behind Philly for the second Wild Card spot - hardly ideal, to be sure - but with two games in hand. I'm not suggesting the climb doesn't require serious aerobic effort, only that they're playing well and not out of it. Particularly that top line of Mika Zibanejad, Kreider and Pavel Buchnevich (rumored to be on the trade block himself). So what's the fantasy takeaway here? I'm picking up Buchnevich - a point per game since Jan. 21 and available in 75% of ESPN.com leagues - and rostering the stuffing out of all three, every second until Kreider is (probably) dealt. Then re-evaluating.
Zucker's play in Pittsburgh
Fresh off the plane, Jason Zucker managed well enough in his Penguins debut, rifling five shots and dishing out one hit in Tuesday's tight 2-1 overtime loss to Tampa. Skating on a scoring line with Sidney Crosby and (mostly) Patric Hornqvist, the former Wild forward won't be long for producing on the regular. Somehow he remains available in a quarter of ESPN.com leagues. The other winner following Pittsburgh's trade with Minnesota - or non-loser, perhaps - is forward Jared McCann, who sticks in the top six, shifted to Evgeni Malkin's wing. So McCann remains somewhat fantasy-relevant, for now. We'll see how it all shuffles out once Dominik Kahun returns from concussion recovery.
Seguin's goal drought
No doubt, 17 straight games is a formidable stretch to go without scoring a goal, if you're one who scores goals, like Tyler Seguin. We're near Valentine's Day and he's yet to score this year. Still, the dynamic forward is putting in heavy minutes - averaging about 20 per game since the ASG - contributing assists on a top-six line and No. 1 power play. He's shooting often and earning legit scoring chances every contest. Which means it's only a matter of minutes before the clichéd "puck luck" returns and Seguin starts "getting the bounces" again. My educated guess is he breaks the dam in his hometown of Toronto on Thursday. If not, real soon. Then watch out, as they start to come in bunches.
Hyman's heater
Don't look now, but one of my favorite underappreciated fantasy assets of 2019-20 is riding hot. Skating mostly aside John Tavares, while also spending a bit of time on Auston Matthews' line, Zach Hyman has six goals and eight assists in his past dozen games. Because the guy works his tail off. And he's rostered in only 45% of ESPN.com league.
New fantasy interest in Nutivaara?
For those less familiar with the Blue Jackets defenseman, Markus Nutivaara appears first in line to fill in for Seth Jones - out the duration of the regular season with an ankle injury - on the team's top pair with Zach Werenski. The 25-year-old blueliner is also competing on the club's secondary power play. Fantasy managers desperate for help on 'D', may as well monitor how well, or not, Nutivaara adapts to the extra load. At least until Ryan Murray is ready to return from a back injury. There's some diamond-in-rough potential here.
Florida having some lineup fun
Somehow the Panthers have us identifying Mark Pysyk and Michael Matheson as potential assets in conventional scoring leagues and all it's taken is playing the defensemen on a fourth forward line. Voila, a combined six points Tuesday in New Jersey! Now before we get too carried away, remember Pysyk isn't Brent Burns or Dustin Byfuglien, who previously performed as treasured fantasy hybrids up front. But that doesn't mean Florida's shuffling isn't worth keeping in view. A continued forward role bolsters anyone who qualifies for a 'D' slot in most scoring leagues. Stay tuned.