This season's Top 10 power-play disappointments…

The difference between great and good fantasy players often comes down to power play production. Many leagues use power play points as a category. Even those leagues that don’t use it, savvy GMs keep track of how players are utilized with the man advantage. A player who can’t get power play points won’t be as successful as a similar type player who does.

Below you’ll find 10 players who have disappointed on the power play this year and how it’s affecting their season.

10. Patrick Sharp

One year ago, 24 of Sharp’s 55 points came with the man advantage. It helps when you’re playing on Dallas’ top power play unit. He’s been bumped down to the second unit this year. And his production has suffered greatly because of it as he has zero PPP. Granted he’s only played 24 games because of injuries. But that is not a good sign. Sharp is not worth rostering except in the deepest of leagues as long as he remains on that second unit.

9. Tyler Toffoli

Just to note: Toffoli hasn’t played a game since Dec. 20 because of a lower-body injury although reports have him returning shortly after the All-Star break. Toffoli has played in 32 games and was on the top PP unit with the Kings. He had just four power play points. Now, he’s never been one to rack up the points with the man advantage. Last year was his best year and he had just 11. His previous high was five. He needs to start producing on the power play if he’s going to take that next step fantasy-wise.

8. Gabriel Landeskog

Colorado and Detroit are the two teams to not have a player with at least 10 power play points. A lot of Avalanche players could have made this list. Tyson Barrie has seven PPP, Matt Duchene has eight and Nathan MacKinnon had nine. But Landeskog’s three points — all goals — really stands out because he’s still getting lots of power play time even though he’s played just 36 games. His 2:31 PP ice time per game is fifth on Colorado.

7. Seth Jones

It may seem strange that a player on the league’s best power play makes it onto this list. But Jones just hasn’t been getting it done this year with the man advantage. Part of that has to do with the fact that Zach Werenski has become the team’s top power play quarterback. But Jones has just four power play points, and won’t get much more unless he can get back to the top unit.

6. Aaron Ekblad

Some may have come to the conclusion that Ekblad will never be a great fantasy asset. He has just five power play points and is on pace for just 25 points overall. But there’s a lot to like about Ekblad. Remember that he’s just 20 years old. He’s getting plenty of power play time (3:01 per game). He’s still on the top unit with Keith Yandle. He’s on pace for a career high 264 shots. It’s just a matter of time. 

5. Gustav Nyquist

It may be fair to start calling Nyquist a bust as he has never lived up to his excellent rookie season of 2013-14. Nyquist is playing almost three minutes a game (third highest on the squad) with the man advantage and has a grand total of four power play points. His PP production has been greatly declining each of the last few years (he had 24 PPP in 2014-15). Detroit has the worst power play in the league and Nyquist is part of the blame for that. He’ll never be a 50-point player without the power play production.

4. Derick Brassard

Brassard has been an underrated power play guy for a number of years. He’s put up at least 18 PPP in the last three seasons, including 22 last year. Brassard spent a good chunk of the start of the season on the top power play. That’s why his four PPP are so disappointing. He’s on pace for just seven this year and his lack of power-play production is part of the reason why his overall season has been poor so far.

3. Justin Faulk

A lot of people have been disappointed with Faulk’s season this year as the Hurricanes’ blueliner has 21 points in 41 games. That’s a 38-point pace. Many were hoping that he could break the 50-point barrier for the first time. Last year he had 17 PPP and the year before he hit 20. But his lack of power play proficiency this year is killing poolies. Faulk has just four power play points and is on pace for seven. He hasn’t registered a PPP since Dec. 7.

2. Morgan Rielly

Rielly is easily the best defenseman on the Maple Leafs. But coach Mike Babcock won’t use him on the power play. Rielly averages just 1:19 power play ice time per game. There are nine players on the team that average more, and all of them are at least two minutes. This goes a long way to explaining Rielly’s three power play points. Rielly will never be able to become a 40-point defenseman like we envision until he starts becoming the number one quarterback.

1. Filip Forsberg

Forsberg’s streak of consecutive 60-point seasons is in jeopardy. And you can put the blame solely on his lack of power play prowess. Forsberg has just six power play points in 49 games and is on pace for just 10. Remember last year when he had 23 power play points? And the year before when he had 19? Right now, he’s on pace for 54 points. He needs to turn it up on the power play to reach 60 points.