FA Power Rankings, more Jets and Nikita Zaitsev, Antti Raanta and more …

 

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Lists and the internet are long-lost lovers, and after Dobber started talking about the upcoming free-agent class yesterday, it seemed fitting to compile a Free-Agent Power Rankings.

This is a loose order of the top free agents with quick-hit analysis of their fantasy and real-world value.

 

Free-Agent Power Rankings

 

C Steven Stamkos

Real world: A No. 1 center with game-breaking offense and budding leadership qualities, Stamkos is a franchise building block and power-play specialist who also drives possession at even strength.

Fantasy take: And elite scorer and high-volume shooter, who with relocation, should return to being the go-to contributor for his team. There is top-five upside with the likelihood of availability in the 10th- to 15th-pick range.

 

W Kyle Okposo

Real world: While a capable top-line winger, Okposo profiles best as a secondary scorer who can control possession and utilize his strong wall skills and opportunistic vision in the offensive zone away from opponent's top defenders.

Fantasy take: Take the 20 goals, 40 helpers and 20 power-play points and hope he doesn't hurt you in the plus/minus column. Okposo has never been a beacon of health, and he also could face a steep decline entering his 10th season in the league.

 

W Loui Eriksson

Real world: Two-way acumen makes Eriksson a reliable and valuable roster piece, and his increased role last season enabled him to return to the 30-goal plateau. The complete game, including proficiency in all situations, makes the 30-year-old winger a top prize of the offseason.

Fantasy take: It is difficult to envision Eriksson playing similar minutes next season, which will ultimately zap some opportunities for production. However, his across-the-board returns make him a high-floor option late in drafts.

 

W Mikkel Boedker

Real world: The speedy winger carries a degree of unknown because of his weak surroundings during his eight-year career. At worst, Boedker is a capable secondary scorer, but a 30-goal showing shouldn't surprise in the right setting, especially since he's still just 26.

Fantasy take: Boedker is a late-round flier candidate in most formats, but where he signs will have a significant impact on his value and upside. It could be argued, no free agent's stock could benefit more from a top-six role with a contending team.

 

D Keith Yandle

Real world: A capable power-play quarterback with an acceptable defensive game, Yandle owns plus-wheels and an excellent first pass. While likely best utilized as a second-pairing defenseman, Yandle can positively impact possession statistics in the right setting.

Fantasy take: Few rearguards have been as consistent in the point column as Yandle, and he should also see an uptick in shot volume playing for a new team. Where he relocates will have a significant impact, but it likely can't be worse than averaging under three minutes of power-play time per game like he did last year with the Rangers.

 

C David Backes

Real world: Best suited as shut-down pivot or winger, Backes had his worst offensive season this year since his sophomore campaign in 2007-08 at age 23. His physicality and leadership will make him a prized offseason acquisition, especially if he adds Stanley Cup champion to his resume.

Fantasy take: Overvalued because of his cross-category production, Backes is no longer a 20-goal, 50-point lock, and his shot volume has dropped from his prime years, too. Add the potential for a smaller power-play role next year and Backes' fantasy stock could be eyeing a steep decline.

 

W Milan Lucic

Real world: A matchup nightmare who dominates possession, Lucic is the prototypal power forward. He is an excellent point producer at five-on-five with 110 points through his past 242 games. Lucic also plays on the edge and has the ability to be a game changer. Unfortunately, it is to a detriment at times.

Fantasy take: The cross-category producer scored three times through his final three games of 2015-16 to hit the 20-goal mark after scoring just 18 in 2014-15. Entering his age-28 season, expect Lucic to carry more name value than his fantasy return will warrant. 20 goals and 50 points could be tough to hit, especially if he's without an elite pivot. He isn't competent with the man advantage, after all.

 

C Eric Staal

Real world: It has been a fast decline over the past three seasons, and Staal bottomed out with just 13 goals and 39 points through 83 games last year. A checking-line role on a contender should be in store, but Staal's salary expectations will likely having him locked into top minutes as a declining scorer — and not with a contender.

Fantasy take: In the majority of seasonal leagues, Staal has regressed to late-round-flier territory, and in some cases, you're best off taking a wait-and-see approach. His winger eligibility helps, but how much of a rebound can be realistically expected?

 

D Alex Goligoski

Real world: The 30-year-old veteran skates well, sees the ice well and makes a strong outlet pass. He has a career 52.4 CorsiFor percentage, never posted a negative rating and has a career 0.49 points-per-game mark. Goligoski is a second-pairing rearguard with potential to moonlight in a top-pairing assignment.

Fantasy take: All of the positives noted above come without significant power-play production since joining Dallas, but Goligoski is capable of taking care of business there, too. Expect Goligoski to continue being one of the safest options floating around late in drafts to fill out your defense corps again this fall.

 

W Andrew Ladd

Real world: The 11-year veteran brings the complete package as a secondary scorer with possession savvy, defensive responsibility, physicality and leadership. Ladd is capable of climbing up and down the depth chart and matching up against the opposition's best players. It wouldn't be shocking to see him take discounted pay to stay with Chicago.

Fantasy take: Assuming he remains with the Blackhawks, Ladd's fantasy value could plummet if he doesn't stick with Jonathan Toews. That said, in almost any scenario, Ladd can easily flirt with 25 goals, 60 points and add solid peripherals. He's a safe option, but there is also limited upside.

 

C Frans Nielsen

Real world: A sneaky good two-way pivot that can play all situations and is a rare example of a player who has improved offensively with age. Nielsen's ability to jump up and down the lineup and from center to the wing is a huge plus, too.

Fantasy take: Location will have the biggest impact. Nielsen is a fringe own in most leagues, but he does have two 20-goal campaigns and is an avid shot blocker. On the other hand, Nielsen isn't a high-volume shooter and doesn't take penalties. His real-world value likely will trump his fantasy worth in 2016-17.

 

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After talking about the Jets last week, and specifically Blake Wheeler, Ryan Kennedy discussed their cushy situation following the NHL Draft Lottery, and specifically their blossoming young core.

I still think Connor Hellebuyck could be the biggest fantasy winner, or provide the best fantasy value from the Jets. Because, again, he has to be at worst in a 50-50 timeshare next year, right?

Among goaltenders with at least 5000 minutes since the beginning of the 2012-13 season, only Ben Scrivens (.916) and Cam Ward (.916) have a worse five-on-five save percentage than Ondrej Pavelec's .917 mark.

In 2015-16, Pavelec posted a .918 mark at five-on-five, whereas Hellebuyck returned a .939.

There is no comparison, and as mentioned last time, Michael Hutchinson is a restricted free agent, so there is no reason for Hellebuyck to be anywhere but with Winnipeg full time.

With 40 to 50 starts, Hellebuyck has the potential to be a low-end No. 2 goalie for your fantasy club. And, he should be able to flirt with top-15 ratios. It'll be a lack of volume that'll hurt him, likely.

 

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Brooks Orpik was suspended three games, and said the ruling was fair. Barry Trotz proceeded to suggest the three-game ban was longer than it should have been because Olli Maatta plays for Pittsburgh, I think, anyway.

Trotz left the comment for everyone to take however they wanted.

It was a dangerous hit that warranted the suspension, if not a longer one. It was an unbecoming statement from Trotz, and it was also unnecessary.

There are more details here, including comments from the conspiracy initiator John Tortorella.

 

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Ending some speculation, Nikita Zaitsev signed with Toronto Monday.

Dobber tackled the subject yesterday, if you missed it.

Here is the Sportsnet article and immediate Twitter takes:

 

 

Interested to see how he plays in NHL. He was just as impressive to me in KHL as Panarin was when I was in Russia https://t.co/mD5 Mzlm4Ry

— Ryan Whitney (@ryanwhitney6) May 2, 2016

Zaitsev was the top defenceman on the best team in the KHL this season. He'll be playing for Russia at the worlds. He'll help the Leafs.

— James Mirtle (@mirtle) May 2, 2016

 

 

He is a top-four rearguard with offensive capabilities, and signing is another step in the right direction for Toronto. Depending on the additional improvements accompanying him, Zaitsev's fantasy value is up in the air, and he is likely best seen as a low-end starter in the majority of seasonal leagues.

There is obviously more value in keeper/dynasty formats.

Here is a breakdown of what Zaitsev brings from Jeff Veillette of TheLeafsNation.com.

 

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Antti Raanta re-upped with the Rangers for a two-year, $2 million contract with an annual salary of $1 million Monday.

Here is the release from the Rangers' website.

As far as backups go, Raanta has proven to be reliable and solid most nights when called upon. Over the past two seasons, he has a solid .934 save percentage at five-on-five through 39 games, which includes playing behind the disastrous 2015-16 Rangers.

Raanta's primary fantasy value is as a handcuff to Henrik Lundqvist owners, but he is a viable bench stash to spot start or streaming option whenever he starts, including in daily contests against favorable opponents.

Plus, at 34, Lundqvist could also be eyeing a smaller workload, which would obviously provide a few additional starts for Raanta.

However, the real issue here is how good the Rangers are going to be. The blue line is suspect, and the up-and-coming talent isn't all that talented. The core is also aging out of its prime offensive years, especially Rick Nash.

 

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NEWS: Michael Matheson (@MMatheson7) has been added to #TeamCanada for #IIHFWorlds. pic.twitter.com/wFYAy3Vyyo

— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) May 2, 2016

 

 

Great opportunity, and a youngster that caught my eye during the postseason.

Matheson is a deep sleeper for next fall.

 

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After David Backes' overtime-winning goal Sunday, here are the 10 most memorable overtime goals in Blues' history.

Remember, lists are fun.

 

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Marc-Andre Fleury is Matt Murray's backup tonight.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 2, 2016

 

 

Well, that was interesting.

Dobber has been all over this situation, but with the way Matt Murray has been playing during the playoffs, he has to stay in the net. Game 3 confirmed it. He made everything look routine.

This was a tough game for Washington. There were a couple of bad bounces in the first period, and then a bad clearing attempt in the second period, and the Capitals are down 3-0 on the road.

Pittsburgh had won 11 of its past 14 home games, too.

Kris Letang will likely be suspended, which will be a huge hit to the Penguins. But Washington will need to figure out a way to generate better scoring opportunities.

Absolutely, the Capitals dominated the play, but Pittsburgh was nursing a two-goal and three-goal lead for the majority of the game. And from the eye test, Washington hasn't looked like a come-back team during the playoffs. They might not be built that way.

Murray won Game 3, and Game 4 should be another barn burner.

 

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Thanks for stopping by.