Looking Ahead 2014-15: Week 18

Mike Schmidt

2015-01-30

AleksanderBarkov

The best schedules in fantasy hockey for Week 18.

Considerable talent isn't enough to propel a player to fantasy greatness. The following four players are capable of becoming high-end lineup options, and each seems to be on the verge of taking his game to the next level. Let's take a look ahead at what fantasy owners can expect from these guys over the course of the next few weeks and months.

Ryan Strome, C/RW, New York Islanders – The longtime top prospect has been incredibly productive during the 2014-15 season despite limited ice time. Seeing less than 15 minutes of action per game, Strome has managed to total nine goals and 25 assists in 47 games. He's proven worthy of top-six minutes and significant power-play time alongside talented teammate and gifted playmaker John Tavares, but he has yet to be fully unleashed by coach Jack Capuano. However, a recent upper-body injury to fellow Islanders forward Kyle Okposo may be all Strome needs to receive more playing time and increase his offensive output. It looks like Okposo will miss about two months, so look for the Isles to lean on the former top-five prospect. Strome has the pedigree to be a fantasy star, and long-anticipated breakout appears imminent.

Evander Kane, LW, Winnipeg – Though he has appeared in 358 games (or the equivalent of almost four-and-a-half seasons), Kane is still just 23 years of age. The Winnipeg forward has been on the cusp of stardom for what seems like forever, but he has failed to take his game to the next level. Kane did total 30 goals and 57 points in his age-20 season, so he is capable of being a fantasy force. Is this the year? Healthy (again) after a lower-body injury kept him out of the lineup for a couple of weeks around the beginning January, Kane has totaled seven points in his last seven games. It's highly doubtful he's suddenly turned into a point-per-game player, but Kane is still getting better as a player. Nagging injuries are always a concern with Kane, but if he can stay on the ice, the gifted winger is going to be a major weapon down the stretch this season. The buy-low window is closing… fast.

Tampa Bay 2.65 – three games – STL, DAL and LAK

Monday, February 2 to Sunday, February 8

Best Bets

San Jose 4.34 – four games – EDM, CGY, VAN and CAR

New York Rangers 4.20 – four games – FLA, BOS, NSH and DAL

New York Rangers 4.15 – four games – FLA, PHI, BOS and BUF

Nashville 4.14 – four games – TOR, ANA, NYR and FLA

Dallas 4.09 – four games – COL, TBL, BUF and NYR

Steer Clear

Minnesota 1.89 – two games – CHI and COL

Detroit 1.95 – two games – COL and ARI

Philadelphia 2.05 – two games – NYI and WAS

Carolina 2.80 – three games – all on road

Chicago 2.80 – three games – all on road

Tuesday, February 3 to Monday, February 9

Best Bets

San Jose 4.45 – four games – CGYx2, VAN and CAR

New Jersey 4.31 – four games – OTT, TOR, MTL and EDM

New York Islanders 4.15 – four games – FLA, PHI, BOS and BUF

Nashville 4.14 – four games – TOR, ANA, NYR and FLA

Dallas 4.09 – four games – COL, TBL, BUF and NYR

Steer Clear

Detroit 1.95 – two games – COL and ARI

Philadelphia 2.05 – two games – NYI and WAS

Carolina 2.80 – three games – all on road

Calgary 2.85 – three games – SJSx2 and PIT

Winnipeg 2.94 – three games – VAN, CHI and COL

Wednesday, February 4 to Tuesday, February 10

Best Bets

San Jose 4.45 – four games – CGYx2, VAN and CAR

Boston 4.16 – four games – NYR, NYI, MTL and DAL

Buffalo 4.15 – four games – all at home

St. Louis 4.09 – four games – BUF, CBJ, CHI and ARI

Nashville 4.09 – four games – ANA, NYR, FLA and TBL

Steer Clear

Carolina 1.95 – two games – ARI and SJS

Detroit 1.95 – two games – COL and ARI

Columbus 2.78 – three games – STL, OTT and LAK

Calgary 2.85 – three games – SJSx2 and PIT

Vancouver 2.89 – three games – SJS, PIT and MIN

Thursday, February 5 to Wednesday, February 11

Best Bets

San Jose 4.41 – four games – VAN, CAR, CGY and WAS

Chicago 4.16 – four games – WPG, STL, ARI and VAN

Buffalo 4.15 – four games – all at home

St. Louis 4.09 – four games – BUF, CBJ, CHI and ARI

Nashville 4.09 – four games – ANA, NYR, FLA and TBL

Steer Clear

Calgary 1.85 – two games – PIT and SJS

Carolina 1.95 – two games – ARI and SJS

Columbus 2.78 – three games – STL, OTT and LAK

Detroit 2.80 – three games – all on road

Florida 2.94 – three games – LAK, NSH and ANA

UPCOMING GAMES

Nov 21 - 19:11	WSH	vs	COL
Nov 21 - 19:11	CBJ	vs	T.B
Nov 21 - 19:11	OTT	vs	VGK
Nov 21 - 19:11	DET	vs	NYI
Nov 21 - 19:11	BOS	vs	UTA
Nov 21 - 19:11	N.J	vs	CAR
Nov 21 - 20:11	STL	vs	S.J
Nov 21 - 20:11	CHI	vs	FLA
Nov 21 - 21:11	CGY	vs	NYR
Nov 21 - 21:11	EDM	vs	MIN