The Immediate Fix (Grab this guy and use him for the next several days)

Jamie Drysdale, D, Anaheim Ducks (Available in 93% of ESPN leagues, 30% Fantrax, 81% Yahoo)

Anaheim plays five times next week. Five. That's like last season’s weird COVID schedule games in a week. They also play Friday night vs Calgary, so for those able to add and drop players freely without a claim date or time might even be able to sneak Drysdale in by then. Part of fantasy isn't so much making the right add or claim, it's doing it at the right time and using the schedule to your advantage. If you're able to roster say three defensemen and are flexible with which players can move in and out of your lineup, then having a player go five times in a matchup period is extremely ideal.

So why Drysdale instead of a different defenseman on the Ducks or even a forward? My worry is the way that Anaheim has been shifting their lines around as well as the uncertain date on Getzlaf's return. However, Drysdale has been playing a more consistent role on Anaheim's top defensive pair and quarterbacks the first power-play unit, both of which has done for most of this season. The numbers are good too for Drysdale, he's averaging 19:58 time on ice and has three goals and nine assists so far on the season. For rosters that need an extra man, I think this is an excellent player to target, plus hey, if we've learned anything over the past couple weeks it's that apparently the Ducks are the best club in hockey?

The Building Block (Buy now, sit back and enjoy the production)

Jesper Bratt, LW/RW, New Jersey Devils (Available in 77% of ESPN leagues, 43% Fantrax, 62% Yahoo)

Did anyone have the Devils second line being great on their NHL 2021-'22 BINGO card? There is a lot to like with Bratt, and the chemistry between his line mates.

For the month of November and now into December (Is it really already December?) The Devils second line has consisted of Bratt along with Dawson Mercer at center and Andreas Johnsson on his opposite wing and this line has been good and it's no small sample. In lines with over 100 minutes played so far this season, the Devils' second line is top three in expected goals percentage, and second in expected goals for per 60 minutes behind someone named Auston Matthews and his line.

If you wanted to go to anyone on this line as an addition, by all means I think it's great play. The reason I'm highlighting Bratt is because he has been the most of the three as of late with 18 points in his last 15 games. He's on New Jersey's second power-play unit, but this is a club that typically shares power-play time between both the first and second groups. If this unit continues to play the way that they have, this might be a great low owned spot to get ahead in your league. From a DFS prospective New Jersey two is usually an excellent filler spot with a more expensive line.

The Odd Man Out (His short-term value is cause for concern)

Jesse Puljujarvi, RW, Edmonton Oilers (Owned in 66% of ESPN leagues, 91% of Fantrax, 65% Yahoo)

Puljujarvi was skating on Edmonton's top line throughout the first month or so of the season and saw some power-play time as well. He was great to add on to any Oilers top line stack in DFS and in fantasy he was a nice player to have that could dunk an assist or two to either McDavid or Draisaitl. The reason he's now on odd man out is well, that's exactly what he is, now seeing time on Edmonton's third line. Oilers head coach Dave Tippett came out and said that this is in no way a demotion for Puljujarvi and sure, maybe it's not.

Puljujarvi can possibly get some softer matchups on the bottom six, but for fantasy this a worry. His season average for ice time is just over 17 minutes, however in the past week that number has dropped to around 13 and a half minutes. I'm not saying he can't be productive with less ice time in a different role but let's face it, not seeing time with McDavid is not exactly advantageous for putting up numbers in fantasy.

The Anchors (They’ll do nothing but disappoint even over the long haul)

Jeff Petry, D, Montreal Canadiens (Owned in 65% of ESPN leagues, 70% of Fantrax, 70% Yahoo)

I wouldn't say that things are going great in Habsland this season and in fantasy it's been a nightmare as well. Petry has been a great player to roster in the past, but this season has not gone well for the 33-year-old defensemen.

The ownership numbers on him are very high across all platforms and I get it, Petry is a player who in the past four seasons has been up or over 40 points and is someone who both hits and blocks shots. This season so far in 24 games played the numbers are staggeringly low with just two points. He's still playing solid minutes but I don't see the turnaround coming, and honestly if you were looking to roster a Montreal defensemen Ben Chiarot might be a more viable option for you.

Love ‘Em (These squads are sure to pay dividends in the coming days)

This period runs from December 3^rd to December 15^th

Anaheim – As I mentioned earlier a very busy schedule upcoming for the Ducks is drawing me to them. Any club that helps fill a lineup is a Love ‘Em in my book.

NY Rangers – The Rangers have been moving forwards all around their lineup recently and yes, not the greatest even strength club but a busy schedule means plenty of chances to roster some Rangers in your lineup.

St. Louis – What do I love? A nice full schedule and to add to that they will play four games next week all on home ice. What do I not love would be COVID. Like last week with the Isles it's worth mentioning that Jordan Binnington will miss at least four games in protocol. Whether or not other members of the Blues will be affected or not remains to be seen, but it is something to keep an eye out for.

Leave ‘Em (These squads will leave fantasy owners sorely disappointed in the short term)

Ottawa – A pretty light and spread-out schedule upcoming is taking me off of them, this club hasn't looked great as of late, and I understand much of it may have to do with the club's COVID outbreak. In the past two weeks the Sens have the lowest expected goals for, I'd caution rostering them upcoming.

Boston – The B's have a western Canadian road trip upcoming where they'll be going into some tough matchups with back-to-back games vs Vancouver and Edmonton and then a tilt with Calgary.

Arizona – Arizona grades out pretty poorly in the Looking Ahead steer clear section. I mean…Maybe Karel Vejmelka has a couple more 46-save shutouts on the horizon?