Looking Ahead: Kraken Worth Your Attention
Andrew Santillo
2021-12-31
The Immediate Fix (Grab this guy and use him for the next several days)
Warren Foegele, LW/RW, Edmonton Oilers (Available in 99% of ESPN leagues, 84% Fantrax, 95% Yahoo) – So not sure if there's any movie buffs out there, but for anyone who has seen the movie Moneyball, there is a scene where Brad Pitt's character is telling his scouts in a meeting about different players that he wants on his club. When he's asked why for each, he repeatedly looks over to Jonah Hill's character who calmy says that they're interested in that player, "Because they get on base." It's the same thing here but a spin on it, why do we like Warren Foegele? Jonah Hill isn't in the room with me (as far as I'm aware), but I'll tell you why, because he plays on a line with Connor McDavid.
Like most clubs out there, the Oilers have been hit hard with COVID forcing them to change up their lines and that has meant that Foegele is now playing alongside McDavid and Zach Hyman, who on their own have been a good two-man combo so far this season. The offensive production for Foegele has been good as of late as well, with three points in his last five games with 12 shots on goal. He's seeing time on Edmonton's second power-play unit as well and guess who happens to play on both power plays? That would be number 97 for more great correlation. Edmonton does shake up their lines a fair bit, so I can't say that Foegle will be a permanent fixture on line one, but for the time being it may be worth it to make room for Foegle on your roster.
The Building Block (Buy now, sit back and enjoy the production)
Jared McCann, C/LW, Seattle Kraken (Available in 68% of ESPN leagues, 26% Fantrax, 78% Yahoo) – Everyone come quick! Seattle's top line (as of recently) is fully correlated on power play one. Centering a line between Jordan Eberle and Jaden Schwartz is a good spot to be in and being the lowest owned of the trio, he could have some nice fantasy value.
Now the first line as mentioned of Schwartz-Eberle-McCann does have a large sample together of just over 100 minutes played, but it's the lack of power-play correlation that has been a nightmare when trying to navigate rostering someone from Seattle. It only took us 30 some odd games and a COVID break, but we finally have some correlation on even strength and power-play lines with Seattle and for McCann, that just adds to his fantasy value. In his last five games even strength he has two points on 18 shots, and on the man advantage he has two points on 10 shots. That's not bad while also keeping in mind that his shots on goal per 60 minutes are the highest of his career at 9.5. If you need a player with center and winger availability, McCann just might be a solid addition.
The Odd Man Out (His short-term value is cause for concern)
Mario Ferraro, D, San Jose Sharks (Owned in 63% of ESPN leagues, 47% of Fantrax, 22% Yahoo) – The Odd Man out research and development team has been on the lookout and although Ferraro's ownership is a little bit lower on a couple fantasy platforms, it's worth mentioning his place as it pertains to fantasy.
Right off the bat, Ferraro has no goals in his past 12 games played, so not a great start there. What also worries me also is that he sees virtually no power-play time as well with Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns seeing the bulk of time on both of San Jose's power-play units. Now, if you're in a league that scores hits and blocked shots, Ferraro has some value there with 70 hits and 93 blocks, but with only two goals and eight assists the offense isn't there for point value.
The Anchors (They’ll do nothing but disappoint even over the long haul)
Ryan O'Reilly, C, St. Louis Blues (Owned in 92% of ESPN leagues, 90% of Fantrax, 87% Yahoo) – Selke winner, Conn Smythe winner, wears the C for the Blues, wore a cool borelo hat at the Blues Cup parade, played guitar in that one episode of Road to the Winter Classic. There's a lot of things to like about Ryan O'Reilly, but so far this season, fantasy value hasn't been one of them.
The offensive numbers have been down as O'Reilly only has five goals so far in 28 games this season, while last season it took him just 13 games to reach that number. His shooting percentage is low for him at 7.2 for a player that had an 18.6 shooting percentage last season and 11.2 average over his 13-year career. I think the offensive struggles have a lot to do with his style of play and his line mates. Typically, his line is used against opposing top competition and for St. Louis that means slowing the pace of play down, so it's worth noting that he doesn't exactly play on a high event line.
For his line, he is usually centering Brandon Saad and David Perron. Now Perron I like, even with missing time this season with a concussion he has been great thus far. Saad on the other hand, is tough here because he's a player that I've always felt should be able to get to the front of the net whenever he wants but has issues getting any separation in the neutral zone when he has possession. I think the combination of those two things alone make it hard for me to think that RoR is really going to break out offensively here during the second half of this season.
Love ‘Em (These squads are sure to pay dividends in the coming days)
This period runs from December 24 to January 5
Vegas – The name of the game to a point here is good clubs that are playing games, and Vegas checks both of those boxes. They will have a four-game homestand upcoming and hey, we'll take Vegas at home whenever we can.
Anaheim – I know it's Anaheim, but this is a Ducks club that is 17-9-7 who will get Philly, Detroit, and the Rangers all at home. The only potential matchup that would worry me here is New York, but keep in mind this is a Rangers club that has struggled at even strength so far this season. If the Ducks are for real, this is a great spot to come away with some points.
Boston – The B's were a Love Em last week and I think the same goes for this week. Back-to-back Buffalo and Detroit this upcoming weekend and then it's home vs New Jersey. There could be some high even play coming up which favors Boston.
Leave ‘Em (These squads will leave fantasy owners sorely disappointed in the short term)
Montreal – As I'm writing this the Habs have possible postponements next week, which will leave them with no games upcoming at all. For a club that has 11 players in protocol, this could be welcomed relief, but for fantasy and DFS they will be nonexistent on the schedule.
Buffalo – Just like Montreal here, except they'll at most have one game upcoming. I kind wanted to see more of the Sabres' new top line in action, but that may have to wait another week at best.
Washington – It's a back-to-back next week vs St. Louis and Minnesota. St. Louis has been poor defensively this month, but we are definitely aware of how good they can be if they're playing well, and Minnesota might just be the best defensive team in the entire league. This will be a tough test upcoming for the Caps.
Friday, December 31st to Thursday, January 6th, 2022 |
Best Bets |
Pittsburgh 4.34 – Away OTT PHI – Home SJS STL |
Boston 4.24 – Away DET – Home BUF NJD MIN |
Anaheim 4.21 – Away VGK COL – Home PHI DET |
Toronto 4.03 – Away MTL – Home OTT CAR EDM |
Detroit 3.95 – Away ANA – Home WSH BOS SJS |
Steer Clear |
St.Louis 1.71 – Away MIN PIT |
Carolina 1.76 – Away CBJ TOR |
Buffalo 2.06 – Away BOS – Home SJS |
Los Angeles 2.10 – Home PHI NSH |
Vancouver 2.16 – Away Sea – Home NYI |
Saturday, January 1st to Friday, January 7th, 2021 |
Best Bets |
Boston 4.25 – Away DET – Home BUF NJD MIN |
Toronto 4.03 – Away MTL – Home OTT CAR EDM |
Chicago 3.94 – Away NSH ARI – Home CGY COL |
Seattle 3.52 – Home VAN NYI OTT |
Calgary 3.47 – Away CHI FLA TBL CAR |
Steer Clear |
Dallas 1.98 – Away ARI – Home FLA |
Buffalo 2.06 – Away BOS – Home SJS |
Los Angeles 2.10 – Home PHI NSH |
Vancouver 2.16 – Away SEA – Home NYI |
Montreal 2.60 – Away FLA – Home WSH TOR |
Sunday, January 2nd to Saturday, January 8th, 2022 |
Best Bets |
Anaheim 4.26 – Away COL – Home PHI DET NYR |
Pittsburgh 4.20 – Away PHI DAL – Home SJS STL |
San Jose 4.18 – Away PIT DET BUF PHI |
Arizona 4.10 – Home DAL WPG CHI NSH |
Winnipeg 4.09 – Away VGK ARI COL – Home SEA |
Steer Clear |
St. Louis 1.90 – Away PIT – Home WSH |
Los Angeles 2.10 – Home NSH DET |
Buffalo 2.30 – Away MTL – Home SJS |
Vancouver 2.42 – Home NYI OTT |
Carolina 2.54 – Away TOR – Home CGY FLA |
Monday, January 3rd to Sunday, January 9th, 2022 |
Best Bets |
Toronto 3.78 – Away MTL COL – Home CAR EDM |
Anaheim 3.31 – Home PHI DET NYR |
Seattle 3.27 – Away WPG – Home NYI OTT |
San Jose 3.23 – Away DET BUF PHI |
Winnipeg 3.14 – Away ARI COL – Home SEA |
Steer Clear |
Los Angeles 2.10 – Home NSH DET |
Buffalo 2.30 – Away MTL – Home SJS |
Vancouver 2.42 – Home NYI OTT |
Calgary 2.42 – Away FLA TBL CAR |
Carolina 2.54 – Away TOR – Home CGY FLA |
Tuesday, January 4th to Monday January 10th, 2022 |
Best Bets |
Seattle 4.22 – Away WPG COL – Home NYI OTT |
Montreal 4.15 – Home WSH TOR BUF CBJ |
Columbus 4.14 – Away NJD MTL – Home TBL NJD |
Winnipeg 3.98 – Away ARI COL – Home SEA MIN |
Colorado 3.93 – Away CHI – Home WPG TOR SEA |
Steer Clear |
Carolina 1.73 – Home CGY FLA |
Buffalo 2.30 – Away MTL – Home SJS |
Vancouver 2.42 – Home NYI OTT |
Calgary 2.42 – Away FLA TBL CAR |
Florida 2.65- Away DAL CAR – Home CGY |
Wednesday, January 5th to Tuesday, January 12th, 2022 |
Best Bets |
Columbus 4.35 – Away NJD MTL – Home NJD CHI |
Tampa Bay 3.98 – Away NJD BUF – Home CGY BOS |
Pittsburgh 3.85 – Away PHI DAL ANA – Home STL |
Toronto 3.83 – Away MTL COL VGK – Home EDM |
Colorado 3.74 – Away NSH – Home WPG TOR SEA |
Steer Clear |
Arizona 2.10 – Home CHI NSH |
Boston 2.55 – Away TBL WSH – Home MIN |
NY Islanders 2.57 – Away VAN EDM CGY |
Washington 2.61 – Away STL MIN – Home BOS |
Minnesota 2.66 – Away BOS WPG – Home WSH |
Thursday, January 6th to Wednesday, January 13th, 2022 |
Best Bets |
Columbus 4.35 – Away NJD MTL – Home NJD CHI |
Montreal 4.15 – Home TOR BUF CBJ BOS |
Toronto 4.13 – Away MTL COL VGK ARI |
Tampa Bay 3.98 – Away NJD BUF – Home CGY BOS |
Seattle 3.96 – Away WPG COL DAL – Home OTT |
Steer Clear |
NY Islanders 1.57 – Away EDM CGY |
Vancouver 1.97 – Away FLA – Home OTT |
St.Louis 2 – Home WSH DAL |
Washington 2.61 – Away STL MIN – Home BOS |
Ottawa 2.71 – Away SEA VAN EDM |