Looking Ahead: Domi’s Stellar Production; Byram’s Return; Markstrom’s Struggles; Columbus’s Schedule

Andrew Santillo

2023-02-10

Welcome back everyone from the All-Star break and it's now time to dive back into fantasy. If your leagues are like mine, it's really close in the middle of the standings. If you're one of those teams let's work to grind out a win here this week and set up towards your next matchup.

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

Max Domi, C/LW/RW, Chicago Blackhawks (Rostered in 15% of ESPN leagues, 53% Fantrax, 26% Yahoo) – Max Domi has quietly had a pretty good year for a Blackhawks club that has at times this season been 32nd in the standings. Someone has to score, even on bad teams, and Domi might just be able to provide just that.

Domi had his five-game point streak snapped on Tuesday against Anaheim but that wasn't without coming close on a couple chances right in front of Ducks goaltender Anthony Stolarz. The reason for Domi as a quick fix is partially because the Hawks are one of a few teams that will play twice more this week, with one of those games coming against Arizona who has been one of the most penalized teams in the league this season. If Domi can manage to get on the scoresheet in either of these games I think he'll be well worth the add, and if he's a player you decide to keep on your roster there is a very good chance he is eventually moved via trade to a contender along with the laundry list of players the Hawks are likely to move. 

For fantasy I think Domi makes for a decent short-term add, he'll likely play close to 20 minutes a night and will center the Hawks top power play unit with Jonathan Toews still out of the lineup with an illness. For DFS the furthest I would go with him would be a one-off here or there in lineups, I can't see stacking Blackhawks as a path to victory on most nights.

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

Bowen Byram, D, Colorado Avalanche (Rostered in 23% of ESPN leagues, 85% Fantrax, 55% Yahoo) – Bowen Byram
has returned to the Avalanche lineup and for fantasy I think he makes for a good addition that will help fill out your stat lines throughout the rest of the season.

Byram made his way back to the Avalanche lineup on Tuesday against the Penguins after missing 39 games with a, as he put it "finnicky" lower body injury. I'm always a little leery of players returning from injury, but Byram was able to use the all-star break as additional recovery time which I think helped in his return to the lineup. Byram logged just over 21 minutes of ice time on Tuesday with time on special teams and got on the score sheet with an assist.

It’s been a tough start to Byram's young carrier with a scary concussion situation last season followed by this season's injury. Still, I like him as a player and honestly thought he could have gone top three right behind Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko in the 2019 draft. He has excellent skating ability, and I don't see why he can't record big minutes for this Avalanche team the rest of the way and really be impactful on offense. This is a fantasy addition that if you're considering making I would do it sooner rather than later, if he gets hot his roster numbers are likely to rise quickly. For DFS I think he makes for a great spend down option if you want to fit a Colorado D into your lineup.

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

Brock Boeser, LW, Vancouver Canucks (Rostered in 51% of ESPN leagues, 68% of Fantrax, 46% Yahoo) – Brock Boeser
is currently a lineup Odd-Man Out but could potentially have value anytime between now and, oh let's say March 3rd?

The Canucks have tipped their hand here and I think it's only a matter of time until Boeser is on the move somewhere else. For fantasy I'm always sort of surprised when Boeser is drafted because it's usually two rounds too early for a player that hasn't really produced in a handful of seasons. It's difficult to gage because in each COVID shortened season he showed signs of really becoming a plus offensively but with each season cut short it's hard to say. Fast forward to this season where it's difficult to put a potential number on his value skating with Tanner Pearson and Sheldon Dries (that's a guess on his linemates right now but I'm probably not far off).   

If Boeser is on your roster now I'd only keep him if your roster is deep enough to keep him, best case he gets traded to a contender but even then, I can't see him being a top line skater. There's probably still some value here in larger leagues, this is a player that could have more upside in two weeks than he does right now.

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

Jacob Markstrom, G, Calgary Flames (Rostered in 77% of ESPN leagues, 91% Fantrax, 88% Yahoo) –
If anyone read me over at GoaliePost some of this may sound familiar but I have to highlight Jacob Markstrom here as our Anchor. Not like a cinder block tied to a rope anchor that you used as a makeshift on a fishing trip in north central Minnesota once, we're talking like a giant anchor that you'd see on the hull of a battleship.

I think the conversation around the Flames has been steered more towards Jonathan Huberdeau's struggles and the trade that he was involved in last summer and believe me, that's also cause for concern here but the drop-off that we've seen from Markstrom has been dramatic. Last season he really was just outside the top five goaltenders you'd want on your roster he ranked seventh best in high danger goals saved above average and sixth best in goals saved above average. This season in those two categories he is now down to 11th worst and ninth worst.

Markstrom was part of my goaltending rotation last season in one of my leagues and I drafted him fairly early in my draft this year and I'm sure I'm not the only one who did so. The consistency he brought to a fantasy roster last year I thought could be sustainable into this season but now his starts are getting fewer and fewer and when he is named the starter, he more often than not has put up games where he allows three or more goals. If you're in a league that either drafts a new team each season or even ones where you have three-to-five-man keepers, I'd shoot Markstrom straight to the waiver wire and move on. Where it gets tricky is for those out there in dynasty, then maybe he's someone you roster into early next season before making a decision.

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


This period runs through February 10th to February 22nd

Columbus – Columbus does not grade out great by their play on the ice, but they do grade out fantastic given the amount of games they will play upcoming. The Blue Jackets will play six games in the next ten days and that helps move the needle towards a Love 'Em.

Toronto – The Leafs have a fantastic schedule upcoming. They play a home-and-home against Columbus and then next week will play Chicago twice along with Montreal. This is tough stretch for those rostering Auston Matthews on IR in fantasy but for the rest of the roster this is a very reasonable stretch of games. Chalk Toronto upcoming here folks.

Seattle – The Kraken have played well the past month or so and since Christmas have the most goals for at even strength. They have a balanced schedule on the horizon and with higher roster numbers going to Kraken skaters they are a Love 'Em for me.

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

NY Rangers – Western Canada road trip in the Rangers near future, Vancouver and then a back-to-back against the Oilers and Flames.

Washington – The Caps are going to have their hands full next week; they play Carolina twice at home and on the road with a home game against the Panthers in-between. The Panthers take a fair bit of penalties but have played better as of late going 6-2-2 in their last ten.  

Vegas – Have to round out the Leave 'Em's with Vegas who will only be in action twice next week. Might be a good time to get healthy and get right as we move into the middle part of February but for now, they're a Leave 'Em.

Friday, February 10th to Thursday, February 16th, 2023
Best Bets
Chicago 4.30 – Away WPG MTL TOR – Home ARI
Columbus 4.21 – Away TOR – Home TOR NJD WPG
Seattle 4.06 – Away NYR PHI WPG – Home PHI
Montreal 3.96 – Away CAR – Home NYI EDM CHI
Arizona 3.89 – Away CHI STL NSH – Home TBL
 
Steer Clear
Dallas 1.89 – Home TBL BOS
Los Angeles 2.15 – Home PIT BUF
NY Islanders 2.24 – Away MTL – Home OTT
Vegas 2.31 – Home ANA SJS
Colorado 2.75 – Away FLA MIN – Home TBL
Saturday, February 11th to Friday, February 17th, 2023
Best Bets
Edmonton 4.13 – Away OTT MTL – Home DET NYR
Minnesota 4.10 – NJD FLA COL DAL
Chicago 4.04 – Away WPG MTL TOR OTT
Ottawa 4.01 – Away NYI – Home EDM CGY CHI
Montreal 3.96 – Away CAR – Home NYI EDM CHI
 
Steer Clear
Toronto 2.31 – Home CBJ CHI
Vegas 2.31 – Home ANA SJS
NY Rangers 2.57 – Away CAR VAN EDM
Pittsburgh 2.71 – Away LAK SJS NYI
Colorado 2.75 – Away FLA MIN – Home TBL
Sunday, February 12th to Saturday, February 18th, 2023
Best Bets
Seattle 4.35 – Away PHI WPG – Home PHI DET
San Jose 4.05 – Away WSH VGK – Home PIT BUF
Montreal 4.02 – Away CAR TOR – Home EDM CHI
Washington 3.75 – Away CAR – Home SJS CAR FLA
Florida 3.66 – Away MIN STL WSH NSH
 
Steer Clear
Winnipeg 2.11 – Away CBJ – Home SEA
Toronto 2.52 – Home CHI MTL
NY Rangers 2.61 – Away VAN EDM CGY
Boston 2.70 – Away DAL NSH – Home NYI
Arizona 2.70 – Away NSH LAK – Home TBL
Monday, February 13th to Sunday, February 19th, 2023
Best Bets
Columbus 4.25 – Away DAL ARI – Home NJD WPG
Chicago 4.14 – Away MTL TOR OTT – Home TOR
Nashville 4.11 – Away MIN – Home ARI BOS FLA
St. Louis 4.10 – Away OTT – Home FLA NJD COL
Ottawa 3.96 – Away NYI – Home CGY CHI STL
 
Steer Clear
Philadelphia 1.90 – Away SEA VAN
Anaheim 2.10 – Home BUF LAK
Vegas 2.10 – Home SJS TBL
Washington 2.60 – Away CAR – Home CAR FLA
NY Rangers 2.61 – Away VAN EDM CGY
Tuesday, February 14th to Monday, February 20th, 2023
Best Bets
Seattle 4.31 – Away WPG SJS – Home PHI DET
San Jose 4.26 – Away VGK – Home PIT BUF SEA
Columbus 4.25 – Away DAL ARI – Home NJD WPG
Chicago 4.14 – Away MTL TOR OTT – Home TOR
St. Louis 4.10 – Away OTT – Home FLA NJD COL
 
Steer Clear
Buffalo 2.09 – Away ANA SJS
Vegas 2.10 – Home SJS TBL
Vancouver 2.10 – Home NYR PHI
Los Angeles 2.31 – Away ANA – Home ARI
Washington 2.60 – Away CAR – Home CAR FLA
Friday, February 15th to Tuesday, February 21st, 2023
Best Bets
Toronto 4.71 – Away CHI BUF – Home CHI MTL
New Jersey 4.12 – Away STL PIT – Home WPG MTL
Edmonton 4.06 – Away COL – Home DET NYR PHI
Chicago 4.05 – Away TOR OTT – Home TOR VGK
Minnesota 3.89 – Home COL DAL NSH LAK
 
Steer Clear
Dallas 1.95 – Away MIN – Home CBJ
Montreal 2.76 – Away CAR TOR NJD
NY Islanders 2.76 – Away BOS PIT – Home PIT
Winnipeg 2.80 – Away CBJ NJD NYR
Arizona 2.85 – Away LAK – Home TBL CBJ
Saturday, February 16th to Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023
Best Bets
Calgary 4.34 – Away ARI – Home DET NYR PHI
New Jersey 4.12 – Away STL PIT – Home WPG MTL
Chicago 4 – Away OTT DAL – Home TOR VGK
St. Louis 3.86 – Away OTT CAR – Home NJD COL
NY Islanders 3.81 – Away BOS PIT – Home PIT WPG
 
Steer Clear
Colorado 1.95 – Away STL – Home EDM
Buffalo 2.10 – Away SJS – Home TOR
Tampa Bay 2.11 – Away VGK – Home ANA
Vancouver 2.11 – Away NSH – Home PHI
Anaheim 2.70 – Away FLA TBL – Home LAK

*For continued fantasy news and notes, follow me on Twitter @ndySanz.

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UPCOMING GAMES

Mar 28 - 19:03 OTT vs CHI
Mar 28 - 19:03 TOR vs WSH
Mar 28 - 19:03 MTL vs PHI
Mar 28 - 19:03 PIT vs CBJ
Mar 28 - 19:03 FLA vs NYI
Mar 28 - 19:03 CAR vs DET
Mar 28 - 20:03 MIN vs S.J
Mar 28 - 20:03 STL vs CGY
Mar 28 - 20:03 WPG vs VGK
Mar 28 - 21:03 EDM vs L.A
Mar 28 - 21:03 COL vs NYR
Mar 28 - 22:03 SEA vs ANA
Mar 28 - 22:03 VAN vs DAL
Mar 28 - 22:03 ARI vs NSH

Starting Goalies

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TAGE THOMPSON BUF
JJ PETERKA BUF
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ANTHONY DUCLAIR T.B
JURAJ SLAFKOVSKY MTL

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ALEKSEI KOLOSOV PHI
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21.0 PAVEL ZACHA DAVID PASTRNAK DANTON HEINEN
19.6 BRAD MARCHAND JAKE DEBRUSK CHARLIE COYLE
6.9 JUSTIN BRAZEAU JESPER BOQVIST JOHN BEECHER

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