Analyzing Player Performance: December 11th Fantasy Hockey Spotlight

Welcome back to this week's edition of Analytics Advantage! As the NHL season progresses deeper into December, fantasy hockey managers must remain sharp to exploit every edge. This week, we turn our focus to five players with intriguing narratives: Dylan Holloway, Kent Johnson, Thomas Chabot, Patrik Laine, and Brandt Clarke.

Through a mix of standout performances, underlying trends, and situational context, we'll uncover which players are delivering value, which are on the rise, and which might regress. Our goal is to equip you with actionable insights to make data-driven roster decisions.

Methodology

For each player, we've analyzed their current-season performance using key metrics such as:

                •             Goals (G)

                •             Total Assists (A)

                •             Points (PTS)

                •             Shots on Goal (SOG)

                •             Shots Blocked (BLK)

                •             Hits (HIT)

                •             Fantasy Points Per Game (FPPG)

                •             Time on Ice per Game (TOI/GP)

While raw stats form the basis of our analysis, we complement these with graphs and additional performance context. This week, we've also included scatter plots and bubble charts to highlight:

                •             FPPG vs. IPP: A measure of scoring impact relative to individual contributions.

                •             FPPG vs. TOI/GP: A reflection of player efficiency relative to their ice time.

                •             Goals vs. SH%: To examine shooting efficiency and identify trends of sustainability or potential regression.

Let's dive into the profiles of this week's featured players.

Player Analyses

Dylan Holloway (STL – L)

Holloway's balanced production continues to impress with 10 goals, 9 assists, and 19 points in 29 games, averaging 9.3 FPPG. Over his last 10 games, he's added 4 goals and 2 assists, including a standout two-goal performance against Winnipeg on Dec. 8.

The bar graph shows that Holloway's shots (69) and hits (50) far exceed the league average, highlighting his all-around contributions. The scatter plot (FPPG vs. TOI/GP) confirms that Holloway is performing efficiently despite limited ice time (15:33 TOI/GP). Additionally, his 14.49% SH% appears sustainable, given his shot volume.

Fantasy Advice: Holloway is a versatile asset in multi-category leagues. His peripherals and consistency make him a solid hold with upside if his ice time continues to rise.

Kent Johnson (CBJ – C)

Kent Johnson's elite efficiency stands out with 17 points in 15 games and a remarkable 9.97 FPPG.

Johnson's bar graph highlights his standout shooting percentage (28.13%) and goal-scoring, while the bubble chart flags potential regression. On the scatter plot, Johnson clusters among high-efficiency players, with 17:32 TOI/GP supporting his production. His lack of peripherals, however, leaves room for improvement in multi-category leagues.

Fantasy Advice: Johnson's efficiency makes him a strong buy in points-only formats, though his peripherals may limit his impact in multi-category leagues.

Thomas Chabot (OTT – D)

Chabot continues to be a stabilizing force for Ottawa with 1 goal, 12 assists, and 13 points across 28 games. His last 10 games have seen 1 goal and 5 assists, along with steady contributions in hits and blocks.

The bar graph illustrates his strong peripherals, including 68 shots on goal and 48 blocks, both above league averages. On the scatter plot, Chabot's consistent 22:52 TOI/GP supports his 8.96 FPPG. However, his low 0.33 IPP suggests limited offensive upside.

Fantasy Advice: Chabot is a high-floor option in multi-category leagues, providing consistent production across hits, blocks, and ice time.

Brandt Clarke (LA – D)

Brandt Clarke's offensive prowess is evident with 16 points (3 goals, 13 assists) in 28 games. His last 10 games have been quieter, with just 2 assists, but his 61 shots and 9.4 FPPG remain noteworthy.

Clarke's bar graph highlights his balanced contributions, while the bubble chart (Goals vs. SH%) suggests that his low 5% SH% has room for positive regression. On the scatter plot, Clarke's 18:12 TOI/GP places him among emerging defensemen with offensive upside.

Fantasy Advice: Clarke's offensive potential and power-play involvement make him a valuable depth option in deeper leagues, with room for further improvement.

Patrik Laine (MTL – L)

Limited to just five games this season due to a preseason knee injury, Laine has recorded 3 goals, 1 assist, and 4 points, averaging an impressive 12.35 FPPG. Over his first four games, his ice time has been limited (16:19 TOI/GP), but his 1.00 IPP suggests significant offensive involvement when on the ice.

Laine's bar graph and bubble chart flag his 27.27% SH%, signaling likely regression. The scatter plot places him among efficient producers, but limited usage could cap his short-term fantasy impact.

Fantasy Advice: Laine remains a high-risk, high-reward option. If his role and minutes expand, he could quickly return to elite scoring form.

Key Takeaways

                •             Dylan Holloway: Balanced production and solid peripherals make him a dependable asset with upside.

                •             Kent Johnson: Elite efficiency continues to drive his value, though regression could hit his scoring streak.

                •             Thomas Chabot: High-floor option delivering consistency across peripherals and ice time.

                •             Brandt Clarke: Offensive potential and low SH% suggest room for growth.

                •             Patrik Laine: Injury-limited season makes him a speculative but high-upside addition.

Tips for Fantasy Managers

                •             Watch Shooting Percentages: Players like Johnson and Laine are riding unsustainably high SH%, making regression likely.

                •             Monitor Ice Time: Players like Clarke and Holloway could see increased value with expanded roles.

                •             Target High-Floor Players: Options like Chabot provide steady production in multi-category leagues, stabilizing rosters.

How FPPG is Calculated

Stay Connected

For deeper analysis, personalized roster advice, or a closer look at any player's data, feel free to get in touch:

                •             Twitter/X: @DH_staspup

                •             Email: staspup@proton.me

                •             Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/stasp.bsky.social

Note: The insights presented here are based on data available as of December 11, 2024 from NaturalStatTrick