Welcome back in, everyone! Anyone have any bad beats for me because I have one. I lost my matchup last week off the goalie interference call in the Anaheim/Carolina game and in the moment, sure I was upset that I got points called back but then I remembered something that I wanted to share with all of you for fantasy. Never get too high, and never get too low. The NHL fantasy season is an absolute grind and there's still eight weeks left to go, anything can happen between now and then. With that, head's down and we keep 'er movin'.

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

Juraj Slafkovsky, RW/LW, Montreal Canadiens (Rostered in 56% of ESPN leagues, 82% Fantrax, 48% Yahoo) – Last week I called out Patrick Kane as an Immediate Fix which is going to be tough to follow up on as Kaner and the Wings power play was humming going into last weekend. This week, I'm calling out Juraj Slafkovsky as he's in an important spot going forward.  

I obsess over the NHL schedule, I really do. I can't tell you all how much I scroll up and down the current week and future weeks for getting my fantasy lineup as optimal as I can make it. This week, I lost Charlie McAvoy in my lineup which meant that it was time to work the phones for a trade and the two teams that I had targeted were defensemen from Ottawa or Montreal. Why these two? These are the only two clubs we have in the NHL that are going to be in action both weekend days as well as four times next week, and if there's one thing that I want it is more darts. On my roster, I currently have Slafkovský and looking at his roster numbers it's about 45-50% on ESPN/Yahoo and makes for a good addition if he's available. He's currently skating with the Canadiens top line and even if he doesn't get onto the scoresheet, he offers both hits and blocked shots to bring his value up. On most platforms as well, he is both right and left wing eligible as well, so it's going to make him easy to move around your lineup. He may not have the goals like you'd want from a top-line winger, but the assists are there, and he offers more opportunities with how much Montreal is going to be in action over the next week.  

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

Adam Fantilli, C, Columbus Blue Jackets (Rostered in 17% of ESPN leagues, 66% Fantrax, 17% Yahoo) – So, as a prospect I go back and forth on Adam Fantilli. I think he's extremely talented but in his draft year, I thought that Connor Bedard and Leo Carlsson were the absolute right picks over him, but that to me didn't mean that he wasn't going to be a good NHLer. After a bit of a slow start, he makes for our Building Block this week.

Sean Monahan might be one of the most underrated centers in the NHL this season but is currently missing time with an injury, giving Fantilli his spot on what has been an extremely successful Blue Jackets top line. So far how has it gone, you may be asking yourself? In the four games with Monahan, Fantilli has two goals, two assists, and 11 shots. Those are excellent numbers for a player that is carrying next to no roster numbers on ESPN and Yahoo, over on the Fantrax machine he's a little higher but that's where all my dynasty people are chilling out. Columbus is going to be on the schedule four times next week, and if Fantilli continues on this run then you could see excellent production from the center position which is hit or miss in fantasy points depending on how your team is constructed.  

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

Thatcher Demko, G, Vancouver Canucks (Rostered in 75% of ESPN leagues, 92% Fantrax, 87% Yahoo) – Thatcher Demko has hit the waiver streets in my league earlier in the week and he's still available, injuries are forcing him into the Odd-Man out conversation for this week.      

Up and down, we go, and it's all health driven. I rostered Demko in 2021-22 and he was fantastic for me even with what felt like 20 or so overtime losses. Okay, so maybe it was only seven. Does anyone else's fantasy memory over inflate stats from past teams while also getting the season's mixed up? I recall rostering Max Pacioretty in his last year in Vegas, probably around 2018. Many will recall 40 goals, 40 assists, crucial in that one Cup run. For Demko, I wonder if the injuries are mounting up to a point where he just isn't moving the same in net and it feels like each game out there's either risk of him leaving the game earlier either due to injury or Kevin Lankinen having to replace him. Demko is still a netminder that I like for fantasy because if he's right, he has a good defensive team in front of him to help make things easier for him between the pipes. If you're rostering him right now, GoaliePost is your best friend, as Head Coach Rick Tocchet sometimes doesn't show his hand early on who's in net. This coming from the person who tried to study a Canucks X post on what pads the goaltender was wearing in the starters crease at morning skate once between Lankinen and Arturs Silovs in order to get an extra start in during a close matchup. Writing that out I have to think that fantasy hockey is a completely healthy habit. 10/10, would recommend.  

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

Seth Jones, D, Chicago Blackhawks (Rostered in 83% of ESPN leagues, 81%, Fantrax, 49% Yahoo) – I never ever, ever (ever another four times) want to say that a player isn't trying in an NHL game, but being lackadaisical out there is another aspect altogether. If anyone besides me watched the Hawks last week, you'll know what I mean when it comes to Seth Jones. Except of course if you live in Chicago and your antenna for CHSN Sports doesn't work without a completely legal alternative stream. It's 2025.

I don't want to harp on this too much here, but the roster numbers for Jones are outrageously high for not much outcome. He recently apologized to the media here for the lack of effort, but I don't know how long this Hawks club waits before Alex Vlasic takes over the top power play unit and doesn't give that role back. If that ends up happening, Jones's fantasy value drops significantly to where we are right now. I understand that adding a defenseman is a pain to do right now, so I fully understand if you're rostering him and he remains on your team. In the event though that you can use an add/drop this week, it may be looking into.   

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

This period runs through January 16^th – January 23rd

Boston – All the drama surrounding the B's coming into the week and they come out and lay the hurt on Tampa Bay. I like this Boston team going into next week with four games on the schedule, if all goes right, they can climb even higher into a playoff spot.  

Carolina – The Canes start their week off against the Blackhawks. That's like a Monday morning with no meetings on the calendar.

NY Rangers – Looking towards the weekend, the Rangers have games against the Blue Jackets and Canadiens. This is set to be some good hockey upcoming as they are fighting with both of these clubs for a potential wild card spot in the East.

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

New Jersey – The Devils are the only club in the league that will only play in two games next week. Given how high they are in roster numbers across fantasy hockey, they're a Leave 'Em with less New Jersey on the schedule.  

Dallas – The Stars will see Carolina and Vegas next week on home ice, but that is still a tough couple games for any club, even Dallas. The Stars are a Leave 'Em for now.

St. Louis – The Blues will start the week with Vegas and in the middle of the week see…Vegas again. This has me off the Blues for now even with how encouraging their play has been as of late.    

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