Welcome back to this week's edition of Analytics Advantage! As the NHL season progresses, fantasy managers are searching for players who can provide an edge in key categories. This week, we break down the performances of five intriguing players: Pierre-Luc Dubois, Dylan Holloway, Jake Walman, Alex Pietrangelo, and Brock Faber. Using per-60 metrics, we analyze their fantasy value and identify areas where they can contribute the most.

Analysis Overview

To evaluate these players, we rely on key per-60 metrics such as Goals/60, Assists/60, Shots/60, Hits/60, Shots Blocked/60, and Fantasy Points Per Game (FPPG/60). These stats help normalize production across different ice times, giving a clearer view of a player's impact.

Our visual analysis includes:

Stacked Bar Graphs comparing each player's performance to league averages.

Scatter Plot (FPPG vs. TOI/GP) to highlight player efficiency based on ice time.

Bubble Chart (Hits/60 vs. Shots Blocked/60) to showcase defensive impact and physicality.

Player Analyses

Pierre-Luc Dubois (WSH – F)

Key Strengths: Strong playmaking, above-average FPPG, efficient shooting.

Concerns: Below-average defensive impact, limited physicality.

Dubois is proving to be a valuable playmaker, ranking in the 96th percentile for Assists/60 (1.97) and the 90th percentile for Primary Points/60 among forwards (2.23). His offensive involvement is reinforced by an Individual Points Percentage (IPP) of 60%, indicating he is a key contributor when on the ice.

His shooting percentage (14%) is well above the league average, suggesting he is capitalizing on high-quality chances. However, his Shots/60 (5.91, 61st percentile) is only slightly above average, meaning he isn't generating elite shot volume.

Defensively, Dubois doesn't provide much value. His Hits/60 (2.86, 39th percentile) and Shots Blocked/60 (2.73, 48th percentile) are below league average, making him less appealing in physical leagues.

Fantasy Outlook:

Dubois is a strong assist-heavy fantasy asset with decent goal production and an efficient shooting rate. However, his limited physical play and lack of defensive contributions lower his value in banger leagues.

Dylan Holloway (STL – F)

Key Strengths: Above-average goal production, strong shot volume, good physicality.

Concerns: High turnover rate, limited defensive impact.

Holloway has developed into a well-rounded offensive contributor, ranking in the 84th percentile for Goals/60 (1.04) and the 89th percentile for Assists/60 (1.55). His ability to create scoring opportunities is further emphasized by his Shots/60 (8.29, 89th percentile), making him one of the better shot generators among fantasy forwards.

His Hits/60 (7.96, 79th percentile) adds additional value in physical leagues. However, his Giveaways (55, 84th percentile) are a concern, as he turns the puck over more than most players in his percentile range.

Despite his strong offensive metrics, his Shots Blocked/60 (2.33, 38th percentile) is below average, meaning he doesn't contribute much in defensive categories.

Fantasy Outlook:

Holloway is a valuable multi-category asset, particularly in leagues that emphasize shots, hits, and offensive production. However, his high giveaway rate and lack of defensive presence make him less appealing in leagues that penalize turnovers.

Jake Walman (S.J – D)

Key Strengths: Strong offensive playmaking, elite shot-blocking, heavy ice time.

Concerns: Limited goal-scoring, below-average physicality.

Walman is emerging as a fantasy-relevant defenseman, ranking in the 83rd percentile for Assists/60 (1.37) and 90th percentile for Primary Points/60 among defensemen (0.95). His ability to generate offense from the blue line makes him a solid asset in point-heavy leagues.

Defensively, he shines in shot-blocking, sitting in the 90th percentile for Shots Blocked/60 (5.23). This adds significant value in leagues that reward defensive contributions. However, his Hits/60 (2.50, 33rd percentile) are below average, making him less of a factor in physical leagues.

His ice time (22:56 TOI/GP, 95th percentile) is one of his biggest strengths, ensuring he is involved in a high volume of play. His Shooting Percentage (5.4%) is in line with the league average for defensemen (5.2%).

Fantasy Outlook:

Walman is a great depth defenseman for fantasy managers needing shot-blocking and secondary playmaking. However, his goal scoring isn't a threat like previous seasons and doesn't contribute much physically.

Alex Pietrangelo (VGK – D)

Key Strengths: High ice time, strong playmaking, elite rush attempts.

Concerns: Low goal-scoring, high turnover rate.

Pietrangelo remains a reliable fantasy defenseman, excelling in key areas such as Assists/60 (1.10, 71st percentile) and Primary Points/60 among defencemen (0.65, 71st percentile). His ability to create offensive opportunities keeps him relevant in point-heavy fantasy formats.

Defensively, he is one of the best shot-blockers in the league, sitting in the 87th percentile for Shots Blocked/60 (5.01). His ice time (22:36 TOI/GP, 95th percentile) ensures he remains heavily involved in all situations.

However, his Goals/60 (0.15, 25th percentile) is well below average, making him a weak option for managers looking for goal production. His Giveaways (81, 99th percentile) are also a major issue, as he ranks among the most turnover-prone defensemen in the league.

Fantasy Outlook:

Pietrangelo is a high-usage, shot-blocking defenseman who provides solid playmaking but minimal goal-scoring. His turnover rate is a concern, but in leagues emphasizing assists and defensive contributions, he holds solid value.

Brock Faber (MIN – D)

Key Strengths: High ice time, decent defensive play, reliable depth option.

Concerns: Low offensive production, minimal physicality.

Faber is one of the most relied-upon defensemen in the NHL, averaging 24:55 TOI/GP (99th percentile). His heavy workload makes him an attractive depth option, but his offensive output is underwhelming. His Goals/60 (0.28, 37th percentile) and Assists/60 (0.74, 45th percentile) suggest he is not a major offensive contributor.

Defensively, Faber contributes moderately in shot-blocking (3.10/60, 58th percentile) but lacks physicality, ranking in just the 6th percentile for Hits/60 (0.83). This limits his fantasy upside in banger leagues.

Despite his low offensive impact, his Rebounds Created (19, 79th percentile) and Takeaways (17, 77th percentile) suggest he is an effective transition player. However, he lacks the statistical production needed to be a must-own fantasy option.

Fantasy Outlook:

Faber is a strong real-life defenseman, but his lack of offense and physicality limit his fantasy upside. He is useful in TOI-heavy leagues, but better options exist for offensive production.

Final Takeaways

Dubois is a strong playmaker with efficient shooting but lacks physicality.

Holloway is a well-rounded forward with solid shot volume and hits but has turnover issues.

Walman is a great defenseman for shot-blocking and assists but isn't a significant goal threat.

Pietrangelo remains a high-usage defenseman who contributes defensively but turns the puck over often.

Faber is a solid NHL defenseman, but his lack of offense and hits makes him a weak fantasy asset.

If you need playmaking and assists, Dubois and Pietrangelo are solid options. If your league favors physicality, Holloway is your best bet. For defense-first leagues, Walman and Pietrangelo hold the most value.

How FPPG is Calculated

Fantasy Points Per Game (FPPG) combines goals, assists, shots, blocks, and hits, weighted to reflect their fantasy relevance, divided by games played. This calculation ensures that players are evaluated comprehensively based on their overall contributions to fantasy scoring.

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Data Source: NaturalStatTrick (February 9, 2025)