Welcome back to Analytics Advantage. As the fantasy hockey playoffs approach, securing strong pickups can make the difference between advancing and an early exit. This week, we highlight Nazem Kadri, Adam Fantilli, Juraj Slafkovsky, Jackson LaCombe, and Valeri Nichushkin—players whose recent performances and underlying metrics suggest they can provide valuable contributions in fantasy formats.   

Using per-60 metrics, we evaluate their offensive production, defensive impact, and overall fantasy value, ensuring you have the insights needed to make informed roster decisions.

Analysis Overview

To evaluate these players, we rely on per-60 statistics, which normalize production across different ice times to give a clearer view of impact. The key categories analyzed include:

                •             Goals/60

                •             Assists/60

                •             Primary Points/60

                •             Shots/60

                •             Hits/60

                •             Shots Blocked/60

                •             Fantasy Points Per Game (FPPG/60)

Visual Analysis Includes:

                •             Stacked Bar Graphs comparing each player's per-60 stats to position-specific league averages

                •             FPPG vs. TOI Scatter Plot to highlight player efficiency based on ice time

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

Player Analysis

Calgary Flames | Nazem Kadri Fantasy Analysis (Forward)

Key Strengths: High shot volume, efficient goal-scoring, strong transition play

Concerns: Limited physicality, below-average shot blocking

Kadri has been a high-volume shooter this season, ranking in the 98th percentile for Shots/60 (10.52), showing a strong offensive presence. His Goals/60 (1.10, 82nd percentile) and FPPG/60 (10.02, 90th percentile) indicate he is an above-average finisher with strong fantasy value.

However, Kadri does not provide much in peripheral categories, ranking in the 24th percentile for Hits/60 (2.25) and 16th percentile for Shots Blocked/60 (1.25). His Rush Attempts (17.00, 99th percentile) suggest he is highly involved in creating offensive chances, but his Giveaways (51.00, 81st percentile) could lead to inconsistency.

Fantasy Outlook: Kadri is a high-end offensive contributor and an excellent option for fantasy managers looking for shot volume and goal-scoring. However, his lack of physicality makes him less valuable in multi-category leagues.

Columbus Blue Jackets | Adam Fantilli Fantasy Analysis (Forward)

Key Strengths: Goal-scoring upside, transition play, offensive zone usage

Concerns: High giveaways, moderate defensive impact

Fantilli has continued his strong rookie season, posting 1.11 Goals/60 (83rd percentile) and 7.58 Shots/60 (75th percentile), making him a solid secondary scorer. His Rush Attempts (12.00, 90th percentile) show that he drives play off the rush, increasing his potential to generate offense quickly.

Defensively, Fantilli ranks 50th percentile in Hits/60 (4.66) and 62nd percentile in Shots Blocked/60 (2.44), meaning he provides some physicality but not elite defensive value. His Giveaways (73.00, 97th percentile) remain a concern, as they indicate he loses possession more than most forwards.

Fantasy Outlook: Fantilli is a strong offensive contributor who provides shots and goal-scoring potential, but his turnover rate and defensive contributions remain moderate. He is best suited for leagues emphasizing scoring and offensive production.

Montreal Canadiens | Juraj Slafkovsky Fantasy Analysis (Forward)

Key Strengths: Playmaking ability, strong physical game, decent defensive contributions

Concerns: Below-average shooting volume, inconsistent production

Slafkovsky is one of the more physical forwards on this list, ranking in the 76th percentile for Hits/60 (8.94) and 72nd percentile for Shots Blocked/60 (2.71). His Assists/60 (1.50, 83rd percentile) indicate strong playmaking ability, but his Shots/60 (5.42, 35th percentile) remains below average, limiting his goal-scoring upside.

His Offensive Zone Start% (0.71, 85th percentile) suggests he is deployed in a high-scoring role, but his IPP (0.52, 21st percentile) indicates that he is not involved in as many scoring plays as expected.

Fantasy Outlook: Slafkovsky is a valuable depth forward in leagues that count hits and blocked shots, but his limited shot volume and inconsistent offensive involvement make him a secondary fantasy option in goal-heavy formats.

Anaheim Ducks | Jackson LaCombe Fantasy Analysis (Defenseman)

Key Strengths: Strong offensive production, high ice time, solid shot blocking

Concerns: Below-average physicality, moderate defensive presence

LaCombe has emerged as one of the better fantasy defensemen, posting 0.54 Goals/60 (94th percentile) and 1.13 Assists/60 (87th percentile). His Shots/60 (5.48, 84th percentile) show he actively contributes to offense, while his FPPG/60 (9.27, 92nd percentile) makes him an elite contributor from the blue line.

While he provides some shot-blocking value (4.65, 58th percentile), his Hits/60 (2.45, 38th percentile) remain low. His Takeaways (29.00, 92nd percentile) show that he wins possession battles, making him a reliable puck-moving defenseman.

Fantasy Outlook: LaCombe is a high-upside blue-liner who provides offensive production and power-play value but lacks elite physical contributions. Best suited for point-heavy leagues.

Colorado Avalanche | Valeri Nichushkin Fantasy Analysis (Forward)

Key Strengths: Elite goal-scoring efficiency, strong transition play, high shooting percentage

Concerns: Minimal physicality, low playmaking impact

Nichushkin has been one of the most efficient goal-scorers, ranking in the 98th percentile for Goals/60 (1.67) and 95th percentile for Shooting Percentage (21%). His FPPG/60 (9.94, 89th percentile) makes him a high-value fantasy forward.

However, his Assists/60 (0.89, 47th percentile) suggest he is not a strong playmaker, and his Takeaways (4.00, 25th percentile) indicate he does not contribute much defensively. His Hits/60 (2.89, 34th percentile) and Shots Blocked/60 (1.67, 32nd percentile) reinforce that he is not an asset in physical formats.

Fantasy Outlook: Nichushkin is a strong goal-scoring option for teams needing an offensive boost, but his limited physicality and playmaking lower his value in multi-category leagues.

Final Takeaways

                •             Kadri is a high-volume shooter who offers goal-scoring upside but little physicality.

                •             Fantilli is a strong offensive contributor with solid shot volume, but his giveaways remain an issue.

                •             Slafkovsky provides decent physical value but is not a high-volume shooter.

                •             LaCombe is a strong point-producing defenseman who lacks elite physical metrics.

                •             Nichushkin is a goal-scoring specialist but lacks peripheral contributions.

If goal-scoring and shot volume are priorities, Kadri and Nichushkin are strong adds. If defensive categories matter, Slafkovsky and LaCombe provide value. Fantilli remains a well-rounded forward for leagues emphasizing offense.

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.

Stay Connected

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Data Source: NaturalStatTrick (March 11, 2025)