We haven't had a big goalie moved mid-season in a while now, and I'm curious if we see one this year. Between Jacob Markstrom, Juuse Saros, John Gibson, Karel Vejmelka, Jake Allen, Anton Forsberg, and one of Washington's duo possibly being available among others, there's supply to match the demand that can be seen across the Devils, Sabres, Leafs, Senators, Kings, and possibly Red Wings looking for more than just a depth goalie.

Odds are there won't be a big move just because there never is, but the ingredients are there for a change to the status quo. Part of the reason that we don't see big goalie moves mid-season is because goalies can really struggle when moving to a new team, which is why much more often we see teams move down to their third, fourth, and fifth string goalies internally, or trading for a journeyman backup (who is used to the adaptation) rather than spending big for an upgrade.

To bring it back to fantasy, if there's a goalie moved, then the guy you want to target actually isn't someone like Gibson for example, moving to LA or New Jersey, but instead Lukas Dostal becomes a must-add for the rest of the year. He would be a goalie comfortable in his team's system, and suddenly his usage triples, adding a ton of fantasy relevant volume.

Just a general thought to consider as I put the finishing touches on the "On The Block" segment of the DobberHockey Midseason Guide that you can pre-order here.

*

Brandt Clarke was recalled as Cliffy mentioned yesterday, and LA has subsequently lost Tobias Bjornfot on waivers, so there shouldn't be a rush for Clarke to be sent back down. He should be here to stay for the stretch run, and could really be a fantasy difference maker down the stretch. I think I'm a little more bullish on him than Cliffy is, and I expect this move to hurt Jordan Spence in the process.

*

A follow up on a point I made Tuesday about Dawson Mercer being set to play in game #200 on Wednesday night, well he rung in his breakout threshold by scoring twice on three shots, and played 20 minutes in the win. He has averaged above 20 minutes of ice over the last four games, where he has six points.

*

Habs announce Christian Dvorak will miss the rest of the season with a torn pectoral muscle. Surgery scheduled for tomorrow.

— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) January 4, 2024

Not too much fantasy impact here, but unfortunately for the Habs it means they can't use him as a trade chip. There's lots of room up front for the Habs to try out a few younger players as the season goes on, and I wonder if Filip Mesar doesn't get a short stint as he returns from the World Juniors where he put up nine points in five games.

They did get Josh Anderson back who seems no worse for the wear after leaving the previous game with a lower-body-injury.

*

Oliver Kylington has been assigned to the AHL for conditioning; the last time we saw him, here's what his card looked like. #Flames pic.twitter.com/34Yo9Eozk0

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) January 4, 2024

It would be great to see Oliver Kylington back on NHL ice after nearly two years away, and with the Flames possibly moving on from some other Dmen, Kylington could jump right into some big minutes in the second half of the season.

*

Brennan Othmann made his debut for the Rangers last night. The Rangers could use some help on the wings, so if Othmann can become an impact regular the rest of the way then he makes the deadline plans for the Rangers a lot easier. That in addition to Kaapo Kakko being back on the ice for practice gives the Rangers a few options.

Othmann recorded five shots and three hits in 13 minutes of ice time, but didn't record a point. If he keeps up something close to those rates then he may be rosterable in some fantasy leagues in the second half.

*

There was some worry in the offseason about how David Pastrnak would fare after losing the top two centres on his team, and with an aging Brad Marchand on his opposite wing. Well I think we can fairly say that he has put those questions to rest, and those of us that took him any later than 10^th overall in fantasy drafts this summer are laughing all the way to the bank with what he has done so far. Another three points tonight brings him to 53 on the season through 37 games.

He has been fantastic, and if Boston acquires a top centre like Elias Lindholm at the deadline, then he could even see a little boost to close out the year. At the moment he's bringing Morgan Geekie along for the ride (three points as well last night).

*

With this year's talented rookie crop being what it is, it seems as though Connor Zary is flying under the radar a little as someone who started the season a dozen games in, so his totals don't jump off the page too much to this point. He has 19 points in 28 games so far, good for a 56-point-pace, which could rise in the second half with some added ice time with teammates being traded.

On the other side of the ice last night, Nashville's top line of Filip Forsberg, Ryan O'Reilly, and Gustav Nyquist continue their torrid paces. I wasn't expecting them to even respectively hit the 80-, 50-, or 50-point marks, but they are currently pacing for 90, 69, and 63 points. If the secondary scoring ever gets going then this team is not going to be an easy out as an underdog in the first round. Nyquist is still under 40% owned on both Yahoo and Fantrax, while the other two are over 60% on both platforms.

*

JJ Peterka has cooled to eight points in 17 Q2 games compared to the 17 points he put up in 22 Q1 games. This is despite more power play time, more even strength ice time, and putting more shots on net per game. The only real difference from Q1 to Q2 are his linemates, with the main change being… Jeff Skinner? Skinner has maintained his pace in Q2, with 13 points in 14 games from Q1s numbers of 18 in 22, but he is up with Tage Thompson now as part of the explanation there.  

The two wingers served the Sabres best when played alongside Casey Mittelstadt, who has lately been playing with Jordan Greenway and Zach Benson. Mittelstadt has also seen his scoring drop off, so I imagine it won't be too long until we see the trio reunited. Try to buy in on as many of the three as you can as soon as you see the gang back together again.

*

Matt Duchene continues his quiet revival in Dallas with two assists last night to bring him to 34 points in 36 games. He is one of the least-consistent producers year to year, and for that reason I haven't owned him in fantasy in a long time. Big reward to those that gambled on him this year though.

*

He didn't make it into the lineup last night, but hopefully I can stop bugging you about Jakub Vrana because he finally got called up again. I'll be watching him the rest of the way and especially his landing spot come free agency.

*

The World Juniors continue to impress, providing some of the most entertaining hockey of the calendar year. Today's Gold Medal game between Sweden and USA should be another classic between the two most dominant teams in the tournament.

There is a laundry list of players on each team worth mentioning and watching, so tune in if you can. Then, sell high of some of the hype these guys create so you can go win a fantasy championship this year.

Specifically, these guys are the ones to sell for proven "now" talent:

#WorldJuniors scoring before medal games:
1. Cutter Gauthier (PHI): 2G, 10A, 12PTS
T2. Gavin Brindley (CBJ): 6G, 3A, 9PTS
T2. Jonathan Lekkerimaki (VAN): 6G, 3A, 9PTS
T2. Servac Petrovsky (MIN): 5G, 4A, 9PTS
T2. Noah Ostlund (BUF): 3G, 6A, 9PTS
T2. Filip Mesar (MTL): 2G, 7A, 9PTS

— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) January 4, 2024

Be it Miro Heiskanen, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Mitch Marner, etc. Try to pry those guys loose by putting the WJC jewels in play.

*

Jonathan Drouin is now up to 12 points in his last 11 games. Now is the time to sell if you have been holding.

*

Connor Garland scored Vancouver’s only goal last night, and was up with the top power play unit while Andrei Kuzmenko was a healthy scratch. Power play production is the main thing he’s missing right now, and if he can stick more regularly with that unit he would be an excellent fantasy producer in the second half.

*

See you next Wednesday. In the meantime, you can find me on Twitter/X here, or BlueSky here if you have any fantasy hockey questions or comments.