Welcome back to this week's edition of Analytics Advantage! As the NHL season marches into December, fantasy hockey managers know that every marginal gain can make a difference. This week, we're shifting our focus to six players who've caught the eye for various reasons: Logan Stankoven, Macklin Celebrini, Dante Fabbro, Luke Hughes, Jake DeBrusk, and Jared Spurgeon.

By examining their current-season raw statistics and underlying performance trends, we'll highlight who's on the rise, who provides steady value, and who may be primed for regression. These insights will help you make informed, data-driven roster decisions as the season intensifies.

Methodology

For each player, we've analyzed key performance metrics, including:

                •             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)

Raw stats serve as the foundation, but we also consider factors such as a player's role, line assignment, and team context. This holistic view helps us infer trends that box scores alone may not reveal.

Jake DeBrusk (VAN – L)

Jake DeBrusk continues to impress with his early-season production, having already amassed 20 points (11 goals, 9 assists) through 24 games. He's converting at a notably high shooting percentage (around 20.8%), an indicator that while he's on a roll now, some natural regression could occur. Still, his strong possession numbers (CF% around 0.56) and consistent top-six deployment, bolstered by favorable offensive zone starts, suggest he's not relying solely on luck. For fantasy managers, DeBrusk's current form makes him a versatile asset: you can enjoy the steady scoring for now, or consider selling high to a manager dazzled by his recent surge.

Logan Stankoven (DAL – C)

For a rookie seeing roughly 15 minutes of ice time per game, Logan Stankoven's impact stands out. With 16 points (4 goals, 12 assists) in his first 23 games, he's not merely collecting opportunistic points—he's driving play. His shot volume (63 attempts) underscores a willingness to create offense, and his high involvement in scoring plays, reflected in a near-0.70 IPP (Individual Points Percentage), indicates he's central to Dallas's attack whenever he's on the ice. While he's not yet a top-line staple, these metrics hint at a player poised for greater responsibilities. Fantasy managers in keeper formats should invest now, while redraft owners can enjoy solid depth scoring with the potential for more if his role expands. As of this week, Tyler Seguin is done for the season with an injury, bumping up Stankoven into that solidified top-six role.

Macklin Celebrini (S.J – C)

A near point-per-game pace (15 points over 17 contests) from a young forward who logs close to 20 minutes per night is hard to ignore, and Macklin Celebrini is delivering just that. His balanced production—8 goals, 7 assists—suggests that he can finish plays and set them up. The shot totals (55 so far) lend confidence that his offense isn't a flash in the pan, and a hefty IPP of 0.75 confirms that he's often at the heart of his team's scoring. With ample power-play time and a consistent top-six role, Celebrini looks like more than a temporary standout. Fantasy managers should consider him a must-add, as his early-season form and underlying numbers suggest sustainability.

Jared Spurgeon (MIN – D)

If you're looking for stability on your blue line, Jared Spurgeon's profile fits the bill. Through 19 games, he's quietly posted 10 points, anchored by 3 goals, and supplemented that offense with serviceable shot counts and 30 blocked shots. His FPPG hovers around 8.4, reflecting a steady floor rather than boom-bust potential. With around 20 minutes per night, Spurgeon's role as a dependable, multi-category contributor is well-established. He may not headline your roster, but his consistency is a luxury for managers who need a solid defensive presence that won't vanish during lean stretches.

Luke Hughes (N.J – D)

While Luke Hughes remains goalless through his first 19 games, his 8 assists and underlying metrics offer reason for patience. He's generating chances, directing the puck toward the net (28 shots so far), and posting an IPP over 0.72—numbers hinting that he's more than just a peripheral piece. His roughly 19 minutes per game indicate that the coaching staff trusts him in meaningful situations. Though he lacks the early offensive explosion that some rookies enjoy, his underlying performance suggests that, with time and possibly more special-teams exposure, the production will come. For fantasy managers, Hughes is a stash in keeper leagues and a watch-list candidate in standard formats, given the potential for long-term rewards.

Dante Fabbro (CBJ, NSH – D)

Dante Fabbro's contribution isn't marked by gaudy totals—6 points in 17 games—but his across-the-board presence makes him a useful depth piece. He's chipped in 3 goals, provided a handful of assists, taken a modest number of shots (22), delivered hits, and blocked 32 shots along the way. While his offensive upside is limited compared to marquee defensemen, Fabbro's well-rounded stat line offers low-risk stability. In deeper formats where peripheral categories matter, his steady workload (~18:54 TOI/GP) and balanced output can fill gaps on your roster. If team circumstances grant him more power-play time or an elevated role, there's enough of a foundation here to support incremental gains.

Key Takeaways

                •             Jake DeBrusk's elevated scoring and strong underlying play present a compelling opportunity to either hold or sell high, depending on league context.

                •             Logan Stankoven's balanced production and shot volume hint at higher potential as his role evolves, making him a strong long-term bet.

                •             Macklin Celebrini's near point-per-game pace and heavy usage underscore his value as a must-add in almost any format, with sustainable production indicated by solid underlying numbers.

                •             Jared Spurgeon provides a reliable, low-risk floor on defense, ideal for managers seeking steady, all-around contributions.

                •             Luke Hughes's current assist production and encouraging underlying stats suggest that patience will likely pay off, especially for those in keeper leagues.

                •             Dante Fabbro's all-around contributions may not dazzle, but his steady peripherals and potential for incremental improvement make him a sensible depth addition in deeper leagues.

Tips for Fantasy Managers

                •             Leverage Hot Streaks: If a player like DeBrusk is riding a shooting-percentage surge, consider using this window to negotiate a favorable trade.

                •             Monitor Roles and Ice Time: Keep an eye on changes in deployment, particularly power-play assignments and upticks in TOI for players like Stankoven or Hughes, as these shifts often precede scoring jumps.

                •             Maintain Roster Stability: Spurgeon and Fabbro may not headline your team, but their dependable, across-the-board contributions help stabilize your lineup when stars falter.

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 5, 2024 from NaturalStatTrick