Jump on Nathan Beaulieu and the Canadiens After the All-Star Break

Mike Schmidt

2017-01-27

All fantasy owners need help in the short term AND the long term. The Looking Ahead feature identifies one player to plug into lineups in the short term, a second to invest in for the long term, a third to bench for the coming week and a fourth who will struggle to meet expectations for some time. All players discussed are selected based on their team’s upcoming schedule. Without further ado…

 

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

 

Nathan Beaulieu, D, Montreal (Available in 82 percent of Yahoo leagues) – Finding worthwhile blueliners on the waiver wire can be a tall task. It can be slim pickings for weeks at a time, until an injury to a fantasy-relevant d-man results in an opportunity for his teammate to ascend to prominence. Such is the case for Beaulieu, who finds himself receiving advantageous ice time due to a lingering groin injury suffered by fellow Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov in mid-December. Since Markov was lost from the lineup, Beaulieu has put up a very respectable 10 points in 18 games played. Furthermore, while he’s averaging just a little more than 20 minutes of ice time per game on the season, the 24-year-old has seen more than 23 minutes of ice time 18 times in those 18 games since Markov went down. Sure, at some point Beaulieu’s talented veteran teammate will return to the ice. In the meantime, take advantage of how the young Hab d-man is being deployed. His ice time is up. His power-play time is up. He’s registering points. Give him a look.

 

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

 

Jaden Schwartz, C/LW, St. Louis (Available in 42 percent of Yahoo leagues) – How is this guy available in more than 40 percent of all Yahoo leagues? Schwartz is well on his way to a 60-point season, something the 24-year-old has already done once (and almost twice) in his career. There isn’t much to dislike about what this Blues forward has done on the ice this year, or how he’s being used by coach Ken Hitchcock. Schwartz is seeing more ice time per game than at any other time in his career. He’s (currently) healthy. Vladimir Tarasenko is his linemate. Simply stated, this is an underappreciated forward who should be scooped up off the waiver wire where available. Owners in shallow formats should also target him via trade, as Schwartz could post a career-best campaign with a strong second half. Buy now and reap the rewards.

 

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

 

Daniel Sedin, LW, Vancouver (Owned in 78 percent of Yahoo leagues) – Like his brother, Henrik, Daniel Sedin isn’t the high-end fantasy forward he has been in years past. He’s still a good player, but not a great, must-start sort of option anymore. And while he’s been putting up points as of late, he’s no sure thing to reach the 60-point mark in 2016-17. The Canucks offense is lackluster, as evidenced by the fact that only four NHL teams have registered fewer goals on the year. As a result, Daniel is not providing the level of production fantasy owners have seen from him for more than a decade. It’s not bad luck (as his PDO is currently sitting at 1000), it’s the talent and environment that surrounds him. Given Vancouver’s underwhelming schedule coming up, it makes sense to bench Daniel (and Henrik, for that matter) in the short term.

 

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

 

Aaron Ekblad, D, Florida (Owned in 84 percent of Yahoo leagues) – After being selected by the Panthers with No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Ekblad quickly and decisively established himself as one of the elite young defensemen in the league. He scored 39 points in 81 games in his age-18 season, and he won the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie for his efforts. Since his banner rookie campaign, however, Ekblad’s fantasy-relevant numbers have steadily decreased with time. This season, he’s probably hurt fantasy owners more than helped them. Yes, he’s totaled seven goals. But he’s registered a mere eight assists — in 49 games played. To make matters worse, Ekblad’s plus/minus currently stands at a horrific minus-18. It should be noted, though, that he’s been incredibly unlucky this year. His PDO is at 95.7, and Florida goaltenders are posting an even-strength save percentage of just .907 while Ekblad’s on the ice. Positive regression could be coming, but how much of a difference will it make. Poolies are still waiting for Ekblad’s first 40-point season, as he’s never really been able to build off his impressive inaugural season. His reputation as a youthful, up-and-coming blueliner far exceeds the production he’s provided thus far, so don’t hesitate to jettison him in shallow formats in favor of someone performing better.

 

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

 

Montreal – Three of this squad’s first four post-All-Star Break contests will be at home. Could the matchups be easier? Sure. But it’s difficult for anyone to argue with home cookin’.

 

St. Louis – The Blues will host opponents for their first three games once the All-Star Break concludes (versus Winnipeg, versus Toronto and versus defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh). Yes, they have a five-game road trip following the three-game homestand, but fantasy owners and Blues fans can worry about that a little later.

 

Los Angeles – The Kings will play a whopping six times in the first nine days of February. There’s not much else to say…

 

Buffalo – Eight of the Sabres’ first 11 games in February will take place at home. Their road games? At New Jersey, at Toronto and at Ottawa. The advantageous should bode well for a young Buffalo squad looking to build some momentum in the season’s second half.

 

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

 

Vancouver – This squad’s All-Star Break is a little on the long side. They go from Thursday, Jan. 26 to Thursday, Feb 3 — a full week — without a game. At least then they have two home games to follow… against San Jose and Minnesota. Oh, nevermind.

 

Florida – Remember the Kings with their six games in the first nine days of February? Well, the Panthers play just twice in the first nine days of February. Take a moment to let those two sentences sink in.

 

Boston – It’s almost as if the Bruins have two All-Star Breaks on their calendar for 2017. They have four days off after their Thursday, Jan. 26 home matchup against Pittsburgh. Also, after their Saturday, Feb. 4 home matchup against Toronto, they have another four days off. Keep all of this in mind when making lineup decisions involving Boston players.

 

Arizona – The first few days of February will not be kind to the Coyotes. They host the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, Feb. 2 before traveling to San Jose to take on an always-tough Sharks squad on Saturday, Feb. 4. Then they have four days off. Also, they are bad. Very, very bad.

 

Friday, January 27 to Thursday, February 2

Best Bets

Tampa Bay 4.46 – two games – both at home

St. Louis 2.31 – two games – both at home

Dallas 2.31 – two games – both at home

Los Angeles 2.30 – two games – ARI and COL

New York Rangers 2.20 – two games – CBJ and BUF

Steer Clear

New York Islanders 0.84 – one game – WAS

Calgary 0.89 – one game – MIN

Pittsburgh 0.95 – one game – NSH

Columbus 0.95 – one game – NYR on road

New Jersey 0.95 – one game – DET on road

Saturday, January 28 to Friday, February 3

Best Bets

Edmonton 2.79 – three games – MIN, NSH and CAR

Tampa Bay 2.31 – two games – both at home

St. Louis 2.31 – two games – both at home

Dallas 2.31 – two games – both at home

Los Angeles 2.30 – two games – ARI and COL

Steer Clear

Vancouver 1.00 – one game – SJS

Colorado 1.57 – two games – both on road

Boston 1.71 – two games – both on road

Columbus 1.76 – two games – both on road

Buffalo 2.71 – three games – all on road

Sunday, January 29 to Saturday, February 4

Best Bets

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San Jose 3.35 – three games – two at home

Los Angeles 3.29 – three games – ARI, COL and PHI

Dallas 3.26 – three games – all at home

Tampa Bay 3.20 – three games – all at home

St. Louis 3.20 – three games – all at home

Steer Clear

Calgary 1.80 – two games – MIN and NJD

Vancouver 1.89 – two games – SJS and MIN

Florida 2.20 – two games – OTT and ANA

New York Rangers 2.20 – two games – CBJ and BUF

Tampa Bay 1.71 – two games – both on road

Monday, January 30 to Sunday, February 5

Best Bets

Montreal 4.10 – four games – three at home

Los Angeles 4.05 – four games – ARI, COL, PHI and WAS

Washington 3.70 – four games – NYI, BOS, MTL and LAK

Edmonton 3.60 – four games – MIN, NSH, CAR and MTL

New York Rangers 3.36 – three games – two at home

Steer Clear

Arizona 2.69 – three games – LAK, CHI and SJS

Vancouver 1.89 – two games – SJS and MIN

Colorado 2.72 – three games – two on road

Florida 2.10 – two games – OTT and ANA

Calgary 2.75 – three games – two on road

Tuesday, January 31 to Monday, February 6

Best Bets

New Jersey 4.31 – four games – DET, CGY, CBJ and BUF

New York Islanders 4.10 – four games – three at home

Montreal 4.10 – four games – three at home

St. Louis 4.20 – four games – three at home

Los Angeles 4.05 – four games – ARI, COL, PHI and WAS

Steer Clear

Vancouver 1.89 – two games – SJS and MIN

Florida 2.10 – two games – OTT and ANA

Arizona 2.69 – three games – LAK, CHI and SJS

Colorado 2.72 – three games – two on road

Colorado 1.26 – one game – VAN

Wednesday, February 1 to Tuesday, February 7

Best Bets

Buffalo 4.16 – four games – three at home

St. Louis 4.14 – four games – TOR, PIT, PHI and OTT

Montreal 3.99 – four games – PHI, WAS, EDM and COL

Toronto 3.96 – four games – STL, BOS, NYI and DAL

Washington 3.91 – four games – three at home

Steer Clear

Florida 0.89 – one game – ANA

Arizona 1.85 – two games – CHI and SJS

Boston 1.92 – two games – WAS and TOR

Chicago 2.19 – two games – both on road

Philadelphia 2.68 – three games – MTL, LAK and STL

Thursday, February 2 to Wednesday, February 8

Best Bets

Buffalo 4.16 – four games – three at home

St. Louis 4.14 – four games – TOR, PIT, PHI and OTT

Montreal 3.99 – four games – PHI, WAS, EDM and COL

Toronto 3.96 – four games – STL, BOS, NYI and DAL

San Jose 3.45 – three games – VAN, ARI and BUF

Steer Clear

Florida 0.89 – one game – ANA

Boston 1.16 – one game – TOR

Arizona 1.85 – two games – CHI and SJS

Colorado 2.05 – two games – WPG and MTL

Calgary 2.66 – three games – all on road

5 Comments

  1. Cory 2017-01-27 at 10:21

    You’re a bit off on the numbers for Los Angeles. They play 5 times, not 6, in the first 9 days of Feb.
    (In addition, 4 of those 5 are on the road).

    You got me all excited to plug Budaj in, but I think Toronto (and Andersen) might be looking better!

  2. Allan Phillips 2017-01-27 at 15:50

    I left a question in Laidlaw’s ramblings this morning on Beaulieu. Let’s think about this. Beaulieu is a 1st rounder, he’s had a solid development track, and now he’s ready to contribute and getting the opportunity. I saw him play several times in the AHL, and it was clear from his booming shot that the offensive ability was there (I’ve had him on my radar ever since, and picked him up as soon as I saw he was making a mark on the PP). Markov is now 38, and although he can still score and has had 4 healthy years in a row, he’s slipped a bit this year. Maybe this gives the Habs some room to start changing the guard, so Markov doesn’t fully regain his position. It certainly gives them the ability to rest him more for the playoffs. But I think it may be more than just a short term opportunity on Beaulieu.

    • Simon Cadieux 2017-01-27 at 16:53

      Beaulieu is up and down…Great at the offensive ( but not a great shot ) but sometimes, poor on his decision. ( when you go to the offense and when its not the time to push ) Therrien dont like him…too risky…remember that when Markov will be back…

      But…if Markov is gone for a very long time….and Beaulieu stay with the CH…because Bergevin will have to choose between him and Emelin…its could be a break out season for Beaulieu.

      • Allan Phillips 2017-01-28 at 02:20

        I would certainly expect some inconsistency from Beaulieu, as he still needs NHL experience and his D needs work. But you have to change the guard at some point and give him a chance to learn and succeed.

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UPCOMING GAMES

Mar 28 - 19:03 OTT vs CHI
Mar 28 - 19:03 TOR vs WSH
Mar 28 - 19:03 MTL vs PHI
Mar 28 - 19:03 PIT vs CBJ
Mar 28 - 19:03 FLA vs NYI
Mar 28 - 19:03 CAR vs DET
Mar 28 - 20:03 MIN vs S.J
Mar 28 - 20:03 STL vs CGY
Mar 28 - 20:03 WPG vs VGK
Mar 28 - 21:03 EDM vs L.A
Mar 28 - 21:03 COL vs NYR
Mar 28 - 22:03 SEA vs ANA
Mar 28 - 22:03 VAN vs DAL
Mar 28 - 22:03 ARI vs NSH

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JJ PETERKA BUF
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JURAJ SLAFKOVSKY MTL

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19.6 BRAD MARCHAND JAKE DEBRUSK CHARLIE COYLE
6.9 JUSTIN BRAZEAU JESPER BOQVIST JOHN BEECHER

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