9 fantasy moves you need to make before Week 17
Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.
Statistics as of Thursday, Feb. 9. All advanced stats courtesy of Corsica.Hockey and apply to 5v5 situations.
Get Sebastian Aho on your team
Carolina's 19-year-old Finnish phenom has really come on in the second half, recording 12 goals and six assists in his last 24 games. He is averaging nearly three shots on goal per game during this stretch.
He is still available in many leagues. If this is the case, add him immediately. If not, try and pry him from his current owner. Carolina plays 13 games during fantasy playoffs, the most of any team, including five during championship week.
Look to Paul Stastny for assists
If you're in need of some assists, or a center, turn to St. Louis Blues C Paul Stastny as a temporary fix. The veteran is currently playing on a line with RW Vladimir Tarasenko and LW Alexander Steen. Tarasenko had previously been stuck on a line with offensively challenged C Jori Lehtera.
St. Louis doesn't play a bunch of games over the next week, so consider Stastny as a streaming option or a strong value play in daily fantasy.
Add Chris Kunitz in banger leagues
Kunitz has been reunited on a line with C Sidney Crosby, thanks to several injuries to Pittsburgh Penguins forwards. Kunitz and Crosby have chemistry dating back to 2008-09 and it has been on display.
The 37-year-old doesn't have the pep in his step he used to, but he has picked up five points in his last five games while averaging over 16 minutes of ice time. He has 145 hits on the season, making him a very valuable commodity in banger leagues, especially when you factor in Pittsburgh playing four games this coming week.
Take what you can get for Mikko Koivu
Koivu is having a superb season with 38 points in 52 games. However, if you can acquire a semi-valuable asset for him, do so now. Koivu may be drop-worthy in a few weeks.
He has 16 goals, despite a career high of just 22. His shooting percentage of 18.4 is highly unsustainable, considering his career mark is just 9.4.
In regard to his assist totals, they are also flawed. Of his 22 helpers, 16 of them have been secondary assists. Regression is on the way, and it could be coming fast.
Hold onto Mikael Granlund
On the other hand, Koivu's linemate Granlund is the real deal. The 24-year-old has already set a career high with 15 goals and 48 points.
Sure, his shooting percentage is slightly higher than his career average, but he is also taking more shots than he ever has before. He is also second in the NHL behind Edmonton Oilers C Connor McDavid with 25 primary assists.
Granlund has always been a highly skilled player, but he has bloomed a bit later than most expected. A big part of the reason for his ascension this season has been his move to the wing, where can spend more time focusing on offense and less about defense. Head coach Bruce Boudreau is great at putting players in situations geared for success.
Sell Taylor Hall
Hall is having a stellar season with his new club, but now may be the time to ship him away. He has four points in his last four games and has plenty of name value.
The reasoning for trading him away is because as much as Hall can help you get to a fantasy finals, he can't really help you once you get there. New Jersey will play just two games during the week of the fantasy championship.
With Hall, the injury risk always needs to be factored in. You should have no problem getting good value in return for the former first-overall pick.
Give Connor Hellebuyck another chance
Hellebuyck has started just one game since Jan. 9. His ownership has plummeted because of it. If you're in need of some goaltending help or simply have an open roster spot and want some potential trade bait, scoop him up immediately.
Ondrej Pavelec has started eight of Winnipeg's last nine games, but will now miss at least a week with a concussion. Pavelec didn't play well at all during his brief sting as the club's starter.
If Hellebuyck can find his confidence and play solid between the pipes during this coming week, he could find himself as the Jets' guy once again. Winnipeg has seven games in the next 12 days, so he will have plenty of chances to prove himself.
Buy-low on Erik Karlsson
By his standards, Karlsson is having a down season. He has 44 points in 51 games, but just eight goals. He is taking far fewer shots than in the past, largely due to reduced ice time. He averaged nearly 29 minutes per game last season, but just 26 minutes this season.
As Ottawa tries to hold onto a playoff spot, head coach Guy Boucher could begin to ramp up Karlsson's playing time down the stretch, therefore increasing his fantasy value.
Sell high on Viktor Arvidsson
Arvidsson has been one of the biggest surprises of the entire season. He has 14 goals and 34 points, including four points in his last three games. The 23-year-old has even greater trade value in keeper leagues.
Why Arvidsson needs to be dealt now is because he has been moved from the top line with C Ryan Johansen and LW Filip Forsberg to the third line with C Calle Jarnkrok and LW Colin Wilson. Yikes.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)