Fantasy - Dump and Chase: 3 players to target in a trade
Every Thursday, we examine three players you should consider acquiring on the trade front in your pool.
With less than a month to go before the NHL's trade deadline, it's time to start drafting proposals and making some deals to strengthen your squad heading into the fantasy playoffs.
Here are three players to target on the trade front this week:
Avalanche G Semyon Varlamov
A top-ten goalie option heading into fantasy drafts, Varlamov struggled early on this season, ranking him closer to 20th as the calendar turned to February.
The Colorado Avalanche goaltender - a Vezina Trophy finalist last spring - is proving to be an integral part of his club's playoff push, winning seven games with two shutouts and a .942 save percentage over the past 30 days.
While many had Varlamov and the Avalanche pegged for some measure of regression after a surprising 2013-14, there's no denying his elite-level play as of late.
Managers willing to gamble on a strong performance down the stretch should make a play and hope his owners don't put too much stock in the past month.
Blues F David Backes
The St. Louis Blues captain has the ability to fill up the stat sheet on any given night, which Backes has done with regularity in recent weeks.
Over the past 30 days, Backes is the second-ranked player in all of fantasy hockey, recording eight goals, eight assists and 21 penalty minutes, with a good dose of shots, hits, blocks and faceoffs.
The Blues are the hottest team in hockey, and Backes' play is proving to be integral to that success. There's always the risk he'll be tossed from the odd game or suspended, but it's that edge that can be valuable in fantasy hockey, especially in leagues that go beyond simple point categories.
Capitals D Mike Green
This offensively-gifted Washington Capitals defenseman has a lot going for him these days. Green - an impending unrestricted free agent - is playing for a contract, and is subsequently excelling in the club's new system under head coach Barry Trotz.
To wit, Green is the second most valuable defenseman in fantasy over the past month, with 12 points (including seven on the power play) and 33 shots to his credit.
What bodes well for continued production is his low shooting percentage; only five of Green's 32 points on the season have been goals, and his .053 mark is down from his career average of .083.
If Green can find the back of the net with increased regularity over the remainder of the regular season, he could finish as a top-ten blue line option.