Fantasy - Dump and Chase: 3 players to target in a trade
Every Thursday, we examine 3 players you should consider acquiring on the trade front in your pool.
Now that we're three weeks into the NHL season, it might be time to take stock of what you have and go after what you don't. Players are getting into the swing of things and settling into their lines, granting you coveted consistency.
If you're constantly finding yourself in tight battles all week, it may be time to propose a trade. Here's a look at who you should be targeting:
Patric Hornqvist, F, Pittsburgh Penguins
It's time to grab the devil by the Hornqvist and take a look at what the new Penguin is doing. Sure, he's liking the change of scenery, but he's playing with Sidney Crosby. We all know how many wonders that worked for Chris Kunitz.
Through five games played, Hornqvist has eight points and is seeing an average 18 minutes of ice time. Did we mention he's playing with Crosby?
Hornqvist scored a career-high 53 points last season, 18 of those coming in his last 11 games with the Nashville Predators. Whatever he had going at the end of last season has carried over to Pittsburgh, and the promotion to the top line will only help him continue the trend.
Go get him.
Pekka Rinne, G, Nashville Predators
After a scary incident involving an E. coli infection in his hip after surgery last season, Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne is off to a great start.
Through five games played, he's tallied four wins and one shootout loss. He's working with a .940 save percentage and a 1.55 goals-against average. He has allowed just eight goals total this season, and will receive a push from Carter Hutton, who lost his only start against the Chicago Blackhawks in overtime.
The 4-0-2 Predators are first in the Central Division and will travel through Western Canada next week. If you act now, Rinne could face the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets within five days.
If you need a goalie, he's one of the better options.
Phil Kessel, F, Toronto Maple Leafs
As long as KesselMania81 doesn't have Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel in your fantasy hockey pool, you might be able to pull this one off.
Kessel is a point-per-game player and one of the NHL's elite. If he's given space and time, rest assured he'll send a snap shot flying past your goaltender. In seven games this season Kessel has eight points.
As well as playing two scoreless games, his points come in bunches, with three against the New York Rangers, two against the Colorado Avalanche and three against the New York Islanders.
When the 3-3-1 Maple Leafs aren't faring so well in games, Kessel plays big minutes (21-24). If your league counts shots, Kessel has 22 in seven games. Do we really have to convince you to try and do this?