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 a week to go until Thanksgiving, here are three players to target in a fantasy trade for some good news to share around the table over turkey.
F Corey Perry - Anaheim Ducks
If there's ever going to be a time to make a play for Perry, it's right now.
A top-five pick in most drafts, Perry scored 11 goals in his first 13 games this season with 42 shots on goal and a plus-11 rating to boot. But his return to the lineup after missing two weeks of action with the mumps has been less than inspiring, creating the smallest of windows in which his fantasy owners may consider trading him.
In two games following his bout with the virus, Perry has failed to scored a goal on only four shots, while posting a minus-five rating against the Florida Panthers and Calgary Flames, of all teams.
The reality is he won't come cheap, especially considering he remains tied for third in the NHL in goal-scoring. He may, however, be pried away at the right price, and with a package built around good but not necessarily elite-level players.
Go hunting for this Duck and see what happens; it's definitely worth a shot.
F Bobby Ryan - Ottawa Senators
Ryan's four goals and six assists through Ottawa's first 16 games are adequate enough to compliment a fantasy squad's forward ranks, but that kind of production isn't what was expected from a guy who signed a big contract extension with the Senators during the offseason.
There are, however, signs things will turn around for Ryan, meaning fantasy owners would be wise to consider firing off a few trade proposals.
To wit: Ryan's 41 shots have him on pace for 210 over 82 games, the third-highest single-season total of his career, and the kind of shot rate he was posting during his 30-plus-goal seasons with the Ducks. On top of that, Ryan is currently shooting at a 9.8-percent success rate, down from his career average of 13.6.
Currently on pace for 20 goals, Ryan's scoring production should increase if he keeps shooting like he has, and if his shooting percentage rises closer to his career number.
Ryan's a good buy-low candidate, but likely won't remain in that bin for too long.
G Cory Schneider - New Jersey Devils
Schneider's making all the starts for the Devils, and his numbers are suffering as a result.
He has started all 19 games this season, with a record of 8-8-2 and a .910 save percentage. Schneider was a dark-horse Vezina Trophy candidate with elite-level fantasy potential heading into this season, but has seen his save percentage drop from .921 last season - his first in New Jersey. He is currently ranked 389th among all eligible players in Yahoo leagues.
Head coach Pete DeBoer isn't doing his team or fantasy owners any favors by riding Schneider into the ground, and one has to think a more capable backup will be brought in to offset the workload at some point if the Devils want to keep their No. 1 goalie fresh for the stretch drive.
With the desired benefit of some rest at some point soon, Schneider's save percentage should climb back to his career average of .923. Astute fantasy owners should offer up a lesser netminder who's gotten off to a better start, in an attempt to pull off a value deal for this Devil.