Fantasy - Fact or Fiction: 3 players to watch using advanced stats

There's a pretty simple way to determine whether a player is worth targeting in fantasy hockey leagues.

Much of what we talk about when we refer to advanced stats derives from the concept of shot attempts, a signal of positive puck possession.

If we look for players who have taken a high amount of shot attempts, but who possess low shooting percentages, we can get an idea of who may bounce back with higher goal output once play commences following the All-Star break.

Here are three players to watch using advanced stats this week.

Blackhawks F Marian Hossa

Hossa ranks 12th among all NHL players with 196 even strength shot attempts, but has recorded only 10 goals after shooting 6.8 percent through 47 games. At five-on-five, those numbers dip to five goals at a success rate of 4.4 percent.

On pace to eclipse 250 total shots on goal, the Blackhawks forward remains likely to fall short of the 30 goals he scored in 72 games last season. 

Should Hossa continue to fire the puck towards the net with such consistency, he could be in for a bump in production that pushes him to the 20-25 range.

Coyotes D Keith Yandle

The Coyotes player ranks third among all defenseman. He is tied for fifth overall with 211 even strength shot attempts, with a woeful success rate of two goals and a 2.2 shooting percentage.

While Yandle has contributed in other ways - as evidenced by his 26 assists and 19 power play points, - he's on track to fall well below a double digit goal total for the second season in a row. After a string of four seasons in which he recorded 10 to 12 goals (including 10 in the shortened 2013 season), he's managed only 12 goals in his past 128 games.

Two things are now working in Yandle's favor. One, it's likely that his shooting percentage will move closer to his career average of 5.2. Two, probability will only rise should he find himself traded to a club with more offensive weapons than the presently toothless Coyotes.

Avalanche F Nathan MacKinnon

This 19-year-old has recorded only nine goals through 48 games in his second season with the Avalanche, after hitting 24 last season en route to a Calder Trophy win as the league's top rookie.

MacKinnon's lack of success isn't due to a lack of trying. His 193 shot attempts rank him 15th among all players.

Like those previously mentioned, it's a diminished shooting percentage that is spelling his lack of success. He's succeeding at a rate of 4.4 percent at even strength and 6.1 overall after shooting an even ten percent last season.

On pace to push for 250 shots on goal after recording 241 last season, MacKinnon's explosive talent remains, making him one of the biggest candidates to break out once play resumes.