Fantasy - Dump and Chase: 3 players to target in a trade
Every Thursday, we examine a few players you should consider acquiring on the trade front in your hockey pool.
Rangers G Henrik Lundqvist
In case you haven't been paying attention, Henrik Lundqvist's performance has been anything but majestic as of late.
Through the month of December, his numbers for the New York Rangers were downright awful. In 10 starts to cap off 2015, what was otherwise a typically strong calendar year, Lundqvist posted a record of 4-5-1, allowing 33 goals on 305 shots for a save percentage of .892.
2016 didn't exactly start with a bang, save for his last start, which warrants immediate action in terms of attempting to make a play for his services on the trade market.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Shots Against | Saves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 2 | Panthers | L 3-0 | 20 | 17 |
| Jan. 5 | Stars | W 6-2 | 23 | 21 |
| Jan. 9 | Capitals | L 4-3 OT | 31 | 27 |
| Jan. 11 | Bruins | W 2-1 | 33 | 32 |
Over the past 30 days, Lundqvist ranks 1,809th in Yahoo fantasy leagues and for the season he's outside the top 20 among all goalies. Still, his save percentage (.920) is essentially right at his career average, and this run is likely a blip on the radar.
The opportunity to add a goalie of his ilk doesn't present itself often, so float an offer in hopes he returns to the form that had him ranked 12th overall in Yahoo leagues at the beginning of the season.
Sharks F Logan Couture
2015-16 has not been kind to Logan Couture.
The San Jose Sharks center has been limited to 11 games due to injury, with only one goal on 21 shots to his credit.
Couture is, however, showing signs of the player that has averaged 29.4 goals per every 82 games played over the course of his career, with a goal and an assist over his past two games, and four shots in 18:33 of ice time - both season highs - in his latest outing.
Rated as a top-25 player in Yahoo's original rankings, Couture's current shooting percentage of 4.8 is sure to rise closer to his career success rate of 11.6 as the season progresses.
Jets D Dustin Byfuglien
Playing in a contract year, one would expect the very best out of Dustin Byfuglien.
Instead, the Winnipeg Jets defenseman is on pace for a rather modest 17 goals and 44 points, essentially matching his production from last season, wherein he appeared in only 69 games.
At present, Byfuglien is mired in an 11-game goalless streak, with only two assists to his credit in that span.
There are a couple factors that could work in fantasy managers' favor. For one, Byfuglien is averaging 3.11 shots per game, slightly above his career number. That his shooting percentage is down a touch suggests the goal scoring could increase over the second half of the season.
And of course, his contract situation can't be ignored. At 30, he's no doubt looking to cash in, whether it be with the Jets or another team. There's a very real possibility that he could be dealt prior to the trade deadline, with a change of scenery helping to increase his production.