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Here are the fantasy repercussions following the news that Panthers LW Jonathan Huberdeau will be out 3-4 months after taking a skate to the leg:
Huberdeau will miss 3-4 months due to an ankle laceration. #yikes #FlaPanthers
— Michelle Drinnenberg (@m_drinnenberg) October 9, 2016
Who steps up?
Huberdeau's injury leaves a gaping hole on Florida's top line alongside C Aleksander Barkov and RW Jaromir Jagr. The club's second line of Jussi Jokinen, Vincent Trocheck, and Reilly Smith had great chemistry last season, so it's hard to believe Jokinen or Smith would receive a promotion.
One player to keep your eye on is C/LW Jared McCann. The former first-round pick was acquired in an offseason trade from Vancouver in exchange for D Erik Gudbranson. Last season as a rookie he scored nine goals and added nine assists in 69 games playing for an anemic Canucks offense.
It wouldn't be surprising to see McCann, now 20-years old, get a shot to play with Barkov and Jagr. He is practically the only forward in Florida's bottom six that has any sort of offensive upside. If that is the case, he is worth drafting in the later rounds of keeper leagues. If he get's off to a hot start, he should be quickly added in standard leagues.
Jonathan Marchessault is another candidate to play on the first line. The diminutive winger had 18 points in 45 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning last season, though the 25-year-old lacks the upside that McCann brings.
Draft stock
For leagues without a designated IR spot, Huberdeau's draft stock will absolutely crater. Huberdeau currently has an ADP in the seventh- or eighth-round, but because of this extended absence, the young centerman will now go undrafted in most leagues. Huberdeau is obviously talented, but he isn't worthy of eating up a roster spot for 3-4 months.
If you have an IR spot, it wouldn't hurt to draft Huberdeau in the final few rounds. Any earlier than Round 15, however, would be a stretch.
Huberdeau will still be a valuable asset once he returns, but a 3-4 month absence gives him a return date between late January and early February 2017. If he were to take to the ice at the beginning of February, he would end playing 31 games and likely finish with 20 or so points.
In draft-position based keeper leagues, Huberdeau would have outstanding value as a late-round keeper. He is still just 23 and his best years are in front of him.
If you've already drafted
Assuming you already spent your seventh- or eighth-round pick on Huberdeau and lack an IR spot, Huberdeau should be dropped from your roster in order to pick up a much healthier option. For those with an IR spot, stash the young centerman if you're able to.
Barkov owners shouldn't be too worried about the loss of Huberdeau. Sure it's a blow, but the young center has enough talent on his own put up a very solid season.
Jagr owners might want to consider trading the 44-year-old winger. His 18.9 shooting percentage last season was his highest since 1996-97. Don't count on him scoring 27 goals against, especially with a great playmaker like Huberdeau sidelined.
