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Here are the fantasy repercussions from Buffalo Sabres C Jack Eichel suffering an ankle injury in practice:
Center of Attention
Eichel's absence is a significant blow to a Sabres team looking to return to the playoffs after years of struggles. From a fantasy perspective, it's just as damaging to those who invested an early-round pick on the talented center, who doesn't turn 20 until October; he finished 33rd in theScore's top 200 rankings for standard leagues, making him an early-fourth-round pick.
Redraft owners will need to replace his production; that won't be an easy task, with Eichel expected to surpass 65 points as a baseline in his second NHL season. Yet, if there's a silver lining here, it's the timing: Early-season hot streaks will create fantasy value in players thought to have none, so work the waiver wire and you should be able to recoup most of your lost points.
The same strategy works in keeper/dynasty formats, and this injury shouldn't torpedo Eichel's value. If anything, it might create an interesting buying opportunity should the Eichel owner be otherwise thin at center. If you find yourself dealing with surplus value there, make an offer for 75-80 cents on the dollar, and you might wind up with an electrifying talent at a discount.
Kane, Reinhart down several pegs
Disregarding the obvious impact Eichel's injury has on his owners, the impact on the rest of the Buffalo roster is also significant - particularly with the Sabres dealing with injuries to two other skill players in center Ryan O'Reilly and winger Kyle Okposo. The absence of three of Buffalo's top five forwards puts a major damper on the rest of the team from a fantasy standpoint.
Wingers Evander Kane and Sam Reinhart, who were projected to begin the season flanking Eichel, are unusable in daily fantasy; you're playing them if you own them in season-long formats, but you may want to keep them on your bench on busier schedules or in unfavorable matchups. The entire Buffalo forward collection is a risky proposition until its stars return.
Diamond in the rough?
If you're hoping to sift through the wreckage in search of fantasy value, consider depth forward Johan Larsson. The 24-year-old had just 17 points in 74 games last season, but will likely be thrust into more of a starring role alongside two of Kane, Reinhart, Marcus Foligno and Tyler Ennis. Consider him a long-shot tournament option in daily fantasy formats.
Ennis is an intriguing play, as well, given his role on the power play. He should see some PP1 time next to Kane and Reinhart to open the season, and already has a pair of 20-goal seasons under his belt. He could be a nice low-salary roster filler in daily fantasy, and should carry enough value to be a depth option or injury replacement in season-long leagues.
