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theScore will be giving out fantasy report cards discussing the fantasy value of key players on each of the 30 teams. This edition focuses on the Chicago Blackhawks.
ANA | ARI | BOS | BUF | CGY | CAR | CHI | COL | CLB | DAL | DET | EDM | FLA| LA | MIN | MTL | NAS | NJ | NYI | NYR | OTT | PHI | PIT | SJ | STL | TB | TOR | VAN | WAS | WPG
G Corey Crawford/Scott Darling
Crawford has been sidelined since the beginning of December, derailing what was looking like a career year. Darling has filled in admirably with an increased role for the second consecutive season. His season-long fantasy value will plummet upon Crawford's return but he'll still warrant daily fantasy consideration when handed a start. Grade: A/A
RW Patrick Kane
Kane's Hart-Trophy-winning 2015-16 season didn't vault him to high up the preseason rankings, and he was again selected with a mid-first-round ADP. While a wise move, Kane is proving last year was no fluke, even with a rather significant drop in his shooting percentage. A likely incoming boost should see him finish with 25-30 goals, but he has adapted to a playmaking role. Grade: A
LW Artemi Panarin
Panarin is again on a point-per-game pace, with a chance to top last season's goal and assist totals. His plus/minus rating has also improved as have his shots per game. In just his second season, albeit as a 25-year-old, Panarin has few holes in his game and none in his fantasy contributions. Grade: A+
C Artem Anisimov
Anisimov held the title of best fantasy asset from the Blackhawks for an extended period to open the season. He has slowly regressed following an 11-point October, falling short of that mark even while playing more games in both November and December. Still, he should be able to coast the rest of the way to a career season, returning excellent value on a late-round draft pick. Grade: A-
RW Marian Hossa
Hossa has already topped last season's goal total, and he could exceed 30 for the first time since 2008-09. The 37-year-old has a very inflated shooting percentage, but his remaining talents have been maximized by the Blackhawks' coaching staff thus far. An afterthought on draft day, he has been a big boon to gambling owners. Grade: A+
LW Richard Panik
Like Anisimov, Panik started the season extremely well, recording nine points in the first month, while primarily skating with C Jonathan Toews. He has since cooled off and been moved from the unofficial top line. He has little remaining value with minimal opportunity on the power play. Grade: C+
C Jonathan Toews
While the offensive aspect of his game has long been overrated, Toews had scored 28 goals in each of the past three seasons. He is shooting at less than half his career success rate, but he is also taking fewer than two shots on goal per game. He could finish short of 20 goals and 50 points. Sell, if possible. Grade: D-
D Brent Seabrook
Seabrook's shooting percentage of 8.4 from last season has regressed to well below his career average, leaving him on pace for fewer than 10 goals, after notching a career-high 14 last season. He's very much worthy of a roster spot, but he has returned to a mid-level fantasy defenseman, after flirting with the upper echelon a year ago. Grade: B
D Duncan Keith
Contrary to Seabrook, Keith is trending back up after a couple of down years. He has just one goal, but he is on pace for 40-plus assists, and his plus/minus rating is nearing last year's cumulative plus-13. He is taking over two shots per game, and he should see an improvement in a sub-two shooting percentage. Grade: B+
Player to watch: LW Ryan Hartman
Hartman has performed adequately in a small role thus far, but he recently begun playing on the second line with Toews and Hossa, upping his point potential. Should he stick in the role, he has a shot at 40-plus points, but he could need a promotion to the second power-play unit as well. Panik's continued struggles could make this possible.
