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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 Colorado Avalanche.
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 Semyon Varlamov
Varlamov has taken another step back and continues to distance himself from back-to-back stellar seasons in 2013-14 and 2014-15. His GAA and SV% are both the worst marks of his career, either as a starter with the Avalanche or as a backup with the Washington Capitals. He has lost work to backup Calvin Pickard and doesn't warrant any fantasy consideration. Grade: F
C/RW Nathan MacKinnon
MacKinnon is on pace for another 20-plus goal season and a career high in points, but he's likely to be held under 60 points yet again. He may truly be a 60-point player in the NHL and not possess the 100-point upside he was originally believed to have. His preseason ADP will need to be adjusted drastically next year. Grade: D
C/RW Matt Duchene
Duchene has three more goals than MacKinnon, but he has a significantly higher shooting percentage and fewer points overall. He's the top fantasy asset from Colorado but as the team continues to disappoint, his own potential ceiling is lowered. Grade: C-
LW/RW Rene Bourque
Bourque has nine goals through 31 games, but it's due to the sorry state of the Avalanche he's being included in this report. His goal count matches the total he scored with the Montreal Canadiens in 2013-14, a number he has fallen short of each year in between. He is not a fantasy option. Grade: C
LW/RW Mikko Rantanen
Rantanen could be the most promising member of the Avalanche for the remainder of the season. The first-round pick of 2015 has played just 28 games, but he has 15 points and is firmly entrenched in a top-six role. He should have plenty of chances to grow with the Avalanche locked in a lost season. Grade: B
RW Jarome Iginla
While there's the chance of a trade to a playoff contender salvaging some hope for Iginla, his fantasy prospects will remain at absolute zero if he sticks in Colorado. He no longer fits the team's style of play and isn't able to make an impact of his own. Ignore the name value and let him go. Grade: F
LW Gabriel Landeskog
The most disappointing of Colorado's alleged "big three," the captain has just nine points in 23 games. Landeskog has maintained a shooting percentage of 9.3, just slightly below his career average, but with fewer than two shots on goal per game, he has limited chances of success. Grade: D-
D Erik Johnson
Johnson's fantasy value is often underrated, and he's a regular source for blocked shots and hits as well as averaging just slightly less than a half-point per game. He's a solid trade target for fantasy teams looking for a little extra boost in multiple categories. Grade: B+
D Tyson Barrie
Barrie has more offensive upside than his above-mentioned teammate, but he contributes less in the secondary categories. With Colorado's entire offense underperforming, Johnson's assured production in certain statistics makes him the superior option between the two. Grade: C+
Player to watch: D Patrick Wiercioch
After tallying just five points in 52 games with the Ottawa Senators last season, Wiercioch was cast aside and has already topped last year's point total. He isn't doing enough to yet be considered worthy of a fantasy spot, but his ice time is back up from last season and his role could grow as his team looks everywhere for offense.
