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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 Tampa Bay Lightning.
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 Ben Bishop/Andrei Vasilevskiy
It started as a timeshare with Vasilevskiy starting every third game before slowly shifting to more even play between the two. When Bishop went down with a lower-body injury, it cemented Vasilevskiy as a must-own. Bishop had been inconsistent, but occasionally great. Vasilevskiy hasn't been as strong of late, but was a dynamo in limited action early. Grade: B-/B+
RW Nikita Kucherov
If it weren't for a recent absence due to a lower-body injury, Kucherov's name would be listed among the top scorers. He's still provided more than a point per game and has been the best Lightning forward in fantasy. Grade: A
C Tyler Johnson
He has only one more point than teammate Steven Stamkos in 20 more games. Stamkos may be a special, generational talent, but Johnson was a 70-point player only two seasons ago. It's looking like his down year in 2015-16 wasn't just an outlier. One problem is he isn't shooting often enough. If he's on waivers, he might be worth a flyer. Grade: C-
LW Ondrej Palat
Kucherov is the only member of the "triplets" line that saw so much success a couple seasons back to continue in that form. Palat has seen his shooting percentage drop, but he's been invisible in all parts of his game. He's been a dud. Grade: F
C Valtteri Filppula
Filppula is third on Tampa Bay with 18 assists, which mostly makes up for his lack of scoring. The veteran has seen his returns consistently diminish each season, but he's on track to come close to matching his career-high in helpers. Grade: B
LW Jonathan Drouin
Drouin's late December surge has saved him from an abysmal start. In a four-game stretch, he tallied seven of his 21 total points. His overall line features a nice scoring balance, but his fantasy usefulness is newly acquired. Temper expectations until he shows this is the new norm. Grade: B-
C Steven Stamkos
While the likes of Alex Killorn are still playing and producing, Stamkos was on his way to another typical Stamkos stat line. He had 20 points in 17 games and was living up to his first-round draft pick status. The injury dampens the excitement a tad, but the start was outstanding. Grade: B+
D Victor Hedman
Only Ottawa Senators D Erik Karlsson has more assists among blueliners this season. That's good company. Hedman has also provided ample returns in the form of hits and blocked shots while also being the premier D-man on Tampa's power play. He's slightly exceeded expectations. Grade: A-
D Anton Stralman
Stralman has little fantasy value as he's failed to live up to even modest expectations. He has only a single goal to go with 10 assists. The helpers are his greatest asset. Stralman's offense has never been his selling point, and is a better real-life player than he is a fantasy option. Grade: D
Player to watch: RW Joel Vermin
Vermin notched two assists in his first game with the Lightning this season, and was sent down to the AHL after not getting another point in the following seven games. He's shown limited scoring talent at the AHL level, though he's had his moments. He has 11 points in 18 AHL games this season.
