This article is part of our Frozen Fantasy series.
I'll keep this short and sweet. A lot of managers have checked out for the Winter Olympics. A few have already checked out for MLB draft prep.
Don't be one of those managers. Plot your finish.
And finish strong, whether you're in a fight for a title or simply working to improve your Yahoo! Fantasy Rating. It's all about pride at this point, win or lose. No one likes a manager who bails on their team and league. There are a few players out there who'll help come March - and maybe for 25 games.
Now let's take a look at who caught my eye this week.
Joel Armia, RW, (1 percent Yahoo!) and Anze Kopitar, C, Los Angeles (28 percent Yahoo!) -- Two words: Artemi Panarin (99 percent Yahoo!). The Bread Man can score, pass and basically dance with the puck. And he's now on the top line with these tw. You're welcome.
Uvis Balinskis, D, Florida (6 percent Yahoo!) -- Balinskis looked like a natural on the Panthers' top power-play unit pre-break. Except that 6-1 loss to the Bolts on Wednesday. Spit. No one looked good in that game. But he put up two goals and an assist - all on the power play - during the previous two. The Kitties occasionally started using Balinskis on the man-advantage about a month ago with the first-unit opportunity allowing him to show his skills. Seth Jones' (67 percent Yahoo!) return will throw a wrench into the
I'll keep this short and sweet. A lot of managers have checked out for the Winter Olympics. A few have already checked out for MLB draft prep.
Don't be one of those managers. Plot your finish.
And finish strong, whether you're in a fight for a title or simply working to improve your Yahoo! Fantasy Rating. It's all about pride at this point, win or lose. No one likes a manager who bails on their team and league. There are a few players out there who'll help come March - and maybe for 25 games.
Now let's take a look at who caught my eye this week.
Joel Armia, RW, (1 percent Yahoo!) and Anze Kopitar, C, Los Angeles (28 percent Yahoo!) -- Two words: Artemi Panarin (99 percent Yahoo!). The Bread Man can score, pass and basically dance with the puck. And he's now on the top line with these tw. You're welcome.
Uvis Balinskis, D, Florida (6 percent Yahoo!) -- Balinskis looked like a natural on the Panthers' top power-play unit pre-break. Except that 6-1 loss to the Bolts on Wednesday. Spit. No one looked good in that game. But he put up two goals and an assist - all on the power play - during the previous two. The Kitties occasionally started using Balinskis on the man-advantage about a month ago with the first-unit opportunity allowing him to show his skills. Seth Jones' (67 percent Yahoo!) return will throw a wrench into the mix, so watch for updates on his return before jumping on the Latvian.
Ivan Barbashev, LW, Vegas (37 percent Yahoo!) -- Barbashev went into the break on a five-game, six-point scoring streak that included four goals and 13 shots. He's on the lead trio with Jack Eichel (100 percent Yahoo!) and Mark Stone (88 percent Yahoo!) and on a 60-point, 130-hit pace. Almost all of it will come at even-strength, though that doesn't make those points any less valuable = especially from the bottom of your roster.
Jamie Benn, LW/RW/C, Dallas (6 percent Yahoo!) -- Benn has turned back time of late with a four-game, eight-point run that covers six helpers and six hits. The 36-year-old winger will benefit from some R-and-R during the break, where his final 25 contests (give or take) could really lift your squad's floor. At little cost or risk.
Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, Tampa Bay (5 percent Yahoo!) -- Bjorkstrand went into the Winter Olympics pause on a three-game goal streak (alongside one assist) with two of those snipes coming on Tampa's PP1. Watch for reports on Brayden Point's (94 percent Yahoo!) return as Bjorkstrand's gig there is tied to that.
Pavel Buchnevich, LW/RW/C, St. Louis (22 percent Yahoo!) -- Buchnevich went into the break with four points - three of those goals with two on the power play - from his last two games. He also registered nine points (four goals, five assists), five PPPs (two Gs, three As) and 22 shots across his last seven appearances. Buchnevich's role will change when Robert Thomas (69 percent Yahoo!) comes back from a leg procedure. But his heat will be hard to push down the lineup, especially if the Blues decide to showcase him for a trade. Be prepared to drop Buchnevich if that comes to pass. And if he moves elsewhere, he could be a top-nine - and not top-six - scorer on a contender.
Pierre-Luc Dubois, LW/C, Washington (25 percent Yahoo!) -- Dubois returned Thursday with a bang after missing 47 matchups following abdominal surgery. He notched a power-play goal, added an assist and got physical with a hit and block. Dubois was a must-roster forward last season, and he'll help you right now - even if he can only channel 80 percent of that.
Matias Maccelli, LW/RW, Toronto (2 percent Yahoo!) -- The Leafs are apparently seeking a first-round pick in any deal for Bobby McMann (18 percent Yahoo!). Why does that matter? McMann is the Leafs' LW1 while Maccelli is currently LW2. Matthew Knies (84 percent Yahoo!) is the natural fit to return to a place beside Auston Matthews (100 percent Yahoo!), yet stranger things have happened. Especially in the Big Smoke. Maccelli went into the break with three goals - including one power-play snipe - alongside six shots in two games.
Jonathan Marchessault, RW, Nashville (16 percent Yahoo!) -- Marchessault offers proven skills, second-line placement, and seven points (three goals, four assists) during his last eight contests to go with 27 shots. The Preds are trying to claw their way into playoff relevance, so Marchessault has the experience to help. He's under the radar… for now.
Elvis Merzlikins, G, Columbus (14 percent Yahoo!) -- Merzlikins played (and won) three of Columbus' last five matchups, with the last W coming via a shutout over the Devils. To be fair, Jet Greaves (65 percent Yahoo!) followed that with a shutout of his own while posting a 4-0-0 over his last four starts. The Blue Jackets are going to play whomever gets them closer to the Wild Card as they're currently four points out of that spot. Right now, the duo is approaching a 50-50 split. And that means Elvis needs to enter your building.
Jordan Staal, C, Carolina (11 percent Yahoo!) -- Old Man Wonder's overall numbers don't stand out, yet he went into the break (and an opportunity to rest and refuel) on a five-game, five-point run that includes four goals. Couple that with the league's fourth-best total faceoff wins (599), and you have a single-category dominator who can chip in in other ways. Win-win.
Holy smokes - see you in March. (Go Canada, go!)
