Fantasy Hockey: Risers & Fallers (Week 5)

Erik Karlsson and John Tavares are currently among the top 20 scorers in the league, what year are we in?

We are only four weeks away and already, the 2022-23 NHL regular season promises to be just as unpredictable as the previous ones.

Honestly, it was total chaos. But that’s how we like it in the fantasy hockey world, isn’t it?

ELEVATORS

Vitek Vanecek, G, New Jersey Devils (OWNER: 55%)

With Mackenzie Blackwood on the shelf, this will most likely be Vanecek’s crease for the foreseeable future in New Jersey. And to his credit, the 25-year-old has earned it. Since being lit in his first two appearances of the season, he has won five straight, posting a 1.64 goals-against-average, .933 save percentage and one shutout. The Devils look real.

Andrei Kuzmenko, LW, Vancouver Canucks (OWNER: 34%)

We’re back on the Kuzmenko train, baby! In his last five outings, the Russian has registered six goals, three assists, four power play points, a game-winning goal and 14 shots. He continues to ride in PP1, and on top of that, he skates with the fiery Elias Pettersson at equal strength. It’s great to be back.

Jamie Benn, C/LW, Dallas Stars (DETAINED: 31%)

The 33-year-old is coming off a terrific three-game week in which he had four goals, eight points, five power play points and 16 shots on goal. Additionally, Benn continues to gain exposure favorable to the likes of Jason Robertson, Joe Pavelski and Roope Hintz on the first power play unit. Ride it while it’s hot, it won’t last forever.

Martin Jones, G, Seattle Kraken (OWNER: 19%)

In his last five starts, Jones is 4-1-0 with 1.61 goals against, .937 save percentage and one shutout. Overall, the Kraken have been a terrific story from the start, posting a 7-4-2 record in 13 games. On this week’s slate, Seattle has Nashville, Minnesota and Winnipeg all at home.

Kirby Dach, C/RW, Montreal Canadiens (OWNER: 13%)

After a quiet start, Dach has really started to rise lately. During that mini four-game point streak, the 21-year-old had one goal, six assists and three power-play points. Additionally, he was recently promoted to the Montreal top line to play with Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki as well as PP1. Talk about a plum mission. Life is good right now for Kirby Dach.

FELLERS

Jonathan Huberdeau, LW, Florida Panthers (OWNER: 99%)

As expected, given the big offseason move and all, it takes time for Huberdeau to find his groove in Calgary. He had four assists in four games to start, he has registered just one goal in six games since. Be patient, there is absolutely nothing to see here. If anything, you might want to investigate buying a low price on him.

Thomas Chabot, D, Ottawa Senators (OWNER: 87%)

After a semi-decent start, Chabot comes out of a very sterile week. In four outings, he failed to score a point and only managed to muster five shots on goal. There is no need to panic for the moment, but Ottawa has to get started. Overall, given what they’ve done this offseason, the Senators haven’t lived up to expectations so far.

Vincent Trocheck, C, New York Rangers (OWNER: 78%)

Trocheck is another guy who really tapered off after a strong start with his new team. He’s been useless in four games in a row and has just two goals and one assist in his last eight outings. Nothing to see here either, he will find it sooner rather than later. Simply put, there’s too much talent around him in Broadway’s top six to keep this going long term.

Jeff Petry, D, Pittsburgh Penguins (OWNER: 66%)

Like his team in general, the veteran fell off the map after enjoying initial success to start his first season in Pittsburgh. In fact, Petry is currently having an unnecessarily bad eight-game drought. In 12 games, he had one goal and three assists. If it doesn’t start happening soon, let it go. Plain and simple. I brought in John Klingberg last week, just to say.

Ryan O’Reilly, C, St. Louis Blues (OWNER: 40%)

There’s no other way to put it, O’Reilly, who is one year away from contract, is off to a nightmarish start. In nine games he scored one meager goal, and that was it. That said, believe it or not, I’m still a strong supporter of this file this season. For now, just watch, but there’s no way this will last all season. He is too good a player.