The reason the swap between Patrick Len and Pierre-Luc Dubois is so fun to evaluate is that it’s a hockey swap and it’s not clear who will win the case. But if it was a nice business, there would be no competition. The Columbus Blue Jackets would walk away from Winnipeg if it were a fantasy league. Lane is the best asset in between, and it’s not that close.
Looking only at the last two seasons – which, by the way, are probably Lane’s two worst and certainly DuBois’ best – Lane scored 293.8 fantasy points and 1.96 fantasy points per 60 minutes (FPP60). DuBois collected 268.7 Fancy Points and a 1.77 FPP60.
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But the real test of how this will play out in a fantasy game is how the players will behave in the future. And that’s another topic worth discussing. For each attacker, different scenarios appear in a new environment.
Patrick Lane, F, Columbus Blue Jackets (down seven spots to 36) : Main themes : Do the Blue Jackets embrace Lane’s defensive weaknesses to get one of the most explosive young goal scorers? Is Max Domi now the best center on the team? Does this combination work and what about the fantastic value?
We can try to answer the last question. Domi and Lane are working on the document. Domi fell into oblivion, but as recently as two years ago he was a driving force on the line with Jonathan Drouin and Andrew Shaw in Montreal, where he scored 44 assists and 72 points. I emphasize help because it is crucial: Domi is a good point guard. His 37 assists of equal strength in 2018-19 put him in the top 20 in the league, putting him on par with some of the best NHL skaters this season.
Given the circumstances and the fact that the Blue Jackets can’t afford to do without Laine, who plays a key role in the skillset they currently lack, Domi is my first choice for an investment. The second would be the choice of winger alongside Lane. Nick Foligno, Cam Atkinson, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Alexander Texier are all possible options. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how things go.
Overall, I think Lane is about the same as the Jets, but with a slight reduction due to his current injury and some acclimation.
Pierre Luke-Dubois Jets, C, Winnipeg (increase from 15 to 99 seats) : There’s only one real question here: Which Dubois wingers claim the team has no second forward?
This makes a big difference because it changes his fantasy value and potentially affects Mark Scheefe’s fantasy value. In general, this won’t necessarily affect the Jets’ current value, as those who can be squeezed out of the top 6 or the power play don’t necessarily have much fantasy value. Paul Statny was still on the edge, and Nicholas Ehlers was no stranger to daily fantasy. Kyle Connor and Blake Wheeler are golden with Scheifele, but would be just as solid with Dubois.
To improve the fantasy, I’m mostly addressing Ehlers, who is a solid offensive player, but was on the second line and couldn’t reach Scheifele on a regular basis. With DuBois being an option as well, he should play constantly in the offensive rotation. But access to the upper power section is now blocked to Ehlers. But that’s not gonna work with Lane in town, either.
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The power play hasn’t improved, as Lane is a better asset than Dubois will ever be, but he hasn’t deteriorated either. This is a good time to point out that Neil Pionk is not the quarterback in this division, it’s Josh Morrissey. Your ranking in the ESPN leagues has changed because Pionk played a role last season, but it’s Morrissey you want to play on your fantasy team.
If DuBois gets a spot ahead of Wheeler or Connor or Scheifele, I don’t think Scheifele will go down as a result. He handled the loss of Wheeler well last season when Brian Little was injured and Wheeler had to play in the middle.
An interesting possibility would be to stack the Stastny or Dubois Jets on the wing to really improve the first two lines. But it’s more of a game of desperation than we often see.
As for Dubois, he is appreciated as a whole for no longer being the best striker on his team. In other words: He will produce more fantasy points because he will be surrounded by better players. Depending on the use and chemistry, it may rank higher.
Move, move
David Pastrnak, F, Boston Bruins (up 23 spots to third) : According to numerous reports, we could see Pastrnak in action as early as February. He’s close enough to return and I see no reason not to upgrade him now – especially in a season where there are so many variables in terms of potentially missed games. Pastrnak is tied with Alex Ovechkin at 2.81 FPP60 for the last two seasons, and only Connor McDavid is among skaters at this point. His raw fantasy points may lag behind others like Leon Draisaitl and Nathan MacKinnon over the past two seasons, but keep in mind that Pastrnak missed 16 games in 2018-19. He’s only a small step behind McDavid right now.
Joe Pavelski, F, Dallas Stars (up 22 spots to 124) : What difference does it make if they are 70 years old together? Joe Pavelski and Alexander Radulov haven’t done well in the first two games of the Stars’ mid-30 season – especially on the power play. Seven points in total, six of them with the man advantage, is a great start for Pavelski. For star center, Tyler Seguin, there have been two entries for most of the season: Pavelski is rising to the occasion or the offensive splash. The first was clearly a story in two parts. Let’s see what comes out of a larger sample, as the play of Roop Hinz and Denis Gurianov is just as exciting as these two games.
Jack Hughes, F, New Jersey Devils (up 42 places to 207th) : Too conservative? I think it is. Hughes’ departure, with seven points from five games, could be a sign that we are on track for a real breakthrough campaign. He seemed dominant. But what to do? You see, this is the perfect storm for the Hughes case. He’s a year removed from the massive media hype as the number one ranked player and he suddenly seems to be the superstar he should have been. But it’s also because he’s the centerpiece of the superstar he hired. I think giving up Hughes is a situational decision. Does your amazing team need immediate help? Enjoy it, especially in the keeper competition. Does your team agree that Hughes can’t keep up this pace? Then wait and see if it continues. (Spoiler: He will.)
Protection in progress
Charlie McAvoy, D, Boston Bruins (moved up three spots to 91) : With Matt Grzelcyk sidelined on Saturday, McAvoy was forced into a power play. The unit scored twice. It’s the perfect time for McAvoy to show he can be more than just a fierce defender. Especially with Pastrnak coming back.
Goalkeeper in motion
Instead of focusing on this week’s specific target game, I want to make a few points about the position in general – especially with ESPN.com’s new standard scoring system.
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Keepers need to play often and win games to be effective. If you play in a fantasy league with daily member changes and you are a fantasy nut, it is better to run after the games.
Period.
Just look at the first mascots of all the goalies. Brian Elliott ranks 11th among fantasy goaltenders in terms of points this season thanks to a single start. Carter Hart has a negative value. Matt Murray has enough negative value to completely undo Logan Couture’s production for this season. One shot can be very good for goalies.
Moreover, victories are crucial for the points. By way of introduction, I don’t think Martin Jones is a good pikeur for most teams, but with a record of 3-1 at the start, he has more fantasy points than Carey Price and Tuukki Rask. For goalies, it will take some time to normalize. You can collect far more points in one game than any other player. It only takes one or two good starts – as Elliott proves – for a player like Price, Rask or Hart to rise in the fantasy points department. But teams have to win in front of their goalie to score. Just ask Darcy Kuemper.
However, early returns cannot be completely ignored. John Gibson, for example, goes back to his draft horses and steals enough profit for a nice value. That makes a difference and means it’s an option, especially if the Ducks are looking at a favorable series. The NHL schedule is split between the opponents, and since the Ducks can use Gibson in both games, you can take advantage of this situation.
2 Connected
Another example: Who is Kevin Lankinen anyway? This is the guy who started both of the Chicago Blackhawks’ games against the Detroit Red Wings last weekend and scored 13 fantastic points. But the Hawks won’t be here until the 15th. February to face the Wings again, so throw in a name by then.
New classification position
Alec Martinez (No. 233) and Jesse Puljujarvi (No. 245).
Somewhat missed
Adrian Kemp, Ty Smith, Nick Foligno, Devon Toews, Drake Batterson, Joel Armia, David Krejci, Connor Murphy, Nino Niederreiter, James van Riemsdyk, Brandon Tanev, Denis Gurianov and Tyler Myers.
Abandonment
Paul Statsny and Jake DeBrusk.
Fantasy Hockey Top 250 Ranking
1. Connor McDavid, C, Edm (C1)
2. Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colonel (C2)
3. David Pastrnak, RW, Bos (RW5)
4. Jack Eichel, C., Boothe (C3)
5. Austin Matthews, C, Objective (C4)
6. Steven Stamkos, C, TB (C5)
7. Alexey Ovechkin, LW, Wsh (LW1)
8. Leon Draisaitl, LW, Edm (LW2)
9. Mika Zibanejad, C, NYR (C6)
10. Andrei Vasilevsky, G, TB (G1)
11. John Carlson, D, Wsh (D1)
12. Mitchell Marner, RW, Goal (RW1)
13. Connor Hellbake, G, Wpg (G2)
14. Brad Marchand, LW, Forest (LW3)
15. Patrick Kane, RW, Chi (RW2)
16. Sebastian Aho, C, Automotive (C7)
17. Jake Guentzel, LW, Pit (LW4)
18. Jonathan Huberdeau, LW, Fla (LW5)
19. Artemy Panarin, LW, NYR (LW6)
20. Sidney Crosby, C, Pit (C8)
21. Brent Burns, D, SJ (D2)
22. Roman Josi, D, Nsh (D3)
23. John Tavares, C., Gate (C9)
24. Mikko Rantanen, RV, Colonel (RW3)
25. Emmerwiel, RW, Wpg (RW4)
26. Alex Pietrangelo, D, Vgs (D4)
27. Mark Scheifele, C, Wpg (C10)
28. Patrice Bergeron, C, Forest (C11)
29. Taylor Hall, LW, Buf (LW8)
30. Victor Hedman, D, TB (D5)
31. Elias Pettersson, C., Van (C12)
32. Tuukka Rask, G, Bos (G3)
33. Hamilton Arc, D, Auto (D6)
34. Kyle Connor, LW, Wpg (LW7)
35. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, Edm (C13)
36. Patrick Lane, RW, Cls (RW6)
37. Brayden Point, C, TB (C14)
38. Frederik Andersen, G., Thor (G4)
39. Alexander Barkov, C, Fla (C15)
40. Mark Stone, RW, Vgs (RW7)
41. Travis Konecny, RW, Phi (RW8)
42. Keil Makar, D, Col (D7)
43. Robin Lehner, G, Vgs (G6)
44. Evgeny Malkin, C, Pit (C16)
45. Andrey Svechnikov, LW, Auto (LW9)
46. J.T. Miller, C., Wang (C17)47. Jordan Binnington, G, StL (G8)
48. Carter Hart, G., Fi (G5)
49. Chris Letang, D, Pit (D8)
50. Anze Kopitar, C, LA (C18)
51. Seth Jones, D, Cls (D9)
52. Ryan Pulock, D, New York (D10)
53. Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Colonel (LW10)
54. Ivan Provorov, D, Phi (D11)55. Carey Price, G, Mon (G9)
56. Semyon Varlamov, G, NYI (G14)
57. Erik Karlsson, D, SJ (D12)
58. Bo Horvath, C., Wang (C19)
59. Igor Shesterkin, G, NYR (G7)
60. Anton Khudobin, G., Dahl (G11)
61. Darnell Nurse, D, Edm (D13)
62. Miro Heiskanen, D, Dal (D14)
63. Morgan Rilley, D, Gate (D15)
64. Sean Couturier, K, Fee (C20)65. Philip Grubauer, G., Col (G13)
66. Rasmus Dahlin, D, Boothe (D16)
67. Jamie Benn, LW, Dal (LW11)
68. Logan Couture, C, SJ (C21)
69. Thomas Chabot, D., Ott (D17)
70. Tyson Barry, D, Edm (D18)
71. Max Pacioretty, LW, Vgs (LW12)
72. Juus Saros, G, Nsh (G12)
73. Shea Weber, D, Mon (D19)
74. Ilya Samsonov, G, Wsh (G10)
75. Dylan Larkin, C., Inspector (C22)
76. Jeff Petrie, D, Mon (D21)
77. Matthew Barzal, C, New York (C23)
78. T.J. Oshie, RW, Ush (RW9)79. Kyler Yamamoto, RW, Edm (RW13)
80. Jacob Trouba, D, New York (D20)
81. Kirill Kaprizov, LW, Min (LW13)
82. Matthew Tkachuk, LW, Cgy (LW14)
83. Teuvo Teravainen, RW, Auto (RW10)
84. Johnny Gaudreau, LW, Cgy (LW15)
85. Quinn Hughes, D, Van (D23)
86. Jacob Markstrom, G, Cgy (G16)
87. Elias Lindholm, RW, Cgy (RW11)
88. William Nylander, RW, Goal (RW12)
89. Ryan Ellis, D, Nsh (D22)
90. Thomas Hertl, C., S.J. (C24)
91. Charlie McAvoy, D, Forest (D24)
92. Brady Tkachuk, LW, Ott (LW16)
93. Evander Kane, LW, SJ (LW19)
94. Darcy Kumper, G., Ari (G15)
95. Alex DeBrincat, LW, Chi (LW17)
96. Chris Kreider, Los Angeles, New York (Los Angeles 18)
97. Anthony Manta, RW, Det (RW14)
98. Brayden Schenn, C, StL (C25)
99. Pierre-Luc Dubois, C, Wpg (C28)
100. Brian Rast, RW, Pit (RW15)
101. Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, Cls (RW16)
102. Nicklas Backstrom, C, Wsh (C26)
103. Sergey Bobrovsky, G, Fla (G17)
104. Ryan O’Reilly, C, StL (C27)
105. Jake Muzzin, D, Thor (D26)
,106. Jared Spurgeon, D, Min (D27),107. Claude Giroux, LW, Phi (LW20)
108. Zach Paradise, LW, Min (LW23)
109. Mikko Koskinen, G, Edmar (G19)110. Zach Werenski, D, Cls (D28)
111. Mark Giordano, D, Cgy (D25)
112. Joonas Korpisalo, G, Cls (G20)
113. Torey Circle, D, StL (D29)
114. Evgeny Dadonov, RW, Ott (RW18)
115. Ryan Souter, D, Min (D30)
116. Philip Forsberg, LW, Nsh (LW21)
117. Nick Suzuki, C, Mo (C31)
118. Timo Meyer, RW, SJ (RW17)
119. Marc-André Fleury, G, Vgs (G26)
120. Mackenzie Blackwood, G, NJ (G21)
121. Drew Doughty, D, Los Angeles (D31)
122. Brock Boeser, RW, Van (RW26)
123. Alexander Edler, D, Van (D32)
124. Joe Pavelski, RW, Dal (RW25)
125. Tristan Jarry, G., Pete (G18)
126. Aaron Ekblad, D, Fla. (D33)
,127. Adam Enrique, C, Ana (C29)
,128. Sam Reinhart, RW, Booth (RW19)
129. RAdm Talbot, G., Min (G25)
130. William Karlsson, C, Vgs (C30)
131. Mikhail Sergachev, D, TB (D34)
132. Tom Wilson, RW, Wsh (RW20)
133. Sean Monahan, C, Cgy (C32)
134. Mike Hoffman, LW, StL (LW22)
135. Ryan Strom, C, NYR (C33)
136. Rasmus Ristolainen, D, Boothe (D36)
137. Ryan Graves, D, Col (D37)
138. Alexis Lafreniere, LA, New York (LW24)
139. Patrick Hornquist, RW, Fla (RW27)
140. Matthew Dumba, D, Min (D38)
,141. Braden Holtby, G., Wang (G22)
142. Brendan Gallagher, RW, Mon (RW21)
,143. Tomas Tatar, LW, Mo (LW25)
144. Shea Theodore, D, Vgs (D39)
145. Cam Atkinson, RW, Cls (RW24)
146. Elvis Merzlikins, G, Cls (G23)
147. David Perron, RW, StL (RW22)
148. John Klingberg, D, Dahl (D52)
149. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D, Ari (D40)
150. Kevin Fiala, S, Min (C36),151. Max Domi, C, Cls (C39)
152. Kyle Palmieri, RW, NJ (RW23)
,153. Nicholas Ehlers, LW, Wpg (LW30)
154. Tanner Pearson, LW, Van (LW26)
155. Nazem Qadri, K, Colonel (C34)156. Jakub Vrana, C, Wsh (C35)
157. Petr Mrazek, G, Automotive (G24)
158. Evgeny Kuznetsov, C, Wsh (C37)
159. Neil Pionk, D, Wpg (D35)
,160. Ondřej Palát, LW, TB (LW27)
161. Keith Yandle, D, Fla (D41)
162. Viktor Arvidsson, RW, Nsh (RW28)
163. Jacob Cichrun, D, Ari (D47)
164. Josh Morrissey, D, Wpg (D53)
,165. Alexander Radulov, RV, Dahl (RW29)
166. Blake Coleman, LW, TB (LW28)
167. Vladimir Tarasenko, RV, SVL (RW31)168. Jakob Slavin, D, Automobile (D42)
169. Esa Lindell, D, Dahl (D43)
170. Tony DeAngelo, D, New York (D44)
171. Brock Nelson, C, New York (C38)
172. Rasmus Andersson, D, Cgy (D45)
173. Victor Olofsson, RW, Buf (RW30)
174. Colton Parayko, D, StL (D46)
,175. Tyler Toffoli, RW, Mo (RW34)
176. Anders Lee, Los Angeles, NY (LW29)
177. Matt Grzhelczyk, D, Forest (D48)
178. Jaroslav Halak, G, Bos (G27)
179. Josh Norris, C, Ott (C46)
180. Pavel Buchnevich, RW, New York (RW32)
181. Ryan McDonagh, D, TB (D49)
,182. Jakub Voracek, RW, Phi (RW33)
183. Andrei Burakovsky, LW, Colonel (LW31)
184. Duncan Keith, D, Chi (D50)
185. John Gibson, G., Ana (G32)
186. Philip Hronek, D, Det (D51)
.187. Adam Fox, D, New York (D56)
188. Samuel Girard, D, Colonel (D54)
189. Anthony Duclair, LW, Fla (LW32)
190. Jason Zucker, LW, Pit (LW33)
191. Nate Schmidt, D, Wang (D55)
192. Damon Severson, D., NJ (D57)
193. Rope Hinz, K, Dahl (C42)
194. Alex Killorn, LW, TB (LW34)
195. Ryan Getzlaf, C, Ana (C43)
196. Adam Boquist, D, Chi (D58)
197. Nikita Gusev, LW, NJ (LW35)
198. Ryan Johansen, C, Nsh (C44)
199. Matt Murray, G., Ott (G28)
200. Ilya Sorokin, G, New York (G29)
201. Philip Dano, C., Mo (C41)
202. Jonathan Marchessault, LW, Vgs (LW36)
203. Jean-Gabriel Pago, C, New York (C40)
204. Phil Kessel, RW, Ari (RW38)
.205. Eric Staal, C., Cabin (C45)
206. Rickard Ruckell, C., Ana (C47)
207. Jack Hughes, C, NJ (C61)
.208. Paul Fransuz, G., Colonel (G30)
209. Antti Raanta, G., Ari (G31)
210. Kevin Shattenkirk, D, Ana (D59)
211. Erik Gustafsson, D, Fi (D60)
.212. Matt Duchene, C, Nsh (C48)
213. Pius Suter, C, Chi (C51)
214. Matthias Ekholm, D, Nsh (D61)
215. Riley Smith, RW, Vgs (RW35)
216. Mikael Granlund, LW, Nsh (LW37)
217. Clayton Keller, C, Ari (C49)
218. Linus Ulmark, G., Boothe (G33)
219. Tyler Bertuzzi, LW, Det (LW41)
220. Dominic Kubalik, LW, Chi (LW38)
221. Kasperi Kapanin, RV, pit (RW36)
222. Pekka Rinne, G, Nh (G34)
223. Jeff Skinner, LW, Buf (LW39)
224. Vincent Trocheck, C, Auto (C50)
225. Dustin Brown, RW, LA (RW37)
,226. Kevin Hayes, C., Fi (C52)
227. Jonathan Drouin, LW, Mo (LW40)
228. Charlie Coyle, C., Forest (C53)
229. Dylan Strom, C, Chi (C54)
230. Derek Stepan, C, Ott (C55)
231. Anthony Cirelli, C, TB (C56)
232. Jordan Eberle, RW, New York (RW39)
233. Alec Martinez, D, Vgs (D1)
234. Zach Hyman, LW, Goal (LW42)
235. Jacob Silfverberg, RW, Ana (RW40)
236. Vince Dunn, D, StL (D62)
,237. Alexander Georgiev, G, NYR (G35)
238. Jake Allen, G., Mo (G36)
239. Max Comtois, LW, Ana (LW43)
240. Jaden Schwartz, LW, StL (LW44)
241. Alex Iafallo, LA (LW45)
242. Nolan Patrick, C., Phi (C57)
243. Nico Hisher, C., NJ (C58)
244. Noah Hanifin, D, Cgy (D63)
245. Jesse Puljujarvi, RW, Edm (RW1)
246. P.K. Subban, D, NJ (D64)
247. Josh Anderson, RW, Mon (RW41)
248. Robert Thomas, C, StL (C60)
249. Christian Dvorak, LW, Ari (LW47)
250. Boone Jenner, C, Cls (C62)
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