Frozen Fantasy: Random Thoughts

This was a weird week. Some highs and some lows.

And a few uh-ohs.

I'll start with the highs. Trevor Zegras' Michigan goal pulled me out of my chair. I was thrilled to see it real-time. This guy is a character and an elite talent. He's fun to watch. He's going to go in the first round sooner than we think.

Henrik Lundqvist was prickly and intense. But he was elite and a rare beast during the butterfly era – he courageously stood his ground deep in the net and stylistically stood out. His results did, too. His number in the rafters was well deserved.

Now the lows. Jordan Subban deserved better last Saturday. No one should be hiding behind "intentions" anymore. Drunk drivers don't intend to hurt others, but they do. Simple as that.

Aaron Dell finally got caught. The repeat offender should have got three starts not three games. Baseball treats pitchers differently. The NHL should do the same with goalies, especially the dirty ones.

And now the uh-ohs, but for really different reasons.

Evander Kane is back. Applaud the Oilers for taking this kind of risk and condemn their management for needing to do it in the first place. I have no idea if it'll work out, but it's clear they won't make the postseason without big risks.  

Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Toews both went down with concussions Wednesday. I worry about both. A lot.

Toews still isn't 100 percent after losing a season with chronic inflammatory response syndrome. His body struggles with stress. I hope this isn't a huge setback.

MacKinnon's situation is more than worrisome. Gushing blood. Reports of a facial fracture and concussion. Ugh. He's so talented, but oh so fragile.

Over the last year or two, I can't shake visions of Eric Lindros when I see Mack on the ice. I really hope I'm wrong. But I sold high earlier this year anyway. I have to trust my gut. And the alarm bells only continue to get louder.

Now let's take a look at who caught my eye this week.

Matthew Boldy, LW, Minnesota (5 percent Yahoo!) – Boldy belongs in the NHL – his performance so far has shown that. And that means his intensity and talented stick work need to be rostered in a lot more leagues. Boldy is only 20, but the big lights aren't fazing him. He's on a modest two-game, three-point streak heading into Sunday, and has seven points (three goals, four assists) in eight so far. He's even being trusted up to 18 minutes a night. At 20. Boldy is a keeper and already showing off single-year value.

Adam Henrique, LW/C, Anaheim (16 percent Yahoo!) – Henrique is the forgotten man in fantasy. He's been out since the start of December, and quietly returned without fanfare this week. Except for the fact he's stepped onto a line with Michigan man Trevor Zegras and that's a recipe that could pad the strong fantasy start to his season. Henrique opened the year with 16 points in 24 games, and he did it on a shooting percentage almost half of his career average. He will help managers once he gets his game legs back. Be ready to make a move soon.

Mason Marchment, LW, Florida (1 percent Yahoo!) – What's better – a first-line player on the worst team in the league or a third-liner on the best? Surprisingly, it's often the latter unless the former is a superstar. Florida is arguably the deepest team in the league and Marchment plays an integral role on the third line. He has 15 points in 19 games, and is playing alongside Anton Lundell and Sam Reinhart – they'd be a top-six trio on most teams. Marchment doesn't get power-play time, but will put up a couple shots and hits every game. He'll deliver decent production at the bottom of your lineup.

Matt Murray, G, Ottawa (10 percent Yahoo!) – I've always been in the 'he's overrated' camp, dating back to Pittsburgh. But right now, Murray is on a bit of an upswing and since his return mid-January, he's 3-0-2 in five starts with one shutout. Young, bottom dwelling teams often play fearless hockey in the second half. Murray will benefit from that energy if he can stay healthy. And he can help if you're desperate for goaltending.

Valeri Nichushkin, LW/RW, Colorado (30 percent Yahoo!) – Nichushkin isn't letting up – he seems to have finally found a home in Denver and his numbers reflect that. He has four points in his last four games, and 21 in 26 overall. It took him 55 games to hit that mark last season. There will still be some inconsistency in his game, but Nichushkin is now on the top line and second power-play unit. Seven out of 10 managers are missing out on that right now.

Brandon Saad, LW/RW, St. Louis (14 percent Yahoo!) – After Florida and Colorado, St. Louis is one of the deepest teams in hockey. Saad is on the third line alongside David Perron and Brayden Schenn – yep, another top-six trio in many other cities. He put up six points, including two goals, in four games this week. And 10 points (three goals, seven assists) on 18 SOG in his last nine heading into Saturday. Saad won't deliver much by way of peripherals, but his current pace five-on-five is hard to ignore.

Braden Schneider, D, NY Rangers (1 percent Yahoo!) – Opportunity is knocking for this talented 20-year-old. Adam Fox just hit the IR, albeit it's apparently supposed to be short term. Still, the Rangers will have to juggle their power-play units and Schneider is likely to benefit. Pulling defenders off the wire at this point is a little like buying a lottery ticket – you hope, but the most you ever really win is a free play. But strike a $5 return and you're thrilled. Schneider is better than an empty hole on your roster and who knows? Maybe he nets you a little return.

Damon Severson, D, New Jersey (21 percent Yahoo!) – Severson is arguably the Devils' best defender so far and is on a four-game, six-point streak heading into Saturday. The offense won't always be there, but he does have a big shot and can run the power play. All while delivering category coverage with hits, shots and even blocks. Severson is poised to set a new career mark in scoring and top 40 points for the first time. And he's available in more than four in every five leagues.

Sam Steel, LW/C, Anaheim (0 percent Yahoo!) – Steel is the forgotten first-round pick that was once hailed as a possible top-line winger. It's season four and most have forgotten him. But you should take a closer look. Steel had four points (one goal, three assists) in four games heading into Ottawa on Saturday, and he picked up a first-period assist. He won't get power-play time and will only deliver crumbs in most other categories. But Steel's speed and hands have always been elite, dating back to his junior days. That's a combo that could net you some exciting short-term results.

Dylan Strome, RW/C, Chicago (9 percent Yahoo!) – Deployed perfectly, Strome is a top-six fantasy talent who scores, plays on the top power play, and wins faceoffs. Like he's doing right now – he has eight points, including his first NHL hattie, in his last five games, with three PPP and 52 FW. But in the wrong situation, he's maddeningly inconsistent and ends up benched. And that's why Chicago remains intent on trading him, hot streak or not. Milk this production for as long as possible, and trade Strome when the Hawks do, unless he lands in a top-six role alongside high-end scorers. Honestly, how likely is that on a true contender? He just doesn't seem motivated enough to adjust to a third-line role.

Back to random thoughts.

Will Marc-Andre Fleury buy into a trade and win another Cup? Will Connor Hellebuyck get out of his own head?

Can Elias Pettersson rebound? Will the Leafs ever win in my lifetime?

Will the Flyers get Shane Wright, only to find out they have another Nolan Patrick – Cale Makar crisis on their hands?

No offense to Wright – the kid is talented. But he's more Ryan O'Reilly or Sean Couturier than a true star.

I hope this week is a lot less random. And there are more highs than those lows.

Until next week.