This article is part of our Frozen Fantasy series.
Sidney Crosby just suffered through the second-worst 11-game stretch of his entire career. No goals. Three assists. And the worst possession stats of his career.
WTF is wrong with Sid the Kid?
Sure, Sid snapped the slump Tuesday when he notched a goal. He also earned an assist.
Sid has been hitched to some of the worst (or worst-slumping) linemates of his career – guys who simply cannot score to save their lives. And his own shooting percentage is below 10 percent – that's the lowest he's ever seen.
So, WTF is wrong with Sid, especially when goals are up and goalies are down?
NOTHING. And that makes him the best trade target since Carey Price.
But I digress.
Sid the Kid is as dangerous as ever, but the Pens just aren't scoring five-on-five with him on the ice. And they have been playing sieve – only the woeful Coyotes have allowed more goals this season.
All of that will change. And you'll get the benefit if you target him in a trade.
Tell his owner that Sid has crested 30 and his age is starting to catch up to him. Tell his owner that Sid's start of 2015-16 – those two goals in his first 18 games – were the first sign of that decline and this is the next step. Tell him or her that you'll bear the risk.
Then pay what you need to pay, even if it's a hot young stud. The shiny toy might
Sidney Crosby just suffered through the second-worst 11-game stretch of his entire career. No goals. Three assists. And the worst possession stats of his career.
WTF is wrong with Sid the Kid?
Sure, Sid snapped the slump Tuesday when he notched a goal. He also earned an assist.
Sid has been hitched to some of the worst (or worst-slumping) linemates of his career – guys who simply cannot score to save their lives. And his own shooting percentage is below 10 percent – that's the lowest he's ever seen.
So, WTF is wrong with Sid, especially when goals are up and goalies are down?
NOTHING. And that makes him the best trade target since Carey Price.
But I digress.
Sid the Kid is as dangerous as ever, but the Pens just aren't scoring five-on-five with him on the ice. And they have been playing sieve – only the woeful Coyotes have allowed more goals this season.
All of that will change. And you'll get the benefit if you target him in a trade.
Tell his owner that Sid has crested 30 and his age is starting to catch up to him. Tell his owner that Sid's start of 2015-16 – those two goals in his first 18 games – were the first sign of that decline and this is the next step. Tell him or her that you'll bear the risk.
Then pay what you need to pay, even if it's a hot young stud. The shiny toy might just net you the guy who wins you your league.
Remember, Sid may have started 2015-16 slow, but he finished third in scoring that year.
Now, let's take a look at who caught my eye this week.
Artem Anisimov, C, Chicago (20 percent Yahoo! owned) – Chicago is in a mess of trouble this season. They're squandering the excellent goaltending of Corey Crawford and sit fifth in the Central. But right now, Anisimov is delivering offense, so you need to take note. He has nine points in his last nine games and that includes eight goals. He's always been streaky – you might as well take advantage, at least short term. Especially if he's sitting out there in your league. He was in mine.
Andreas Athanasiou, LW/C, Detroit (11 percent Yahoo! owned) – Speed kills. And Athanasiou is blessed with outstanding speed. Not just top-end speed – AA's speed with the puck, both north-south and east-west, are just as good as his work without it. He was held off the board Friday night, but delivered three goals and an assist in the two games before that. Athanasiou's own zone play is less-than ideal (and that's being nice). But with some consistency, AA can be a scoring second-line player. And he might make a difference on your deep squad.
Nick Bjugstad, RW/C, Florida (3 percent Yahoo! owned) – It's easy to label Bjugstad a disappointment. Once targeted for a top line, Bjugstad has struggled with injuries and underperformance, including in his own end. So, he's no longer considered a Jordan Staal clone, but he's more than Brian Boyle (no offense to BB). Bjugstad had two goals on 10 shots since last Saturday and may finally be settling into a middle-six scoring role. If so, he could provide waiver-worthy production for those in deep leagues, but only in a RW role. He's never going to be a Yahoo!-worthy center unless you're in a 20-plus team league. Or even deeper.
Alex DeBrincat, LW/RW, Chicago (11 percent Yahoo! owned) – Don't look now, but this pint-size teenage sniper is firing at close to a 30-goal pace. I know – I didn't believe it either. DeBrincat is on a three-game, four-goal streak heading into Pittsburgh on Saturday. And he has six goals in his last seven games. His slow start is over. DeBrincat is still on the third line, but is also getting shifts with Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Nick Schmaltz. It's clear that's where he belongs. And that talent could just keep him in the NHL past that magical 39-game point. Get him if you need cheap goals.
Micheal Ferland, LW/RW, Calgary (11 percent Yahoo! owned) – There is NO GOOD REASON a first-line winger on a five-game goal-scoring streak should be on the wire in nine of 10 leagues. In fact, he should be owned in that many leagues. Teams out west are often filled with gems like this. Ferland has nine points, including six goals, in his last eight games. And he has fired 25 shots. Go get him now. Seriously. I just did.
Cody Franson, D, Chicago (1 percent Yahoo! owned) – Yes, Franson has slow feet. But who needs fast feet when you're paired with Duncan Keith? Franson's limitations are well masked beside the Hawks' stud. And his assets – especially that booming right shot – are being used to full effect. Franson picked up two assists Wednesday night simply because he put the puck on the net. He'll get more power-play time and suddenly sneak up on owners with his multi-categorical production. Get in early – D is painfully thin on the wire.
Timo Meier, LW/RW, San Jose (1 percent Yahoo! owned) – Meier is still a project player. He's talented and prolific, at least in terms of shots. In three games last week, Meier fired 11 shots and picked up 17 PIM. He also lost $2,403.67 after being fined using his stick to smash Michael Del Zotto's face last Saturday. So, how can he help? Sure, Meier could improve his shot selection, but it looks like he's going to keep firing pucks and crashing the net. That might just help you in that counting category. And he might pick up a few points and PIM along the way.
Malcolm Subban, G, Vegas (15 percent Yahoo! owned) – Subban was activated off injured reserve on Friday and immediately ascended to the top of the Vegas food chain. Starting goalies cannot be overlooked. Plain and simple, even if the team starts to tank. It just remains to be seen if he can stay healthy this time.
Miles Wood, LW, New Jersey (1 percent Yahoo! owned) – Wood had the game of his life last Sunday against my Hawks. He tallied a hat trick, including two on the power play, and added an assist in just 13 minutes of ice time. Wow. Wood doesn't think the game in an elite way – he plays a straightforward, abrasive game with speed. But his skill level is solid and he's on pace for a 40-point, 100-PIM season. There's room for that kind of production in deep leagues.
Back to Sid.
There's plenty of debate about the best player in the NHL. Many people side with Connor McDavid – he is an impressive player. But is he ready to ascend to the top?
Sid, who's no longer a kid, is still the best in the NHL. And despite his scoring struggles this season, I am confident he'll finish in the top-five again.
Fantasy-wise, McDavid may soon surpass Sid. But he still needs to prove that he can carry a team. And right now, there is no comparison.
Now, go get Sid. I know I'm going to try.
Until next week.
