Frozen Fantasy: When Excellence is a Problem

Erik Karlsson is about to become part of a pretty exclusive club. The two-time Norris trophy winner is set to finish in the top-five scorers in the NHL. And lead the league in helpers.

So, why are the Sens so bad?

The last defender to lead the NHL in helpers was none other than the great Bobby Orr, who delivered 89 assists some 41 years ago. And Paul Coffey was the most recent blue liner to finish top-five in overall scoring -- he did that 30 years ago.

Both Orr and Coffey had already helped deliver multiple Stanley Cups to their respective teams by the time they hit those individual tallies.

Karlsson? Norris or not, he'll never be those guys. And the Sens will never get a Cup on his watch.

Never.

As much as I love owning the slick-skating Swede on my fantasy team, I hate what he does for his on-ice team. Especially as their captain.

Hear me out.

Karlsson plays a high-risk game. That might not be an issue if he didn't wear the C. But he does. As he goes, so goes his team.

#BadRoleModel.

Karlsson still has a positive net impact on his team when he's on the ice -- analytics types will tell you he's Norris worthy despite the number of goals that go into Ottawa's net when he's out there. But I'll be blunt -- a team follows its captain's lead. For good. And bad.

And the Sens take far too many risks overall to be successful. #BadRoleModel.

The Wings didn't win until Steve Yzerman reduced the risk in his game. The Caps look like they're on the precipice of success now that Alexander Ovechkin has made some compromises for the team. And the Sharks even look like they might finally fulfill some promise -- Jumbo Joe Thornton looks like he's carrying the torch in a different way.

But the Sens will continue to see a whole lot more golf than ice every spring unless Karlsson becomes a team player. It can be done. But the question is if, not when.

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

Nick Bonino, C, Pittsburgh (15 percent Yahoo! owned) - Bonino was thrust into the role of second-line center when Evgeni Malkin went to the IR. Everyone -- including the Pens -- held their breath. Bonino had four goals and 13 points in 48 games at that point and he sure didn't look like the right guy for the job. WRONG. Bonino has exploded offensively with five goals and 13 points in 12 games since the promotion and most importantly, he turned Phil Kessel's game back on. Phil the Thrill has 13 points in the same span, including nine in the last four games, after just 43 in 64 before. The Pens play the Flyers on Sunday, and then the Sens, Caps and Flyers (again) next week. Need a surge? Go get him. Quick.

Ray Emery, G, Philadelphia (0 percent) - Entering play Saturday, the Flyers were deadlocked with the Wings for the last wild card. Steve Mason had started 12 of the team's last 13 games and had flashed a whopping 319 saves in March -- that was the second-most in the league. He needs a break, but the Flyers play three back-to-back situations before season's end. Is Emery the guy to help? Dave Hakstol and Ron Hextall must think he is. Emery could get three starts before season's end on the back-end of those back-to-backs. Can he help the Flyers secure that wildcard? Moreover, can he help you make a jump in the last week? What have you got to lose?

Martin Hanzal, C, Arizona (17 percent) - Hanzal has been like a light switch this season -- he's been on (and off) in pretty significant streaks. The bulbs in the tanning bed are all on now and that's delivered a five-game, seven-point streak, including three points with the man advantage. He's not a sexy pick. But beggars can't be choosers and you need a streak to get you to your goal. Swallow hard and pick him up.

Ales Hemsky, RW, Dallas (5 percent) - Go get this guy right now. Hemsky is riding a six-game, seven-point scoring streak and has 13 points, including nine assists, in his last 12 games. He has 28 shots in that span and a plus-5 rating. There's no risk here. Only gain. So what are you waiting for?

Chad Johnson, G, Buffalo (20 percent) - Robin Lehner is out. Again. So the gig is Johnson's. Again. He has responded with three wins in his last five starts and he's allowed two or fewer goals in five of his last seven starts. Roll the dice. He's actually not that much of an anchor.

Johan Larsson, LW, Buffalo (1 percent) - Larsson is a late-season performer. Last year, he finished with five goals and 14 points in 17 games. He's not quite as hot this season, but he sure is scoring a lot of goals. He has seven snipes and two helpers in his last 17 games and four points in his last two heading into the weekend. The young players on the Sabres are playing hard to win roles for next season. Larsson needs to prove he's more than just a third-line guy, so watch for him to keep pressing the offense. And that will help lucky fantasy owners.

Jamie McGinn, LW/RW/C, Anaheim (39 percent) - McGinn is the hot pickup and rightly so -- he has nine points, including six goals, in his last nine games. And half of those goals have come on the power play. McGinn is the perfect sidekick -- his game plays up when he's with better players. And he sure seems to like skating with Ryan Getzlaf. His ownership increased 28 percent on Friday alone -- go check your wire just in case he's still out there. He was in my league, so you just never know ...

Brayden McNabb, D, Los Angeles (6 percent) - McNabb has a three-game, four-point streak heading into Saturday. That's pretty remarkable considering he only had nine points in the previous 73 games. Will he carry the streak to season's end? No bloody way. But McNabb's playing with confidence in both ends of the ice and that's a recipe for hits, shots and maybe even points. The Kings have four games after Saturday -- a confident player on a solid team is a better option than an average, but hot, mid-career guy playing out the string with a non-contender.

Casey Nelson, D, Buffalo (0 percent) - This guy has been a real surprise to me. Nelson's a classic late-bloomer -- he grew four inches while at college and went from an often-benched seventh man in his freshman year to the WCHA's Defensive Player of the Year this season. And he had more points (55) over the last two seasons (80 games) than any other defender in the WCHA. Nelson has played four games since inking his deal with the Sabres and has already delivered four assists, including two on the power play. The Sabres play a tough game against the Rangers on Saturday, but they also play the Devils, Jackets and Isles. He's inspired, so the points could come.

Back to Karlsson.

What would happen to his offensive game if he reined in the risk? Would it be that detrimental to fantasy owners? Ovie's overall point total is down, but he has NEVER been more effective on the ice as he has been this season. And it hasn't hurt his fantasy value in goals all that much.

Karlsson needs to look west to La-La Land for inspiration. Drew Doughty has elite talent, but is 10th in scoring from the blue line. His value to his team is unmeasureable. Unless you count Stanley Cups, of course.

May your victories be sweet. And may your favorite team bring home the chalice.

Until next season.