This article is part of our Left, Right & Center series.
Whoa, we're halfway there. Most clubs have passed the midway point and are assessing their postseason chances. You should be doing the same with your fantasy team.
Similar to the quarter-season review, this column will be a bit different from the standard offering in that the categories will change. We'll be looking at the biggest fantasy surprise (Shooting High), the most egregious fantasy disappointment (Press Box Bound), and someone who has the potential to do more down the road (One to Watch).
A couple previous entries have reappeared because they continue to fit the criteria, while a few new candidates are here to give it their best shot:
Left Wing
Shooting High: Matthew Tkachuk, Calgary
The current crop of rookies has yielded many prized achievers. Tkachuk was recommended in the preseason edition, but no one could've really predicted success this quickly (25 points, 74 PIM in 39 games). After a slow start (one point in his first five and then scratched twice) and a brief boo-boo (minor wrist injury), he hasn't stopped scoring (had a nine-game point streak snapped Monday). What makes this effort even more impressive is the fact Tkachuk, who recently turned 19, has seamlessly jumped straight from junior to the NHL.
Press Box Bound: Mikkel Boedker, San Jose
When the Sharks signed Boedker last summer at what was considered a reasonable rate (four years, $16 million), it was assumed the Dane would step in and bolster an already solid offense. This situation has
Whoa, we're halfway there. Most clubs have passed the midway point and are assessing their postseason chances. You should be doing the same with your fantasy team.
Similar to the quarter-season review, this column will be a bit different from the standard offering in that the categories will change. We'll be looking at the biggest fantasy surprise (Shooting High), the most egregious fantasy disappointment (Press Box Bound), and someone who has the potential to do more down the road (One to Watch).
A couple previous entries have reappeared because they continue to fit the criteria, while a few new candidates are here to give it their best shot:
Left Wing
Shooting High: Matthew Tkachuk, Calgary
The current crop of rookies has yielded many prized achievers. Tkachuk was recommended in the preseason edition, but no one could've really predicted success this quickly (25 points, 74 PIM in 39 games). After a slow start (one point in his first five and then scratched twice) and a brief boo-boo (minor wrist injury), he hasn't stopped scoring (had a nine-game point streak snapped Monday). What makes this effort even more impressive is the fact Tkachuk, who recently turned 19, has seamlessly jumped straight from junior to the NHL.
Press Box Bound: Mikkel Boedker, San Jose
When the Sharks signed Boedker last summer at what was considered a reasonable rate (four years, $16 million), it was assumed the Dane would step in and bolster an already solid offense. This situation has not materialized for the former Coyote (nine points in 39 appearances, minus-6); in fact, he is living up to his title in this space having been benched last Thursday. While San Jose leads the Pacific, there are a couple skaters who have fallen short of expectation (Joonas Donskoi and Joel Ward come to mind). If Boedker wants to salvage his season, then he'll need to fix it soon or risk further benchings.
One to Watch: Vince Hinostroza, Chicago
Besides being known for capturing Cups, the Blackhawks have also carried a recent reputation for their small, skilled forwards. While Hinostroza (at 5-foot-9) doesn't have the pedigree of a Patrick Kane or the flash of an Artemi Panarin, he possesses a sound overall game that keeps him in the lineup (six points in his last 11 games). The Notre Dame product (who notched 76 points in as many NCAA games) started off in the bottom six but has recently been paired with Jonathan Toews on the second line. While the ice time may not be substantial (although since the move, it's up 25 percent to a 15-minute average), Hinostroza has room to develop.
Right Wing
Shooting High: Cam Atkinson, Columbus
Almost every Blue Jacket forward could conceivably qualify for this column based on how their season has developed. While Atkinson's ascendancy was noted in November, few could've believed he would be able to pull off an extended dominant stretch (now at 39 points in 39 contests, with 19 on the power play). But here we are two months later and we're still discussing Atkinson the same way people were amazed with teammate Nick Foligno in 2014-15 (73 in 79). If the winger can approach or even match that performance, then fantasy owners wouldn't complain.
Press Box Bound: Gustav Nyquist, Detroit
With all the injuries in Hockeytown, it's difficult to pin the Wings' woes on any particular player. But if we had to target the most prominent underachiever, it would probably be Nyquist. When he first broke on the Detroit scene, he became an instant sensation (48 points in 57 contests). And based on his maturation, this year looked to be one where this repeat offender would crack the 60-point plateau. Instead, the 27-year old Swede has regressed significantly (18 points overall, no goals and four assists in his last 19) and has bounced around the lineup. Nyquist is just too talented to return to the minors or sit in the press box, but maybe one of those scenarios will provide him with a renewed focus.
One to Watch: Nikita Scherbak, Montreal
With injuries to Brendan Gallagher and Andrew Shaw, a couple vacancies have opened at right wing. Scherbak earned the promotion and paid immediate dividends Saturday by scoring on his first career shot – and on the power play, no less. He's never been an eye-popping scorer at any level (78 and 82 points in two WHL seasons, 43 points in 75 AHL games) but likes to bother opposing defenses with his grit and determination. Whether the 2014 first-round pick will stay with the parent club has yet to be determined, but at least he has the ability to excite when on the ice.
Center
Shooting High: Eric Staal, Minnesota
A well-deserved repeat appearance for the ex-Canes captain, especially considering his consistency over these past few weeks (17 points over the last 13 contests, including six PPPs). And like Cam Atkinson, there are those who are waiting for Staal (with 35 in 39 and a plus-12) – and similarly, Columbus and Minnesota – to fall off of Cloud Nine. It's amazing to think many considered him washed up after a failed finale in Carolina and subsequent slip in New York last season. Based on the Wild's system and personnel, it doesn't appear a slowdown will be arriving anytime soon.
Press Box Bound: Carl Soderberg, Colorado
Maybe the sizable contract is weighing him down. Or perhaps the lack of support (worst in the league, averaging 2.01 goals a night) remains the real reason why Soderberg (at four goals and six assists through 39 outings) has severely struggled in his second season in Denver. Whatever the excuse, there's no ignoring how deep the drop has been for the 31-year old. Unless some sort of miracle revives Colorado's attack, Soderberg will be lucky to reach the 30-point plateau.
One to Watch: J.T. Compher, Colorado
Buffalo's 2013 second-round selection made a name for himself last season by being part of the NCAA's most lethal line at the University of Michigan (scoring 63 of a combined 190 points with Kyle Connor and Tyler Motte). Compher has since graduated to the AHL ranks and has not disappointed (17 points in 21 outings). With the Avs comfortably occupying the league basement, there's a good bet the kid will experience his first taste of NHL action before too long.
