This article is part of our Neutral Zone Wrap series.
The future is now. It's your moment to shine.
Your leagues are either entering the postseason or winding down the rotisserie campaign, so there's little time to tinker with your lineups. That's why it's important to properly consider any move you complete from here on out. So before you jump on the latest hot commodity, evaluate whether his performance is genuine or an illusion.
Below, you'll find some players who have posted solid numbers of late, but their immediate future appears less promising. This list is similar to the one found in this piece from late December, but the current incarnation can draw from more sample stats and less upcoming material.
NOTE: As was the case last week, you won't hear about anyone from the trade-deadline column. And sorry, goalies, no print for you.
Mikael Backlund, C, Calgary
To his credit, Backlund has amassed three recent clustered goal spurts (a stretch of 10 in 18 games). The problem is consistency, and it's tough to hide the holes in some efforts, especially the early ones. (I bet he'd like to forget the opening one point in 13.) And while the Swede's last month (15 in 19) resembles the team logo, he's bound for a letdown.
Zach Bogosian, D, Buffalo
Don't be duped by the abundance of ice time (22:27 season average) or sudden scoring spurt (nine in 11). Bogosian remains, at best, a secondary blue-line option (note his career high of 30 points). How he continues
The future is now. It's your moment to shine.
Your leagues are either entering the postseason or winding down the rotisserie campaign, so there's little time to tinker with your lineups. That's why it's important to properly consider any move you complete from here on out. So before you jump on the latest hot commodity, evaluate whether his performance is genuine or an illusion.
Below, you'll find some players who have posted solid numbers of late, but their immediate future appears less promising. This list is similar to the one found in this piece from late December, but the current incarnation can draw from more sample stats and less upcoming material.
NOTE: As was the case last week, you won't hear about anyone from the trade-deadline column. And sorry, goalies, no print for you.
Mikael Backlund, C, Calgary
To his credit, Backlund has amassed three recent clustered goal spurts (a stretch of 10 in 18 games). The problem is consistency, and it's tough to hide the holes in some efforts, especially the early ones. (I bet he'd like to forget the opening one point in 13.) And while the Swede's last month (15 in 19) resembles the team logo, he's bound for a letdown.
Zach Bogosian, D, Buffalo
Don't be duped by the abundance of ice time (22:27 season average) or sudden scoring spurt (nine in 11). Bogosian remains, at best, a secondary blue-line option (note his career high of 30 points). How he continues to receive this much power-play duty (more than two minutes per outing the last couple weeks) is beyond anyone's comprehension.
Mike Fisher, C, Nashville
Mr. Carrie Underwood ain't the scorer he used to be, as he's well behind the pace he's set since becoming a Pred. Ryan Johansen's arrival has cemented Fisher's place as Nashville's third-line center (with ice time down roughly a minute a night from last year), although the former Senator keeps sneaking in decent performances (four in five) just to tease fantasy owners.
Radko Gudas, D, Philadelphia
In case you missed the day hell froze over, Gudas had quite a Saturday last week in Columbus with two goals and two assists. Yes, that's one game. The giant Czech (who has two goals and eight assists in total) has as much a chance of repeating that offensive performance as I have of winning the lottery. He's still a PIM (106) and hit (256) machine, and has a solid blocked-shot resume (121).
Nazem Kadri, C, Toronto
With all the youth and speed on the Leafs' roster, Kadri looks kinda old and slow at 25. Thanks to injuries and trades, the 2009 first-rounder (one goal and eight assists, but minus-8 in 12) occupies a prime role. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean much when the Leafs can't score, and they're second-worst in the league with 2.22 goals per game.
(Dis)honorable mentions:Erik Haula, C, Minnesota; Ales Hemsky, RW, Dallas; Michael Raffl, RW, Philadelphia; Andrej Sekera, D, Edmonton; Antoine Vermette, C, Arizona
Key Matchups
Are we really nearing the end of the regular season? No worries, the upcoming action should be enough to distract you from this reality:
Tuesday: Boston at San Jose. The blazing Bruins begin a stretch of eight games in nine on the road with a trip to the Bay Area. Right near the top of the Pacific and fresh off a beating of the Caps, the Sharks will want to keep the momentum going.
Thursday: NY Rangers at Los Angeles. This is a rematch of the 2014 Finals. The Blueshirts have looked erratic and face a Kings side that may still be glowing from a dismantling of the defending Cup champs Monday night.
Friday: Nashville at Washington. Country meets Eastern. Music City versus Move-It City. Two regional powerhouses. Who blinks first?
Saturday: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia. The Flyers enter the week with some playoff hope and games in hand. Naturally, one of their closer competitors is a hated state rival. Don't expect the Pens to lie down sans Evgeni Malkin (upper body).
