This article is part of our Left, Right & Center series.
How long do you wait before you give up on a player? How low can someone go before you cut bait?
In her column a couple weeks ago, Janet Eagleson argued for a quick break, provided the player's projected recovery looks underwhelming and/or another owner is willing to offer you enough.
I don't necessarily disagree with Janet, although I'd like to provide additional tips that should help regardless of the situation. Look at the upcoming schedule to see if any of the player's matchups can be advantageous. If there are enough in the next couple weeks and you play head-to-head, then there's no reason to kick him aside. The same goes for game-limit rotisserie formats, where you can choose the easier opponents and avoid the more difficult ones.
Since she called out Pekka Rinne, he has not lost in regulation during November (1.14 GAA, .958 save percentage in six starts). Admittedly, that's a small sample size and there's a chance he'll revert to his earlier shakiness. However, the fact remains that Rinne is a top-10 goalie and you're not going to give him up unless you receive a big-ticket asset in return (John Klingberg qualifies as such) and already own solid fill-ins at that position (which Janet does).
Let's get back to business. Here's the current crop of the best, worst, and those in transition…
Left Wing
Two Steps Forward: Antoine Roussel, Dallas
Roussel has generally been a sneaky play, thanks to his physical tendencies (480
How long do you wait before you give up on a player? How low can someone go before you cut bait?
In her column a couple weeks ago, Janet Eagleson argued for a quick break, provided the player's projected recovery looks underwhelming and/or another owner is willing to offer you enough.
I don't necessarily disagree with Janet, although I'd like to provide additional tips that should help regardless of the situation. Look at the upcoming schedule to see if any of the player's matchups can be advantageous. If there are enough in the next couple weeks and you play head-to-head, then there's no reason to kick him aside. The same goes for game-limit rotisserie formats, where you can choose the easier opponents and avoid the more difficult ones.
Since she called out Pekka Rinne, he has not lost in regulation during November (1.14 GAA, .958 save percentage in six starts). Admittedly, that's a small sample size and there's a chance he'll revert to his earlier shakiness. However, the fact remains that Rinne is a top-10 goalie and you're not going to give him up unless you receive a big-ticket asset in return (John Klingberg qualifies as such) and already own solid fill-ins at that position (which Janet does).
Let's get back to business. Here's the current crop of the best, worst, and those in transition…
Left Wing
Two Steps Forward: Antoine Roussel, Dallas
Roussel has generally been a sneaky play, thanks to his physical tendencies (480 combined PIM the last three seasons) and occasional offensive opportunities (an average of 28 points during his time in Dallas). But now that the French bruiser has been paired with Tyler Seguin, he's turned into fantasy gold (three goals, five assists, 18 PIM in six contests). Just don't get too attached to his situation, as Patrick Sharp and Cody Eakin will soon be back to claim their rightful left-side spots and Roussel will return to his bottom-six role with peripheral power-play duties.
Broken Wing: Gustav Nyquist, Detroit
After a blistering start to the season (eight points in the first seven outings), Nyquist has cooled off considerably (two in nine, minus-4) – and it isn't as if the Wings have been faring any better during his downturn. The former University of Maine star regressed last season (down from 54 to 43 points) after a few impressive campaigns to start his pro career. Due to injuries and inactivity, Nyquist has been moved around the lineup. His supplementary stats aren't in decline (averaging just over two shots per game), which indicates the stats should eventually improve.
Between the Lines: Nino Niederreiter, Minnesota
The absence of Zach Parise has shuffled the Wild lines, with Niederreiter moving to the "top" unit alongside Eric Staal and Charlie Coyle. Even with Parise scheduled to return this week, El Nino (four goals, four assists) should stay among the top six since he appears able to handle a heavier workload. And even if Niederreiter drops down the depth chart, it's not like he'll disappoint if called upon.
Right Wing
Two Steps Forward: Cam Atkinson, Columbus
A perennial sleeper in most formats, Atkinson has finally received his due after a breakthrough 2015-16 (53 points). And based on what's happened (12 points in 13 games, including four assists Saturday), it looks as though he'll easily shatter his career high. Columbus owns the best man advantage by percentage (at 33.3% in 36 attempts), with Atkinson at the forefront (tied for fourth in the league with eight PPPs). But remember, this is the Blue Jackets — a franchise that hasn't been reliable at any point in their existence. So don't expect Atkinson, or other regulars, to consistently prolong their scoring success.
Broken Wing: Jaromir Jagr, Florida
Maybe the magic of living near the Fountain of Youth is finally wearing off. Jagr's numbers have been respectable (six points in 15 contests), but are woefully short of the 66 points he shocked us with last season. The Czech legend turns 45 in February but there's no indication he'll be quitting anytime soon. It would be heartwarming to see him do well on the ice when others his age are worrying about hair replacement procedures and prostate exams. Oh well, we'll always have the memories.
Between the Lines: Mark Stone, Ottawa
Stone (at six points) isn't the only Senator who's having trouble finding the net (Ottawa sits 27th in the league with a 2.16 goal-per-game average). He may not be making the most of his chances (only 24 shots), but at least is receiving ample opportunity (17:24 of average ice time, 2:31 on the power play) to do so. Even though Stone is only 24, he boasts a solid track record (64 and 61 points the last two years) that bodes well for a recovery.
Center
Two Steps Forward: Alex Galchenyuk, Montreal
Born in Milwaukee and the son of a Russian pro, Galchenyuk has progressively improved through his career. He's frequently alternated between center and the wing, but has wisely settled in the middle. There were worries coming into the season that the Habs would continue to sputter on offense, but the injection of Alexander Radulov and a healthy Brendan Gallagher has boosted Montreal's fortune. Meanwhile, Galchenyuk (17 points in 16 games) has taken advantage and looks to be a fantasy stud in the making. I'll go on the record and say Nail Yakupov probably wasn't the most talented prospect in the 2012 Draft.
Broken Wing: Carl Soderberg, Colorado
The Avs inked Soderberg to a massive five-year, $23.75 million contract two summers ago. It didn't immediately appear as if the pressure got to the Swede, as he coasted along in his first year in Denver (51 points in 82 games). His second season, however, has proved to be a much tougher test (only three points, but nothing in the last nine outings). Colorado remains a young outfit that hardly puts the puck in the net (second last with 1.92 goals per game), so it's tough to place blame on any individual.
Between the Lines: Bo Horvat, Vancouver
Brandon Sutter may be listed as the No. 2 center in Vancouver, but Horvat is clearly the second best pivot in Vancouver. There's a reason the Canucks selected him with the ninth pick in 2013 — and it wasn't for his good looks. After a fairly successful sophomore run (40 points skating in all 82 games), Horvat has picked it up in recent action (one goal, four assists in his last four). His 2015-16 power-play totals (12 PPPs) may be hard to duplicate but the chances will be available. Prospective owners should be mindful that he's a liability in the plus-minus department (minus-30 last year, minus-6 so far), though, since the Canucks are a team in transition with the second worst goal differential (minus-15) in the league.
