Hang around here long enough and you’ve probably picked up on the idea that there’ll be either a classic film reference and or a musical interlude. For a fantasy hockey piece?! Uh…ya.
For this article, I’m gonna have to ask you to please do the following:
1. Find a quiet place.
2. Click this link for the trip itinerary. The Italian Coast should be beautiful riding shotgun with Timo and Nico. Especially with the Top Down.
I just think it’ll be better for everyone involved.
O.k, let’s go:
What Now?
What do you do when your number one draft pick who plays for your favorite team and just so happens to be currently number one in your fantasy league crashes into the boards and gets injured? First, you have a complete fantasy hockey meltdown. Second, you put the first thing on repeat. Third, you do your best to forget that Nico is out with an injury too. And fourth, you hope that Timo begins keeping time in a way that would do his forefathers proud. In a deep league, it’s really tough, but with Jack Hughes going down in Friday night’s game, I got no choice? Too many Devils I guess. I mean at the beginning of the season, wouldn’t you have signed up for Hughes, Timo, and Nico? I would and did. C’mon boys. Just wait till I throw the Mercer/Toffoli deuce at you below.
Too Bad Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, and Jimmy Stewart Weren’t Available…
…because I liked their version of The Philadelphia Story better. I picked up Travis Sanheim at the beginning of the week because of the Flyers best weekly schedule. Nothing to write home about but…I was able to “sell high” for a “buy low” in Dawson Mercer. Don’t judge, but I was in another nail-biter and with Jack down and out of moves, I flipped Travis for Dawson and kept my fingers crossed for the Sunday game. C’mon Dawson. I don’t want to wait. Plus, I’ve got your autographed stick hanging in my room.
Key Adds:
1. Tyler Toffoli: As mentioned, I traded Alex DeBrincat for Toffoli in an attempt to get an addition for the Sunday games. I was out of adds by Thursday and I was glad to move off of The Cat. I’ve rostered Toffoli over the past two seasons and I’m a fan. Players who shoot a lot (Toffoli) always find a way to my heart. Plus, with both Nico and Jack out, why not?
2. Logan Thompson: Is Vegas ever going to lose? (oops, spoke too soon. Sunday Night’s Lights dimming). My current goalies are Soros and Vasi (stashed away on my IR) and Thompson was available. I mean, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. While I realize he’s part of the Golden Knights tandem, this was a “team context” move. And glad I did so. Like McT below, Logan’s Run in Week Four was a difference maker for one of my teams.
3. Mason McTavish: Losing Jack Hughes early in the week was/is a killer. He was my first draft pick, he plays on my favorite team, and he was off to an unreal start. Trying to replace even a bit of his production is a tall order so I grabbed the top rated free agent in my league, McTavish. Plus, the Ducks played three games all on off nights. The week’s results? Just enough, sayin’ just enough for the city.
4. Carter Verhaeghe: I drafted him last year and the year before and impatiently dropped him too early and paid the price. This year I missed out on drafting him. However, last week (and with an eye on the Week Five schedule- Florida plays M, W, F, Sun), I offered Frank Vatrano to another manager for Verhaeghe and they accepted. You know what comes next right? Time to make the donuts? Hoping not.
Lessons Learned in Week Four:
1. Sometimes the numbers lie. Over time, it’s better to have more games played than your opponent. And that was the case for all three of my teams last week. In two cases, roster maximization worked out. But barely. In one matchup, I had ten more games played than my opponent and won by 13 points. In another, I had a six game advantage and lost by 25. Moral of the story? More is usually better. But sometimes it isn’t. Ah, the machinations of fantasy hockey.
2. Selling high and buying low is not just a Wall Street maxim. Use trades to target players that can help you in the short term as well as over the long term. I made three trades this week that essentially added to my weekly add allotments and helped me win two of my matchups. Look for managers who may need what you’re willing to give up and make an offer. You never know!
3. Ask. Early in the week, I contemplated dropping Nico Hischeier. Think about that. Even though it’s a ten team league, that would have been a drastic move. But I needed help in what was shaping into another nail-biter matchup and thought I could replace his (lack of) production since the center position is so deep. I reached out to Blake here at Apples and Ginos and he thoughtfully suggested that I not do so. Afterwards, I contacted my league’s commissioner and asked if he would implement IR+ and he goes, “Sure. We need it.” Problem solved.
…Nice little trip right?
Thanks for reading.
Mike@TheFantasyHockeyProfessor
Apples and Ginos 