Fantasy: 3 players to replace Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

The loss of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is significant for fantasy owners who were banking on a breakout season from the 2011 first overall pick.

While the 22-year-old recorded only eight goals and 22 assists with 85 shots prior to suffering a long-term hand injury Monday in Florida, the expected addition of Connor McDavid to the Edmonton Oilers lineup following the All-Star break could've been a boon to the team, opening up the ice for the young talent to produce at a higher level.

Now, the Oilers are facing yet another high-end lottery pick, while fantasy owners are left with a hole to fill down the stretch.

Here are three centers worth adding in Nugent-Hopkins's absence:

Bruins C Ryan Spooner

Owned in 39 percent of Yahoo leagues

Spooner has already been called upon to step up his game as an injury replacement, seeing a bump in ice time and responsibility in Boston after David Krejci went down in the second game following the holiday break.

Much like last season, the Bruins center has answered the call, recently recording the second three-point game of his career, and averaging over a point per game in January, with two goals and seven assists in eight games.

Even after Krejci returns, Spooner will continue to help carry the Bruins' offense, and could be even more productive in a more sheltered role playing against third-line opposition, while also continuing to see power-play time.

Among players with at least 400 minutes of five-on-five ice time this season, Spooner is averaging 2.46 points per 60. That puts him ninth on a list of 450, and suggests he should be owned in most fantasy leagues, regardless of Nugent-Hopkins' health.

Maple Leafs C Nazem Kadri

Owned in 34 percent of Yahoo leagues

Kadri's luck has to turn around at some point.

The Toronto Maple Leafs center, who recently received rave reviews from general manager Lou Lamoriello, ranks 10th among NHL players with 156 shots, but has only eight goals to show for it.

His 5.1 shooting percentage sits well below his career mark of 10.8, meaning he could have already topped the 15-goal mark.

Kadri is seeing a career-high 18:14 of ice time, and is set to become a restricted free agent at season's end. A strong finish would certainly help his chances of cashing in on a long-term deal, while also boosting fantasy managers' chances of winning when it matters most.

Hurricanes C Victor Rask

Owned in 21 percent of Yahoo leagues

Somewhat unexpectedly, the Carolina Hurricanes have put themselves within striking distance of a playoff spot, and the 22-year-old Rask is as big a reason as any for the club's relative success.

Selected 41 spots below Nugent-Hopkins in 2011, the Swedish forward has scored 11 goals and added 17 assists in 45 games. With those totals, Rask has already matched his goal total in 80 games as a rookie last season.

Rask is also seeing significant power-play time, with 11 of his 17 assists coming on the man advantage.

Tied for the team lead among forwards in points, he's producing at a higher per game level than all Hurricanes not named Justin Faulk, and is a solid low-key option for those with a need at center.

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