Fantasy: 5 moves you need to make in Week 9
Every Monday, theScore offers a weekly fantasy hockey column detailing a handful of moves you should make. This week's edition focuses on Week 9. Ownership percentages and position eligibility are courtesy of Yahoo.
Trade for Taylor HallTeam: Devils
Position: LW
Ownership: 98%
The Taylor Hall sweepstakes are reportedly underway, and a move out of New Jersey could drastically raise the former Hart Trophy winner's fantasy stock.
The Devils have earned the second-fewest points in the league, and it seems like a foregone conclusion that the pending UFA will be moved prior to the trade deadline. He only has four goals on the season, so his fantasy owner may be open to trading him. Hall's 4.5 shooting percentage is due for some positive regression, and it's easy to envision him succeeding on a Cup contender.
Add Chris Driedger
Eliot J. Schechter / National Hockey League / GettyTeam: Panthers
Position: G
Ownership: 2%
Driedger made his first NHL start on Saturday, recording a 27-save shutout against the Nashville Predators. The 25-year-old journeyman is worth adding on the off chance he becomes this year's Jordan Binnington, who was surely responsible for winning people some fantasy titles last season.
Florida has been among the NHL's best teams this season despite getting horrendous goaltending from both Sergei Bobrovsky and Sam Montembeault. Even though Bobrovsky signed a $70-million contract in the summer, there's a real opportunity for Driedger to at least work himself into a time-share with the two-time Vezina Trophy winner.
The chance of Driedger becoming the Panthers' No. 1 for the remainder of the season is slim, but his league-winning upside far outweighs the risk of just dropping him later this week if he gets shelled.
Trade for Nikolaj EhlersTeam: Jets
Position: LW/RW
Ownership: 77%
Ehlers finally has a center to help maximize his goal-scoring potential. Blake Wheeler, normally a winger, has been centering Winnipeg's second line for the last few weeks. Ehlers is benefiting greatly, potting five goals in his last eight games. The Jets have won six of those eight contests, so it doesn't appear Wheeler will be moving back to the wing anytime soon.
Ehlers shouldn't be too pricey on the trade market considering his overall numbers - 20 points in 27 games - aren't overly impressive. The Dane, who is shooting more often this year, looks to be on track to exceed 30 goals and could even approach 40 if he can get hot.
Add Adam Fox
Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / GettyTeam: Rangers
Position: D
Ownership: 27%
Fox started slowly in his rookie campaign, but he's really beginning to come into his own for the Rangers:
| Stat | First 11 GP | Last 14 GP |
|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | 4 |
| A | 1 | 8 |
| P | 2 | 12 |
| SOG | 12 | 34 |
| ATOI | 16:18 | 19:27 |
Fox has gained head coach David Quinn's trust, as evidenced by an ice-time increase highlighted by a 24:29 outing Friday against the Boston Bruins. He's also gaining confidence in himself, shooting the puck more as the season has gone on.
The blue-liner put up huge numbers in college at Harvard and needs to be owned in all fantasy leagues.
Add Brendan Lemieux in banger leaguesTeam: Rangers
Position: LW
Ownership: 9%
Lemieux is a must-own in leagues that reward physicality. Son of four-time Stanley Cup winner Claude Lemieux, Brendan has 48 hits and 52 penalty minutes on the season. His 10 points in 24 games won't jump off the page, but he's currently skating on the Rangers' top line with Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich, which will help maximize his offensive ceiling.
Josh Wegman has been theScore's resident fantasy hockey expert since 2015. Find him on Twitter @JoshWegman_.
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