Fantasy: 5 players you should buy low on
There's always at least one manager in fantasy hockey leagues willing to make an overreactive trade after losing their Week 1 matchup. The first player on their team they'll be looking to move is the player they had relatively high expectations for but has gotten off to a cold start. This is where the savvy and patient managers can take full advantage.
Here are five potential bargains:
LW/RW Rick Nash, RangersNash has gotten off to a forgettable start, with just one goal and no assists in six games. It wouldn't take much to convince his fantasy owner the 33-year-old is washed up.
However, not only is Nash on pace for a career high in shots on goal, but those shots have been of high quality. He's tied for first in the NHL with nine individual high-danger scoring chances at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick.
He isn't in his prime, but with his goal-scoring pedigree, he's bound to start capitalizing on his chances.
C/RW Charlie Coyle, Wild
If you have an IR spot available, look to acquire Coyle. The 25-year-old forward is out six-to-eight weeks, so his trade value is essentially at rock bottom.
Coyle was off to a strong start before going down with a right fibula fracture. He was playing a career-high 18:35 per night and had two assists and eight high-danger scoring chances in just three games.
If he can pick up where he left off when he returns, he could be a top-75 player for the remainder of the season. Given it would likely cost next to nothing to acquire him, it's worth the risk.
C/RW Jordan Eberle, Islanders
Many thought Eberle would flourish with the Islanders alongside John Tavares, but that potential has yet to materialize, as he has no goals and three assists thus far.
In fact, the trio of Eberle, Tavares, and Anders Lee have combined for just four goals and four assists, but their line ranks sixth in the NHL in expected goals at five-on-five, per Corsica.
Moreover, Eberle is averaging what would be a career-high 3.17 shots per game. The points are bound to start flowing for the Isles' prized offseason acquisition.
D Justin Faulk, Hurricanes
Faulk has been held without a point through Carolina's first three games, so his owner may be willing the pull the trigger on a deal. However, the 25-year-old is is averaging a career high in ice time, and an astounding - yet unsustainable - 4.67 shots per game. Nonetheless, the fact that he's throwing tons of pucks on net is encouraging.
From 2014-15 to 2016-17, he ranks sixth among NHL defensemen in goals, despite missing 25 games over that span. The Hurricanes are as good as they've ever been in the Faulk era, and he's poised for a huge season.
G Devan Dubnyk, Wild
Dubnyk is off to a rough start, as he currently owns a 3.71 goals-against average and an .894 save percentage. That shouldn't last long, though.
The towering netminder ranks fifth in the NHL with an expected save percentage of 91.78, meaning improvement is on the way.
Over the past three seasons, only Carey Price owns a better save percentage, so expect Dubnyk to turn things around.
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