Find out which skaters that die-hard fantasy hockey owners must avoid & draft from the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers & Islanders.
There’s no doubting that fantasy hockey is more enjoyable than fantasy football.
Fans should embrace the fact that lineups can be set on a week-by-week basis and the parity throughout the NHL is simply better than that of the NFL. The ongoing love-hate relationship with your fantasy team lasts from October until late March, and the season ends just in time for you fantasy baseball nerds to switch gears.
As for the greater New York City area, there are three teams that represent the region’s Metropolitan Division which produces that much more excitement and potential bragging rights amongst the rival hockey teams.
ESNY takes a look at six skaters from the New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders and New York Rangers that fantasy hockey owners must draft and six that should be avoided at all costs in 2018-19.
New Jersey Devils: Players to avoid
Skater Categories: Goals, Assists, Plus/Minus, PIM, Power-Play Points, Shorthanded Points, Game-Winning Goals, Hits & Blocks.
Goaltending Categories: Wins, Goals Allowed, Goals-Against Average, Saves, Shutouts & Save-Percentage.
Last season, there were a number of skaters from the New Jersey Devils that surprisingly turned out to be valuable assets for a majority of fantasy hockey leagues.
Still, let’s drop the puck on two skaters from New Jersey that fantasy hockey owners should avoid selecting on draft day.
Travis Zajac – Center/Forward
While forward Travis Zajac may be an all-time favorite player for a number of Devils fans alike, his value in a majority fantasy hockey league is not worth selecting on draft day.
Given Zajac’s stats from last season, none of the standard fantasy hockey league’s categories play in the forward’s favor. Yes, it’s obvious that Zajac won’t finish in the top five for scoring with the Devils, but the center also doesn’t tally enough blocks or hits to offer any sort of added value to even be considered as a bench or depth player on a roster.
The former first-round draft pick (2004) acts as a commendable two-way and depth center in the NHL, but avoid adding Zajac to your team unless you’ve been severely bitten with the injury bug early on in a deep league (12 teams or more).
Keith Kinkaid – Goaltender
After goaltender Keith Kinkaid’s uncanny play between the pipes down the stretch last season that helped lead the Devils back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the masked man is not worth selecting on draft day.
Yes, most Devils fans want to say “he’s a steal” for the upcoming fantasy hockey season, but the reality is that there too many better and safer options for the goaltender position in 2018-19.
The 29-year-old proved he may have taken that next step forward as an NHL goaltender, but keep in mind that last season was a small sample size, and a motivated Cory Schneider may force Kinkaid to only see action in 40 games at most.
His numbers from last season are solid, but it’s a matter of consistency and games played for “Blockaid” that owners have to take into consideration. In a deep league, he could play out to be a pickup on a temporary basis and as a backup on teams; but avoid selecting Kinkaid on draft day.
Figure, Kinkaid doesn’t even crack the top 25 for goaltenders according to Yahoo Sports – and it’s hard to see him posting better stats than he did last season, especially given that the Devils more than likely won’t have the same success in the wins column, either.
New York Islanders: Players to avoid
One could make a fair argument that almost every single player on the New York Islanders’ roster, other than Mathew Barzal, should be avoided in fantasy hockey draft. However, before ESNY argues that point, it may not be the case in 2019 for fantasy hockey owners. Let’s hop over the boards and look at two Islanders player to avoid drafting this season.
Nick Leddy – Defenseman
While the New York Islanders’ overall defensive play is going to improve under the new regime of head coach Barry Trotz, that doesn’t mean that fantasy hockey owners should flock towards drafting New York defensemen.
Yes, there’s hope that defenseman Nick Leddy can turn the corner and act as a cornerstone for the Isles’ blue line, yet the 2013 Stanley Cup champion (Chicago Blackhawks) recorded a plus/minus rating of minus 42 last season.
The former first-round draft pick did record a career-high 95 hits in 2018, while taking one for the team and blocking 104 shots. Leddy’s point production will also be tempting (10 goals, 32 assists in 2018), but there are better options for skaters with similar numbers.
His production on the power play is also going to catch owner’s eyes, but the 27-year-old may struggle with the departure of Calvin de Haan, plus the addition of youngster, Sebastian Aho, to the team’s blue line.
Andrew Ladd – Forward
It’s possible that newly appointed head coach Barry Trotz could have a positive impact on forward Andrew Ladd in the Islanders’ lineup, but the chances are that he’ll be one of the Islanders that fantasy hockey owners should avoid on draft day.
Since joining the Isles back in 2016, the two-time Stanley Cup winner has been unproductive in a number of areas on the stat sheet; especially in the points column. While the Islanders lost their superstar captain in John Tavares, Ladd’s role with the team make take a significant hit due to the youngsters on the rise on the Island.
New York Rangers: Players to avoid
It’s a new era, and much needed one, on Broadway for the Rangers. Yet, even with a new culture on the rise at Madison Square Garden, there are skaters fantasy hockey owners should consider avoiding on draft day.
Kevin Shattenkirk – Defense
Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk hasn’t been the same caliber player since the former first-round draft pick (2007) was dealt from the St. Louis Blues to the Washington Capitals at the 2017 NHL Trade Deadline.
Due to injury, the 29-year-old only dressed in 46 games last season for the Broadway Blueshirts and it was an uneventful campaign — to say the least. NHL fans alike may believe that newly appointed head coach, David Quinn, will help Shattenkirk’s overall performance level out on the ice, but the culture could take a toll for the worse.
The reality is that the Rangers are more than likely attempting to shop the right-handed shooter, especially once the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline approaches.
The Rangers are going to experience their fair share of growing pains in 2018-19, and Shattenkirk will be faced with a number of challenges and adversity to overcome. His fantasy value will drop and more times than not fantasy hockey owners will find themselves not inserting Shattenkirk into their everyday lineup.
Chris Kreider – Forward
Expect forward Chris Kreider to slowly get phased out of the New York Rangers’ lineup in 2018-19, and witness his fantasy hockey value to drop for the worse. The former Boston College product has two years remaining on his contract with the Broadway Blueshirts, but a Stanley Cup contender may take a bid on the 27-year-old to add some depth on offense.
With forwards such as Vladislav Namestnikov, Ryan Spooner and Pavel Buchnevich now in the fold moving forward with New York, Kreider’s role will decrease, affecting his value for fantasy hockey owners and believers that the former first-round draft pick (2009) is set to have a career-season in 2018-19.
New Jersey Devils: Players to draft
Yes, forwards Nico Hischier and Taylor Hall are both obvious candidates that fantasy hockey owners should consider selecting in their respective drafts, but there are two other New Jersey skaters that are set to offer value for owners’ lineups.
Steven Santini – Defenseman
The Devils were a pleasant surprise last season and in large part to the team’s future all-star caliber skaters.
While defenseman Steven Santini wasn’t a regular in the Devils’ lineup in 2017-18, the 22-year-old proved just how dynamic he can be with an up-and-coming New Jersey squad. After only dressing in 36 games last season, the second-round draft pick finished in the top five for hits (113) and blocks (76).
Considering that defenseman John Moore departed for the Boston Bruins in unrestricted free agency this past offseason, Santini’s role in the lineup will significantly increase.
Fantasy owners that passed on Santini in drafts will soon learn that the 6-foot-2 blueliner has upside across the board for a majority of fantasy hockey leagues. Santini has the offensive capabilities to blossom into one of the better offensive-defenseman in the Eastern Conference, and don’t be surprised to see No. 34 inking his name on scoresheet — especially on the power play — often for New Jersey.
Kyle Palmieri – Forward
It’s probably best to avoid New Jersey Devils forwards in 2018-19 for fantasy hockey other than Hischier and Hall, but forward Kyle Palmieri is an exception for the upcoming campaign. Last season, the New Jersey native proved just how valuable he can be for fantasy hockey owners after he netted 11 power-play goals and chipped in five game-winning goals.
Those two categories alone separate Palmieri from the rest of pack come draft day.
While the 27-year-old finished the season with fewer than 50 points for the first time since joining the Devils back in 2015, he was limited to 62 games in 2017-18 (24G-20A – 44PTS). A healthy Palmieri, who’s also entering his prime, could have a career-season in 2018-19 and is worth selecting off the board sooner rather than later on draft day.
No. 21 for the Devils also finished the 2018 campaign with 94 hits, and the chances are that he’ll finish 2019 with over 100. All of those factors should cancel out any concerns that owners may have about his plus/minus ratings, too.
New York Islanders: Players to draft
Robin Lehner -- Goaltender
No, there’s no mistake here. Fantasy hockey owners should absolutely consider taking Robin Lehner as one of their two netminders for the upcoming season.
A new scene and culture with the likes of general manager Lou Lamoriello, and head coach Barry Trotz, is going to do wonders for the Swedish native on Long Island in 2018-19.
The potential has always been there for Lehner, it was just a matter of finding the right fit and home for the 27-year-old, who is also entering his prime years between the pipes. The reality is that Lehner is going to see 50-plus games and potentially rack up a ton of saves along the way.
Expect a significant and positive change with his GAA and save percentage, too. No, the 6-foot-4 masked man has never recorded 30 wins in a season, but that could also easily change this season. It seems apparent that Lehner is focused and extra motivated to prove that he’s a legitimate starting goaltender, and there’s plenty of room for growth and opportunity to do that with the Islanders from here on out.
Lamoriello has the track record that proves he knows how to find those types goaltenders that are capable of blossoming into a top 10 goaltender in the NHL. Expect nothing less during his tenure on the Island.
Lehner will have plenty of value to offer next season as a fantasy hockey goaltender.
Jordan Eberle – Forward
Fantasy hockey owners shouldn’t think twice or hesitate about selecting forward Jordan Eberle on draft day this season.
After forward John Tavares left the Islanders this past season, there are certain skaters that will “move up the food chain” in the Islanders’ lineup next season and one of those players happens to be Eberle.
The former first-round draft pick (2008) is fresh off of a 59-point season (25 goals, 34 assists), and Eberle is entering his first contract year. The 27-year-old is set to blossom into one of the league’s top producing wingers under the likes of head coach Barry Trotz and company. Keep in mind that the right-handed shooter also had a career-high seven game-winning goals in 2018.
If Trotz could drastically improve Alex Ovechkin’s overall performance out on the ice – then just imagine what the Stanley Cup-winning coach can do for Eberle who’s entering his prime.
The Regina, Saskatchewan native will take full advantage of a prime opportunity to receive his payday come July 1, 2019, and there’s no doubt that Eberle also wants to impress the Islanders biggest rival in the New York Rangers.
New York Rangers: Players to draft
Mats Zuccarello – Forward
Do it.
The reality is that it was a tough year in 2018 for just about every skater in the New York Rangers locker room, but similar to Eberle’s fantasy hockey stock, forward Mats Zuccarello’s value is going to raise in 2019.
The Norwegian native is a true leader for the Rangers and will thrive in his new role as one of the team’s best and go-to veteran skaters next season. The 31-year-old is entering a contract year, and even if the Broadway Blueshirts do decide to trade Zuccarello at the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline, he’ll more than likely be dealt to a Stanley Cup Playoff contender making his stock that much more valuable as fantasy hockey playoffs approach in late March.
Zuccarello is especially attractive to fantasy hockey owners in the deeper league’s and he offers value across the board for categories. The 5-foot-8 forward is good for a handful of game-winning goals and 50-plus points in 2019.
Brady Skjei – Defenseman
Yes, one of the New York Rangers’ youngest skaters is a must-take in all fantasy hockey leagues. Defenseman Brady Skjei is poised to be a top blueliner for fantasy hockey owners in 2018-19, especially in keeper leagues.
While the 24-year-old finished 2018 with a plus/minus rating of minus-27, don’t let that category scare you away from selecting Skjei as one of your top defensemen for the upcoming campaign. Skjei’s ice-time will not only increase but so will his point-totals. Plus the youngster finished with over 100 hits and blocks last season, which was good to finish in the top two for the Rangers.
While the future is bright for Skjei and the Rangers, the former Minnesota Gophers product offers plenty of fantasy hockey value across the board and from puck drop this October.