Some people called the Vancouver Canucks to provide JT Miller with overwhelming people. It’s a fair claim, considering that Miller’s best is probably an elite player, there are many ways to influence the game. Those who favor trading point out that the best part of swaps may not be anything tangible at all. Complementing the subtraction can improve the team’s chemistry and help Elias Pettersson become his former main player again.
However, this has not happened yet.
Since Miller was traded and entered Saturday night, Pettersson has only assisted one shot in four games and has been completely beaten to score in his previous three games. What’s worse? The Canucks forward has only two shots in the last three outings and now has only 56 points in the pace in 2024-25. That won’t cut from players who scored more than 100 points a few years ago and earned $11.6 million per season.
That said, Saturday’s matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs was much better for Paterson, who looked more like his old self. Pettersson got a beautiful assist and buzzed throughout the ice, creating opportunities for his winger. He also made three blocks and was very effective at the end of his own. If you are going to join Pettersson and you can get that version in 10 times, you will be very happy.
If you just watched the five games that Canucks have played since the Canucks traded in a vacuum, there is no reason to panic in the case of Pettersson. The problem is that Paterson’s problem is much more than that. He wasn’t himself in the second half of last season, and if you included the playoffs, there were only two goals in the last 26 games. With Miller gone, but due to Miller’s development, Vancouver seems not to have completely ruled out a deal in Pettersson.
However, there is reason to be optimistic apart from Saturday night’s performance. When Miller left the roster earlier this season, Petterson scored 15 points in 10 games, giving everyone a glimpse of his abilities. That was Pettersson, and Canucks hoped Miller would return when he was transported out of town, but so far he hasn’t fully recaptured the form. More complicated is that Quinn Hughes has been eliminated in the past four games, which has left the Canucks roster and Power Play lacking offensive talent. But if Petterson should be an elite player, he needs to push the game himself and launch the offense alone.
Pettersson’s struggles over the past calendar years can bring a lot of problems if you incorporate him into the goalkeeper program for the foreseeable future. He should be an undoubted Guardian in the years to come, but what will you progress to Pettersson? Is he a 50-60-point player? Or a player from 90-100 points? If you give up on him, and he is the latter, it would be a devastating mistake. That said, he has had very little time in the past year, and you can point out that it shows that he can go back there regularly.
These last 27 games, along with any potential playoff games, are crucial to Paterson’s future. Has he shown you another investment in him next season? Or are you going to sell players who may or may not return to superstar status?
From players in the lineup to players you don’t have to worry about is an enviable position.
1. Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk also tried to get back on track. Before Miller Trade, DeBrusk scored only one goal in 15 games. Vancouver will need him to score more, while Miller is gone, Pettersson struggles, Hughes is frustrated. He has scored several goals now over the past week and a half, but they are sandwiched in some quiet games. DeBrusk recently hit nine times against Dallas and Colorado, but mixed two games there with no points and no shots. Vancouver needs to be more consistent with those who hide their debris.
2. Perhaps no one benefited from Todd McLellan’s hiring, not Dylan Larkin. The Detroit Red Wings forward has exploded since McLellan was appointed head coach and has scored 24 points in his last 21 games. Larkin and Lucas Raymond are becoming a pair that is essential for whoever plays with them. Marco Kasper is the one who is now using it, so be careful if someone else encounters Kasper’s location.
3. Just when I thought Anders Lee was approaching a drop after four meaningless games, he went out and scored points in back-to-back and 10 strokes. At this rate, the New York Islanders’ forward will be a season-long holding.
4. Logan Cooley lost due to injury for a tough break in Utah. When he was promoted to the top line, he had a breakthrough season and helped Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz. I think Keller and Schmaltz will be good, but expect their numbers to drop slightly with the situation in Cooley.
5. Although I’m not worried, you might say the same thing to Dylan Guenther. He didn’t show up in the first three games of the injury, scoring five points and 19 shots. Barrett Hayton took over the second-tier center duties, which was Guenther’s best situation. If Utah decides to move Alex Kerfoot to the location, I don’t think he will work.
6. JT Miller made a good start in Big Apple, but he also had a significant impact on the new loop length. Mika Zibanejad has scored eight points and 15 in five games since Miller joined the New York Rangers’ new trio. Zibanejad’s season is incredible, so it could be huge for New York if they not only lift Miller out of the deal, but also rejuvenate.
7. Columbus Blue Jacket continues to deal with injuries as Kirill Marchenko is now out. Marchenko was happy and helped Dmitri Voronkov and Adam Fantilli Fantasy to be related. Kent Johnson slipped into his role temporarily, so I wouldn’t be overly concerned about Voronkov or Fantilli right now. In addition, as a confrontation breakup in 4 countries is about to occur, the injury is in a pleasant time. Hopefully Marchenko doesn’t miss too many actions.
8. Ryan Hartman will compete in 10 games after driving Tim Stutzle’s face into the ice in a match last weekend. Hartmann isn’t that huge roster, but it’s worth pointing out the risk of putting players who repeat offenders in terms of suspension. Ten games are essentially three fantasy matchups, and if Hartman was a more influential player, it would be a huge blow. Someone like Tom Wilson would fall into this category because another guy who plays the edge and has a high suspension rate in the past has more fantasy value than Hartman .
9. Praise New Jersey Devils goalkeeper Jake Allen, who gave birth to Jacob Markstrom due to injury. Allen had 3 closing ceremonies during this time and had already advertised a savvy pickup before Markstrom returned.
10. Some people may devalue the goal of the empty net, but in fantasy hockey, the goal is a goal. Alex Ovechkin has made six of his 26 goals this season, and he also has a history of most empty goals. Ovechkin is already very valuable for his target score, but the fact that he hunts down those empty Nets is an added bonus in fantasy.
11. Joseph Woll’s figures aren’t necessarily spectacular in the absence of Anthony Stolarz, but he must encourage him to get into the season. Woll has been trying to stay healthy, although he has been sticking well, as Toronto’s maple leaves have tilted a lot over the past six weeks. Now, Stolarz returns, Woll may have a bit less start, but he has proven he can take over the net again if needed.
12. Does Toronto striker Bobby McMann Fantasy make sense now? It was a tough call because he scored very well but nothing else was done. McMahon has scored three consecutive goals in a row, 30 paces this season, but still only 10% of the roster. This could be because the assists weren’t there and McMahon got mediocre ice time in the third line. Given the fact that he can score, I would use him as a streamer and consider his promotion to the top six.
13. Trade rumors are spinning at that time of year, so keep that in mind when doing a lineup. If you want to drop players or leave players, be aware that their situation may change through trades in the coming weeks. Miller’s value looks like it’s in New York, and if Buffalo Sabers trade him, will the same happen to Dylan like Dylan?
The two-week break at the four national championships is also a good time to evaluate and analyze the lineup to see the action before quickly approaching the Fantasy Hockey trade deadline.
Four countries standoff
As the first public visit of the 4th country approaches, be sure to catch up with all the latest news about the highly anticipated best event. Puck dropped on SportsNet on February 12, 2025.
Read more
14. If you’re looking for a spot starter, Edmonton Oilers’ backup Calvin Pickard might be your best choice now. He was 9-1-0 in the last 10, and more than half of them were high quality starts.
15. Has anyone been hotter than David Pastrnak since the New Year? The Boston Bruins’ forwards are currently at 13 straight wins, with one point in 16 of the last 18 games. This also includes 15 goals in 16 games. Over the past few weeks, he has produced important fantasy works by Pavel Zacha and Morgan Geekie and has supported two circles. Pastrnak starts very slowly, but good players always figure it out. If you take a wise move and buy it at a low price on Pastrnak, then honor.
16. It’s been a productive week for Los Angeles Kings forward Quinton Byfield, with six assists in the last four games. Even though he doesn’t have the breakout season that everyone hopes for, his ice time has increased by 20 minutes and it’s been a while since he’s starting to have more value. Maybe he will have a strong record this season to make up for this quiet start.
17. Eeli Tolvanen quietly hosted a strong season for Seattle Kraken. Tolvanen had a pace of 252 and 23 goals, breaking his previous career best. Kraken Forward has only 22% of the roster and is probably the key to the Multicats League. It is difficult to find a fusion of goals and hits.
18. I often notice that Thomas Chabot is much better than a fantasy hockey player, but he has proved me wrong lately. The Ottawa Senator’s defender had a huge week, with 4 points, 16 shots and 9 blocks. The main advantage Chabot gives you is that he plays a lot of tons, although he never really stands out in any particular category. So, if you can even consider riding this wave at a high price on Chabot.
19. There is a lot of talk about the slow start of Mikko Rantanen in the Carolina hurricane, but Martin Necas has no trouble with the Colorado avalanche. NECAS scored nine points in eight games against AVS and was producing big shots and getting a lot of time. It’s a massive upgrade for NECAS, who is now skating with one of Nathan Mackinnon’s best players in the league. If you seized his chance, you’ve gained incredible value from NECAS this season. He got a good start in Carolina and just as he started to slow down, he got into a great situation to thrive.
20. I wonder if there is a world where Cale Makar pushes to be a fantasy choice in the top five. His ADP is about nine this year, but when you consider his work and the fact that he is a defender, Macar might be bargaining at the time. His pace lasted 32 goals and had a chance to exceed 90 points. Obviously, there are several forwards that can have the best total, but it’s hard to find an offense on your blue line in fantasy. Other Blueliners can also produce huge seasons, although Makar may fall into its own category in terms of goals. If he is a 30-goal scorer regularly and is close to 100-point player, I think Makar’s argument is the top five in some formats.
