The NHL All-Star break represents the perfect time of the year to take a step back and reflect on what we have seen so far this season. With five or six weeks left in fantasy hockey league regular seasons depending on the structure of your season, the playoff races are about to heat up. We took the time to break down the numbers and figure out which star has shined brightest at his position. Here is a look at the top NHL fantasy league option at each position so far this season.
C: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
There really is no doubt about this selection since Crosby ranks second in NHL scoring behind only Connor McDavid despite playing in just 42 games after missing the first couple of weeks because of injury. Crosby’s 55 points is only four fewer than McDavid’s 59, while Crosby’s 1.31 goals per game tops McDavid’s mark of 1.16. Crosby also has the edge over McDavid in shots per game and faceoff wins per game, which gives him an even greater value in leagues that count those statistics. McDavid is definitely a close second, but right now no center is more valuable than Crosby.
The Pens offense has been nothing short of prolific this season. They have scored 172 goals this year, which is the most in the NHL. Only four other teams in the entire league have scored more than 150. That’s why Crosby – and a number of his teammates – have been so valuable in NHL fantasy.
LW: Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins
Vladimir Tarasenko of the St. Louis Blues earned consideration for top honors at this position but ultimately the nod goes to Marchand for his dominance across the board. Marchand ranks fifth in the NHL with 49 points while maintaining a plus-seven rating and compiling 44 penalty minutes with the Bruins. While he has done the bulk of his damage at even strength, Marchand has also chipped in on special teams with 13 powerplay points and four shorthanded points to lead all fantasy performers at his position.
RW: Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
Kane likely won’t top 100 points the way he did a year ago but there is still no doubt that he is the most dominant fantasy option at his position. Kane leads all right wingers with 48 points including 15 goals, along with 173 shots on goal and a plus-seven rating through 50 games. He isn’t the most dominant option regardless of position the way he was last season but Kane is still the best right winger available in fantasy hockey leagues so far.
D: Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks
The fact that Brent Burns ranks fourth in NHL scoring is absolutely ridiculous. The veteran defenseman is essentially producing at the level of an elite superstar forward but is eligible on defense where the next highest point producer has 12 fewer points than him. Burns has 20 goals, 51 points and is a plus-14 this season. Factor in that he actually leads the NHL in shots on goal with 194 and there should be no doubt that he is the top fantasy hockey league option this season regardless of position.
G: Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota Wild
Braden Holtby of the Washington Capitals and Sergei Bobrovsky of the Columbus Blue Jackets both deserve honorable mention at their position but there is little doubt that Dubnyk has been the best fantasy goaltender to this point. Dubnyk leads the NHL with a 1.91 goals against average and a .935 save percentage and he ranks second behind only Bobrovsky in wins with 26. The Wild appear to be a legitimate Stanley Cup contender this season and Dubnyk’s phenomenal play is a big reason why they have been so good.
It’s also worth mentioning that they have been quite effective at the other end of the ice too. The Wild have scored 160 goals so far this season, which is a lot for a team that typically has a tough time finding the back of the net. That’s eight more goals than any other team in the conference and only two teams in the NHL – the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers – have scored more.
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