Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey: Wednesday Picks

A new NHL season is upon us, which also means a new season of daily fantasy hockey has dawned as well. The blank-slate nature of this new beginning – the kind that allows even Edmonton Oilers fans to believe this is their year – also means we have no data from the current NHL season to use. That doesn’t mean some selections aren’t better than others, though. Four games kick off the NHL season Wednesday. Here are some players to target, and some to avoid.

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GOALIE

Jonathan Quick, LOS at SAN ($33): It has been so fashionable to call Quick overrated because his regular season numbers aren’t equal to his couple of amazing playoff runs that he becomes almost underrated. He’s a good goalie who has posted a .918 save percentage his last two seasons, and he plays for a solid team that helps him rack up wins. San Jose is tough, but there are no “good team versus bad team” matchups on Wednesday.

GOALIE TO AVOID

Brian Elliott, CGY at EDM ($37): Despite the fact that the Flames struggled quite a bit last year in the goal prevention department, Elliott is the second priciest goalie out of Wednesday’s likely starters. The Oilers seem like they could turn this into a high-scoring affair thanks to players such as Connor McDavid, as well as the fact it’s their first game in their new building. This is Elliott’s first game starting for the Flames, and it’s too early to buy in on him.

CENTER

Kyle Turris, OTT vs. TOR ($12): Are the Maple Leafs going to be better this year? Absolutely. Do they still have a lot of questions, particularly defensively? That’s equally true. Turris is still in his prime, is the top center for the Senators, and he’s healthy after dealing with an ankle injury last season. At $12, he’s also a potential steal.

CENTER TO AVOID

Joe Thornton, SAN vs. LOS ($21): Thornton had his best season in years as a 36-year-old, putting up 82 points in 82 games. That’s very impressive, but this is a new season. Thornton has to begin the year dealing with Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, and the aforementioned Jonathan Quick. There are better values today.

TWO WINGERS

Milan Lucic, EDM vs. CGY ($14): How will Lucic take to his new team in Edmonton? He’s a player who has shown a knack for goal-scoring and will be playing alongside McDavid, including on the power play. While he may still need to develop chemistry with his new teammates, $14 is well worth the gamble to see if he hits the ground – or rather the ice – running.

Mark Stone, OTT vs. TOR ($19): The premise here is the same as it is with Turris. In fact, the two are linemates and Stone is a little pricier, but he’s well worth it. Last year, in addition to scoring 23 goals in 75 games, he had 151 shots on net, and he played over 20 minutes a night, including three minutes per game with the man advantage. With this matchup, those minutes, and those shot totals, could really benefit you.

TWO WINGERS TO AVOID

Joel Ward, SAN vs. LOS ($16): Ward is currently day-to-day with a lower-body injury, but is expected to play against the Kings. However, the injury could slow him down, and regardless, Ward is no longer a top-six forward and at $16 he’s too pricey. Ward’s teammate Joonas Donskoi is a better option at $13.

Marian Hossa, CHI vs. STL ($22): How much more does Hossa have in the tank? Granted, this is more of a question for later in the season than the opener, but the 37-year-old Hossa isn’t the player he used to be. He’ll still probably take a lot of shots, but at $22 he’s just too expensive, especially going up against a good team like the Blues.

TWO DEFENSEMEN

Dougie Hamilton, CGY at EDM ($17): Maybe Hamilton didn’t do what was expected of him in his first season with the Flames, but he still took 190 shots and blocked 106 while netting 16 power-play points. You’ll see him on the power-play against Edmonton, and he’ll play plenty of minutes, and against the Oilers that’s a good starting point, especially at $17.

Drew Doughty, LOS at SAN ($21): Doughty is great. He’s one of the elite blueliners in the NHL, and one of the top defensemen playing Wednesday. However, while Erik Karlsson will cost you $28 and Brett Burns $27, Doughty’s only $21. That’s a good value.

TWO DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID

Colton Parayko, STL at CHI ($17): People like Parayko because he’s big and young and has a heavy slap shot. However, that only led to seven power-play points, and for now, he’s third on the depth chart among left defensemen for the Blues. A tough matchup against the Blackhawks doesn’t help. There are better values available.

Dion Phaneuf, OTT vs. TOR ($16): Phaneuf should see plenty of ice time against the Maple Leafs. However, don’t expect him to exact much vengeance against his former team. Phaneuf only has one goal to his name as a Senator, and he’s not the player he used to be. If PIM counted he might be a decent play, but that’s not the case here.

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