Single Category Money
They aren't Good for much, But they Can lock down a Category win

Shots

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Alexander Edler's season is so lackluster, he's leading the chase for a future spot on NHL Network (alongside Jamal Mayers and Anson Carter). With just 19 points in 54 games this season, most would say he isn't even worth consideration. However, If you're in a tight league, locking up even a single category can be crucial... Consider this: Edler has more shots in his last 7 games than Ovechkin, Karlsson, Byfuglien, and Seguin. If you need a few extra shots, give the guy a chance.

PIMS

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Chris Neil isn't leading the league in PIMs, in fact, he's 3rd in total PIMs this season. While Tom Sesito and Richard Clune might sound like better plays for your PIMs category, Neil is as dirty as it gets. While 51 PIMs in his last 11 games is great, the real value is in the PIMsistency® (that's Ranjomarked®). Neil has PIMs in all but three of his last 12 contests, and he has collected more than five PIMs in 25% of those games.

Anything Between the Pipes

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Goaltending at this time of year can be pretty difficult to come by. Finding quality this late in the season is almost unheard of. That being said, Chad Johnson is somehow still available in nearly 40% of leagues, despite five wins in his last six games and seeing roughly one out of every three starts. Now isn't the time to be waiting on goaltending, but if you can get one great start a week out of a free agent goaltender, it's worth the space on your roster.

BACON BITS

How much sodium have you had today? Probably not enough, but we're here to help.
Get 'em while they're greasy.

Fantasy On the Rise

MArtin Jones

Do you even have one of those days when you wake up with the highest save percentage in the league and played lights out in relief of your starter? Ben Scrivens has those days. Daryl Sutter has made it clear that wins are all that matters, and he's willing to ride the hot hand. That's bad news for Scrivens owners, but if you're in one of the 35% of leagues where Jones is still available, you might want to grab him now. Jones has five wins in five career NHL games, two of them coming in shutouts, and he'll continue to produce until Jon Quick gets back.

Jaden Schwartz

There are eight letters in Schwartz's last name, and just one vowel. That doesn't affect his fantasy value, but just look at that. Schwartz is 21 years old, and has yet to have that big season that will put him on the map as a premiere NHL forward. He's an under-the-radar type of guy, but has 15 points in 24 games this season. He's just one point behind names like O'Reily, Landeskog, and Vanek. Left Wingers are hard to come by, so give Schwartz a chance.

sean Couturier

At just 20 years old, Sean Couturier is flying under most fantasy owners' radar. Two seasons ago, Couturier posted 27 points from the fourth line, and this season, he has a chance to break out. Couturier's 27 point season came with only around 14 minutes a game of playing time, but now he's seeing nearly 20. As the third line center on a team that doesn't run their fourth line often, the Flyers are giving Couturier the chances he needs to break out for a 35-40 point campaign (possibly higher if he continues to center the second powerplay unit).

Here Comes the Drop
PLAYERS NEAR 100% OWNED THAT ARE ABOUT TO HIT FREE AGENCY

Jay Bouwmeester

Jay, what are you even good for at this point in the season?
Answer: Nothing.
Bouwmeester has a +10 in his last 14 games, but has only registered two assists in that span. His shots over the last 14 games are good for a defenseman (29), but with hot hands like Alec Martinez (8 points in his last 11 games, +4, 5 PPP, 9.5% owned) available and waiting, there's no reason for Bouwmeester to be on your blueline.

VAlteri Filppula

Twenty points in 31 games isn't too shabby, but the complete lack of production in the last month is probably putting Filppula in an uncomfortable position. With plenty of unowned talent blessing many free agency pools, owners can do better. Filppula has just one goal in his last six games. Even worse, he only has 8 shots in that span and is a -1. Players hit cold streaks. . . but Filppula isn't a proven scorer in this league, so there's no telling when (or if) this icy cold play will turn around.

Mike Smith

I'm a big fan of Mike Smith, but it brings a smile to my face knowing that I didn't draft him. The Coyotes were one of the best home teams at the end of October, and Smith was racking up wins quickly (seven wins in nine games). The problem? Smith still only had a .912 save percentage in that span, and an even uglier 2.97 GAA. Smith's numbers didn't get any better in November, and his fantasy owners' patience is starting to wear thin. With a 3.17 GAA in November, Smith has been hurting more than he's helping.