Although this isn’t the Jack Eichel news that you’ve been waiting for, it could expedite the process of announcing the Jack Eichel news that you’ve been waiting for.
It’s funny how less than a month ago, the now-former agent tweeted out a statement saying that “the process is not working.” Obviously, Eichel agreed, then decided to go in a different direction with an agent that might have more clout.
Meanwhile, with the prospect of Eichel possibly undergoing the surgery and missing games to start the season as a result (and missing more games the longer he waits), his non-keeper fantasy stock is plummeting. His ADP in Yahoo leagues now sits at 75, which is far below the second-round (or even first-round) value that he has been drafted at in recent seasons. I’m sure not drafting him any higher than that, with all this uncertainty.
If he is not traded, does he even report to Buffalo? Is he even healthy enough to play, even if he was willing to report? Eichel might be an elite-level talent, but there are simply too many red flags at the moment.
–
Have a listen to the latest Keeping Karlsson Podcast, where Rangers fan Ben Burnett chats with Rangers expert Shayna Goldman of The Athletic. So this one is one of the longer 32 Beats podcasts. Ben and Elan are producing so many podcasts at the moment that you could select the ones you most want to listen to from the list – that’s what I’m doing.
–
Also, don’t forget to check out our Offseason Fantasy Grades articles for each team. Mike, Alex, and I have been taking turns taking care of these this year. Our latest has Mike covering the Columbus Blue Jackets.
–
Of course, if you haven’t already, get your 2021-22 Fantasy Hockey Guide. It comes complete with PDF and customizable Excel spreadsheet, both of which are updated as further player developments occur. Purchase the guide, win your league, and thank us later!
–
Here are the defensemen with the top power-play minutes last season, along with their even-strength minutes:
| Name | Team | GP | %PP | PPTOI | %EV | EVTOI | %TOI | TOI |
| KEITH YANDLE | PHI | 56 | 79.2 | 04:25 | 25.4 | 12:47 | 28.4 | 17:15 |
| CALE MAKAR | COL | 44 | 68.3 | 04:12 | 39.5 | 19:11 | 40.3 | 24:18 |
| AARON EKBLAD | FLA | 35 | 72.4 | 03:53 | 36.9 | 18:42 | 41.1 | 25:05 |
| ADAM FOX | NYR | 55 | 70.6 | 03:44 | 36.7 | 18:22 | 40.9 | 24:42 |
| QUINN HUGHES | VAN | 56 | 77 | 03:40 | 38 | 19:05 | 37.7 | 22:48 |
| TONY DEANGELO | CAR | 6 | 61.3 | 03:39 | 29.5 | 14:47 | 29.9 | 18:29 |
| TYSON BARRIE | EDM | 56 | 72.3 | 03:30 | 35 | 17:47 | 35.6 | 21:24 |
| THOMAS CHABOT | OTT | 49 | 66.6 | 03:26 | 45.1 | 22:36 | 43.4 | 26:17 |
| ADAM BOQVIST | CBJ | 35 | 61 | 03:23 | 26.7 | 13:33 | 28 | 16:59 |
| DREW DOUGHTY | L.A | 56 | 65.1 | 03:20 | 41.4 | 20:58 | 43.6 | 26:23 |
In terms of even-strength time, there’s no consistency here. You have defensemen like Thomas Chabot and Drew Doughty who simply log a ton of icetime, whether it’s power-play time or even-strength time. Both Doughty and Chabot average at least 20 minutes in even-strength time alone. As long as they remain on the power play, they’ll contribute counting stats to fantasy rosters.
On the other end of the scale, there are defensemen that barely seem to make it on the ice during even strength, or at least average no more icetime than any other defenders on their team. It’s power-play or bust for these guys! There are names you’d suspect, such as Keith Yandle and Tony DeAngelo (in spite of playing just six games, he still averaged a fair bit of power-play time). Yet there’s one other name on there that might generate some interest among fantasy owners for potential power-play time.
By the way, all three of the following defensemen have joined new teams this offseason.
Keeper leaguers with Ryan Ellis on their team… or Ivan Provorov… heck, even Rasmus Ristolainen couldn’t have been thrilled to see Yandle sign with the Flyers. He’s not coming to Philly to take a backseat on the power play, as he took on nearly 80 percent of the Panthers’ power-play minutes in 2020-21, but just 25 percent of the even-strength minutes. Without the power-play, he’s basically a third-pairing d-man.
One danger of these types of defensemen is that they can become healthy scratches if they don’t produce on the power play and end up in the coach’s doghouse because of poor defensive play. Yet as long as the games-played streak remains active, Yandle will be in the lineup. After all, who would want to be the coach that healthy scratches him to take him out of the lineup? That coach might as well wait for the injury ninja to take care of that.
Over each of the past three seasons, Yandle’s power-play point totals have been at least nearly half of his overall point totals. I would be shocked if he’s not on the Flyers’ first-unit power-play unit on opening night.
Fantasy Take: Yandle the New PP Quarterback in Philadelphia
This isn’t going to be a writeup about DeAngelo’s character, nor will I discuss the probability that he stays with the team for the entire season. I’ve already discussed that earlier this offseason. This will strictly focus on how he contributes on the power play.
The table above only lists the six games he played with the Rangers last season. In his breakout 2019-20 season, DeAngelo was on the ice for 58.2% of his team’s power-play time, yet only 32.6% of the even-strength time. That’s not as extreme as Yandle, but given his (lack of) defensive abilities, maybe it should be. DeAngelo has the opportunity to step right into Dougie Hamilton‘s shoes on a first-unit power play that was second in the league (25.6%) in power-play conversion. Not to mention that the Canes are a strong enough even-strength team that could potentially cover up TDA’s defensive warts.
Although the contract terms (one year) and the amounts (approximately $1 million) are practically the same, DeAngelo is on much more tenuous ground that Yandle. He certainly doesn’t have a games streak, and there are the issues mentioned above. However, the Canes’ other power-play options on defense (Jaccob Slavin, Ethan Bear, Jake Gardiner) don’t possess nearly the scoring upside as TDA. There’s higher risk, but potentially higher payoff.
Fantasy Impact: Hurricanes Sign Tony DeAngelo
Given the lack of defensive options in Chicago, Boqvist may have slid into the PP1 chair before he was really ready. Yet it’s worth mentioning that eight of his 16 points in 2020-21 came on the man advantage. He was on the ice the majority of the time for the power play, yet he was sheltered otherwise, playing only 26.7% of the even-strength minutes.
Don’t sleep on Boqvist as a potential PP1 contributor, though. The Jackets featured a bottom-5 power play (15.4%), with only Jack Roslovic reaching double-digit power-play points. As well, only eight players on the entire roster recorded more than a single power-play point. Needing ideas for improvement, the Jackets may consider a 3F-2D PP1, which could include the left-shooting Zach Werenski and the right-shooting Boqvist.
A word of caution with Boqvist: He has suffered multiple injuries throughout his short pro career, including two concussions, a broken right wrist, a right shoulder injury, and another wrist injury. Yet if you’re in the very late rounds of your draft and you are looking for a d-man that could contribute on the power play, he’s worth taking a flier on.
Fantasy Take: Seth Jones, Adam Boqvist Traded in Blockbuster Deal
–
For more fantasy hockey discussion, or to reach out to me, you can follow me on Twitter @Ian_Gooding
