Best Fantasy Hockey Pickups: Ryan O’Reilly, Evan Rodrigues, Brock Faber
With the first week of the NHL season coming to a close, let’s take a look at players that could help you replace an injured player or just maximize your scoring this week.
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Best Fantasy Hockey Pickups
F Ryan O’Reilly
O'Reilly slipped in many drafts, and the preseason narrative had him being dumped in Nashville. Well, in three games this year, he has two points, is +1, and is averaging 21 minutes a game of ice time. It appears the Predators will lean on him for significant minutes, making him a great player to have on your roster.
F Evan Rodrigues
He has a huge game in Winnipeg with two goals and two assists with his new team, the Florida Panthers. He will be the most popular pickup this week. There is no way he will keep up this point pace, but he is averaging 19 minutes a game with the top line, and that makes him very valuable.
D Brock Faber
Faber is a young player who has been pressed into more action in Minnesota with Jared Spurgeon out with an injury. He is a great shot blocker and is seeing 20+ minutes a game. Pick him up and stash him now. Even when Spurgeon returns, Faber may have proved himself valuable enough to keep those minutes.
D Shayne Gostisbehere
Ghost is playing on a revamped Detroit power play that includes Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat, Moritz Seider, and David Perron. He is a top-tier passer and already has an assist in each of his first two games with the Wings.
G Mackenzie Blackwood
This one is a stash-and-watch pickup. Blackwood is one of three goalies in rotation for the rebuilding San Jose Sharks, but he had 51 saves on 52 shots against Colorado. If he can keep up the good play, he may emerge as the clear starter and a valuable piece later in the fantasy season.
