FANTASY FRIDAY: Weeee're Baaaack

After a while of being inactive I am glad to say that Oilers Insiders are back and plan on posting new blogs every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday! With Fantasy Advice every Friday!

Buy Low 

Forward: Anze Kopitar 

24GP, 3G, 12A, 15P

With 15 points in 24 games Anze Kopitar along with the Los Angeles are off to a less than ideal start to their season. However there are encouraging signs that Kopitars production will likely jump back to normal sooner rather than later. First off he's sitting at a basement low shooting percentage of 5.5% and has a career average of 12.2% which means his scoring is bound to increase. He's currently playing with Gaborik and Lewis so might see some more success if the lines gets moved around and finds chemistry with Pearson or other players. Kopitar is a player who also struggled early on last year but he's a beast and you can count on him finding a way to produce season after season.  Expect 60-70 points for Kopitar this season after having a strong campaign last year. 

Defencemen: Justin Faulk 

26GP, 4G, 8A, 12P

You may have missed your chance to buy low on one of the biggest stud point producing defencemen in the league after his 3 point 3rd period outburst against the Canucks Tuesday. The offensive gem is 10th among Dmen in SOG in 26 games played this season. expect atleast 45-55 points from Faulk this season.

Goalie: Pekka Rinne 

24GP, 12W, 1 SO

Is a solid goalie every year and Nashville showed signs that they could eventually heat up in Smashville after a 6-3 win against the Blues on Tuesday. Expect around 35 wins from Rinne. 

Sell High/Buyer Beware

Forward: Marcus Johansson

28GP, 12G, 10A, 22P

With 12 goals on just 50 shots this screams overpoducing. Mr.Game 7 is scoring at 24% shooting percentange so far this season compared to his career average of 13.7%. Sell high high high.

Defencemen: Alec Martinez 

30GP, 6G, 11A, 17P

Career high of 31 points maxes out at 35-40points this season. Likely to see a regression of points soon, is getting a decent amount of shots and good amount of icetime but could likely be swapped for a 45 point Dman. 

Goalies: Peter Budaj

26GP, 14W, 3 SO

LA is watching their season go down the drain with an AHL goalie defending their crease. High risk of them trying to bring in a rental (not at a high price) to help save their season. Hard to estimate due to many different factors and scenarios possible but don't see Budaj getting more than 20-25 wins. Could be swapped for an unproven goalie who is bound to own the crease the entire season. 

Waiver Wire

Forward: Sam Bennett

32GP, 7G, 9A, 16P

Is a hit or miss player who is currently centering Johnny Gaudreau. He's not generating as many shots as you'd like to see but take a risk on this guy, it could pay off. 

Defencemen: Justin Shultz

31GP, 5G, 12A

Yes I said it. Justin Shultz has 6 points in his last 5 games. He saw 27:00 minutes of icetime against the Kings in the 1-0 loss today. He ussually sits around 16:00 per game for the Penguins  and is proving to be a useful player who is pitching in offensively. The most surprising stat is his +/- of +18 so far this season.

Goalie: Antti Raanta

13GP, 8W, 2SO

If he can run with the job in  New York he is bound to put up wins as they are looking like a solid team so far this season. However there is a always a huge risk there when competing with King Lundqvist for the Job. Steve Mason a much safer option with the red hot Flyers is a much safer option if he`s available in your league.

Which players do you think are about to go on a tear,or which players would you have liked to see mentioned instead

Let us know on Twitter or in the comment section below!


Adam Girard
Writer/Co-Founder - OILERS INSIDERS