With the 2022-23 NHL season winding down, fantasy hockey leagues are in the playoffs, the most important time of the year. Many are looking to make the right moves to win it all. Checking spreadsheets, comparing stats, and deciding how to build a lineup comes with challenges and hiccups — especially with the news that key players are out with injuries.
While there are surprises in every season, each competitor puts forth their best effort to pick the surefire winners, who put up points across all categories. More than that, though, deciding who to skip can be equally as valuable, dodging the spectacular failures that result in goose eggs across categories and cost precious victories.
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Check out our list of which players to pick — and skip — in fantasy hockey below.
Fantasy hockey picks
Morgan Frost, Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers may be out of the playoffs, but Frost is ending the campaign on a strong note. He has six points in his last four games, with two multi-goal games in that span, and twelve points in his last ten appearances. Because he plays center and right wing, he’s worth streaming on fantasy hockey for his well-rounded game, and he sees top-line minutes and even wins some faceoffs on a team that is in the midst of struggling with a rebuild. As he’s only 12% rostered in Yahoo fantasy leagues, he could be a solid addition to any team in the finals.
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John Klingberg, Minnesota Wild
While he started slow with his new club, Klingberg has taken off since returning from an injury that saw him miss three straight games. Of course, he’s returned to his rightful position as a power play specialist, where he’s collected six points thus far. He’s now +4 in the 11 games he’s played for the Wild, and earns big minutes–especially on the aforementioned power play alongside Mats Zuccarello, Matt Boldy and, when he returns, Kirill Kaprizov. He’s worth a fantasy hockey roster spot as Minnesota competes for the top spot in the Central Division.
Alex Nedeljkovic, Detroit Red Wings
After a rough start to his stint in Detroit and a stint in the American Hockey League, Nedeljkovic is bouncing back and taking advantage of the ice time he’s been granted while Ville Husso is out with a lower-body injury, and has won three straight contests. If he continues this hot streak, he’s likely to win the remainder of the netminding duties in Husso’s prolonged absence and, since he’s only 14% rostered in Yahoo fantasy hockey leagues, he could certainly steal a championship in the right circumstance.
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Fantasy hockey skips
Anthony Beauvillier, Vancouver Canucks
For a time, Beauvillier was capitalizing on the opportunity with his new club, eating minutes and enjoying tons of success, especially on the power play. But, then, he cooled, and even went on an eight game goal drought, weirdly timed during Vancouver’s hot streak. He has since broken it, but still has just one goal in his last five appearances. He’s seen a decrease in ice time, too, and a sharp decline in shots on net and hits has followed. While Beauvillier is a speedy forward with a ton of potential, he should be a fantasy hockey skip as Vancouver’s season comes to an end.
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Damon Severson, New Jersey Devils
Severson has been one of the longest-standing members of the New Jersey Devils, and fills a valuable leadership role in the youthful locker room. But, while his off-the-ice value is immeasurable and the Devils are headed to the playoffs, Severson’s fantasy hockey value is not as high. He has just one assist in his last five contests, averages about a shot a game, and adds minimal hits and blocks. While the Devils gear up for a round one tilt against the New York Rangers, Severson is not worth a fantasy hockey stream.
Karel Vejmelka, Arizona Coyotes
While the young netminder is undeniably talented, he has the disadvantage of playing on a team that cannot necessarily alleviate his workload. Still, he’s also seen a decrease in starts of late, as his numbers are taking a beating. In the last two weeks, he has not won a game, but allowed 14 goals and carries a 3.59 goals against average and a .877 save percentage. They’re relatively on pace with his season statistics, though he had a hot streak for a short time. An offseason move could really benefit Veljmelka but, for now, he’s a fantasy hockey skip.