Risers and Fallers: Broadway Backstopper

Olympic rosters are here, and as your resident American writer for what I presume to be a primarily Canadian readership, I have high expectations for the stars and stripes. The ‘22 Olympics were robbed by the COVID-19 pandemic with the USA having what I felt was a good chance to grab gold for the first time since the Miracle On Ice. Those sentiments haven’t changed for me four years later.

Team Canada has announced their roster and it's comprised of the usual suspects. The only omission I would qualify as a snub is Sam Bennett. However, management must balance skill and grit, so any way you slice it, someone good was going to miss the cut. Glad to see Tom Wilson get the nod, he very much deserves it.

At the midpoint of the week I’d be looking to add a Golden Knight as they’re the only team with games falling exclusively on the off nights of Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Other teams with three games left this week include Carolina, St. Louis, Detroit, Minnesota, amongst others.

Risers

Igor Shesterkin

This is the first time I’m covering the Rangers netminder this year which speaks to the underwhelming season New York is having. As a fan of the squad, I can honestly say they’re middle of the road at best, only lending more credit to the Russian’s single handed ability of keeping them “in the mix.”

After a down campaign last year, many were thinking of moving on from the elite pipe patroller. Blasphemy if you ask me as he’s allowed one goal or fewer 83 times in his first 300 career starts. Currently sitting at his career average .910 SV%, don’t ever fret trotting out one of if not the best goalie in the game today. Wins may be hard to come by but the ratios will be serviceable.

Brandon Bussi

With Pyotr Kotchetkov sidelined likely the remainder of the season and Frederik Andersen’s tragic fall from grace, the former Boston Bruin now potentially becomes one of the most valuable fantasy hockey goaltenders.

Even prior to this uptick in usage, the 27-year-old was on fire with five straight quality starts. Playing in front of a stout Hurricanes defense, he’s all but assured to produce positive numbers for owners.This is someone you grab over a questionable number two without much thought right now; do it.

Joel Hofer

You may not have realized this but since Dec. 9th, Jordan Binnington has taken a consistent back seat to Hofer. Prior to my hiatus, I covered Binnington in my faller’s column and how it perplexed me that the Blues organization had yet to give up on Jordan despite years of mediocrity.

Perhaps they read my article and said “You know what? That boy's right!” The 25-year-old Hofer will have his ups and downs but there’s no questioning the volume for some time now. The Utica Comet alum is better in most every category than Binnington, so I think this trend is here to stay with St. Louis finally seeing the light.

Fallers

Arturs Silovs

An early season success story has come crashing back down to Earth Hindenburg style. After the Tristan Jarry/Stuart Skinner trade, the cards are on the table as to Pittsburgh’s adherence from handing the reins fully over to the young Latvian.

However, nothing has changed as far as Skinner’s mediocrity since coming to the Steel City. In fact he’s gotten worse, so we may very well see the former Vancouver Canuck seeing the majority of starts over the former Edmonton Oiler eventually.

Jeremy Swayman

The Maine product was finally looking like a true workhorse in the month of November but things have been a little more up and down this month. Only having one quality start since Dec. 11th, the 27-year-old has not been a stalwart by any means for fantasy purposes lately.

At his best this may be what you are going to get from him in a workhorse role. The good should be somewhat more than the bad but you seemingly have to weather some porous outings along the way. This could be an undoing in fantasy playoffs to keep in mind.

Connor Hellebuyck

Rarely will you see him in this section of my article(s) however there’s no denying his diminished returns since the middle of December. What has for years been the pinnacle set it and forget option for goaltending is experiencing a little rough patch right now coinciding with Winnipeg's general struggles.

While I expect he’ll right the ship sooner rather than later, just remember he’s 32-years-old and started 253 games over the four seasons prior not including playoffs. Fatigue could always rear its ugly head at the worst time.

Other Thoughts

Claude Giroux is turning back the clock lately. If you count FOW he’s of elite value right now.

Eeli Tolvanen playing elite tier hockey in banger leagues.

Adam Fox has returned.

Ride David Rittich as long as Sorokin is out; pick up Lee in bangers leagues.

Zac Benson is heating up for Buffalo after a slow start to the season.

Grab Devon Mateychuk if you need offense from the back end. Former first round pick has the talent to run a PP unit well.

Sam Malinski is available in a majority of leagues for those in need of offense from the blue line.

Eetu Luostarinen is receiving a compelling deployment lately;a good add for the Winter Classic.

Vladislav Gavrikov is on pace for double-digit goals.

Emmitt Finnie is worth a look riding shotgun with Larkin and Raymond.