As we continue to endure a tumulus NHL season, with countless COVID designations and the cancellation of the heralded World Juniors hockey tournament, it is worth shining some light on some first half MVPs in the fantasy hockey verse. Those who we all either picked up on waivers or drafted outside the top 150 and have kept the team hip afloat
- Timo Meier
TIMMMOOOO JENKIINSSSS
Timo has been a revelation this year, with 13 goals and 18 assists along with 54 hits and 114 SOG’s. As of Dec. 30, he has more shots on goal than Connor McDavid, and more hits than Jeff Petry.
It’s easy to forget Timo was a top 9 draft pick in 2015 and had a 30 goal season in 2018/2019. Buckle up, and lets put 40 goals in the GPS address.
2. Vladimir Tarasenko
Tarasenko is back in the St Louis groove.
The once consensus top 5 draft pick was going outside the top 100 in drafts this offseason with a down 2019/2020 and 2020/2021. Vladimir has quickly put them in the rear view mirror with 13 goals and 19 assists up to this point, even having more shots on goal than Leon Draisaitl.
The Blues lineup of Tarasenko, Buchnevich and Kyrou has been one of the most exciting 1st lines in hockey, showing no signs of slowing down.
Kudos to all that took a chance on him.
3. William Nylander
Notoriously low ranked in most standard formats, Nylander was ranked outside the top 100 in Yahoo drafts this year. He has responded with 13 goals and 14 assists, currently having more SOG’s than Patrick Kane or Alex DeBrincat.
The Leafs look like best team in the NHL, and as long as Nylander is alternating between Auston Matthews and John Tavares as his line mates, the good times should keep going. He is also shooting more than he ever as in his career, further evidence that he is more of a 30 guy than the top 100 one the robots at Yahoo “predicted”.
Honourable Mention:
Tony DeAngelo
Elias Lindholm
Moritz Seider
Tom Wilson