Time really does fly when you’re having fun. We’re into the fifth week of the 2024-25 National Hockey League fantasy season, and we’re starting to get some really good information streaming in. In the spirit of the recent Election Day in the United States, the exit poll data is coming in, and the outlook is good for some players, while others are definitely not trending in the right direction. As far as the election commercials, I’ve been done with them for several months, and I am sure most of you can approve of that message.
NHL Fantasy Hockey Trade Advice (Week 5)
Buy
Andersson was drafted to be a No. 3 or 4 fantasy rearguard in pools of 10 or more teams. He had a general ADP of 32.7, which put him in the neighborhood of Rounds 3 through 5, and he has not come close to posting those type numbers. He actually went for four goals and 10 points through the first eight games, but somebody turned off the offensive spigot on Oct. 28. He has no goals and just one assist across the past nine games with a minus-5 rating, including a six-game scoreless run. If you know a fantasy manager in your league who is super impatient, and you don’t have remorse when you put one over on a fellow league member with a trade, go get Andersson. He already proved earlier in the season what kind of offensive pop he has, exhibiting an ability to rack up plenty of points in short order. He had nine goals and 39 points last season, and he is averaging 46.0 points in the past three campaigns. The time is now to buy him, in the off chance a frustrated fantasy manager dropped him in leagues with short rosters, or if someone has put the rearguard on the trade block in your fantasy league.
The defenseman for the Islanders is in the middle of a seven-game scoreless skid, and fantasy managers might be irrationally angry about it. Use that to your advantage. It might seem a little smarmy taking advantage of unsuspecting fantasy managers who struggle with patience, but it’s how you win championships. Other people’s lack of patience is to your benefit. Know when there is a good deal, and go get them. Dobson had an unbelievable 60 assists and 70 points last season with a plus-12 rating. Was a bit of a backslide expected? Sure, but he has managed ZERO goals and just six assists with a minus-5 rating through 16 games, and he has just two points in even-strength situations to date. That’s not going to cut it. However, based on his performance from last season, the time is now to go out and get him at bargain basement prices. This lack of production is not going to last long. This is a guy who has hit double digits in each of his past three seasons, averaging 11.0 goals per game. Go get him now.
Sell
The Flyers have picked up the pace since Oct. 26, posting a respectable 5-3-1 mark across the past nine games. A big reason for the turnaround has been the play of Samuel Ersson, who has managed a 3-0-1 record, 1.68 goals-against average (GAA), and .934 SV% with a shutout across the past four starts. It’s hard to believe he is available in more than half of Yahoo! Fantasy leagues, but it’s true. He has done a good job in between the pipes despite the fact the Philadelphia offense has managed just 2.8 goals per game of offensive support in his past four starts. If you were able to scoop up Ersson recently, look, he is on Philadelphia. This is not a team which has a lot of staying power. Ersson won’t be pushed by Ivan Fedotov, who has struggled at times. Make sure to point that out to your prospective trade partners, that Ersson is a clear No. 1 backstop on his team, and toss the November stats at them to strengthen your case.
The 34-year-old left winger really struggled in October, posting three goals with no assists and a minus-3 rating across the first 10 games in October. He had a power play goal and just that single point on the man advantage. He takes plenty of shots, posting three or more shots in 11 of his 15 games this season, so remember that when playing prop bets. Anyway, Lee wasn’t getting a ton of fantasy attention early on, but since flipping the calendar from October to November, it’s like Lee turned back the clock. He has three goals and eight points in six November outings, posting at least one point in five of the games. In addition, Lee has a single minor penalty all season, so if you’re in a fantasy pool that rewards good behavior, Lee is a tremendous fantasy option. Again, point this out to your potential trade partner. Lee is on fire right now, but he’s not going to be on top forever. He is averaging 44.3 points per game across the past three seasons, and that means he is projected to average a half-point per game if you extrapolate his numbers against an 82-game season.