Fantasy Hockey News

Toronto Maple Leafs star forward Auston Matthews is reportedly facing a disorderly conduct charge from an incident in Scottsdale, Arizona back in May. The club stated that they "are aware of the complaint of disturbing the peace against forward Auston Matthews. Auston is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities but neither he nor the club will comment further." (Source: Bob McKenzie on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Obviously, the details are a bit murky on the matter at this point in time. It doesn't sound like there is major discipline forthcoming for Matthews, but this is still something worth monitoring. In any case, this is an unfortunate distraction at the beginning of what's an important season ahead for Matthews and the Maple Leafs.

Ilya Mikheyev was a bit of an under the radar signing out of the KHL during the offseason, but the 24-year-old left winger is already making his presence felt in Leafs camp. Auston Matthews said following their preseason game on September 20 that he "plays a lot like Datsyuk...he's really shifty, strong on the puck...I was really impressed." (Source: Yahoo Sports Canada)

Fantasy Impact: This is certainly some very high praise for the former undrafted Mikheyev. He played his first four professional seasons for Omsk Avangard in the KHL, most recently posting 23 goals and 45 points in 62 games before capping off his 2018-19 season with 11 points in 13 playoff games. When you look at the Leafs depth chart, there is a top-six left-wing spot left open by Zach Hyman, who will miss at least the first month of the season after undergoing ACL surgery. This leaves the door open for someone like Mikheyev to potentially sneak into a role in a can't-miss fantasy situation. It's worth keeping an eye on him.

Jake Allen took a step back for his career last season. His winning percentage and goals-against average were far worse than his career numbers and he lost his job in the second half of the regular season. His replacement would lead a historic turnaround that ended with the Stanley Cup title.

Fantasy Impact: Allen starts the season with a lot to prove. He will need to out-perform Binnington to reverse the job change from last season. However, he has been a very good goalie in his career and it is highly recommended that you grab him as a handcuff if you select Binnington in your draft.

Brayden Schenn returns for his 11th NHL season and will be looked at to be one of the offensive leaders for the defending Stanley Cup champions. He contributed 12 points in the post-season.

Fantasy Impact: While the ultimate goal was reached with the team championship, there were a few signs of regression in fantasy for Schenn. He fell from a career-best 70 points in 2017-18 to 54 points. His shooting percentage saw a noticeable dip from the three previous seasons. However, he has four straight seasons with at least 54 points and is a former #5 overall pick. He is a solid fantasy option in the middle rounds of many drafts.

According to reports from Leafs training camp, Tyson Barrie expects to play on the second power-play unit in 2019-20, with Morgan Rielly continuing to lead the top unit. (Source: Jonas Siegel on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: This is certainly a situation worth monitoring as Maple Leafs training camp progresses, as these comments suggest there will be little change to the Maple Leafs top unit despite adding the former Avalanche power-play quarterback this offseason. Barrie has said he expects to take over for Jake Gardiner, whose PP2 role was vacated due to his departure in free agency. Whatever shakes out, the new member of the lethal Maple Leafs attack certainly appears in line to top the career-high 59 points he posted a season ago.

According to Pierre LeBrun the Carolina Hurricanes have spoken to teams about the possibility of moving Faulk. (Source: Pierre LeBrun on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: This is not the first time Faulk's name has been in trade rumors. The Hurricanes were reportedly entertaining offers for the right-handed defenceman before, but rumors certainly intensified after yesterdays Jake Gardiner signing. Justin Faulk provides high level offensive production from the back-end, he has topped 10 goals in 4 of the last 5 seasons. The Hurricanes have good defensive depth, so it is possible that they would be willing to trade a defenseman to add to their forward group. Justin Faulk is a UFA after this season, so Carolina may decide to move on if an extension is not agreed on.

Despite being seen practicing at their practice facility earlier this on Monday, the San Jose Sharks do not seem interested in re-signing with forward Patrick Marleau. (Source: Fear the Fin)

Fantasy Impact: Marleau and his family have many deep roots in San Jose as he had spent the first 19 seasons of his career with the Sharks. If Marleau were to sign with a team, he would be entering his 22nd season at age 39. His production has been declining over the last few years as well, and with the Sharks wanting to go in a more youthful direction, Marleau's days playing in the Shark Tank may be numbered. He will go down as one of the greatest players to lace up the skates in Sharks franchise history totaling 551 goals and 1,166 points throughout his long career.

New York Ranger's president John Davidson expressed that forward Chris Kreider's immediate future in the NHL is with the Rangers. His long-term future on the otherhand, still remains murky. (Source: NewsDay.com)

Fantasy Impact: While the Rangers are still interested in having Chris Kreider around for the 2019-20 campaign, a long-term contract with the team is still way too uncertain at this point. For his career Kreider has compiled 133 goals and 138 assists during 460 regular season games played since entering the league in 2012. Kreider who is now 28, is entering the final year of his contract and is looking for a new deal. He has performed below team expectations, causing New York to feel hesitant on signing him to a long-term deal.

The San Jose Sharks and defenseman Erik Karlsson are currently discussing a possible contract extension with the organization. (Source: The Atlantic)

Fantasy Impact: The Sharks are hoping they can get a deal done with Karlsson prior to June 23. If a deal has not been struck by that point, then other teams will be allowed to contact him about contract negotiations. Karlsson did undergo groin surgery on May 31, and he hopes that those issues he was having during the postseason will finally be behind him. It will be interesting to see how this story unfolds as the summer progresses.

New Sabres head coach Ralph Krueger claims he has been in contact with Jeff Skinner and is confident that they will come to terms on a new deal at some point this offseason. (Source: Buffalo News)

Fantasy Impact: Skinner finished the 2018-19 campaign with 40 goals and 23 assists during his first season in Buffalo. If he is to eventually resign, he will most definitely be one of their important pieces to build around as the Sabres look to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

Charlie McAvoy will miss game one vs the Carolina Hurricane for his illegal check on Blue Jacket’s Forward Josh Anderson.

Fantasy Impact: It was an ugly hit, that only warranted a two minute minor during the game. But after review, the NHL brought the hammer down. McAvoy has 6 points in the playoffs and a +8 rating. The Bruins will have to make up for McAvoy’s team leading 24 minutes per game on the ice.

The Sharks Center, who was blindsided by a cross check in game 7 vs the Golden Knights and left motionless and bloody on the ice, FaceTimed teammates after their 4-2 win over Colorado to update them on his status. many teamates and coaches said they are excited about the progress he is making. (Source: Yahoo.com )

Fantasy Impact: Pavelski has missed all 4 games so far of the second round series. With the series being knotted up 2-2, Pavelksi would definitely give a boost to the Sharks. He had 4 points in the series against the Knights and he has 95 career points in the playoffs.

Facing elimination and a historical sweep in Game 4, Barry Trotz has put his whole team on notice, including his Vezina finalist goalie Robin Lehner. (Source: NHL.com)

Fantasy Impact: The change would come as somewhat of a surprise, but Lehner, who has allowed six goals in three games this series, has never beaten the Hurricanes in 7 career games. Lehner saved 33 of 36 shots in game 3, but he did make the biggest mistake of the game, when a late pass attempt was intercepted and turned into the game winning goal by Justin Williams. Islander fans shouldn't be overly worried though since the back-up Thomas Greiss was stellar during the regular season when his number was pulled and he was 3-1 against the Hurricanes.

After playing his first 10 games with the Predators, six of them being Stanley Cup playoffs games, the 20-year-old has turned the heads of the front office and teammates, leading many in the organization to think he will get an increased role next season. (Source: NHL.com)

Fantasy Impact: From a fantasy perspective, this can help out a couple of ways. Increased minutes and more responsibility means more opportunity and more points. It also lets the Predators shop around one of their high priced defenders to get another goal scorer and help on the league worst power play.

Kevin Hayes is reportedly still high on the Bruins trade for list as we head towards next Monday's trade deadline. According to Jimmy Murphy of CLNS Media, if the Bruins fail to acquire Mark Stone or Artemi Panarin then they will aggressively pursue Hayes. (Source: Jimmy Murphy on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Hayes is just seven points shy of a career-high currently with 42 in the form of 14 goals and 28 assists. The Bruins are in search of a second line winger or any talent they can add to their abysmal third line which Hayes would provide. If traded to Boston, Hayes would be playing some meaningful minutes and games down the stretch of the fantasy season.

Artemi Panarin netted his 20th goal of the season Thursday night in Columbus' 4-3 home loss to Winnipeg.

Fantasy Impact: It marks Panarin's fourth straight 20+ goal season, who has let Columbus know he's not interested in resigning with them. It's not clear yet what kind of return CBJ could get for Panarin given his pending free agency. Keep starting him and stay tuned.

Holtby practiced in the starter's net this morning, so expect him tonight and Pheonix Copley tomorrow versus Buffalo, per Khurshudyan. (Source: Isabelle Khurshudyan via Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Having won his last two starts (including a shutout on Dec. 8), Holtby's record now stands at 12-7-0-2 with GAA of 2.81 and save pct of .913. The Caps offense has been on fire recently, so he has a good chance for a win.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been the speculation of trade rumors in Boston. (Source: The Boston Globe)

Fantasy Impact: According to Kevin Paul DuPont of the Boston Globe, Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney was seen at the Oilers/Flames game Sunday. Nugent-Hopkins has been connected to Boston in rumors for the last year or so. The Bruins are badly in need of forward depth, while the Oilers are seeking help in their defensive core. Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli has considerable knowledge of the Bruins depth, given his years as GM in Boston.

William Nylander's holdout continues Wednesday evening amid rampant trade rumors and speculation about the possibility of a deal with Toronto. If Nylander is still unsigned by 5 p.m. ET Saturday, he'll be ineligible to participate in the 2018-19 season. (Source: Sportsnet Canada)

Fantasy Impact: Sportsnet Canada is reporting that financial gap between Nylander and the Maple Leafs is approximately $300,000 per season. He's been skating in his native Stockholm with AIK IF to stay fresh. Nylander is widely owned in most leagues. If you've sacrificed a roster spot on him for this long, waiting three days is kids stuff. He's coming off two consecutive 61-point seasons.

Kevin Shattenkirk could be looking at a healthy scratch on Thursday when the Rangers take on the Sharks in New York. According to a story on ESPN by Emily Kaplan, following a slow start, the Rangers highest paid defenseman may find himself as a spectator on Thursday night. (Source: ESPN)

Fantasy Impact: Shattenkirk has yet to tally a point through three games, is a -4, and saw his ice time dropped to 7:29 in the third game of the season. Fantasy owners have to monitor this situation for the time being and hope that a potential benching is a message received for the 29-year-old defenseman.