Try Yahoo Sports on FirefoxNote: You are reading this message either because you do not have a standards-compliant browser, or because you can not see our css files.
Welcome to Yahoo Fantasy Sports: Skip to Content Skip to Section Navigation
Yahoo Sports Fantasy Hockey
and NHL.com
Player Notes
-
Mikael Granlund injured while running in FINMikael Granlund reportedly suffered an ankle injury while training in Finland this offseason.
Advice: According to beat reporter Michael Russo, Granlund rolled his ankle while running. He's in crutches right now, but he's expected to be ready to resume training in approximately two weeks. The injury shouldn't affect his ability to start training camp with the Wild. Granlund recently signed a three-year extension worth $17.25 million this offseason. He had 26 goals and 43 assists in 81 games last season. Rotoworld.comMikael Granlund Min - C,RWOut -
Sabres sign Girgensons to two-year dealThe Buffalo Sabres have signed Zemgus Girgensons to a two-year deal worth $3.2 million total.
Advice: That works out to an annual average value of $1.6 million per year. The 23-year-old had a difficult season in 2016-17, as he scored just seven goals and nine assists in 75 games. Don't expect him to have any fantasy value going into next season. Rotoworld.comZemgus Girgensons Buf - C,LW -
Travis Zajac (pectoral) is out 4-6 monthsTravis Zajac will miss four to six months after undergoing pectoral surgery.
Advice: Depending on how his recovery goes, Zajac should be back sometime between December and February. "This morning, Travis Zajac underwent successful surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle that was suffered last week during off-season training," said GM Ray Shero. "The procedure was performed by the club's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jonathan L. Glashow." The 32-year-old had 14 goals and 45 points in 80 games with the Devils last season. The injury gives first overall pick Nico Hischier an even better chance of sticking with the team out of training camp. Rotoworld.comTravis Zajac NJ - COut -
Wings are confident Larkin can play centerThe Detroit Red Wings are confident that Dylan Larkin can make the full-time transition to center next season.
Advice: Larkin has played primarily on the wing in his first two NHL seasons, but that will change in 2017-18. "His best attributes are utilized when he plays center," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. "I think he can continue to grow into becoming a great two-way center who can create offense and is very accountable defensively. And I think his defensive instincts are served at center, where he can anticipate where the puck is going, meet the puck and get out of the zone as fast as possible." Rotoworld.comDylan Larkin Det - C,RW -
Minnesota is 'special place' for Matt CullenMatt Cullen admitted that signing with the Wild was a "family decision".
Advice: "I want my boys to experience playing hockey and watching me play hockey at home," Cullen said. "This was a family decision. Minnesota is home and it’s a special place for me. It’s not easy to say goodbye and it’s not easy to walk away [from Pittsburgh]. I’m confident in the decision we’re making and it’s the right thing for our family. But at the same time, it’s not an easy one." Cullen had 13 goals and 31 points in 72 games with the Penguins last season. He won't have any fantasy value next season. Rotoworld.comMatt Cullen Min - C -
Report: BOS offered Pastrnak 6 years, $36MThe Boston Bruins have reportedly offered David Pastrnak a six-year, $36 million contract, per the Boston Herald.
Advice: Pastrnak, who is currently a restricted free agent, is likely looking at the contract Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl got yesterday as a comparable (eight years, $8.5 million per year). The 21-year-old put up a career-high 34 goals and 70 points in 75 games with the Bruins last season. The highest cap hit on Boston's roster belongs to David Krejci ($7.25 million). The Bruins have just over $10.15 million in cap space. Rotoworld.comDavid Pastrnak Bos - RW -
Nate Schmidt happy with how arbitration wentNate Schmidt didn't mind going through the arbitration process with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Advice: Of all the players that filed for arbitration, Schmidt was the only one who actually went through the process. He ended up landing a two-year deal, $2.225 million per season, so it's easy to see why he was pleased with how things worked out. "I tried to have a good attitude about it, it’s something they had never been through before some people maybe wanted to have some experience as well," said Schmidt. "I think it’s a great process because it brings the sides together because no one really wants to do it, but you know what I think it was good the way everything played out." Rotoworld.comNate Schmidt VGK - D -
John Tavares in no rush to sign extensionJohn Tavares is in no hurry to sign a contract extension with the New York Islanders.
Advice: The 2017-18 season is the final one on his current contract. "For me, there’s really no rush," Tavares told Newsday. "I’m trying to determine things, let the process run its course, keep the lines of communication open, keep it all internal and it’s been good so far . . . In terms of signing a new contract, there’s a lot that goes into it. To really dive into all the details, get into all the conversations I’ve had with Garth [Snow], the team and Doug [Weight], I don’t think it’s productive to the situation and the negotiating. I prefer to keep it all internal, that’s the best way to keep it all open, honest and healthy." The Islanders captain had 28 goals and 66 points in 77 games last season. Getting him signed long-term is obviously high on the team's to-do list. Rotoworld.comJohn Tavares NYI - C -
Oilers sign Leon Draisaitl to eight-year dealThe Edmonton Oilers have re-signed Leon Draisaitl to an eight-year contract worth $68 million.
Advice: That works out to an annual average value of $8.5 million. Draisaitl put up solid numbers in 2015-16 (19 goals, 51 points in 72 games), but he really came into his own last season, as he was second on the Oilers with 29 goals and 77 points in 82 games. The 21-year-old has quickly emerged as one of the best young centers in the NHL, and the Oilers have shown their commitment to him with this huge contract. Draisaitl will carry the biggest cap hit on Edmonton's roster next year, but he'll be passed by Connor McDavid's $12.5 million cap hit two years from now. After McDavid, he's the most dangerous forward on the team. Rotoworld.comLeon Draisaitl Edm - C,RW -
Calvin Pickard embracing challenge with VGKCalvin Pickard is embracing the challenge of playing with an expansion team.
Advice: Pickard went from Colorado to Vegas in the expansion draft, where he's expected to be Marc-Andre Fleury's backup goaltender. "It's a new experience for all of us, every staff member, every player," Pickard said. "If we go in with an open mind, it's going to be a lot of fun. We're playing in the NHL in Las Vegas, so I think a lot of people would take that. Everybody's going to be really excited for sure." Pickard is saying all the right things, but don't expect him to have much, if any, fantasy value this season. Rotoworld.comCalvin Pickard VGK - G -
DeAngelo stills needs to improve defensivelyAnthony DeAngelo admits he still needs to improve in his own end.
Advice: DeAngelo's ability with the puck has never been questioned, but his overall game has always been a bit of an issue. "I've got to continue to improve defensively," DeAngelo said. "Even last year there were some things I've got to do a lot better. Sometimes the offense makes up for it, but through an 82-game schedule you've got to be able to defend as well. … It's just being in the right place at the right time and moving guys and staying in front of guys' lanes. Gap control is a big thing." With a solid training camp, he can become a regular on the Rangers' blue line. Rotoworld.comAnthony DeAngelo NYR - D -
Jack Eichel believes BUF will make playoffsJack Eichel believes the Buffalo Sabres can be a playoff team next season.
Advice: The Sabres have been one of the bottom teams in the league for the last few years, but Eichel believes there's reason for optimism. "We think we can be really good," Eichel said. "We think we can be a playoff team. That's what's important. We have to go into training camp with the right mindset, get the season off and running, put our best foot forward." The 20-year-old had 24 goals and 57 points in 61 games last year. Rotoworld.comJack Eichel Buf - C -
Byfuglien hopes Jets will go further this yrJets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien is hoping his team will go a lot further than they went last year.
Advice: That shouldn't be too difficult considering the Jets didn't make the playoffs last year. "Every season you get to start from zero," Byfuglien said. "All you've got to do is just go out there, work hard and you build your own luck. You start from zero at the beginning of the season and just keep building to see how far you can go. We're hoping and planning that this year it's a lot further than we've gone [in recent seasons]." If the Jets make the playoffs, Byfuglien will be one of the big reasons why. He had 51 points in 76 games last season. Rotoworld.comDustin Byfuglien Wpg - D -
Kuznetsov: Caps are not a 'bad' teamEvgeny Kuznetsov doesn't agree with people who think the Capitals are a bad team.
Advice: Washington has won back-to-back Presidents' Trophies, but they've failed to reach the conference final in the Alex Ovechkin era. "I don't like when people say we're a bad team right now," Kuznetsov said. "That's bull to me. It's not about the names. It's about the guys when they come together." The Capitals have lost some key players like Marcus Johansson, Justin Williams and Nate Schmidt, but they also managed to re-sign Kuznetsov to an eight-year, $62.4 million deal. They should remain one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference and in the entire NHL. Rotoworld.comEvgeny Kuznetsov Was - C -
Alexey Marchenko heading to RussiaAlexey Marchenko will continue his playing career over in Russia, according to agent Dan Milstein.
Advice: Milstein also added that his client is planning on returning to the NHL at some point. The Maple Leafs placed Marchenko on waivers yesterday which means he'll be bought out in the next few hours/days. He had eight points in 41 games with Detroit and Toronto last season. Rotoworld.comAlexei Marchenko Tor - DNot Active -
STL expect Fabbri (knee) to be ready for campRobby Fabbri (knee) is expected to be ready for the start of training camp.
Advice: Fabbri's season came to an end in February after he tore his ACL. The Blues forward has resumed skating with some of his teammates this offseason, but he isn't allowed to engage in any contact yet. If he doesn't suffer a setback between now and September, he's expected to be a full participant in training camp. "I have a good two months here to really start pushing on the ice now that I'm cleared," Fabbri said. "I'm already seeing the improvements from the few skates that I've had. It's refreshing and it's exciting to get back on the ice and get back to what I love to do. I'm confident in myself that I'm going to be ready." He had 11 goals and 29 points in 51 games last season. Rotoworld.comRobby Fabbri StL - C,LWInjured Reserve -
Justin Williams not looking to slow downJustin Williams is working hard to make sure he doesn't slow down on the ice.
Advice: Williams signed a two-year contract with Carolina this offseason, and he knows he'll have to perform at a high level if he wants to get the Hurricanes back to the playoffs. "I think at this point in my career … I'm probably not going to get any faster," Williams said. "I know that. The trick is not to get any slower. I'm doing all I can to make sure that doesn't happen and you don't slowly fade away. I want to be an impact player for a long time and I plan on being one the next couple years as well." The 35-year-old had 24 goals and 24 assists in 80 games with Washington last season. Rotoworld.comJustin Williams Car - RW -
Shane Prince (ankle surgery) out 4-6 monthsShane Prince will be out anywhere between four to six months after undergoing ankle surgery.
Advice: Prince was dealing with a high ankle sprain late in the season. During his rehabilitation in the summer, he felt increasing discomfort and was then told he needed surgery to repair the injury. The 24-year-old had five goals and 18 points in 50 games with the Islanders last season. Rotoworld.comShane Prince NYI - LW,RWOut -
Marek Mazanec signs with KHL clubMarek Mazanec has signed a one-year deal with HC Slovan Bratislava.
Advice: Mazanec signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Predators earlier this summer, but it looks like both sides are fine with him going in a different direction. The 26-year-old played in four games with the Predators last season. He had a an 0-2-0 record with a 4.73 goals-against-average and a .839 save percentage. There's a good chance he'll never play in the NHL again. Rotoworld.comMarek Mazanec Nsh - GNot Active -
Damon Severson remains unsignedDamon Severson and the New Jersey Devils still haven't been able to come to terms on a contract extension.
Advice: Severson, who is a restricted free agent, quietly put up decent offensive numbers last season, as he had three goals and 31 points in 80 games. He averaged just over 20 minutes of time per game, but he also finished with a mind-boggling minus-31 rating. The Devils have over $18.7 million in cap space, so a deal should be completed soon. The fact that he doesn't have arbitration rights probably gives the Devils the upper hand in this negotiation. Rotoworld.comDamon Severson NJ - D
Internet Explorer 8 is no longer supported by Yahoo Fantasy.
Please download a supported browser.