20 Fantasy Ideas: Ovechkin delivering unprecedented manufacturing for his age

By the point you’re studying this, there’s likelihood Wayne Gretzky’s all-time targets report can have fallen.

Alexander Ovechkin has been a person on a mission this week, scoring 4 occasions already and after a two-goal efficiency Friday evening, he wants only a single tally to turn into the NHL’s all-time chief in targets. With the Washington Capitals going through off towards the New York Islanders on Sunday, there’s a really sturdy risk there can be a brand new scoring king by Monday.

Gretzky’s report was one of many handful in skilled sports activities that almost all felt was by no means going to be damaged. A part of that’s as a result of to ever problem it, you’d must play at an elite degree for a really very long time and in a bodily sport like hockey, that’s nearly unparalleled. Certain, we’ve seen gamers not too long ago play properly into their late 30s and early 40s, however normally in a diminished function the place their abilities have considerably diminished. Ovechkin, although, remains to be racking up targets at a ridiculous tempo and isn’t actually exhibiting too many indicators of slowing down.

On this, his age-39 season, Ovechkin has 41 targets in 60 video games after lacking a bunch of time with a damaged leg. That works out to a 56-goal tempo and even factoring in all that missed time, Ovechkin’s aim scoring manufacturing remains to be probably the most ever by anybody at 39 years outdated, in keeping with Sportsnet Stats.

Most targets in age-39 season

• 1) Alex Ovechkin (2024-25) – 41
• 2) Gordie Howe (1967-68) – 39
• 3) Johnny Bucyk (1974-75) – 29
• T4) Jean Ratelle (1979-80) – 28
• T4) Shane Doan (2015-16) – 28
• T6) Daniel Aldredsson (2011-12) – 27
• T6) Joe Pavelski (2023-24) – 27
• T6) Teemu Selanne (2009-10) – 27
• 9) Joe Nieuwendyk (2005-06) – 26
• T10) Jean Beliveau (1970-71) – 25
• T10) Brett Hull (2003-04) – 25

Most targets in age-40 season

•1) Gordie Howe (1968-69) – 44
• 2) Johnny Bucyk (1975-76) – 36
• 3) Teemu Selanne (2010-11) – 31
• 4) Dean Prentice (1972-73) – 26
• 5) Mark Messier (2000-01) – 24
• 6) Dave Andreychuk (2003-04) – 21
• T7) Alex Delvecchio (1971-72) – 20
• T7) Gary Roberts (2006-07) – 20
•T9) Nicklas Lidstrom (2010-11) – 16
• T9) Jaromir Jagr (2012-13) – 16

Based mostly on among the chilly stretches he had final yr and his age, some averted Ovechkin this season in fantasy, and when he was drafted, it was sometimes a lot decrease on common than ever earlier than in his profession. That has confirmed to be a mistake as I typically point out {that a} motivated participant in fantasy is an effective one to roster. Ovechkin was undoubtedly aiming to interrupt the all-time aim scoring report this season and never let it spill over into subsequent yr, and continues to be an enormous asset regardless of inching nearer to 40.

Now heading into subsequent season, Ovechkin is proving he ought to nonetheless be a precedence come draft season. He continues to supply above-average photographs and hit manufacturing, and even when he has a modest decline, Ovechkin remains to be going to supply glorious worth to any fantasy squad. The best way he performs also needs to lend itself properly to nonetheless having the ability to rating as he ages, as a result of Ovechkin doesn’t use blazing velocity to create alternatives for himself. His means to search out open house within the offensive zone, mixed with a fast launch, provides goalies matches.

There are a number of different gamers who’re on a trajectory to probably sometime problem Ovechkin because the league’s finest aim scorer. Auston Matthews, David Pastrnak and Leon Draisaitl may need an opportunity however nearly as good as they’re performing now, how will they have a look at age 33, 36 or 39? It’s laborious sufficient simply to proceed taking part in within the NHL in your late 30s, not to mention persevering with to supply at a excessive degree.

Ovechkin could be one in all a sort.

1. The Carolina-Washington sport on Wednesday evening had 114 penalty minutes within the last 7:02 of play, which possible swung the PIMs class in loads of championship matches. I personally grabbed Nic Dowd this week and was pleasantly stunned by his 12 PIM within the contest. That class is normally gained or misplaced each week by somebody selecting up a misconduct and within the fantasy playoffs I all the time maintain my breath hoping I’m not on the improper facet of it.

2. Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson had a tough outing in that very same sport earlier than getting injured. Thompson has now allowed 10 targets over his previous two begins and his slide comes simply when he was beginning to get a little bit extra taking part in time. Goalies are all the time laborious to belief, regardless of how properly they’ve been taking part in all season.

3. It’s the time of yr the place school gamers are leaving and becoming a member of their NHL squads, with Ryan Leonard, Gabe Perreault and Jimmy Snuggerud among the many notable names turning professional. Leonard particularly is one to look at for the rest of the season as he’s getting a glance within the Capitals high six.

4. The place do you draft Jeremy Swayman subsequent season? Between getting a late begin after he missed camp, the Boston Bruins rebuilding and dealing with a real starter’s workload for the primary time, Swayman has actually struggled this yr. He’s misplaced seven of his previous eight begins and has an .895 save proportion on the season. I might see a situation the place Swayman comes into subsequent yr in a greater spot, however the Bruins don’t determine to be a lot stronger. Swayman could be a high-risk, low-reward decide in 2025-26.

5. Ryan McLeod has now put collectively a extremely sturdy stretch of play. He’s tallied 17 factors in his previous 15 video games, making the most of an opportunity within the Buffalo Sabres high six. McLeod can also be stable for faceoff wins, too. There haven’t been that many Sabres skaters value rostering this season, so take benefit whilst you can.

6. The Calgary Flames are hanging by a thread within the playoff race and a part of that’s because of Dan Vladar. Dustin Wolf has made many of the headlines within the Calgary crease this yr, however Vladar has actually picked it up of late. He’s gained his previous three begins and has a .920 save proportion for the reason that begin of February. The Flames have a pleasant schedule subsequent week with video games towards Anaheim and two versus San Jose. Contemplate him as a high quality spot starter down the stretch.

7. Robust harm information for the Vancouver Canucks, because it appears like Filip Chytil is finished for the season and Elias Pettersson isn’t near returning. Meaning Pius Suter ought to stay as Vancouver’s high centre in the interim and he’s appeared nice thus far in that function.

8. Nick Suzuki has already set a profession excessive in factors and is on tempo for 90 this yr. The Montreal Canadiens ahead added to his spectacular game-winning aim whole with an enormous time beyond regulation winner towards the Florida Panthers earlier this week. He’s tied for third in that class league extensive this season.

9. Predictably, Jake Walman’s offensive numbers have dropped since becoming a member of the Edmonton Oilers. Walman scored at a 52-point tempo with San Jose this season and is just clicking at a 41-point tempo with Edmonton. The Oilers are in fact a a lot stronger workforce, however Walman was getting high energy play time and extra minutes in San Jose. Typically going to a greater workforce isn’t excellent for fantasy if it turns right into a lesser function.

10. It appears like Stuart Skinner remains to be going to overlook one other couple of video games, making Calvin Pickard an attention-grabbing possibility. Pickard is coming off 4 straight high quality begins and beneficial matchups towards Anaheim and San Jose await subsequent week.

11. Staying with the Oilers, with all their accidents Viktor Arvidsson is up on the highest line and first energy play unit. He’s capitalized to the tune of three targets in 4 video games and not less than 4 photographs in every a kind of contests.

12. Logan Stankoven is beginning to discover his footing in Carolina, with seven photographs on Saturday in practically 20 minutes of ice time. He additionally not too long ago had targets in back-to-back video games and a stretch the place he had factors in 4 of six contests. I’m curious to see what deployment he’s taking a look at subsequent season, as if Stankoven will get into the highest six persistently, he might be value a late-round decide in drafts.

13. The identical goes for Jackson Blake, who’s making the most of an harm to Andrei Svechnikov and delivering within the high six. Blake has 4 targets and 6 factors in 5 video games and is an effective possibility for those who’re determined for scoring. The Canes play 4 occasions subsequent week, too.

14. It’s been a tricky stretch for Artturi Lehkonen. The Colorado Avalanche ahead was on hearth when the workforce acquired Martin Necas, however he’s cooled off significantly and hasn’t scored in 13 video games. Lehkonen can also be not on the highest energy play unit. In case you’re league remains to be going subsequent week, Lehkonen might probably be thought of a drop.

15. With Necas and Jonathan Drouin out with harm, the Avs have juggled their first energy play and Charlie Coyle is getting a glance on that unit. Coyle picked up three factors on Thursday towards Columbus. He’s somebody to keep watch over as a short-term streamer.

16. Scott Wedgewood is on a heater. He’s posted three high quality begins in a row and has glorious numbers for the reason that starting of March, profitable six of his previous seven begins. The Colorado Avalanche play 4 occasions subsequent week that features a back-to-back, so Wedgewood might be a key piece within the last days of the fantasy season.

17. Mikko Rantanen is beginning to get extra snug with the Dallas Stars, and one participant that’s actually benefited is Roope Hintz. Rantanen and Hintz have been paired collectively on the highest line and Hintz not too long ago had a stretch of four-straight multi-point video games. If this line stays collectively shifting ahead, it ought to actually enhance Hintz’s worth in drafts subsequent yr.

18. Somebody who’s paid dividends as a stash this season is Boone Jenner. After not taking part in till late February due to harm, Jenner has exploded when it issues most, in the course of the fantasy playoffs. He’s tallied six targets in his previous seven video games and supplied nice shot quantity. Stashes typically don’t find yourself panning out for a wide range of causes, however Jenner appears to be like like he might be one of many extra impactful ones this yr. If Jenner can keep wholesome for the rest of the marketing campaign, he might finally be the distinction in pushing a bunch of fantasy squads to a championship.

19. There’s nonetheless fairly a bit to play for subsequent week, with some leagues having their championship finals and others in a roto format going proper right down to the ultimate sport. The excellent news is no one has simply two video games subsequent week, so there are many alternatives so as to add from the waiver pool.

Charlie Lindgren is an apparent pickup with Thompson injured, as he ought to get nearly all of the workload within the Capitals internet going ahead.

I’d additionally check out Cole Perfetti of the Winnipeg Jets. He has targets in three of his final 4 video games and the Jets have a four-game schedule subsequent week that features Monday and Sunday video games. With Gabriel Vilardi sidelined, Perfetti can also be getting a glance on the primary energy play.

One schedule I’m not a fan of subsequent week is the Philadelphia Flyers. They play simply as soon as within the first 5 days of the week, which can make Owen Tippett a drop. He’s been held off the scoresheet in 14 of his previous 17 video games and there are gamers you would decide up that will provide you with three video games between Monday and Friday subsequent week.

20. Doug Armstrong and Robert Thomas possible had an ungainly dialog or two this season. The St. Louis Blues common supervisor in fact helped assemble Group Canada’s roster for the 4 Nation’s Face-Off that included Jordan Binnington and Colton Parayko, however not Thomas. The 25-year-old broke his ankle in late October which can have harm his trigger main as much as when the rosters needed to be finalized in early December, however Thomas’ inventory has been rising meteorically for some time now. Thomas has averaged over some extent per sport for the previous 4 seasons and has confirmed to be extremely constant.

That has by no means been extra evident for the reason that begin of February, as Thomas has been on a heater of all heaters. As of February 2, Thomas has 39 factors in his previous 26 video games and amazingly, he’s had not less than one level in all however three of these contests. That’s additionally one of many foremost causes the Blues have catapulted up the standings, leaving everybody else within the Western Convention playoff race properly of their rearview mirror. As tough as it could’ve been for Thomas to listen to that he didn’t make Group Canada, he seems to be utilizing it as motivation.

Thomas has all the time been considerably of a polarizing determine in fantasy hockey circles. Everybody is aware of how gifted he’s offensively, however some keep away from him for his lack of effectivity within the peripheral classes. As an example, whereas he’s been higher prior to now couple of years, there have been occasions the place Thomas has struggled to even crack 100 photographs in a season. He’s additionally by no means topped greater than 16 hits earlier than in any one in all his campaigns. In case you’re rostering Thomas, it’s strictly for factors.

That stated, Thomas’ offensive manufacturing is changing into so elite that it makes him beneficial in each format. Clearly, everybody needs a Brady Tkachuk, Boone Jenner, Vincent Trocheck or Tom Wilson in leagues with hits for his or her mix of offense and physicality, however these gamers are extraordinarily uncommon. Thomas is scoring at a 93-point tempo this season and with that form of manufacturing he’s an enormous asset in any fantasy hockey format.

This closing stretch of the season is leaving little doubt in anybody’s thoughts that Thomas is without doubt one of the league’s most gifted offensive centres and proving to Armstrong that when the Olympics come round subsequent February, he’s worthy of a spot on the workforce.