Frozen Fantasy: So Many Questions

I've found my mind wandering during games this week. Maybe it was the play. Or maybe my attention span has gotten even shorter.

Questions. So many questions.

Like how good would the Leafs be if they stopped taking dumb penalties?

Connor McDavid showed them Saturday why sitting third in the NHL in minor penalties is a really bad idea. The Leafs will go far when they clean up that mess, but will it be this season?

Are the Stars really as good as their record?

Columbus sat first in the Central on Saturday, but only because the Stars had played just four games because of COVID-19. That Cup finals appearance was for real.

Is John Gibson the best goalie in the NHL?

The Ducks have no business being 3-3-2 heading into the weekend. The former analytics darling looks Vasilevskiy-like. Or Price-like. Or better.

Which coach is fired first – Edmonton's Dave Tippett or Calgary's Geoff Ward?

Alberta is a bit of a black hole so far, but my guess is Tippett. Ken Holland is coming up on two years as general manager, but he's handcuffed Tippett with the ultimate stars-and-scrubs fantasy roster. Ugh. Ward gets the axe next fall if this continues.

How soon will Bo Horvat win 1,000 face-offs?

He already has 119 in just 10 games and will soon enter the Patrice Bergeron-Ryan O'Reilly conversation. He's that good. Horvat will bring the Orcas their first Cup, just not this year.

Does Connor McDavid look fast because his team is so slow?

Yes, McDavid is wickedly fast. And yes, his team is ploddingly slow. How soon before he wants to leave? If Wayne Gretzky can be traded, then so can Connor.

How can reverse retro be so good and so bad, all at the same time?

BIG yes to Colorado, Minnesota, Los Angeles and Montreal. Big NO to Toronto, Anaheim, Arizona and Vancouver. BIG no.   

Now let's take a look at who caught my eye this week.

Andrew Copp, LW/C, and Adam Lowry, C , Winnipeg (45 percent and 10 percent Yahoo!, respectively) – Both Copp and Lowry are short-term recommendations and nothing more. Both are on five-game scoring streaks heading into Saturday night. Copp has four goals and five helpers and Lowry has four snipes and three apples. The arrival of Pierre-Luc Dubois is soon going to shake up the lines, so take advantage of this production now. Both could ultimately end up back together in their traditional shutdown roles. But it's clear they both have offensive moxie we cannot ignore.

Christian Dvorak, LW/C, Arizona (9 percent Yahoo!) – Dvorak has been a bright spot on an otherwise awful squad. Arizona is so bad it finds ways to lose games they're favored to win. But Dvorak is putting up points (three goals, four assists in eight games) and he's a busy man at the dot. For sure there will be droughts for Dvorak – they're a naturally occurring phenomenon in the desert. And his plus-minus might hurt you. But ignore him at your own peril. Someone will soon benefit from him on their roster.

Jordan Greenway, LW/RW, Minnesota (6 percent Yahoo!) – Greenway has finally grown into his 6-foot-6 frame and he's on fire so far – seven points in eight games and is even pushing for a second-line gig. There are a few flags – Greenway doesn't shoot as much as we'd like and despite his frame, he plays a bit of a delicate game. But big guys that can score will always deliver value. Grab him.

Jordan Kyrou, RW/C, St. Louis (29 percent Yahoo!) – Kyrou has forced himself into the Blues' top-six with smart play and strong offense. He has three goals and four assists in seven games and his PP time is rising. The former top prospect really doesn't have much competition on the right side, so his spot on line two is solid until Vladimir Tarasenko returns. I can't help but wonder if Kyrou is finally growing into his elite potential. Bottom line? He's the best addition on this list. And he might end up the best pickup of the year.

Kevin Lankinen, G, Chicago (25 percent Yahoo!) – Lankinen is good. Really good. Too bad we all missed him to start the season. The big Finn is quick post-to-post and he's capable of stealing games. He was dynamite at the 2019 World Championship where he carried Finland to gold. His debut game aside, Lankinen has only allowed six goals in four starts since. And he sees a lot of pucks. Wins may be slow to come, but he'll help in all other categories. 

Tyler Motte, LW/RW, Vancouver (33 percent Yahoo!) – Motte has been on my radar since Game 1, but I stupidly thought, 'Taxi squad – nope!'  That was a mistake. Motte has always been able to score goals and he already has five in 10 games so far. Plus he's averaging more than four hits per game. I wouldn't trade for him – I'm not convinced long-term. But I'd consider adding him if he's lurking on the wire, something that's increasingly unlikely. Check anyway.

Jack Roslovic, C, Columbus (4 percent Yahoo!) – Roslovic didn't let the door hit him as he raced out of the 'Peg – hometown Columbus was calling and the guy could barely contain his glee. Roslovic immediately stepped into the Jackets' top-six as a pivot, his natural position, and this could be the fit he needs to show his skill. The usual caveats apply: he hasn't played this year, he has to adjust to a different position and then there's Torts. But Roslovic can skate like the wind and his talent is undeniable. His growth won't be immediate, but when it starts it's bound to be valuable.

Justin Schultz, D, Washington (21 percent Yahoo!) – Schultz suddenly looks fantasy relevant again. He had just delivered his third consecutive two-point game Thursday when he took a puck to the face. He's day-to-day and I hope there's no concussion. Schultz isn't the player he was in 2016-17 when he scored 51 points, but he is the second-best offensive option on the Caps' blue line. Get ready to scoop him up once he's ready to roll. 

Back to questions.

Can the Leafs win with Frederik Andersen? I plead the 5th.

Will John Tortorella break Patrik Laine or will it be other way around? This will be fun to watch.

Will the Senators finish with a negative triple-digit goal differential? They're already minus-19 in eight games.

Will the Sharks play home games at home starting Feb. 13? Did you even know they would be on the road that long?

Why did it take me more than three weeks to realize the NHL had sold the naming rights to each division? I don't mind it, I guess. But they're never going to come to mind.

So many questions. So few answers.

Until next week.