Give thanks to your fantasy teams. And to all of your players. Even if some are struggling, they're probably trying their hardest.
Don't be the one holding the short end of the wishbone. Grab a couple recruits to boost your squad. Here are a few suggestions:
(Rostered rates as of Nov. 28)
Forwards
Carter Verhaeghe, FLA (Yahoo: 52%): Verhaeghe's goal production significantly dipped last season going from 42 and 34 points to 20, as his shooting percentage was abnormally low (8.3) while he was still busy in getting pucks on net (242) and power-play scoring (16 PPPs). He's only found the back of the net four times (paired with a 7.5 percentage), though half of those have come over the last two games to go with three assists, six shots and three hits. Verhaeghe is well-positioned within the Florida roster and looks to be on the upswing of a scoring run, so you may want to add him as soon as possible.
Adam Fantilli, CLS (Yahoo: 50%): Let's go with another forward around 50 percent covered who should be much higher. Fantilli centers the first line and joins Zach Werenski at the point on the Blue Jackets' top PP. He's racked up 12 points and 38 shots from his last 13 contests. And even though Fantilli has only notched two PPPs (both goals), he's way too skilled and involved in advanced attacking areas to still be this available. Get him before someone else does.
Anthony Cirelli, TB (Yahoo: 37%): Cirelli may be a two-time Cup champ and someone who's played his entire career in Tampa, but he often gets overlooked in fantasy. He's coming off a personal-best of 59 points and is already up to 17 across 19 appearances. Since returning from a lower-body issue last week, Cirelli has recorded two goals, four assists, nine shots and a plus-7. As long as he can stay healthy, he offers tremendous value.
Brock Nelson, COL (Yahoo: 37%): Similar to most of the previous eight campaigns with the Islanders, Nelson won't be the focal pivot in Colorado when Nathan MacKinnon is available. He struggled to find the scoresheet during the first 16 matchups (3G, 2A) before going on a five-game point streak that netted three goals, four assists, 12 shots and 50 faceoff wins. Being the second center on a club boasting the league's top offense has its advantages, so picking up Nelson should work in most fantasy formats.
Owen Tippett, PHI (Yahoo: 30%): If we were ranking modern power forwards, Tippett's name would probably be high up on that list. The Flyers haven't been great providers of offensive selections in recent years, though a few become popular based on elevated production and/or category needs. Tippett hasn't been particularly reliable overall, yet has gone off for eight points, 12 shots and 11 hits over the last six contests. As a member of the lead line and power play (Philly still underwhelms while up a man) who's also a solid cross-category contributor, he's bound to find his way onto more Yahoo! Fantasy rosters.
Braeden Bowman, VGK (Yahoo: 18%): I almost added Bowman in the RotoWire Staff Keeper Hockey League at the beginning of last week, but ultimately decided a defenseman was a greater need. As it turns out, no one bid for him. So of course, everyone was on him Monday, and I was one of many who missed out. Not a bad NHL debut so far for Bowman, as he's tallied at least one point in six of eight appearances (seven total) alongside 18 shots on a 17:09 average – including 3:30 on the man-advantage where he's potted two PPGs. Bowman's got a pretty sweet gig skating next to Jack Eichel, which continued into Wednesday when Mark Stone came back. The prime placement may not last long and that 22.2 shooting percentage will regress, though this scorching stretch is ultimately too enticing.
Beckett Sennecke, ANH (Yahoo: 14%): Most of you have probably seen Sennecke's stunned reaction after he was selected third overall at the 2024 Draft. Know what isn't shocking? The fact he's been able to make an immediate impact on a lethal Anaheim frontline. The odd lull is to be expected for someone who won't turn 20 until January, yet Sennecke has pushed through and up the depth chart via four goals, eight assists, 24 shots, 11 hits and a plus-8 this month. While we're not going to extrapolate this output over the season, I think it's safe to say he's a keeper.
Jack Quinn, BUF (Yahoo: 2%): Too many zeros on Quinn's nightly log may scare away most fantasy participants, yet he's gotten back on track the last seven days by registering three goals, two helpers and 11 shots while averaging 18:29. A place in the Sabres' top-six and first power play qualifies Quinn as a favorable short-term option who's probably worth more of a chance than a lot of other fantasy forwards.
Defensemen
Mattias Ekholm, EDM (Yahoo: 45%): The Oilers have been inconsistent all season while allowing 47 goals in their last 10 games (and still winning four since they scored 31). Despite being known as a defensive presence, Ekholm managed to average 35 points the previous four seasons while skating major minutes. The two goals and eight assists so far may be slightly behind pace, but he's also generated 51 shots and 48 blocks. Ekholm gets plenty of combined work on the lead penalty kill, second power play, and teaming up with Evan Bouchard at even-strength with the duo doing much better in recent matchups.
Simon Nemec, NJ (Yahoo: 31%): Nemec didn't see much time with the parent club last year after 60 appearances as a rookie. And the 2022 second-overall selection didn't waste any time by producing seven assists from his first nine outings. The scoring hasn't been flowing otherwise for Nemec, yet he's proven clutch twice with OT GWGs – the earlier one coming as part of his first career hat-trick. He's primed to be a big part of Jersey's future blueline alongside Luke Hughes while already doing enough right now to deserve more fantasy attention.
Olen Zellweger, ANH (Yahoo: 13%): It's been fun to watch Zellweger develop from his WHL days and two WJC gold medals to become a full-time NHLer. The many healthy scratches during last year are a distant memory and he's been regularly paired with Jacob Trouba during five-on-five while on the Ducks' backup man-advantage. Zellweger has turned those opportunities into eight points – including two PPPs – 49 shots, a plus-10 and 27 blocks. Expect his offensive numbers to increase as he eventually takes on more ice time.
Nate Schmidt, UTA (Yahoo: 2%): Schmidt's season started with eight consecutive scoreless efforts, which isn't surprising considering low recent totals. He's gone on to register a goal, nine assists, 22 shots, a plus-9 and 19 hits within Utah's top-four, second power play and first PK. Schmidt is also just under 21 minutes overall, 1:37 of that while up a man (though hasn't yet notched any PPPs). Based on all those responsibilities, he's at least worth a flyer.
Goaltenders
Tristan Jarry, PIT (Yahoo: 34%): Jarry started the season by recording wins in five of his first six games and was then sidelined for most of November with a lower-body injury. He returned on Wednesday and picked up another victory while stopping 29 of 31 shots versus Buffalo. Jarry had been alternating starts with Arturs Silovs before getting hurt, but the veteran may receive more action based on better stats and reports of him being targeted for a trade by the Oilers. And even if he doesn't get moved, his fantasy profile is already trending in the right direction.
Casey DeSmith, DAL (Yahoo: 19%): DeSmith has been superb over his last seven appearances, as he hasn't allowed any more than three goals while posting a 5-0-2 record, 1.80 GAA and .933 save percentage. Jake Oettinger endured a couple poor performances, though he's looked solid of late and there are definitely no questions about him retaining the No. 1 role. At the same time, DeSmith should be in line to earn more work behind a top-10 defense.
Players to consider from past columns: Dylan Cozens, Leo Carlsson, Frank Nazar, Will Smith, Cole Perfetti, Nick Schmaltz, Anze Kopitar, Kiefer Sherwood, Zach Benson, Jonathan Huberdeau, Patrick Kane, Dawson Mercer, Chris Kreider, Troy Terry, Brock Boeser, Mats Zuccarello, William Eklund, Will Cuylle, Tyler Bertuzzi, Pavel Buchnevich, Tyler Seguin, Alexis Lafreniere, Anton Lundell, Conor Garland, Jack Roslovic, Logan Stankoven, Claude Giroux, Marcus Johansson, Mackie Samoskevich, Evander Kane, Teuvo Teravainen, Jake DeBrusk, Jordan Eberle, Jackson Blake, Dmitri Voronkov, Pavel Zacha, Kyle Palmieri, Jimmy Snuggerud, Josh Doan, Arseny Gritsyuk, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Matias Maccelli, Matthew Coronato, Ben Kindel, Barrett Hayton, Ryan Leonard, Matthew Wood, Brock Faber, Brandt Clarke, Kris Letang, Travis Sanheim, Filip Hronek, Rasmus Andersson, Cam Fowler, K'Andre Miller, Jake McCabe, Artyom Levshunov, Hampus Lindholm, Darren Raddysh, Brent Burns, John Klingberg, Philip Broberg, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Justin Faulk, Simon Edvinsson, Dmitry Orlov, Cam York, Nick Blankenburg, Spencer Knight, Jesper Wallstedt, Jakub Dobes, Yaroslav Askarov, Jake Allen, Cam Talbot, John Gibson, Dan Vladar, David Rittich, Elvis Merzlikins, Akira Schmid
