As we close out 2023, fantasy playoffs begin to make their back into the minds of fantasy managers with the schedule inching closer to the midway point of the season. One of the best ways to ensure you’re at the top of your league come April is to ensure your category coverage is among the best in class. Below are some players to target if your team is lacking in particular categories.
Goals – Michael Carcone, LW, ARI
There hasn’t been a more surprising player this season than Michael Carcone. The career AHLer has posted a ridiculous 14 goals in 27 games after scoring just six NHL goals in his entire career prior to this season. He currently ranks 13th in the NHL for goals ahead of numerous NHL superstars and has scored eight goals in his last 10 games.
Is his 42-goal pace or 35% shooting percentage sustainable? Absolutely not, but the bottom line is everything he touches is going in right now so you may as well take advantage while you can. He’s also earning more ice time, playing 12 minutes a night over the last month after averaging closer to 10 in the first month of the season. Somehow still at just 7% owned in Yahoo! leagues, it’s worth adding Carcone for a goal boost while he remains hot.
Assists – Matias Maccelli, RW, ARI
Matias Maccelli remains one of the more underrated playmakers in the entire NHL. Just like last season, he’s racking up assists but isn’t getting much attention for doing so. Currently through 28 games, he’s sitting on 16 assists, a 47-assist pace across a full season. Among all forwards his 16 assists rank 33rd in the NHL ahead of players like Kirill Kaprizov, Steven Stamkos, and Matthew Tkachuk to name a few.
He may not provide strong category coverage in other areas, but at just 10% owned and on pace for 47 assists and 62 points he’s worth a look if you’re desperately in need of adding some more assist production to your roster.
Shots – Cam Atkinson, RW, PHI
After missing the entire 2022–23 season, Cam Atkinson has returned to full health this year and is playing a key role on a surprising Flyers team. In particular, Atkinson has been racking up shots all season. Through 29 games he’s posted 92 shots, good for right around three shots a game. His 92 shots rank 32nd in the NHL among forwards.
He’s also consistently getting shots on net on a nightly basis. Through his 29 games, he’s posted at least four shots on 12 occasions and has been held under two shots just three times all season. Even if he isn’t posting big point totals, he’s still putting up an impressive stream of shots every night which makes him a worthwhile add if you’re in need of shot coverage.
Hits – Tanner Jeannot, LW, TBL
Tanner Jeannot may not provide much real-life value after his mega trade to the Tampa Bay Lightning last year, but he continues to provide big-time value in bangers leagues. Through 31 games this year Jeannot has racked up 106 hits which leads the entire league. He’s registered at least four hits in a game 13 times this year and hasn’t been held without a hit a single time all season.
At just 28% owned in Yahoo! leagues, there really isn’t a better available player to add for coverage in the hits department than Jeannot right now as he’s currently pacing the entire league. It doesn’t hurt that he’s chipped in six goals and 11 points along with 41 shots as well.
Blocks – Jake Walman, D, DET
Finding a player who can rack up blocks but also still chip in offensively isn’t the easiest thing to do. Jake Walman however has been that player thus far this season. He currently sits with 79 blocks across 27 games this season, good for the fourth-highest total in the league. Since the start of the year, he’s had 11 games where he’s posted at least three blocks and hasn’t played a game all year where he doesn’t have at least one.
As mentioned, he also provides value in other areas as he sits with 13 points and 46 shots. At 44% owned in Yahoo! leagues he’s still widely available in over half of leagues. Given his pedigree in the blocks department and coverage offensively he’s a strong add to boost your blocks while not giving up other areas.
Category coverage is king
Getting the right players to make sure you have consistent chances of winning categories is a tried and true method, and with surprising performances leaving players available in many leagues, now’s the best time for action.
