Injuries are piling up leaguewide and that has opened the door for several new, talented players to break into the league. One of the most important player types in fantasy hockey is the defenseman power play quarterback. Power play points are notoriously difficult to find on the waiver wire, so when a new defenseman gets promoted to a team’s first power play unit, it’s important to know about it.
Unfortunately, players like Brock Faber and Thomas Harley are already over 37% owned and likely not available in leagues that pay attention to roster movement and injuries. So, here are four new power play quarterbacks to keep an eye on.
Jackson Lacombe – Anaheim Ducks – 0% Owned
With Pavel Mintyukov sidelined for an extended period of time, and Jamie Drysdale getting traded to the Flyers, Jackson Lacombe is the newest young defenseman getting a huge opportunity with the Ducks. After a very productive NCAA career with the University of Minnesota, and getting a taste of NHL action last year, Lacombe is taking advantage of a premier role on the Ducks’ top power play unit.
He’s got eight points total on the year, but has put up four of them in the past six games. He’s regularly playing over 20 minutes a night, and chips in well on the peripheral stats with 38 shots, 29 hits, and 71 blocks this season over 41 games. He doesn’t have any power play points yet, so keep an eye how he does with the new power play role and Lacombe could be a pickup in time.
Adam Boqvist – Columbus Blue Jackets – 1% Owned
He hasn’t lived up to high expectations in his NHL career so far, but Adam Boqvist is back on the top power play unit for the Blue Jackets after an injury to Zach Werenski, and Ivan Provorov being moved to PP2.
Boqvist has seven points on the season, but four have come in the past five games, three of which came on the power play. He’s playing a ton of minutes, eclipsing 24 minutes in each of the past two games, and is chipping in on peripherals well with 20 shots and 26 blocks in just 18 games. Boqvist’s return to the lineup has been big for the Blue Jackets, and is worth watching for your fantasy team as well.
Egor Zamula – Philadelphia Flyers – 1% Owned
The towering Russian has been on the Flyers’ top power play unit for a few weeks now, and is doing quite well with the opportunity. He’s got a wicked slap shot that has helped add a new weapon to the Flyers’ power play, and in the 14 games since December 22nd, Zamula has put up eight points, four of which have come on the man advantage.
He’s not an elite producer by any means, but for a spot start or a week where the Flyers play a lot of games, Zamula could be a good streaming option. In 37 games this season, Zamula has three goals, 12 points, 34 shots, and 40 blocks.
Justin Schultz – Seatle Kraken – 2% Owned
With Vince Dunn sidelined, Justin Schultz has ascended to top power play quarterback for the Seattle Kraken who are somehow back in the playoff bubble picture. Schultz has a history of playing power play minutes so it’s not like this role is brand new to him, and he’s done well with the limited opportunity so far.
In his past five games, Schultz has put up four points, two of which have come on the power play, and has added five shots on goal, two hits, and six blocks. If Dunn ends up being out of the lineup for an extended period of time, Schultz is definitely worth considering for his power play minutes.
Premier positions are hard to find
Generally, if you don’t draft power play quarterbacks you just won’t find any afterwards. If you can find someone who just got added to a team’s PP1 and is making an impact, you have to strike early.
