Special to Yahoo Sports
This article is adapted from the NHL Barometer, available at RotoWire.
All the players on this list are currently trending downwards, making them potential cuts in most leagues. However, some of them could also be trade options.
A goaltender to consider leaving on the waiver wire permanently
John Gibson, G, ANA (39% rostered)
John Gibson and Lukas Dostal have been alternating starts for the Anaheim Ducks this season. Gibson, who is normally the team’s workhorse goalie, has struggled recently, and Dostal could be the team’s future in net. Gibson’s contract extension with the Ducks may prevent him from being moved to another team. At best, view Gibson as a third goalie in most leagues unless he joins a team with better defense.
Other players on the decline include Matty Beniers (slow start), Tyler Seguin, Yanni Gourde, Anthony Duclair, Bowen Byram, John Klingberg (producing offensively but struggling defensively), Darcy Kuemper, and Jack Campbell.
Sell High
If you have these players on your team, their recent performances make them attractive trade targets rather than outright cuts.
Thomas Chabot, D, OTT (76%)
Although Thomas Chabot had a strong second season in the NHL, he has not been able to replicate that success recently. Injuries have also affected his playing time. With the emergence of Jakob Chychrun and Jake Sanderson, Chabot has been moved to the second power-play unit, which has impacted his production. Look to trade Chabot to someone who values big names in fantasy hockey.
Training Room (Injuries)
These players will be sidelined for a while, and whether you should place them on your IR slot or drop them depends on your league settings.
Sam Bennett, LW, FLA (22%)
Sam Bennett has yet to play this season due to a lower-body injury. It was initially believed that he would only miss the first two weeks of the season, but there have been no updates on his progress. Bennett had a solid season last year, recording 16 goals, 24 assists, 193 shots on net, and 150 hits. Monitor his situation closely.
Other injured players include Connor McDavid (upper body, out for 1-2 weeks), Josh Norris (shoulder, returned with two goals), Andre Burakovsky (upper body, out for 6-8 weeks), Sebastian Aho (upper body, missed multiple games), Patrik Laine (upper body, placed on IR), Gabriel Vilardi (sprained MCL, out for 4-6 weeks), Pavel Buchnevich (upper body, could return soon), Jamie Drysdale (lower body, on injured reserve), Devon Levi (lower body, out for at least one more game), and Frederik Andersen (upper body, missed multiple games).
Buy Low
These players may be underperforming currently, but they still have great potential and could be valuable additions to your team.
Trevor Zegras, C, ANA (65%)
Trevor Zegras struggled at the start of the season due to a contract dispute with the Ducks. However, he recently signed a new contract and should start producing soon. Zegras has shown his potential in previous seasons and is worth considering as a buy-low target in fantasy hockey.
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Sarah Anderson dives into the fast-paced world of NHL hockey. Her coverage includes game analysis, player spotlights, and the latest news from the ice. Sarah’s dedication to the sport ensures that hockey enthusiasts stay informed about the NHL’s thrilling action.