Should Filip Gustavsson managers be worried?

Special to Yahoo Sports

This article is adapted from the NHL Barometer, available at RotoWire.

Filip Gustavsson in a Downward Spiral

The Gus Bus remains a personal favorite, but its stability is wavering and its performance is declining. Despite an impressive 41-save shutout in the Minnesota Wild’s season opener, Gustavsson has struggled in his subsequent five starts, allowing a total of 22 goals. The 25-year-old goaltender currently holds a subpar record of 2-2-1 with a goals-against average of 4.36 and a save percentage of .885. While Marc-Andre Fleury has taken the starting position in recent games, a weak performance or two from Gustavsson could lead to further reduction in his playing time and fantasy value.

Other players experiencing a decline include Barrett Hayton, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Matt Duchene, Mason Marchment, Blake Wheeler, Dawson Mercer, Drake Batherson, Jacob Markstrom (0-5-1 in the last six games), and Joonas Korpisalo.

Sell High

Although you may not want these players on your fantasy team, their recent performances could allow you to make a trade rather than simply dropping them.

Ryan Strome, C, Anaheim Ducks (35% rostered)

Several players were considered for this category, but Strome stood out. After a disappointing season last year with only 41 points and a minus-30 rating, Strome has had a remarkable start to the current season. He has recorded points in five consecutive games and has already accumulated 11 points in nine games.

However, it’s crucial to note that Strome’s career-high is 59 points. In addition, Frank Vatrano, Trevor Zegras, and Leo Carlsson are also in the mix for offensive contributions. This is the opportune time to explore potential trades involving Strome and capitalize on his high value.

Training Room (Injuries)

These players will be sidelined for a while, and whether they should be placed on your IR slot or dropped from your roster depends on your league settings.

Thomas Chabot, D, Ottawa Senators (64%)

Last week, Chabot was featured as a player on the decline, and unfortunately, he will now miss 4-to-6 weeks due to a fractured hand from blocking a shot. Chabot’s absence leaves a significant void in the Ottawa defense, as he has averaged over 24 minutes of ice time per game for the past five seasons. The Senators have placed Chabot on long-term injured reserve, which grants them some salary cap flexibility during his recovery.

Other players dealing with injuries include Shane Pinto (suspended for 41 games due to gambling), Patrik Laine (upper body; placed on injured reserve last Monday), Sam Bennett (lower body; potential season debut on Monday), Jamie Drysdale (upper body; on injured reserve), David Savard (broken left hand; injured last Monday, expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks), John Gibson (injured during Monday’s game), and Devon Levi (lower body; may be available as the backup goalie on Wednesday against Philadelphia).

Players to Add

Philipp Kurashev/Taylor Raddysh, RW, Chicago Blackhawks

This suggestion involves some projection. Kurashev skated on Chicago’s top line alongside Connor Bedard in a recent game, scoring the game-winning goal on the power play. Not to be outdone, Raddysh also scored on his only shot in the same game. One of these two players will have the opportunity to skate next to Bedard in the upcoming games. Currently, it’s Kurashev, but it could easily shift to Raddysh in the next game.

If you have limited roster space and must choose one, Raddysh may be the better option due to his higher offensive potential and upside. However, if possible, adding both players to your roster could be advantageous.