NHL Stock Watch: Patric Hornqvist finds the range
STOCK UP
Patric Hornqvist, RW, Penguins: You know you'll get a boatload of shots with Hornqvist, but they don't always lead to a bushel of points. Alas, the scoring has come easily over the last six games (2-7-9), as he's making sweet music on a line with Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz. And yes, Hornqvist has 23 shots over that segment, along with three points on the power play. Ride the wave.
Sam Bennett, C/LW, Flames: Calgary's flashy first line is hard to look past, but the Bennett is making things exciting on the second trio. The fourth overall pick from the 2014 draft is on an eight-goal binge over his last five games, piling up 17 shots over that period. You love the dual-position eligibility, and anyone with this high a pedigree has to be chased when the lamp gets hot.
Mark-Edouard Vlasic, D, Sharks: We've come to expect steady defensive play from the veteran Vlasic (he's only had one minus season out of 10), but this year he's added some offensive fun to the package. Vlasic has a strong 7-17-24 contribution through 42 games, and he's seeing secondary power-play time on an excellent San Jose unit (fourth in the NHL). Vlasic has the highest shot rate of his career, and he's also logging his most ice time in seven years. Add it all up and he's clearly one of the most underrated defensemen in the game right now. You can still acquire Vlasic in about 60 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Shayne Gostisbehere, D, Flyers: The rookie blueliner is back from his lower-body injury, and with that we can trust the Philly power-play again. Gostisbehere has three points over his last two games (two assists on the power play), and he was over 21 minutes in Thursday's loss at Pittsburgh. He should be a Top 25 defenseman the rest of the way.
Dylan Larkin, C/LW, Red Wings: A chipped tooth, a bloody nose, a fat lip – none of those things stopped Larkin in Friday's victory at Buffalo (game-winning goal, insurance assist). Larkin now has a classy 15-17-32 line and a remarkable plus-23 season in his rookie year as a precocious 19-year-old. Perhaps most impressively, he's been productive in each of the four months – the learning curve has been modest, and he hasn't hit a rookie wall yet, either.
STOCK DOWN
Alex Galchenyuk, C/LW, Canadiens: There have been line changes, position changes, and some off-ice issues as well this month (Galchenyuk's girlfriend was arrested on a domestic violence charge back on Jan. 12). But amidst it all, Galchenyuk hasn't done much on the ice (one goal, zero assists, league-worst -10 rating). There are all sorts of problems in Montreal at the moment, so we can't blame it all on one player. But Galchenyuk is the most scuffling player on the roster right now.
Mark Stone, RW, Senators: He's minus-10 over his last 10 games, with a mere two points and 13 shots to show for his efforts. Ottawa's entire defensive concept has fallen apart over the last six games (28 goals allowed); it's not a fun time to link up with goaltenders Craig Anderson or Andrew Hammond.
Jimmy Howard, G, Red Wings: He had one outstanding season after Nicklas Lidstrom left – Howard was outstanding in 2012-13 – but since then, his star has faded significantly. He's bottomed out with a 2.68 goals-against average and .909 save percentage this year, while Petr Mrazek (2.10/.931) has run away with the No. 1 job in Hockeytown. Howard's starts per month stack up this way: 5-6-6-1. There's no reason for him to still be owned in 53 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Dan Boyle, D, Rangers: He's still seeing a fair amount of power-play time, which might be a little silly given Boyle's age (39) and current form (no points in nine games, along with a modest 13 shots). Keith Yandle and Ryan McDonagh are both quality puck-movers, which might push Boyle to the second power-play unit for good – if he's even included at all.
Sergei Bobrovsky, G, Blue Jackets: He's back on injured reserve for the third time this year (groin injury), and given Columbus's buried spot in the standings, there's no incentive to rush him back. It's been such a train wreck in Ohio, even head coach John Tortorella suffered two broken ribs in a recent practice. Bobrovsky's save percentage has taken a major dip in each of the past three seasons, eventuality landing on this year's .911 number. The honeymoon is over.
