NHL Stock Watch: A Shark Sandwich with Joe Thornton

Scott Pianowski
·Fantasy analyst
NHL Stock Watch: A Shark Sandwich with Joe Thornton

STOCK UP

Joe Thornton, C, Sharks: San Jose has earned a point in 10 straight games, a blistering 8-0-2 run, and it’s Jumbo Joe leading the way over that span (2-12-14). He’s been the NHL’s top assist man for January, and only two players (one of them linemate Joe Pavelski) have a better monthly rating than Thornton’s plus-10. Perhaps this is the year San Jose gets over its playoff demons?

Nathan MacKinnon, C, Avalanche: While January has been his lowest scoring month to date, it hasn’t been for a lack of opportunities — MacKinnon has a league-leading 56 shots this month. He’s on pace to set career bests for goals, shots and ice time, quickly making us forget about last year’s messy sophomore slump. MacKinnon looks like someone who will win a scoring title someday.

[2016 Yahoo Fantasy Baseball is open for business. Sign up now]

Mark Giordano, D, Flames: Slumping Calgary hit the break at a good time, having lost four of five, but don’t blame Giordano, who has 23 points over his last 24 games. He’s the No. 8 blueliner in the Yahoo game over the last month, only held back by a minus rating and a lack of penalty minutes. With Dennis Wideman looking at a suspension, perhaps a lengthy one, Giordano might see increased minutes after the break.

Roberto Luongo, G, Panthers: Age is just a number for the 36-year-old Luongo, who might be in the midst of a career season. The 2.08 goals-against average would easily be a personal best, and his .930 save percentage is just a speck below what he posted in 2003-04. He’s been just about unstoppable over the last month, allowing 1.79 goals a game and pushing the save percentage to .944. Florida’s goal prevention is reflected in other ways: Aaron Ekblad (plus-19) has the best rating among defensemen, and Brian Campbell (plus-16) isn’t far behind.

Ryan Kesler, C/RW, Ducks: He’s still tucked away on Anaheim’s third line, but perhaps he’s finding some chemistry with Andrew Cogliano and Jakob Silfverberg. Kesler’s averaging over three shots per game in January, along with a snappy 7-4-1 line over 11 games. He’s also getting some bonus time on the man-advantage. The seasonal numbers don’t look like much, but we’ll chase some back class and see where the story goes in February.

Marc-Andre Fleury, G, Penguins: He’s been sharp since his return from concussion issues, registering a point in nine of ten starts and stopping the puck at a .923 clip. The Penguins are fighting for their playoff lives, which is a boost for fantasy purposes — it makes Fleury a very safe play down the stretch for head-to-head owners, as you know he’ll see the start just about every evening.

Nick Holden, D, Avalalance: He’s never going to be a flashy scorer, but Holden at least is doing a respectable job on the sheet (3-15-18) along with contributions in other areas (plus-8 rating, 152 hits). If you play in a dynamic league where body-contact stats are incorporated, Holden sneaks info fantasy value.

STOCK DOWN

Mark Streit, D, Flyers: He doesn’t have a point over his last six games, and you might have noticed dwindling power-play time — Shayne Gostisbehere is the only blueliner the Flyers use with their first unit. Perhaps father time is catching up to Streit; he turned 38 in December. It's about the numbers, not the names.

Henrik Zetterberg, C/LW, Red Wings: Here’s another veteran player who appears to be hitting a wall — Zetterberg grades out as the No. 372 player in Yahoo fantasy over the last month. His shot rate is the lowest it’s been in 12 seasons, his scoring rate is Z’s worst since his rookie year, and even his advanced differentials (Corsi, Fenwick) are at personal lows. And you can’t blame it on the supporting cast, as Detroit has surprisingly been one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. Zetterberg might be a Hall of Fame candidate in the next decade, but right now he’s just another forward.

Pekka Rinne, G, Predators: While most goalie percentages are sailing through the roof, Rinne is searching for his best form. A .906 save percentage is downright embarrassing in today’s game, and it’s a main reason why Nashville is scrambling for a playoff spot. Rinne did end the first half with a three-game winning streak, but the Preds have their work cut out for them, dealing with the best division in hockey.