Detroit Red Wings fantasy preview for 2017-18

Pete Jensen / NHL.com Senior Fantasy Editor

FORWARDS

Henrik Zetterberg, C/LW -- The veteran forward was a pleasant surprise last season, jumping from a low average draft position (145.9) to 55th in Yahoo. He was an elite distributor (51 assists, 7th in NHL; 35 primary assists, 4th), and scored 68 points even with a low shooting percentage (8.7) and the lowest power-play point output (13 PPP) in a full season since his rookie year (10 in 2002-03). Zetterberg, 36, remains a fringe top 100 asset but would become an even greater bargain if he slips again in drafts.

Anthony Mantha, LW/RW -- He's a clear breakout candidate ahead of his second full NHL season and deserves more first-unit power-play usage for the Detroit Red Wings after stellar even-strength production as a rookie. Mantha, who turns 23 on Sept. 16, scored 36 points (17 goals, 19 assists) in 60 games with 33 at even strength (sixth among rookies). Mantha should play alongside Zetterberg in all situations and is worth reaching for any time after the first 12 rounds of a 12-team draft.

Gustav Nyquist, LW/RW - He's coming off his worst goal total in a full NHL season (12 on 165 shots on goal; 7.3 percent) but still finished 191st in Yahoo because of his NHL career-high 36 assists and a strong finish. He was a valuable fantasy waiver-wire addition with 30 points (eight goals, 22 assists), a plus-7 and 77 SOG over his final 35 games, and has the potential to be a sneaky late-round pick if his shooting fortunes improve.

Tomas Tatar, LW/RW -- He was the only Red Wings player to reach 20 goals last season (25 on 166 SOG; 15.1 percent). That said, Tatar's overall fantasy value took a hit from Detroit's struggles on the power play (15.1 percent; 27th in League); he was held to eight PPP in 82 games after scoring 19 PPP in 2014-15 and 15 in 2015-16. He finished outside the top 200 in Yahoo (216th) but has the potential to bounce back if he gets his category coverage in order.

Dylan Larkin, C/RW -- He had a 13-point and 43-shot dip in his sophomore season, and failed to seize Pavel Datsyuk's top-line or first-power-play role after the veteran left to play in his native Russia last offseason. Larkin's minus-28 was the biggest reason he finished so low in Yahoo (359th) but he's 21-years-old and a dark horse fantasy forward entering the final year of his entry-level contract.

Andreas Athanasiou, C/LW (RFA) -- The Red Wings are no longer a lock to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs but a shift into rebuilding mode could benefit young forwards like Mantha and Athanasiou. The 23-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance when given top-six opportunities, and scored 18 goals (second on Red Wings) averaging 13:27 per game in 64 games last season. With game-breaking speed and skill, Athanasiou has a chance to pay enormous fantasy dividends if he's finally given an expanded role.

DEFENSE

Mike Green -- The veteran defenseman, who turns 32 on Oct. 12, remains a respectable point producer at his position, but declined in peripheral categories last season. He's scored at least 35 points in each of the past four seasons but dipped from 20 PPP in 2015-16 to 10 last season and had the worst plus/minus of his NHL career (minus-20). His best fantasy days are likely behind him and no one should be surprised if newcomer Trevor Daley cuts into Green's minutes on the first power-play unit.

GOALTENDING

Jimmy Howard -- Howard was one of the League's most efficient goaltenders when healthy last season with a 2.10 goals-against average (third in NHL; min. 25 games) and .927 save percentage (second) in 26 games. He will likely again be locked into a time-share situation with Petr Mrazek and plays in the much-improved Atlantic Division, limiting his fantasy ceiling. Still, he's ranked among NHL.com's top 200 (189th) and a viable third or fourth fantasy goalie. 

Petr Mrazek -- The 25-year-old had the worst GAA (3.04) and SV% (.901) of his NHL career in 50 games last season, but the Red Wings' offense was among the League's bottom five in goals per game and power-play efficiency. The addition of Daley and any sort of offensive rebound would give Detroit's goalies more support. Mrazek, in a contract year, finished 13th among fantasy goalies two seasons ago and has a chance to return value if drafted outside the top 150.

Others to consider: Trevor Daley (D), Frans Nielsen (C), Xavier Ouellet (D), Jared Coreau (G)

Waiver Wired: More from Mantha

via RotoWorld/Corey Abbott

Mikael Backlund’s six-game point spree came to an end Saturday, but his ownership in Yahoo leagues increased from 23% to 36% since he was featured on Waiver Wired last week. Vincent Trocheck also got closer to being owned in half of all Yahoo leagues after he went from 45% to 49%

Anthony Mantha (DET) - LW, RW - Owned in 34% of Yahoo leagues

Mantha has been mentioned before, but it’s worth recommending him again. He scored his 11th goal of the season Saturday night and has earned at least one point in eight of his last nine outings. Mantha has scored seven goals and added five assists during that span. He has 19 points in 25 appearances with the Red Wings and should continue to produce in the second half as a key member of the team’s offensive attack. Snatch him up before it is too late.

Mikko Koivu (MIN) - C - Owned in 31% of Yahoo leagues

Koivu has accounted for three goals and four assists during a four-game point streak. He has registered multi-point efforts in three of those matches. Koivu has racked up eight markers and 17 points in his last 16 contests. His career best 19.7 shooting percentage probably isn’t sustainable, but he will continue to generate points for the rest of the season. Koivu has fit in nicely behind a resurgent Eric Staal and he can help if your league uses faceoffs (55.1 winning percentage) and plus-minus (plus-20).

Patrick Maroon (EDM) - LW - Owned in 30% of Yahoo leagues

Maroon is back on the wing of Edmonton’s top line, so he has benefited from the McDavid effect. He has tallied six goals and recorded one assist in the past eight games. Maroon had a hat trick Thursday against Boston on five shots. He has clicked with Connor McDavid for stretches this season before. He is worth rostering until he moves back down the depth chart.

Sam Reinhart (BUF) - C, RW - Owned in 28% of Yahoo leagues

Reinhart may shift back to the wing now that Ryan O'Reilly is back in the lineup, but that won’t hurt his fantasy value. It may even help him if he gets to play alongside O’Reilly or he moves back to Jack Eichel’s line. Reinhart has racked up nine points in his last nine games. He has scored just eight goals in 39 contests, but the potential for more is there. He skates on the top power-play unit, where he has earned four of his goals this year and four of his points during his current hot streak.

Michal Neuvirth (PHI) - G - Owned in 27% of Yahoo leagues

Neuvirth returned to action Saturday against Tampa Bay and turned aside 24 of 26 shots in a 4-2 victory. The win snapped Philadelphia’s five-game winless skid. Steve Mason was great for the most part while Neuvirth was on the sidelines with a knee injury, but his recent struggles could open the door for Neuvirth to see some consecutive starts. It’s a situation worth monitoring. Neuvirth makes for an intriguing depth addition at this time.

Bo Horvat (VAN) - C - Owned in 21% of Yahoo leagues

Horvat has been a bright spot for the Canucks this season. Vancouver has struggled to score again this season, but that hasn’t stopped Horvat lately. He has found the back of the net three times in his last four outings and he is riding an impressive seven-game scoring streak. Horvat has compiled five assists during that span along with the previously mentioned three goals. The 21-year-old pivot leads the team in scoring with 29 points in 42 matches.

Travis Konecny (PHI) - C, LW - Owned in 13% of Yahoo leagues

Konecny has been reunited with Sean Couturier and Jakub Voracek. He posted his sixth goal of the season Saturday versus Tampa Bay to give him two markers and two assists in the last four games. Konecny got off to a great start alongside Couturier and Voracek earlier this year and could be primed for another hot streak with games against Columbus (Sunday), Buffalo (Tuesday), Vancouver (Thursday) and Boston (Saturday) on the upcoming schedule.

Tanner Pearson (LAK) - LW - Owned in 12% of Yahoo leagues

Pearson has collected four goals and three assists in his past eight contests. He has scored the game-winning goal for the Kings in two of the last three games and he has failed to reach the scoresheet just two times during his present hot streak. Pearson is back to playing alongside Los Angeles leading scorer Jeff Carter and that has helped with his recent surge.

Michael Frolik (CGY) - C, RW - Owned in 12% of Yahoo leagues

Frolik has been part of Calgary’s red hot combination with Mikael Backlund and Matthew Tkachuk. He has netted four goals in his last four games and he has contributed nine points over the past seven outings. Backlund is still available in 64% of Yahoo leagues and Tkachuk is owned in 45% of Yahoo leagues, but if they are both taken then Frolik could still be available to you.

Connor Brown (TOR) - RW - Owned in 5% of Yahoo leagues

Brown has recorded nine goals and nine assists in 39 games this season. What makes him worthy of a pickup? He has produced five of those goals and nine points in the last eight games. Brown has been playing alongside rookie phenom Auston Matthews and he has been making the most of his chances. It’s easy to forget that Brown impressed last season when he had six points in seven games with the Leafs. Now that he is playing higher up in the depth chart with some talent, he is taking advantage of the opportunity and could help your squad if you are looking for an under-the-radar addition.

Datsyuk a good pick against the Islanders on Monday

"The Neutral Zone" Fantasy Hockey Report

Pavel Datsyuk

Pavel Datsyuk is a man on a mission for the Detroit Red Wings.

In his past five games, Datsyuk has five goals and four assusts, and even though he gets a fairly difficult match up against the New York Islanders Monday afternoon, Datsyuk should still have a great game and should help you rack up points.

In his last game on Sunday against Boston, Datsyuk had two goals and one assist, helping his team defeat Boston 6-5.