Mike Hoffman should be a prime trade target in fantasy hockey leagues.
The fantasy hockey deadline is upon us. If you want to make a deal that will help you in the playoffs, here some tips to help you get it done. Some of these tips will look familiar because I use a similar approach in basketball.
1. Target the bad teams in your league: Owners of bad teams are most likely to be willing to do business this time of year. Look at the standings in your league. Find the bad teams and scout their rosters. Once you have identified players you are interested in, make a trade offer. The only downside to dealing with bad teams and their owners is that they may not respond because they have given up on the season.
2. Don’t cut your nose to spite your face: Don’t cobble together massive deals that involve multiple players. Keep it simple. Stay away from including your top three players in any deal. The trade deadline is designed to help you make your roster better, not to re-invent it.
3. Identify your needs: Trade based on needs. If you need more offensive help, acquire a forward that plays top line minutes. Trade from a position of strength. If you have a handful of quality puck moving defenseman, try to find a trade partner who needs to address his or her defense. They may need a defenseman who can score. If you are deep at a position, then you are in position to make a deal.
4. Do your homework: It is easy to get caught up in goals and assists when it comes to hockey but do your homework. You want players who are effective on special teams as well. Research your players. Target players who get top power play minutes and score. They get you points. You can also target players who play on the PK. Short handed goals gets you points as well. Some leagues also give you points for plus, minus. Bottom line. There are many different ways to score. Find players who are solid cross category producers.
5. Ten players to target in trades
1. Mark Stone, F, Ottawa Senators
2. Mike Hoffman, F, Florida Panthers
3. Jeff Skinner, F, Buffalo Sabres
4. Sebastian Aho, F, Carolina Hurricanes
5. Charlie McAvoy, D, Boston Bruins
6. Erik Gustafsson, D, Chicago Blackhawks
7. Jeff Petry, D, Montreal Canadiens
8. Chris Kreider, F, New York Rangers