The NHL season has reached the quarter mark, and we’re starting to get a real feel for teams this year. The same goes for the fantasy hockey season. Let’s take a look at five fantasy hockey trade targets to buy low on as we enter December.
Fantasy Hockey Trade Targets: 5 Players to Buy Low
Fantasy Hockey Trade Target: Matthew Tkachuk
Matthew Tkachuk made his mark last postseason and was a first-round pick by many this season. If his manager is looking to shake things up, targeting Tkachuk would be a smart move.
After back-to-back 100-point seasons, Tkachuk is under a point-per-game pace through 21 contests. He has just 18 points — and only three goals — so far this season. But that should change soon.
Tkachuk is still shooting the puck plenty (88 SOG in 21 games) but is finding the back of the net at an incredibly low 3.4% rate. Mind you, his career shooting percentage is 12.7%, which would net him over 11 goals on 88 shots.
The goals and points should pick up for Tkachuk, especially with offensive-minded defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour back in the lineup.
Fantasy Hockey Buy Low: Nazem Kadri
Kadri is only rostered in 47% of leagues, so you may be able to just scoop him up off the fantasy hockey waiver wire. If he’s rostered in your league, he’s certainly not an untouchable for whoever has him.
He’s off to a bit of a slow start with 14 points (four goals) in 22 games. But he’s averaging three shots per game and shooting at just 6.1%. He shot 9% last year and has a 10.8% career shooting percentage.
The Flames need to figure things out, and Kadri is there for the foreseeable future, so he’s likely going to be a part of the solution. Expect the man with 52 goals over the last two seasons to start finding the back of the net more.
Fantasy Hockey Trade Target: Alex Ovechkin
Ovechkin is another player shooting well below his career rate as he continues to chance Wayne Gretzky’s goal record.
The Great 8 has just five goals on 70 shots (7.1%) in 18 games this season. He’s had a shooting percentage of 13.2% or higher in each of the last six seasons and is at 12.9% for his career.
Ovechkin had a huge December last year, putting up 22 points (13 goals) in just 15 games. Mind you, he had 13 goals in 24 games through November, but perhaps it just takes him a bit to find his form nowadays.
The Capitals may fade as the season continues, but Ovi should do the opposite. The Caps want to get Ovechkin as many goals as possible. Trade for him if his manager is looking to deal.
Fantasy Hockey Buy Low: Johnny Gaudreau
Like Kadri playing for his former team, Gaudreau is another player who might be available on the fantasy hockey waiver wire given his 62% rostered rate.
Look, I don’t blame you if you have your doubts about trading for or even adding Gaudreau. He has just 11 points in his first 23 games this season. And yes, the Blue Jackets aren’t a great team. But still, Gaudreau put up 74 points (21 goals) in 80 games last year. Surely, he didn’t lose it all in the offseason.
The good news is that Gaudreau — and the Jackets — have been heating up a bit as of late. Gaudreau has five points in his last six games, and Columbus has won three of its last four contests.
Fantasy Hockey Trade Target: Timo Meier
Meier is currently out due to a lower-body injury. Tuesday night is the sixth game in a row that he’s missed. So this isn’t a “trade for right now” target, but rather a “keep an eye on” target.
The former Shark had 14 points in 21 games after joining the Devils last year and started this season with 11 points in 14 games. He was riding a three-game goal streak prior to suffering his injury as well.
The Devils are a team that is going to heat up at some point now with Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier back. Once Meier is back, look out.
