Fantasy Report Card - Columbus Blue Jackets
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theScore will be giving out fantasy report cards discussing the fantasy value of key players on each of the 30 teams. This edition focuses on the Columbus Blue Jackets.
ANA | ARI | BOS | BUF | CGY | CAR | CHI | COL | CLB | DAL | DET | EDM | FLA| LA | MIN | MTL | NAS | NJ | NYI | NYR | OTT | PHI | PIT | SJ | STL | TB | TOR | VAN | WAS | WPG
G Sergei Bobrovsky
After two bad and injury-ravaged seasons followed up his first Vezina Trophy win, Bobrovsky has returned to form with a sub-2.00 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage. His 21 wins lead the league and have come in just 28 starts. He'll maintain what could be the heaviest workload in the league for as long as he's healthy, bolstering his fantasy stock. Grade: A+
RW Cam Atkinson
Few fantasy owners were willing to buy into Atkinson's dominant second half last season, leaving him available at a late-round ADP. Those who took the minimal risk have been greatly rewarded, as he's on pace to approach 80 points. He's averaging a career-high in ice time, and he should finish with 30-plus goals. Grade: A+
C Alexander Wennberg
Wennberg became a favorite late-round sleeper of owners, and he has averaged more than 18 minutes per game. He has 29 points in 32 games, but his six goals have come on just 37 shots. He'll need to start shooting more in order to maintain his pace, but he has already brought more than enough reward to his owners. Grade: A-
C/RW Sam Gagner
Gagner is more than halfway to matching his career high of 49 points set in his rookie season. His 17.5 shooting percentage will regress sooner than later, but he has been a strong contributor in the assist column and has earned a top-six role at times. Six of his 26 points have come on the power play, and he should continue to see opportunities with the man advantage. Grade: A
LW/RW Nick Foligno
After a career year in 2014-15, Foligno fell back to Earth last season, finishing with fewer than 40 points. He has rebounded this season and is just two goals away from matching last year's total. He won't match his career-best 73 points again, but he should top 50 points, making him a great draft bargain. Grade: B+
LW/RW Brandon Saad
Saad is building on his success of the last two seasons split between the Blue Jackets and the Chicago Blackhawks. His 15.7 shooting percentage is slightly above his career average, but he is taking lots of shots and could challenge the 30-goal threshold once again. Strong contributions in blocked shots and hits make him an even better option in banger leagues. Grade: A
LW Scott Hartnell
Hartnell's special-teams role has shrunk as an elder statesman with the Blue Jackets. He's averaging just over 12 minutes of ice time, his smallest contribution since his rookie season. Still, he has 20 points in 32 games, keeping him relevant in daily fantasy. He's streamable in season-long formats. Grade: B-
D Zach Werenski
The eighth-overall pick of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Werenski is right in the thick of the Calder Trophy race, with many viewing him as the first-half favorite. He has 21 points in 31 games with eight points coming on the power play. He has the full trust of the coaching staff and is averaging more than 19 minutes of ice time. Grade: A+
D Seth Jones
Jones is averaging 23 minutes of ice time compared to Werenski's 19, but most of the difference is coming on the penalty kill. He isn't a significant contributor of offense at this stage of his career, as he focuses more on the defensive end. He does contribute more in blocked shots and hits, but he isn't a top source of either. He's better for the Blue Jackets than fantasy owners. Grade: C
Player to watch: C/LW Boone Jenner
The Blue Jackets' incredible season has come without much production from Jenner. He scored a career-high 30 goals last season but has just six in 2015-16. He's still a top source for hits but his blocked shots are also on the decline, as his ice time has dropped by more than a minute per game. There is precedence for some hope of his offensive contributions picking up, but he isn't worthy of a spot right now.