Fantasy: 5 moves you need to make in Week 8
Every Monday, theScore offers a weekly fantasy hockey column detailing a handful of moves you should make. This week's edition focuses on Week 8. Ownership percentages and position eligibility are courtesy of Yahoo.
Trade for Tyson Barrie
Team: Maple Leafs
Position: D
Ownership: 83%
Nearly every player on the Maple Leafs should see a bump in their fantasy value with Sheldon Keefe replacing Mike Babcock behind the bench, but nobody will seemingly benefit more than Barrie.
Toronto's prized offseason acquisition struggled under the former bench boss, but with Keefe - a young, innovative coach encouraging skill and creativity - Barrie should flourish. He has two goals and an assist in two games under Keefe and has been promoted to the top power-play unit.
It may be tough to acquire Barrie if his owner is a Leafs fan, but otherwise, he shouldn't be too difficult to pry away.
Buy low on Johnny Gaudreau
Team: Flames
Position: LW
Ownership: 99%
It's been a rough go for the Flames of late, and that includes Gaudreau. "Johnny Hockey" has just a pair of assists in his last seven games and is on pace for his lowest point total ever.
However, things could begin to turn around soon. Gaudreau's 7.2 shooting percentage is less than half of his 14.7% mark from last year, and it's well below his career clip of 12.8% entering the season.
While he's been snakebitten in the goal column, Gaudreau's dynamic playmaking skills have still been on display this season; he's tied for fourth in the league in slot pass completions, according to The Point Hockey.
Part of Gaudreau's struggles can be attributed to Sean Monahan's inability to finish this season after back-to-back 30-goal campaigns. Monahan's expected goals rate and high-danger scoring chance rate fall in line with his career averages, so he should start burying his chances in no time.
Gaudreau has been the most frequently traded player Sunday and Monday in Yahoo leagues, so he's certainly up for grabs, but Monahan also makes for an intriguing buy-low candidate. It's only a matter of time before Calgary's dynamic duo starts filling the net.
Add Anthony Beauvillier
Team: Islanders
Position: C/LW
Ownership: 23%
It's quite remarkable Beauvillier is still owned in less than a quarter of leagues after potting six goals and adding two helpers in his last five games. The former first-round pick seems to be really coming into his own in his fourth season. He's getting the chance to shine as well, logging over three minutes more per game than he did a year ago.
Beauvillier's linemates Brock Nelson (50%) and Derick Brassard (29%) are worth adding too, but the 22-year-old clearly has the most upside of the three.
Buy low on Devan Dubnyk
Team: Wild
Position: G
Ownership: 52%
Dubnyk has missed the last three games due to a personal matter, but he's expected to return on Thursday. His overall numbers are ugly (3.35 goals-against average, .893 save percentage) but he had a few strong showings leading up to his absence.
The Wild are the best team in the league when it comes to suppressing high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes. When Dubnyk returns, he'll get a prime opportunity to shine, and he can probably be had for pennies on the dollar.
If you're seeking immediate help in goal early this week, Minnesota's backup Alex Stalock (10%) is a prime streaming option.
Add Nico Hischier
Team: Devils
Position: C
Ownership: 28%
Hischier is centering New Jersey's top line between Taylor Hall and Kyle Palmieri and was recently promoted to the team's top power-play unit.
The former No. 1 overall pick got off to a sluggish start this season after inking a big contract extension, but he's picked up four points in as many games and could be in for a larger outburst this week.
(Advanced stats source: Natural Stat Trick)
Josh Wegman has been theScore's resident fantasy hockey expert since 2015. Find him on Twitter @JoshWegman_.