NHL Stock Watch: Conor Sheary steps up, Andrew Ladd disappears
UPGRADE
• Victor Hedman, Lightning: Often it takes taller defensemen extra time to grow into their skills, and that might be the case with Hedman. Mind you, he’s already emerged as a star, twice landing in the Top 10 of the Norris vote. But this could be the year he makes a serious charge at the award. Hedman is logging the most ice time of his career, accepting a more physical role, and scoring more on the power play. He’s third in points from defensemen, and with Steven Stamkos on the sidelines, Tampa Bay has never needed Hedman more than it does right now.
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• Rasmus Ristolainen, D, Sabres: His offensive profile was easy to bet on, given the jumps we saw the last two years. But with Buffalo an improved outfit, Risto no longer has to hide behind his plus-minus rating. His 11 power-play assists are tops at the position, and Buffalo figures to have even more fun now that wunderkind Jack Eichel is back. Forget Buffalo ’66, this year you want to reminisce about Buffalo ’55.
• Cam Atkinson, RW, Jackets: We thought last year’s 27 goals would serve as his high-water mark, but Atkinson is making beautiful music on all the Columbus speciality teams. Thirteen points on the man advantage is a nice start, but he’s also potted two shorthanded goals, he’s also seeing the most ice of his career, and clicking at his highest shooting percentage. Maybe we’ve finally found the new Brian Gionta, one versatile Boston College forward to another.
• Conor Sheary, LW/RW, Penguins: Anyone getting Top 6 treatment in Pittsburgh is likely to grab our attention; Sheary has clicked nicely with Sidney Crosby and Patric Hornqvist. Sheary has eight points in seven games this month, he’s racked up 25 shots, and he carries eligibility on both wings. The undrafted kid from Winchester, Mass., has made good.
DOWNGRADE
• Tomas Tatar, LW, Red Wings: I thought the Red Wings had an aggressive marksman when Tatar unleashed 29 goals two years ago, but his shooting rate and accuracy have collapsed the last two years. Tatar is sitting on a paltry 4-7-11 line through 31 games, and he’s also carrying around an ugly minus-13 rating. Detroit doesn’t look like a playoff contender.
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• David Perron, LW/RW, Blues: So much for his hot November — Perron doesn’t have a point in December, and he’s only offered 11 shots in eight games. Don’t be surprised if he’s banished to one of the bottom lines in short order; there’s too much depth on this roster. And if Perron isn’t scoring, what else is he providing to you? He’s collected a paltry five hits and one blocked shot in his last eight games.
• Andrew Ladd, LW, Islanders: We’ve been able to set our watch by Ladd’s consistent 40-60 point log, but he’s been a missing case in New York. A crummy seven points in 29 games doesn’t feet the cat, and it’s forced Ladd into some fourth-line duty. He’s managed just 47 shots for the season, and most of them have been token attempts (.085 shooting percentage). Why is Ladd still rostered in 47 percent of Yahoo leagues? Time to kick him to the curb.
