Yahoo Fantasy Hockey: Why Bobby Ryan is a stud, Victor Hedman's a dud

Dobber launched his fantasy hockey website DobberHockey back in 2005 and has been Puck Daddy's resident fantasy hockey 'expert' since 2009.

Just a month away from the NHL Trade Deadline and just six weeks away from fantasy hockey playoffs in a lot of head-to-head leagues. Those who are still hanging around the top of their leagues have had tremendous luck with consistency. It helps to know that you can keep a player active week after week without having to worry about his four-game pointless streak and whether or not to sit him. Unless said player is consistently putting up zeroes (such as, say, any Maple Leaf), in which case you keep him on the bench or drop him altogether.

I ran a report over at Frozen Pool the gives the most consistent players in the NHL this year, with consistency being measured by the percentage of games with at least a point.

Here are the results:

Of note, Mark Giordano is fifth in the league and the only defenseman in the Top 24. That jives with my deep-rooted anger at the guy who owns Giordano in my league that I'm trying to catch - and it seems like Giordano is in on every goal. It also jives with my deep-rooted happiness in another league in which I own Giordano and he's helping to lead me to the promised land.

Studs...

These fellas are wielding a hot stick. Take that into consideration when you go after them in trade talks...

Bobby Ryan, Ottawa Senators (10-3-8-11, minus-1, 13 Hits, 26 SOG, 3 PPPts) - This latest hot streak has Ryan's points-per-game average this season (0.80) at its highest since 2011. He's been playing with Mika Zibanejad and Clarke MacArthur.

Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators (5-4-1-5, even, 6 PIM, 21 SOG, 6 BLKS) - Karlsson's posting his lowest points-per-game average in four seasons, but it's not for lack of shooting. He's on pace for 317, which easily surpasses his career high of 261. Compared to other years, this is the season where he looks around for someone to pass to, gets a look of disappointment on his face, and decides to take the shot instead.

Colin Wilson, Nashville Predators (19-10-12-22, plus-15, 4 PIM, 45 SOG, 4 PPPts) - Just as impressive as the 19-game run is the fact that it's occurring after such an ugly 29-game run (13 points). Just a completely different player.

Duds...

Somebody wake these guys up – their fantasy owners are counting on them...

Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning (9-0-2-2, plus-2, 6 PIM, 21 SOG, 0 PPPts) - As team, the Lightning aren't putting the puck in the net (unless it's a player whose name starts with 'C' and rhymes with 'edric Paquette'). When the dominant scoring that we've seen all season long from this team returns, so will Hedman's lofty production.

Ryan Johansen, Columbus Blue Jackets (6-2-0-2, even, 4 PIM, 25 SOG, 0 PPPts) - This is just another case of "market correction". At this point in his career (the early stages), he's more of a 70- to 75-point player as opposed to an 80+ player.

Ondrej Palat, Tampa Bay Lightning (6-0-0-0, even, 0 PIM, 12 SOG, 0 PPPts) - I could have used any member of this line (Nikita Kucherov, Tyler Johnson) here. It was no secret that these three were on way to torrid a pace to continue. Even today they're on pace for 80 (Johnson), 68 (Kucherov) and 62 (Palat), which is still a tad high

The Wire...

Mostly short-term grabs here, but as always some potential steals...

Jonathan Ericsson, Detroit Red Wings (4-2-2-4, plus-2, 8 Hits, 4 SOG) - A depth option for the short term, Ericsson is on pace to set career highs in points and shots on goal, and post his second highest totals in PIM and Hits.

Patrick Eaves, Dallas Stars (4-3-1-4, minus-1, 7 Hits, 12 SOG, 4 PPPts) - Two things are of a concern here. The first being that Eaves is the biggest Band-Aid Boy this side of Darren Helm. Injuries just follow him around, so obviously a major risk if your league has minimal IR flexibility. And second, each one of his points have come on the power play. He's been playing with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, but hasn't been posting points at even strength. That's the bad. The good is that he has a point in every game since his return from injury and he has the skill to keep up with the two superstars. If he can stave off injury for two months, he'll prove to be one of the surprise fantasy owns of the second half.

Anders Lee, New York Islanders (9-6-1-7, plus-2, 26 Hits, 23 SOG) - It took a few months, but Lee finally got his shot on the John Tavares line. One game in and he scored two goals. Considering the fact that every other option on the team up to and including the hot dog vendor got a shot there before Lee did, don't take for granted that his spot is secure. But it's a pretty safe bet, at least for the near future.

Patrick Maroon, Anaheim Ducks (7-4-4-8, plus-3, 15 Hits, 21 SOG, 2 PPPts) - Maroon is seeing PP time on the Ryan Getzlaf line and ES time on the Ryan Kesler line. In the case of both Maroon and Lee, if they're ever off the big line they are still very helpful in other categories. So it's hard to believe that Maroon is only owned in 16% of leagues.

Brian Gionta, Buffalo Sabres (3-1-2-3, plus-3, 4 PIM, 8 SOG, 5 Hits) - He's still not getting any power-play time, but Gionta is now lining up with Matt Moulson and showing glimmers of his old self.

Mikael Backlund, Calgary Flames (11-5-5-10, plus-5, 14 Hits, 29 SOG) - The 25-year-old has been red hot since returning from injury. It's not going to continue, as these points have been coming at even strength (zero on the power play) and he's already slowing down - pointless in three of four now. But when healthy, Backlund has proven to be a solid No.3 or No.4 option at center since the midpoint of 2013-14. Just 6% owned.

Matt Tennyson, San Jose Sharks (4-1-2-3, plus-1, 2 PIM, 6 SOG, 10 BLKS) - With Justin Braun out for "weeks", Tennyson is seeing plenty of ice time with the big club (over 20 minutes in each of the last four games). Those leagues that count blocked shots, he is a must-own until Braun returns.

For more fantasy hockey tips, take a gander at DobberHockey. And while you’re at it, follow Dobber’s fantasy hockey musings on Twitter.

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