Yahoo Sports Feature
Fantasy leagues finally enter the playoffs this week in head-to-head leagues. Good luck to everyone competing for the trophy. We wish everyone in the Lotto League the best of luck as he enters his final three weeks of the regular season. It's a good time to check the schedule and take advantage of extra time.
While most teams play 72 games, the Oilers have only played 69 games heading into Tuesday's opener. That's a huge advantage for a manager with Edmonton players. But let's get back to the issue at hand and consider which of the injured players on the rich Yahoo League roster could easily drop out.
Vince Dunn, Democrat, Seattle Kraken (85% registered)
Dunn was having a very good season — at least, he was until he missed the past nine games with an upper-body injury. Dunn is expected to be an everyday player, but they can't afford to hide him during a playoff run. He has played in 57 games and has 11 goals and 45 points, so I would like to protect him in the keeper league. He had 14 goals and 50 assists in the 2022-23 season, his second straight year of success. However, the Kraken are close to being eliminated from the playoffs in the Western Conference, so it's unlikely the defenseman will be rushed back.
Mark Stone, RW, Vegas Golden Knights, (75% of registered members)
I'm baffled as to why 75% of Yahoo leagues have Stone registered. Chances are you're in a re-draft league, and there's no reason to hold onto an often-injured winger who has missed the last 15 games and is on long-term injured reserve with an upper-body injury. Stone has missed 100 of the Golden Knights' 236 games over the past three seasons and will likely miss the remaining 10 games this season. He has played in 56 games this season, scoring 53 points, but that will likely be his limit in the regular season. Again, he may be worth keeping in keeper leagues, but I would still be wary because of his injury propensity.
Jacob Trouba, Democrat, New York Rangers, (64% of registered members)
Trouba has missed the past 10 games with a lower-body injury and is still considered weekly. The Rangers hope he returns by the start of the NHL playoffs, and while he could potentially play in a game or two at the end of the regular season, there's no real reason to keep the 30-year-old blueliner. Trouba had three goals and 22 points in 60 games before his injury. He has value in hits (164) and blocked shots (170), but obviously not unless he plays again.
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Radko Gudas, D, Anaheim Ducks, (48% enrollment)
Gudas could be back for the final week or two, but that might be at best. He has missed the past six games with an upper-body injury and is not expected to return during the Ducks' current five-game road trip. Gudas has 6 goals, 10 assists, 124 PIM, 213 hits, and 142 blocked shots in 60 games. But when he plays, he has plenty of fantasy value in multi-category leagues.
Thomas Hertl, C, Las Vegas Golden Knights, (38% enrollment)
Hertl has not played in 22 games since January 28 due to a knee injury. He was placed on long-term injured reserve Sunday and will likely be back by the start of the playoffs. Unless he's in a playoff pool, he's useless to fantasy managers. Vegas acquired Hertl at the trade deadline with the postseason in mind, as the center had 15 goals and 34 points in 48 games for the lowly Sharks.
