It’s sink or swim time in fantasy and the season is slowly creeping to an end, which means each move made is all the more crucial. There were some significant injuries that took place, including injuries to top blueliners in Thomas Chabot who is out for the rest of the season and Aaron Ekblad who is listed as week-to-week. If you are in need of some help on the blue line, consider the names below to fill the void.
Ryan Pulock – New York Islanders – 25% Rostered
The Islanders’ number one defenseman has seen his time on the power play dwindle with Noah Dobson taking over as the quarterback, but he has still been able to contribute offensively. Over his last eight games, he failed to register a point in only three of those games while still totaling seven points in that span.
The team is playing better hockey as a whole and the defensive mind of his partner Adam Pelech is allowing him to be more of a puck carrier and produce offense. The Isles play four times this week with two of those games coming against the Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators, which are favorable matchups.
Mark Giordano – Toronto Maple Leafs – 38% Rostered
Giordano joins a talented Toronto team with lots of scoring upside after being traded away by the Kraken the day before the deadline. He had been scratched for Seattle’s previous two games for asset management purposes but will finally get back into the lineup for the Leafs’ next game on March 23, 2022.
He won’t be on power-play one like he was in Seattle but will still see a boost in performance due to his increasing chances of getting points on a better team. He is worth an add to see how this situation shakes out on a new team with a chance to be more effective on a Cup contender.
Ben Chiarot – Florida Panthers – 25% Rostered
The newly acquired Chiarot will likely make his Panthers debut this week and with Aaron Eklblad being out longer-term, there will be minutes up for grabs. Chiarot comes in with seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points on the season but will get a better opportunity to produce offensive numbers playing on the highest-scoring team in the league.
MacKenzie Weegar will likely take over on the top power-play unit but it’s possible Chiarot gets time on PP2. Florida has three games this week as they swing through Eastern Canada for two great opportunities to put up points against the Ottawa Senators and his former team in the Montreal Canadiens.
