4 NHL FanDuel Values to Target on 10/2/19
It is finally the first day of the NHL regular season and, although there are only four games, there is a lot to like on this slate. With so many expensive skaters playing tonight, we're going to have to find different ways in which we can save some money to afford all the big guns. This article will typically feature three players on small slates (five games or less) and five players on larger slates (six-plus games), but given that this is the first night of the season, I've given you a bonus player considering the slate is just four games.
Cody Glass, Centre, Vegas Golden Knights
FanDuel Price: $3,600
The Vegas Golden Knights rookie, Cody Glass, is slated to play on the second line between Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone. This was arguably the Golden Knights best line down the stretch last season, just with Paul Stastny down the middle instead. Glass completely smashed the WHL last season, putting up 69 points in 38 games. In addition, he had some success in the AHL, too, with 3 goals and 5 points in 6 regular season games followed by 7 goals and 15 points in 22 playoff games. Finally, this line is expected to remain together as part of the top power-play unit, all of which adds to the upside of Glass tonight.
Andreas Johnsson, Winger, Toronto Maple Leafs
FanDuel Price: $5,100
Andreas Johnsson is going to play on a line with Auston Matthews and William Nylander which doesn't really get much better. He put up 20 goals and 43 points in 71 games as a rookie last season and with a prominent role on this line, should be able to increase those totals. In addition, he is expected to play on the top power-play unit in the bumper position — which is located in the high slot — a role in which Nazem Kadri filled last season. He has played this role intermittently when Kadri was out of the lineup with various levels of success. With the Toronto Maple Leafs having a matchup against the Ottawa Senators — a team expected to finish near the bottom of the NHL — there should be plenty of scoring opportunities for Johnsson.
Ethan Bear, Defenceman, Edmonton Oilers
FanDuel Price: $3,500
In a brief stint during the 2017-2018 season, Ethan Bear provided some decent stats that put him in play at the stone minimum price on FanDuel. He had just 4 points in 18 games, but with 20 shots and 28 blocked shots, he is certainly an option. Bear is also expected to be a part of the second power-play unit for the Edmonton Oilers in a home matchup against the Vancouver Canucks which adds to his potential offensive upside. Last season, Bear had 31 points in 52 AHL games which isn't fantastic, but again, we're looking at some potential upside with an absolute punt on the back end.
BONUS: Danil Yurtaykin, Winger, San Jose Sharks
FanDuel Price: $3,000
For the stone minimum on FanDuel, we have a pretty intriguing play here in Danil Yurtaykin. He is a Russian free agent signing by the San Jose Sharks who put up decent numbers in the KHL last season for a 21-year-old. Although his 10 goals and 19 points in 40 games seem underwhelming, those are actually pretty good for such a young player in the KHL. Tonight, with the roster turnover, suspension, etc., Yurtaykin is expected to play on the top line with Timo Meier and Logan Couture, which is about as good of a spot as one can have on this line. While he may or may not play on the second power-play unit, the speedy — albeit a small — winger is a very interesting punt play tonight.
Ryan Sheppard is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Ryan Sheppard also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username donkshow_. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in his articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.
