The 2020-21 NHL season has been an interesting year so far, to say the least. Back and forth to the Taxi Squad, waivers on an almost daily basis, and more. The influx of this season is causing fantasy owners to struggle to find regular point earners. Here are 5 of the biggest fantasy sleepers at the halfway mark in the NHL.

Kaapo Kahkonen – G, Minnesota

Kaapo Kahkonen has been proving why he should be the number one goaltender for the Wild.

Minnesota has been worried about a struggling Cam Talbot at the forefront of the goaltending. Cue Kaapo Kahkonen. At the halfway mark, Kaapo has posted an 11-4-0 record with a 2.19 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage. That places him in 14th in the NHL in save percentage. Out of the other 13 goalies ahead of him, only 4 are regular netminders. Those of which are Marc-Andre Fleury, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Semyon Varlamov, and Mike Smith. Not too shabby for a goaltender posting 20 career NHL games.

While being on roughly 60% of rosters, many fantasy owners are missing out. Kahkonen is putting up an average of 4 points per game.

Mats Zuccarello – F, Minnesota

While having a shortened season due to surgery in the off-season, Zuccarello came back earlier than expected and has not disappointed. In 13 games played so far in the 2020-21 season, he has posted 4 goals and 10 assists for 14 points and a +5 rating. Coming back after losing Mikko Koivu, Ryan Donato, and Devan Dubnyk wasn’t supposed to be an easy feat. Though the addition of Nick Bonino, Nick Bjugstad, and Kirill Kaprizov has made that transition much easier for Zuccarello.

With Zucarello being on 57% of rosters, owners may look for him in free agency or on the trade block sooner than later to bolster their numbers.

Kirby Dach – F, Chicago

Kirby Dach resumes practice with the Chicago Blackhawks after wrist surgery.

The Chicago Blackhawks have run into a constant struggle on injuries and losses this past season. After losing Corey Crawford to free agency, Brent Seabrook, Jonathan Toews, Andrew Shaw, Zack Smith, and Alexander Nylander, the Hawks were put into a tight spot. Which makes Kirby Dach’s broken wrist at the 2020 World Juniors tournament that much more painful for Chicago. In his rookie campaign, Dach put up 8 goals and 15 assists in 64 games. Dach is on my list because he could very well come back and thrust himself into the top-line center role with Dylan Strome currently out due to injury.

Dach is currently rostered by just shy of 7% of owners, making this an ultimate low-risk – high-reward scenario. Keep an eye on the 20-year-old as he has been practicing with the team and is ahead of his recovery schedule.

Sam Reinhart – F, Buffalo

The 25-year-old forward for the Buffalo Sabres has been one of the most, if not the most, consistent player on Buffalo so far this season. He has posted 11 goals and 8 assists in 22 games played. In comparison, Jack Eichel thus far has totaled only 2 goals with 16 assists in 21 games played. While Reinhart is playing in front of one of the worst defenses in the league, he is still capable of posting consistent fantasy points as he averages 2.1 points per game with 51 shots on goal so far.

Being rostered on 82% of owners’ teams, Reinhart is still a solid Utility player to maintain that positive points margin you are seeking.

Eeli Tolvanen – F, Nashville

While Nashville has struggled big time so far, Eeli Tolvanen has not. The 21-year-old forward has tallied 5 goals and 3 assists in 17 games played so far. With 29 shots on goal and 29 hits, he is a huge asset. Both of these are high for a young bottom-six forward. Tolvanen, while consistently being on the third line, has been garnering significant time on the power play with slowly increasing time on ice totals for the year.

While he is not a persistent staple in the Nashville lineup so far, Tolvanen still averages 1.5 points per game and is only rostered by 5% of owners. The forward would be a solid pickup if you are looking to backfill for an injured player or someone to fill a roster spot on an off day for many teams.

My name is Alex Nuttle and I am the Columbus Blue Jackets contributor for Belly Up Sports & Belly Up Hockey. I also contribute to Fantasy Hockey, NWHL, and the AHL. Follow me on Twitter for the most up-to-date hockey content and news (@anuttle_cbj). I also have a podcast, Cannons & Tomahawks, that talks about all things NHL in addition to my Blue Jackets post-game recap podcast, CBJ: After the Blast. Also giving extra content on the Blue Jackets and Blackhawks. Give us a follow and subscribe to our YouTube!

NHL Archives – Belly Up Sports

Home – Belly Up Fantasy Sports & Picks