NHL Utilization Traits for Fantasy Hockey: 01/15

Sport: NHL

Welcome to Fantrax’s NHL utilization developments for January 15 — a tactical breakdown of deployment developments that matter. We’re spotlighting key ice time modifications, energy play promotions, and line shakeups that might swing matchups and unlock hidden worth. Whether or not you’re grinding in deep leagues or scanning for streaming upside, these shifts provide actionable perception for fantasy managers seeking to keep forward of the curve.

Extra Fantasy Hockey Evaluation: | Goalie Streamers | NHL Utilization Traits | Purchase-Low, Promote-Excessive | NHL Schedule Preview | Fantasy Hockey Chilly Record | Prospect Report | NHL Damage Report | Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire

NHL Utilization Traits for Fantasy Hockey

James Van Riemsdyk, Detroit Crimson Wings

It has been some time since people have paid a lot consideration to Van Riemsdyk in fantasy circles. Contemplating he hasn’t hit 50 factors since he left the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2018/19, it isn’t arduous to see why.

During the last 5 video games, one thing fascinating has occurred. Riemsdyk has been getting over 55% of the Crimson Wings’ energy play minutes. He has seven factors in these 5 video games.

He’s additionally averaging 12:55 in ice time this 12 months. Once more, over the previous 5 video games, this has elevated to over 16 minutes per sport. He hasn’t logged 16 minutes a sport since 2021 in Philadelphia.

The Crimson Wings are comparatively wholesome, so that is merely a line shuffle by Head Coach Todd McClellan, and it’s paying off, not less than within the brief time period.

He’s solely rostered in 11% of Fantrax swimming pools, so the plenty haven’t caught onto his bump to the primary energy play unit or onto the second line with Lucas Raymond and J.T. Compher.

Alexandre Texier, Montreal Canadiens

We’ll must see how lengthy this experiment lasts, however Texier is spending an terrible lot of time on a line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. In 105 even-strength minutes collectively, they’ve a modest 59.6% Corsi For.

Texier has performed over 17 minutes in every of his previous 4 video games, a big enhance over his season common of 14:46 with Montreal. His 16 factors in 25 video games with Montreal would give him 52 factors over 82 video games, modest however intriguing. If he sticks with Suzuki and Caufield for any size of time, that tempo is certain to extend.

Rostered in 22% of Fantrax swimming pools, there’s a number of availability for this first-line winger. For so long as it lasts, that’s. If he retains clicking, Martin St. Louis will preserve working him on the market.

Ethan Frank, Washington Capitals

At 27, Frank finds himself an NHL common for the primary time in his profession.

Frank is on tempo for 21 objectives and 41 factors, a stable rookie season by any normal. Nevertheless, like Van Riemsdyk and Texier, Frank has seen a sizeable soar in ice time over the previous few video games.

In 4 of his final 5 video games, he has performed over 16 minutes per sport, which is a little more than 4 minutes per sport greater than his season common. On prime of that, Frank is getting appears to be like on the Capitals’ first energy play unit (2:12 with Ovechkin, final sport).

Now, his transfer up the line-up does coincide with the harm to Tom Wilson. One can moderately conclude that Frank will slide again down the line-up when Wilson returns. Nonetheless, Frank is exhibiting he’s acquired the chops to play within the prime six.

Solely owned in 8% of Fantrax swimming pools, Frank is a deep sleeper to keep watch over transferring ahead.

James Reimer, Ottawa Senators

The Senators have to be anticipating Linus Ullmark to be away from the group for an prolonged interval. In any case, they did exit and signal Reimer for emergency protection. With Leevi Merilainen leaking like a sieve (.864 save proportion in 2026), they’d little alternative.

The Senators play back-to-back video games on Saturday and Sunday this week; count on Reimer to play a kind of. A powerful sport or two, and Reimer may break up duties with Merilainen till Ullmark returns.  Reimer can be in powerful, although; he was totally roughed up in his first begin with the Belleville Senators within the AHL, giving up six objectives on 28 pictures.

Truthfully, that is extra of a feel-good story – that Reimer will get one other NHL alternative – than something fantasy related. If you happen to want an emergency goalie begin, I’d exhaust all different goaltending choices earlier than scooping Reimer off the waiver wire.