Weekly Wrap: Week 17 of Fantasy Hockey in Review

The Nashville Predators' contracts have been criticized by The Athletic's Dom Luszczyszyn, who ranked them 30th in contract efficiency, citing a $63 million surplus value deficit and concerns over the age and performance of key players like Steven Stamkos and Brady Skjei. The team's strategy of signing older players to long-term contracts raises questions about future performance, especially given the struggles of goaltender Juuse Saros and the need for a bounce-back season across the roster. Want More Context? 🔎

If the New York Islanders want to reach the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, they need starting goaltender Ilya Sorokin to bounce back from two subpar seasons, particularly improving his performance on the penalty kill. With his GAA and SV% declining, the team hopes new strategies under Bob Boughner will enhance Sorokin's game, keeping him fresh as Semyon Varlamov recovers from surgery. Want More Context? 🔎

The Buffalo Sabres boast one of the NHL's deepest prospect pools, attributed to high draft selections from missed playoff opportunities, despite limited developmental success. Among their notable prospects is left winger Melvin Novotny, selected 195th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, who excelled in Sweden's junior league and will play in the USHL before attending U.Mass (Amherst) in 2026. Want More Context? 🔎