Arizona Coyotes: Fantasy Hockey Friday

Happy Friday Arizona Coyotes fans! On Fridays we will look at Coyotes players from a fantasy hockey perspective in Friday Fantasy Hockey (cue the epic, cheesy music), and provide analysis and insights on where you should draft him in your league.

Fantasy hockey has a slightly more intricate scoring system compared to fantasy football and requires a larger time commitment. Having to set your lineup every day and multiple scoring categories is required.

Standard scoring leagues award points (+/-) for goals, assists, points, powerplay goals, powerplay assists, powerplay points, short handed points, goals against, saves, wins, loses, shutouts, and overtime loses.

There are modified stats/category leagues that in addition to the standard scoring system, award points (+/-) for advanced stats like shots, hits, blocked shots, faceoff wins, penalty minutes, and more (depending on the league commissioner).

The Arizona Coyotes feature players who fly under the radar but have fantasy value.

This Friday Fantasy Hockey we look at forward Jack McBain.

2021-22 Season Review

Entering the 2021-22 season, McBain was not on any fantasy radars, especially for Coyotes fans, as he had yet to play an NHL game, and was still a member of the Minnesota Wild organization. Originally taken with the first pick in the third round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by the Wild, McBain spent the past four seasons playing for Boston College. Last season he found his game posting 19 goals, 14 assists, and 33 points in 24 NCAA games.

After expressing his desire to not play for the Wild (I guess he felt he did not have a place on the roster), the Arizona Coyotes swapped a second round pick (originally owned by Vancouver) for the rights to McBain. The trade should be looked at as a steal.

McBain shortly signed his entry level deal and ended up playing ten games with the Coyotes to wrap up the 2021-22 season. Expectations should have been tempered as he was playing on a last place team. His ten game stint was intended to give him NHL minutes and cut his teeth as a pro. McBain scored 2 goals, 1 assist, and 3 points in 10 games.

Not bad, all things considered.

McBain did not hold any fantasy value and was not drafted in any leagues (for obvious reasons).

McBain is listed as a center.

Standard Scoring

McBain was not fantasy relevant last season, as he played at the tail end of the year. Given his size (6’3 200 lb.), ability, and the fact that the Coyotes lack secondary scoring of any kind, McBain could be leaned on heavily and log premier minutes. The Coyotes will look to manufacture goals the hard way and McBain should be one of the guys that the team will expect production from (think Lawson Crouse).

If McBain is able to play on a line with Crouse and newly acquired Nick Bjugstad, he should be good for 18-22 goals, 15 assists, and around 35-38 points. Those numbers do not jump off of the screen, especially from a standard scoring, fantasy perspective.

In any standard scoring league McBain should probably not be rostered. If you are in a dynasty league and have an open spot or two, I would try to add him as a free agent as he should be available in all leagues (depending on how many Coyotes fans are in your league).

This is not a knock on McBain. He will be a great player, just probably not a fantasy relevant player next season. Take him in dynasty leagues late, and sit on him. He might be a deep sleeper this season, but will be absolutely be special in a few years. At that point you’ll be glad that you snagged him up.

Modified Stats/Category

Looking at advanced stats, McBain had 33 hits and 9 blocked shots in his 10 game stint last season. McBain will thrive as a sleeper in leagues that award points for hits and blocked shots. Over the course of an 82 game season, that is 264 hits and 72 blocked shots. He would be in Marcus Foligno territory.

Will he play 82 games? That is to be determined. Can he sustain that type of physicality all season? We will see.

All that we can go off of is his NHL numbers and they look like pretty solid predictions. Should McBain finish the season with 18-22 goals, 15 assists, 35-38 points, 264 hits, and 72 blocked shots, McBain would help win you your league. Especially in 14-team or higher leagues.

In all modified stats leagues I suggest taking McBain with one of your last round picks. He should be considered a deep sleeper and if he performs like he is predicted, will end up being the steal of your draft.

Looking at those predictions, you can see why the Coyotes invested a second round pick on him.

Happy Howlin’!