[Player Discussion] Tyler Myers

It's time for the monthly player discussion on the Blues' budding young defensemen, this time brought on by the injury to Pietrangelo.

Preface

The Blues defensive right side is one of the jewels of the NHL. Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk are two of the league's best, and the team got even better this year with the addition of Parayko.

From an objective fantasy standpoint, Parayko's value is directly correlated to the two senior RHD and that value jumps for the next 3+ weeks with Pietrangelo out.

Numbers

Time period Games Goals Assists Shots
Opening lineup (pace) 3 2 (55) 0 (0) 7 (191)
Shattenkirk out (pace) 10 2 (16) 5 (41) 32 (262)
Shattenkirk back (pace) 39 2 (4) 8 (17) 75 (158)

The first sample of three games is hardly adequate (it's funny to see a pace of 55 goals), but I'm confident enough in ten and what it shows us. 16 and 41 is a very respectable output and that dropped to 4 and 17 when Shattenkirk returned. Parayko was also on pace for over 100 less shots with Shattenkirk in the lineup than out of it.

Prognosis

In two games since Pietrangelo's injury Parayko has a goal and two assists. On two shots. Expect that shot total to jump quickly. Pietrangelo is slated to be re-evaluated in three weeks, which is approximately nine more games.

What's important to consider is that Shattenkirk is much more offensive than Pietrangelo and Parayko remains the #2 offensive RHD option, as opposed to when Shattenkirk was out. On the other side of the coin, it may still free up Parayko if Shattenkirk is leaned on more heavily for defensive shutdown. Lastly, Jaden Schwartz has just returned after missing 49 games and the Blues may likely see some more scoring. Whether or not his return leads to more forward scoring is speculative, but Schwartz has a nose for the net and with Parayko's great point shot he could see an influx of assists.

If he's available and you need a replacement defender for the next while, it's hard to imagine mane better options, especially in leagues with 65+ defensemen taken.

/r/fantasyhockey Thread