JD’sJunk Yard Dogs is about pointing out value players for your cash line up builds that give you floor, but also leave you Cap room to pay up at other positions. They are often those low-cost players who are the punts……or Junk …..of the possible options on today’s slate.
The theory behind this is based on @choppodong’s Bottom Up line-up building videos as well as his new video for people new to hockey DFS, which if you haven’t watched you really should. You can find them here ( YouTube ). For more detailed versions, join dfsarmy.com‘s VIP program and gain full access.
I am not one of the coaches but am really just sharing my own research and trying and give back to this community which has helped me out. This is focused on cash games on DK.
Remember, for value we are looking for players hitting about .6 points or more per $1000 in price in at least 6 of their last 10 games, as well as being lower on the cost scale. This isn’t to say there aren’t value players at a higher cost, but the purpose of this article is to help you find those cheaper plays that leave you lot of cap room to fit in those studs you want. Team stats are coming from this great new stat sheet tool the Army is putting out, it can be found here.
Defense
For defense one of the things we look for is floor. This generally comes from consistency and for D in particular, their blocked shots and shots taken. D can often reach value on those stats alone, thus goals and assists are almost bonus value.
Codi Ceci Ottawa Senators (vs San Jose) Ceci comes with a price tag of $3300. Over the last 10 games, he is averaging 3.3 DK pts, with 2.4 of those off shots and blocked shots. The stat sheet tells us that the Sens scoring is down approximately ½ a goal a game, while the Sharks goals against are up by a similar amount. That leaves things pretty even. The implied scoring looks for this to be a 3-2 kind of game with the Sharks slightly favored. Ceci’s high floor here still makes him a nice value option.
Colin Miller Vegas Golden Knights ( vs Chicago) Miller will cost you $3500. His avg is 3.4 DK pts, with 2.1 coming off shots. He has hit value in 8 of his last 10. The stat sheet shows that Vegas’ scoring is up and Chicago’s goals against are up as well Vegas projects this as a close game, but the extra scoring possibilities add to Miller’s potential tonight. 2 other Golden Knights D men ( McNabb and Engelland) are also in play here, but only at a minor savings. If you need that extra $200-$400 elsewhere you won’t lose a lot by going with them.
Ian Cole Pittsburgh ( vs Islanders). I really like Cole in this spot tonight. His avg of 2.8 DK pts ( 2.1 from shots) for his $3300 price tag isn’t as nice as some of the others on this list, but the Islanders are a hot mess right now, and just gave up a 6 spot to the Flyers last night. This game is the only one with an over under of 6 goals, so the combination of cost savings and high potential for a lot of goals makes Cole a great salary saver with nice upside.
Other options: Scandella ( Sabers) Daley ( RedWings) Matheson ( Panthers)
Centre
Adam Lowry Winnipeg ( vs Sabers) Lowry is my favorite value centre tonight. His 3.4 DK pts at a $3800 cost is nice. Jets scoring is a tad down but Sabers’ goals against are a tad up. The Sabers’ gave up 6 last night and are on the 2nd night of a back to back with travel. The Jets have been dominant at home, so with Lowry getting 1st Unit power play time, he will help your cash game builds.
Derek Brassard Ottawa ( vs Sharks). Brassard just barely made the list, so I won’t be surprised if you go elsewhere. The plus here is that San Jose is giving up more goals than normal, and Ottawa has to break out of the slump eventually. Right? Buhler Buhler????
Nick Schmaltz Chicago ( vs Vegas). Schmaltz has the highest avg of the centres on the list at 3.6 DK pts, and he does get first unit powerplay time. The Hawks scoring is down, and the Vegas goals against are down, so with at $4800 price tag you probably are looking elsewhere, but if you are looking at a Chicago stack or are a big Hawks fan, then you might still want this info.
Wingers
Reilly Smith Vegas ( vs Chicago). Smith and his 3.2 DK pt avg make the list again today. His price tag is $4800, but both the Vegas scoring and the Chicago goals against are up right now, so there is potential value to find here.
Kyle Okposo Buffalo ( vs Winnipeg). Okposo makes the list mostly because he is the cheapest player that met the criteria. 2.5 DraftKings points at a cost of $4100 isn’t great. Saber’s scoring is up, but the Jets goals against are down, and they have been very stingy at home.
Nick Bugjstad Florida ( vs Detroit). Bugjstad comes in at $4700 for a 3.1 DK pts avg. However Florida’s scoring is down, and the Detroit goals against are also down.
In looking at things, my opinion is you may want to look at paying up at the Wing positions tonight and find the value to allow that at Centre and Defense. There are 8 value defensemen whose price ranges from $3100 to $3500. Picking two of them and maybe pairing them with Lowry as one of your centers should leave you lots of cap space for more expensive forwards.
Also, check out Flynnie’s Forecheck on the site for more info on the slate. Good luck tonight and see you in Slackchat!
JD