Fantasy picks: Nazem Kadri underrated for Maple Leafs

Each day this season, NHL.com's fantasy staff will provide daily picks for DraftKings NHL contests. This list of targets includes expensive and value options at each position to help you build a winning roster.

C - Nazem Kadri, TOR ($5,400)
Kadri doesn't get talked about nearly as much as teammates Auston Matthews, Mitchell Marner, William Nylander and James van Riemsdyk, but he's tied for second on the Toronto Maple Leafs in goals (seven) and tied for fifth in points (13). Kadri, the 13th-ranked center, has four goals and three assists in his past 10 games and has averaged 3.4 DraftKings points per contest. He doesn't block many shots (eight) but has had at least four shots on goal in each of his past four games, good for 2.0 points per contest, making him a good play against the Carolina Hurricanes.

C - Vincent Trocheck, FLA ($5,600)
The Florida Panthers have won four of their past five games, and Trocheck has five assists during that stretch. He has six goals and seven assists in 19 games, including three goals and seven assists in his past 11 games. Trocheck, who is playing three more minutes per game than last season, has averaged 3.2 DraftKings points per contest. He gets to face the Philadelphia Flyers, who were last in the NHL in goals-against per game (3.42) entering Monday.
W - Paul Byron, MTL ($4,400)
Perhaps no player has been as pleasant a surprise as Paul Byron for the Montreal Canadiens, themselves off to a surprisingly good start (14-3-2). The 27-year-old forward has seven goals and 12 points in 19 games after having 11 goals and 18 points in 62 games last season. After scoring five goals in his past seven games, he's tied for the Canadiens lead. Byron has made the most of his 25 SOG, scoring on 28 percent of them. He's averaging 2.5 DraftKings points per contest, but that total has been higher in recent weeks, and he should continue his hot streak against the Ottawa Senators, who were 14th in the NHL in goals-against per game (2.56) entering Monday.

W - Teuvo Teravainen, CAR ($3,800)
The Hurricanes forward has three goals and four assists in his past five games. Teravainen has at least one point in four of his past five games and got 6:01 of power-play time in a 3-1 win against the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday. Teravainen is playing with Elias Lindholm and Victor Rask, and the results have been encouraging. The Hurricanes have won four in a row, averaging three goals per game, and should score at least a few goals against the Maple Leafs, who were 27th in the NHL in goals-against per game (3.28) entering Monday.
D - Calvin de Haan, NYI ($3,900)
De Haan is the typical stay-at-home defenseman who does his job on defense, and if the offense follows, so be it. He has six points (one goal) in 17 games and seven goals in 206 career NHL games. However, he remains relevant in DraftKings because he blocks shots (41 this season). De Haan is averaging the same number of DraftKings points per contest as teammate Nick Leddy (2.9), but he's $800 cheaper than Leddy ($4,700). New York has been slumping but expect de Haan to figure in with a few blocks against the Anaheim Ducks.

D - Kevin Shattenkirk, STL ($5,200)
Shattenkirk is second on the St. Louis Blues in assists (10) and points (19), trailing only forward Vladimir Tarasenko in each category. He plays shorthanded and on the power play (leads St. Louis with 3:42 of ice time with the man-advantage), and has three power-play goals and six power-play points. Shattenkirk is averaging two SOG per game and has eight points in his past eight games, making him a good pick against the Boston Bruins.
G - Craig Anderson, OTT ($7,200)
You may think it's silly to pick anyone playing against the Canadiens and possibly Carey Price, but Anderson has been very good this season. He's averaged 5.8 DraftKings points per contest and is 8-4-1 with a 2.26 goals-against average, a .928 save percentage and two shutouts. Prior to allowing four goals in a 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers on Saturday, Anderson had allowed two goals or fewer in seven of eight starts. He's made at least 30 saves nine times in 13 starts and is 3-1-0 with a 1.23 GAA and .960 save percentage in four road starts.

G - Cam Ward, CAR ($7,300)
In fantasy, sometimes it's best to go with the hot hand, and Ward certainly is that. He's won four games in a row, allowing four goals in that stretch, and was named the NHL Second Star for the week ending Nov. 20. Ward is 6-4-3 with a 2.36 GAA and .916 SV%, and is averaging 4.0 DraftKings points per contest. True, he won't stay this hot forever, and the Maple Leafs are no sleeper on offense, but he is a good play for a cheaper price than some elite options.
---
Check out DraftKings.com to play 1-Day Fantasy Hockey today. Entering is quick and simple: sign up for a free account, enter the $3 1-Day Fantasy Hockey contest and set your lineup, catch the games and win!
DraftKings fantasy hockey contests are operated by DraftKings Inc. and are in no way sponsored or administered by the NHL and/or any of its affiliated entities. Prohibited and/or not available in AL, AZ, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, LA, MT, NV and WA. Offered in IL and TX pending litigation. See terms for additional eligibility rules.