High Sticks, Higher Upside: Sleepers Who Play Dirty & Win Dirty

Fantasy hockey – a gift given to us mere mortals from the sports Gods. Something to look

forward to day-in and day-out; from draft day to championship showdowns with your buddies.

So let’s gather round, throw some fantasy hockey eggs into the campfire and watch them

explode with warm insight all over our faces.

This is the Dozy Deliveryman checking in, the Doc’s faithful fantasy hockey comrade. Let’s start

this off with Dozy’s first Dawg of the season, Sam “Eggs Benny” Bennett.

SAM BENNETT – 76GP 25G 26A -15 241 SOG Yahoo ADP – 148.8

This man looks after 2 things when he hits the ice – winning hockey games and his teammates.

He is not afraid to do what it takes to win, as evidenced by his all-around game. He makes other

players question if they ate enough during their pre-game meal every time they step on the ice.

Bennett can tell if an opposing player left some chicken parm on their plate a few hours before

puck drop. His senses are so refined that he can hear if a D-man lets out a squeaker 180ft away.

He then locks in and can tell exactly how malnourished they are. After that it’s game over – that

puck is getting dumped in your corner all night. His tenacity on the forecheck and animal-like

instincts make turnover city a thriving community where opportunities are constantly created.

Sammy Benjamins is an all-category contributor as evidenced by his strong peripheral stats –

145 hits, 90 PIMS, and 241 Shots. He also boasts strong linemates on the back-to-back cup

champion Panthers. Expected to be drafted outside the top 100, you can wait a little but don’t

get caught eating a salad when there’s steak to be had. The Big Dawg has gotta eat.

EVANDER KANE – *2023-2024 stats* 77GP 24G 20A -4 220 SOG Yahoo ADP – 169.5

You know the feeling of being penetrated dry? No? Me either, but I would imagine it feeling

similar to drafting Evander Kane year after year. You put your faith in someone, then you get

violated like that…but maybe this year will be different? There happens to be some lube on the

bedside table, maybe it won’t be so bad?

Thrust into a top 6 role in his hometown, Van City, this finally could be the right time, right

place, and right situation. He is expected to be drafted in the later rounds this year, so why not

take a gamble on the gambling man himself. He did not play in the 24-25 NHL regular season

but put up 12 points in 21 playoff games. Not to mention he added 44 PIMs and a whopping 95

hits. So let’s light some candles, set the mood and hope to not get screwed so hard this time.

NICO HISCHIER – 75GP 35G 34A +9 187 SOG Yahoo ADP – 91.9

For Dozy’s next delivery, I’m happy to bring you this former first overall pick hailing from Brig,

Switzerland. Nico Hischier, aka Captain Toblerone is coming off a near point per game season

with the Devils. He also racked up 29 power play points and contributes a bit in every category

– 60 hits, 44 blocks, and 187 shots. He plays in all situations and is a minute muncher, averaging

20+ minutes per game last year. There’s no reason for this Appenzeller Sennenhund to slow

down now. Take an early flyer on this dawg and you will be the one doing the biting in your

fantasy league.