YOU BLEW IT: 2023 Fantasy Bust of the Year
1 year ago
It’s time to roll out the red carpet once again. Unfortunately, this time around, this is not an award that should be celebrated. Following draft night, you may have been riding high knowing you selected a premier player for your fantasy team… Only if you would’ve known. Only if you would’ve known that the same player you wasted a high draft pick on would ultimately lead to your dreadful season. This award is intended to single out the biggest busts of the 2022-23 fantasy hockey season, and I promise I will never repeat their names again… So after today, we can all forget the stress and disappointment that each one of these players put you through.
Without further ado, the 2023 Fantasy Hockey Bust Of The Year nominees are…
Alex DeBrincat
Feb 11, 2023; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators right wing Alex DeBrincat (12) shoots on Edmonton Oilers goalie Jack Campbell (36) in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
293 FPTS : 82GP : 27G : 39A : 66PTS
The Ottawa Senators made a massive splash by bringing in the former 40-goal scorer last offseason, and they must be just as disappointed as we all are. Coming off a 40-goal campaign in 2021-22, DeBrincat elevated himself to an Average Draft Position (ADP) of 34th overall. Also, being projected to be the fifth Right Winger off the board on draft night, I don’t blame you for having high expectations for DeBrincat.
Scoring goals is a hot commodity when drafting forwards in the earlier rounds, so seeing the dramatic drop-off of production from DeBrincat is disappointing. For that reason, DeBrincat has led himself onto this list. Although having played all 82 games this past season, the cat found the back of the net 14 fewer times. For a projected third-round pick in most fantasy drafts, a 27-goal season isn’t enough.
Jonathan Huberdeau
Jan 18, 2023; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Jonathan Huberdeau (10) against the Colorado Avalanche during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
211FPTS : 79GP : 15G : 40A : 55PTS
Well…We all knew this one was coming. It was a nightmare season for Huberdeau and Huberdeau fantasy owners. After Huberdeau posted an impressive 115-point 2021-22 season, accumulating 441.7 fantasy points, we all witnessed the most significant falloff in fantasy hockey history. In his first season with the Calgary Flames, Huberdeau scored half as many goals, 45 fewer assists, but most importantly… He put up 230 fewer fantasy points. TWO HUNDRED and THIRTY!!!
If you were one of the managers that drafted Huberdeau, I tip my hat to you. You just went through what most fantasy owners have nightmares about. After literally throwing away a second-round pick (17th overall ADP), you were set up for failure. Looking back, knowing you could’ve drafted; Matthew Tkachuk, Mitch Marner, or David Pastrnak in that same draft range adds more salt to the wound. On the bright side, it’s over, and we can now look forward.
AND NOW…
Our “winner” of the 2022-23 Fantasy Bust of the Year is…
JONATHAN HUBERDEAU
After using a projected second-round pick on Huberdeau, he was supposed to lead you to the promised land. He had the worst fantasy hockey season I’ve ever seen for a premier selection. Despite some other “busts” that are noteworthy, nothing comes close to this situation. Again, hindsight 20/20; if you used that pick on; M.Tkachuk (482 Fantasy Points), Marner (387 Fantasy Points), or a fantasy league winner type of player in Pastrnak (559 Fantasy Points), your season could’ve gone from missing the playoffs to contending for a championship.
Next week I’ll be hopping back on the positive train and issuing the 2022-23 Fantasy Hockey STEAL of the Year award. If you have a player you want to issue a thank you to after being a key contributor to your team and would like to nominate him for the award, I’ll be taking nominations through my social media.
Twitter – GavinTurinek47
Until next time fantasy hockey fans!
Recent articles from Gavin Turinek
