Fantasy hockey managers are revisiting the rollercoaster of player performances this season, focusing on those who fell short of expectations. Essential insights are shared for identifying players to avoid in drafts next season, emphasizing the importance of knowing which athletes underperformed.

Highlighted are Brock Faber, whose disappointing stats make him a potential late-round pick, and Evan Bouchard, whose past postseason success hasn’t translated to this season. Other key mentions include Alexis Lafrenière and Connor Bedard, both highly drafted players that did not meet lofty expectations, leading to discussions about their future value. Goalies like Jeremy Swayman also take the spotlight for their significant declines.

The Boston Bruins are entering a new chapter following the trade of Brad Marchand, a cornerstone player and the last member of the 2011 Stanley Cup-winning roster. His legacy is immense, marked by his transition from a fourth-line player to one of the NHL's premier left wingers, and he will likely be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Marchand's leadership, tenacity, and community contributions will be sorely missed, particularly as he had been the team's captain near the end of his tenure.

Despite this significant shift, the Bruins managed to secure promising assets at the trade deadline, including a first-round pick and Casey Mittelstadt, who is viewed as an exciting young player with high upside. These acquisitions signal that while the Bruins are retooling, they still possess a competitive core, including players like Jeremy Swayman and Charlie McAvoy. The franchise aims to rebound quickly, with plans to invest the cap space freed by Marchand's departure into bolstering their scoring options next season.

With the fantasy hockey playoffs approaching, managing rosters effectively becomes paramount for success. This episode highlights key players to buy low or sell high to maximize point potential. Notably, Tom Wilson stands out as a prime sell-high candidate. His performance this season has been impressive, with career-high shooting percentages and solid peripheral stats, but given his injury history, now might be the time to trade him before potential regression hits.

Similarly, Neil Pionk of the Winnipeg Jets is also suggested as a sell-high option, leveraging his current overperformance due to a contract year. Given the Jets' overall team strength, now is an opportune moment for GMs to capitalize on their player's increased value in trades.

On the buy-low side, the discussion shifts to Jeremy Swayman from the Boston Bruins, who has shown flashes of brilliance despite the team’s struggles. With potential opportunities for rebounds in performance, he might be worth a gamble. Other insights also suggest keeping an eye on players like Mika Zibanejad, who may be poised for a resurgence as the season progresses.

The latest episode of Locked On Fantasy Hockey focuses on the most frustrating players in the Eastern Conference as the hockey season progresses. Morgan Rielly of the Toronto Maple Leafs comes under scrutiny for his declining performance, struggling with decision-making and a significant drop in points. Meanwhile, Mika Zibanejad of the New York Rangers is also highlighted as a major disappointment this season, with many fantasy managers feeling the pain of his underwhelming stats. As the hosts discuss these players, they offer insights into the overall team dynamics and potential trades that could shake things up.

The podcast wraps up with a look at betting trends for the upcoming games, emphasizing the importance of strategic plays for the fantasy managers and sports bettors alike.

The Boston Bruins have officially fired head coach Jim Montgomery, with associate coach Joe Sacco stepping in as interim head coach. General manager Don Sweeney made the announcement following a disappointing start to the season. Despite hopes of a turnaround, Montgomery's tenure was marred by criticism, particularly regarding player performance and chemistry, especially with goalie Jeremy Swayman. The team has struggled significantly, currently projected to finish among the bottom teams in the league, prompting discussions on potential roster changes and administrative accountability.

Analysts suggest that the decision to fire Montgomery reflects the organization's urgency to salvage the season, as missing the playoffs would likely endanger Sweeney's position as well. The Bruins have been under immense pressure to improve their standings, with fans and critics alike calling for changes in both coaching and player lineups. As Sacco takes over, all eyes will be on how the players respond to this sudden shift.