Fantasy Hockey 2023/24: 5 players you should consider avoiding for your fantasy team ft. Sam Lafferty | Week 3

Fantasy hockey is set for its third week and knowing which players to start or whom to bench on certain days could be the key to winning or losing. Although adding players to improve your team is vital, knowing the ones not to start or pick up is even better.

With that, here are five players to avoid in fantasy hockey this week and potentially moving forward:

5 players to avoid in NHL Fantasy Hockey Week 3

#1, Sam Lafferty, C, Vancouver Canucks

Sam Lafferty was traded to the Vancouver Canucks and was set for a bigger role this season. The centerman has two points in five games, along with 12 penalty minutes, so some fantasy hockey players will try and pick him up.

However, there are much better options than Lafferty who has yet to score at least 15 goals in the NHL. He's also on the Canucks fourth line, so there won't be much there for offense.

#2, Conor Sheary, LW, Tampa Bay Lightning

NHL Fantasy Hockey: Conor Sheary has struggled to begin the year

Conor Sheary was someone many were high on entering this year as he was set to play on a line with Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

However, after two weeks, Sheary was demoted to the fourth line and is no longer getting power play time. Sheary has recorded just one point in six games.

#3, Dominik Kubalik, LW, Ottawa Senators

Dominik Kubalik was part of the trade that sent Alex DeBrincat to the Detroit Red Wings, as the hope for the Ottawa Senators was he could replace some of the offense.

However, to begin the season, Kubalik has yet to record a point and is now on Ottawa's third line. The left winger is still on the second unit of the power play, but he isn't getting enough ice time right now to make a difference.

#4, Mason Marchment, LW, Dallas Stars

NHL Fantasy Hockey: Mason Marchment has yet to record a point

Mason Marchment is on the Dallas Stars' second line with Matt Duchene and Tyler Seguin, but the offense hasn't been there.

In four games this season, Marchment has yet to record a point and at this point, is someone you should look to drop and replace with someone who is producing at a higher level.

#5, Stuart Skinner, G, Edmonton Oilers

NHL Fantasy Hockey: Stuart Skinner has lost the net

Stuart Skinner took over as the Edmonton Oilers starting goalie last year, and it was expected he would do the same this season.

However, the net is Jack Campbell's once again as Skinner has struggled badly. To begin the year, Skinner is 0-1-1 with a 4.29 GAA and a .814 SV%. Skinner likely won't see the net for some time, and even if he does, there are plenty of better goalies available.