Welcome to Fantrax’s NHL usage trends for November 5th — a tactical breakdown of deployment trends that matter. We’re spotlighting key ice-time changes, power-play promotions, and line shakeups that could swing matchups and unlock hidden value. Whether you’re grinding in deep leagues or scanning for streaming upside, these shifts offer actionable insight for fantasy managers looking to stay ahead of the curve.
More Fantasy Hockey Analysis: | NHL Injury Report | Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire | NHL Usage Trends
NHL Usage Trends
Dmitry Voronkov (LW/RW, Columbus Blue Jackets)
Voronkov last played more than 14 minutes in a game on January 13, 2026. Not coincidentally, that lines up with the hiring of Rick Bowness as head coach. In his last two games, Voronkov logged just 6:42 and 7:44 of ice time. Before Bowness arrived, Voronkov looked like a budding power forward on the rise.
Before Bowness took over last season, Voronkov produced 29 points in 45 games. Since then, he has managed just three points in 18 contests and has opened this season with two assists through eight games.
He’s still rostered in 16% of Fantrax leagues, so the believers haven’t disappeared entirely. For rebuilding teams or managers already looking ahead to next season, he’s the type of buy-low keeper target worth exploring.
It’s easy to see why he’s appearing on every major NHL trade board. Bowness clearly isn’t a fan of his game. A trade can’t come soon enough for Voronkov.
His value has cratered to the point of being waiver fodder in many leagues. However, a change of scenery could be exactly what he needs to get back on track as a dependable middle-six power forward who contributes across multiple categories.
Tristan Luneau (D, Anaheim Ducks)
Entering this season, Luneau had played just 14 NHL games over the previous three years. Fifteen games into the 2026-27 campaign, he sits second among Ducks defencemen in ice time at 20:41 per game, trailing only Jackson LaCombe’s 26:33. He’s also riding a five-game point streak.
LaCombe represents a significant roadblock to Luneau’s offensive ceiling. The top power-play unit belongs to him, while Luneau is left to work with the second unit. Barring injury, don’t expect that arrangement to change anytime soon.
Regardless, Luneau is emerging as a legitimate fantasy option. Realistically, he’s still a couple of years away from reaching his offensive ceiling. A good situational comparison would be Thomas Harley’s relationship to Miro Heiskanen in Dallas. Based on talent alone, Luneau has a legitimate path to 50 points.
Eric Pohlkamp (D, San Jose Sharks)
Pohlkamp’s transition to the professional game couldn’t have gone much better. After just 10 AHL contests, the Sharks rewarded the fifth-round pick from the 2023 NHL Draft with his first NHL call-up.
Drafted well outside the spotlight, Pohlkamp is far from a household name. However, the offensive track record is impossible to ignore. Over the last three seasons, he amassed 98 points in 119 NCAA games. Just as encouraging, he scored at least 10 goals in each season, highlighted by an 18-goal junior campaign.
In those 10 AHL games, Pohlkamp collected seven assists and fired 28 shots on goal. That’s an impressive start for a rookie defenceman making the jump from college hockey.
The Sharks are still searching for someone to quarterback their star-studded power play. Last night, they deployed five forwards on the top unit, which speaks volumes. Equally telling was the fact that 1:43 of Pohlkamp’s 5:40 of first-period ice time came with the man advantage.
There is a legitimate chance Pohlkamp steals a spot on the Sharks’ first power-play unit. Keeper-league managers should be watching this situation very closely.
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