Welcome to Fantrax’s NHL usage trends for January 15 — 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: | Goalie Streamers | NHL Usage Trends | Buy-Low, Sell-High | NHL Schedule Preview | Fantasy Hockey Cold List | Prospect Report | NHL Injury Report | Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire
NHL Usage Trends for January 29
Timo Meier & Connor Brown, New Jersey Devils
It has been a tale of two seasons for Meier. In his first 25 games, he produced 21 points. In the last 23 games, he has six. He’s also a -20 in those 23 games.
This nosebleed streak is starting to show up in his ice time, too. This is his power play ice time in the last five games: 00:00, 00:44, 1:51, 00:00, and 00:06.
Brown has replaced Meier on the top power play unit over the past four games. Expect Brown’s leash to be extended on the top unit. After all, in those four games, he has four power-play points. That is the type of production that gets rewarded.
Meier will eventually return to the top unit. He’s paid too much not to. For now, expect the Devils to run with the hot hand – and that’s Brown.
Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers
Panarin was a healthy scratch last night, and the Rangers have announced they will hold him out of their final two games before the Olympic break.
All expectations are on him being traded sooner rather than later. No matter where he lands, he will be a first-line, first power-play winger. Don’t expect him to drop off on a new team. His production could increase. Deal with some short-term pain for some long-term gain.
Mason Marchment, Columbus Blue Jackets
Marchment has been everything the Blue Jackets could have hoped for, and more. It’s doubtful they thought they were acquiring a forward who would produce 11 points in his first 10 games with the club and be playing on a line with Kirill Marchenko and Adam Fantilli.
In six of the last seven games, Marchment has also received over 55% of the Blue Jackets’ power-play minutes. He’s turning back the clock to 2021-22 when he produced 47 points in 53 games with the Florida Panthers.
If you believe in the ‘big-man theory’ – those players over a certain size (6’3″, 215lbs) take longer to reach their breakout threshold, then Marchment, at 341 career games, is set to hit his in the second quarter of next season.
Martin Pospisil, Calgary Flames
Pospisil made his season debut with the Flames on January 21st. Currently, he’s lining up with Nazem Kadri and Connor Zary, not bad company. We’re not expecting Pospisil to put up big offensive numbers, or even modest ones. Still, he’ll pick up extra points playing with Kadri than if he were on the Flames’ third line with Joel Farabee.
His real value is his peripheral value. In those three games, he has 16 hits. Last season, he had 301 hits. He chipped in 84 penalty minutes as well. Rostered in only 16% of Fantrax pools, if you need banger stats, take a closer look at Pospisil.
Thanks for reading.
Fantrax is one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites in the fantasy sports industry, and we’re not stopping anytime soon. We are the most customizable, easy-to-use, and feature-rich platform in the industry, offering the greatest fantasy experience for your dynasty, keeper, redraft, and best ball leagues. Fantasy sports doesn’t sleep, and neither does Fantrax, with seasons running 365 days a year. Take your fantasy leagues to the next level now at Fantrax.com!
