What You Need to Know About Robert Thomas to Win a Stanley Cup
Whether you’re a fantasy hockey player or a fan of Robert Thomas, you’ll have a lot to think about this season as he attempts to lead his New York Islanders to their first Stanley Cup. And while it’s difficult to predict the future of a player who’s a top-20 center in the NHL, here’s what you need to know about him to make the best decision for your team.
St. Louis Blues
Having played 241 games over four seasons, Robert Thomas has already earned a few awards and accolades. In the past 12 games, he has scored two goals and nine points. He also took part in Wednesday’s practice. Among his accomplishments are his name being credited as a contributor to a Stanley Cup win, the aforementioned top-line centre position, and the fact that he was named to the NHL’s First Star of the Month list.
He is a solid candidate to earn a spot on the Blues’ top-six forward line, and will be a vital component to their special teams success. He was awarded the best face-off player award last season, and was among the top five Selke Trophy candidates in each of the past four seasons.
The Blues have already qualified for the postseason in six straight seasons, and they should continue that trend in the foreseeable future. This year’s team is a perennial contender, and should be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years.
New York Islanders
Throughout the history of the New York Islanders, they have had some amazing runs. One of the more successful runs came during the 1980s. The team won four consecutive Stanley Cups and won 19 straight playoff series. During that time, they also won the Presidents’ Trophy.
However, the Islanders have also had some serious struggles. They have won three games in a row and lost two other games.
During this run, the Isles have outscored their opponents 30-11. During that stretch, they have scored a whopping 19 goals from their defensemen.
The team is led by the play of Brock Nelson, who has 12 goals and 11 assists. Dylan Thomas has 18 assists. Anders Lee has 11 points, while Mathew Barzal has 10 points. In the past 14 games, the Isles have gone 6-4-0.
In 1980, the Islanders won 91 points. The team also set a record for the most wins by a right winger. In the finals, the team beat the Vancouver Canucks and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
NHL Network’s list of the Top-20 Centers in the NHL
During the NHL Network’s annual Top 20 series, the network released the top centers in the NHL. This list includes longtime NHL players and veteran stars.
Sidney Crosby was the top player on the list. He’s the Pittsburgh Penguins’ main man for the past 15 years and he’s shown elite five-on-five play. Despite his age, he’s a dominant force. He’s coming off a 100-point season and he’s on the verge of his third Art Ross win.
The NHL has a lot of great centers. They’re not only the stars of the team, but they’re also the most important position. They’re the ones that bring in goals, get pucks to the net, and get the defense to play better.
In the NHL, the best centers are Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Nathan MacKinnon. They’re all coming off successful seasons and aiming for 100 points for the third straight year.
Evgeni Malkin is another great center. He’s 35, but he’s coming off a 41-game season where he scored 20 goals and 22 assists. He’s still a productive player and he’s bound to be even better next season. He must continue to be a presence on the ice and keep his availability high.
Fantasy value
Despite not yet having the chance to play for the NHL’s elite teams, Robert Thomas has become the best fantasy value on the NHL’s second-line centre position. In 41 games since his breakout, he’s scored 46 points, including eight goals. Moreover, he’s added 57 assists for 77 points. He’s currently ranked among the 50 best options in most keeper leagues.
He’s been playing on a line with Pavel Buchnevich and Vladimir Tarasenko, which has allowed him to break out offensively. In 2021-22, he set career highs in power-play points, goals and assists. His emergence also helped the Blues to break out. They finished with a record-breaking 77 points in the 2021-22 season. In fact, Thomas was the team’s leading scorer in even-strength points and tied for the team lead in power-play points.