San Jose Sharks season snapshot fantasy honors

With the NHL pausing the 2019-20 regular season on March 12 due to the concerns surrounding the coronavirus, NHL.com is taking stock of each of the League's 31 teams.

Today, a fantasy recap of the San Jose Sharks at the pause:

NOTE: Rank for fantasy most valuable player is based on standard-category production to date.

Fantasy MVP: Evander Kane, LW (rank: 57) --The San Jose Sharks forward has taken advantage of a consistent role on the first power-play unit (NHL career-high and San Jose-best 18 power-play points) with the departure of veteran forward Joe Pavelski to the Dallas Stars in free agency and injuries to top forwards Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl. Kane, despite inconsistent linemates at even strength for much of the season, has tied the best goals-per-game average of his NHL career (0.41) and leads the Sharks in goals (26) and power-play goals (14). He also ranks second on San Jose in points (47), shots on goal (216) and hits (135).

Biggest surprise: Aaron Dell, G --Even after a down season in 2018-19, Martin Jones was expected to remain the clear starting goalie for the Sharks. However, Dell has cut into Jones' workload, playing an NHL career-high 33 games (30 starts), and has a much better save percentage (.907) than his teammate (.896 in 41 games). The Sharks are last in the Pacific Division, but Jones (.918; tied for first in NHL) and Dell (.887; tied for ninth) each ranks among the leaders in power-play save percentage among NHL goalies who have played at least 20 games, contributing to San Jose's top-ranked penalty kill (85.7 percent).

Unsung hero: Timo Meier, LW/RW -- There have been plenty of injuries around him, most notably Hertl, Couture and elite defenseman Erik Karlsson, but Meier has remained a viable fantasy category-coverage asset. He leads San Jose with 49 points and now has consecutive seasons of at least 20 goals (22; second on Sharks) and 20 assists (27; third). Meier also leads the Sharks in hits (155) and ranks third in SOG (199). His only fantasy blemish is his minus-22 rating, but he's nonetheless a fringe top 100 forward in standard leagues.

Listen: Video: SJS@CHI: Meier roofs shot past Crawford off the draw