Vancouver Canucks 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 Vancouver Canucks at the pause:

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

Fantasy MVP: J.T. Miller, LW/RW (rank: 16) --He's been one of the best offseason acquisitions, leading the Vancouver Canucks with 72 points (27 goals, 45 assists) in 69 games after a trade by the Tampa Bay Lightning and forming strong chemistry on a line with elite center Elias Pettersson. Miller is ranked so high in standard leagues because of his elite category coverage, including power-play points (25; tied for Vancouver lead), shots on goal (165) and hits (123; leads Canucks). It's hard to find a more well-rounded forward in fantasy this year; Miller is the only player in the NHL with at least 70 points and 120 hits.

Biggest surprise: Quinn Hughes, D -- He has 53 points (eight goals, 45 assists) in 68 games as a rookie, tied with Tony DeAngelo of the New York Rangers for fourth among NHL defensemen. Hughes is tied for third in power-play points at the position (25) with Neal Pionk of the Winnipeg Jets, helping Vancouver rank fourth with the man-advantage at 24.1 percent. Hughes had intrigue entering the season, but his top 10 status at the position and most points among all rookie skaters are among the more surprising trends in fantasy.

Unsung hero: Jacob Markstrom, G -- He has been one of the most valuable options at the position when healthy, going 23-16-4 with a 2.75 goals-against average, a .918 save percentage and two shutouts in 43 games. Markstrom sustained a lower-body injury against the Boston Bruins on Feb. 22, and the Canucks were 3-5-0 in his absence. Markstrom is tied for 11th in wins, fourth in save percentage and tied for fourth in even-strength save percentage (.925) among goalies who have played at least 40 games, bordering on elite territory in a contract season (potential unrestricted free agent).

Listen: Video: VAN@NYI: Hughes wins it in overtime for Canucks