Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins, Down in Fantasy NHL's Week 4 Cold Players

Here is my analysis of the past week’s coldest, slumping players in Fantasy NHL: One player per position who is failing to meet his preseason fantasy expectations by an overwhelmingly large margin.

No player is included or excluded based on name value—simply who is performing towards the bottom of his respective position.

Goalie: Craig Anderson, Colorado Avalanche

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

UNIONDALE, NY - OCTOBER 16: Craig Anderson #41 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the New York Islanders on October 16, 2010 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Anderson is out indefinitely after injuring his right knee this week.

He had two losses to his record after giving up a combined nine goals in two games.

Anderson was having a decent year prior to those two games.

Hopefully, he isn’t out too long and can return to form when he comes back from the injury.

Defenseman: Dion Phaneuf, Toronto Maple Leafs

Abelimages/Getty Images

TORONTO - OCTOBER 26: Dion Phaneuf #3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for faceoff against the Florida Panthers during game action at the Air Canada Centre October 26, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Leafs won 3-1. (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images)

One of the better defenders in the league, Phaneuf has been ineffective for the most part this week.

Although he has an assist recorded, he is minus-three plus/minus.

The good news is that he has progressed each game over the past week, so he should be back on track soon.

Right Wing: Marian Hossa, Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - OCTOBER 18: Marian Hossa #81 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates his seocnd goal in the 3rd period against the St. Louis Blues at the United Center on October 18, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Blues 3-2 in overtime. (Ph

The veteran will miss a couple weeks with an upper body injury.

Hossa had been having a great season with seven goals, four assists and plus-four plus/minus.

With his age, expect Hossa to take his time coming back. It is also difficult to believe he will be as effective when he returns.

Left Wing: Ilya Kovalchuk, New Jersey Devils

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 15: Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the Colorado Avalanche at the Prudential Center on October 15, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Kovalchuk apparently didn’t take well to his benching last week.

Although he has scored a goal, he has taken just five shots on goal. He has failed to record an assist, and is minus-one plus/minus.

Kovalchuk has failed to live up to his hype thus far in New Jersey.

Center: Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 16: Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on October 16, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

A consensus Top 10 pick on one of the best teams in the league, Malkin has had an abysmal week.

In the past seven days, he is minus-three plus/minus. He’s attempted just seven shots on goal, and failed to record a goal or assist.

Prior to that, Malkin had a five-game streak with at least one assist.

Expect Malkin to bounce back quickly.