Fantasy hockey is a popular sport to participate in, but the waiver wire can be difficult and frustrating. This week’s article will give you insight on how to properly manage your team during this crucial time of year.
The “nhl fantasy” is a website that gives you the latest news and rumors about your favorite NHL teams. It also allows you to sign up for waiver watch, which will notify you of any players who are going on waivers in the next 24 hours.
Every week, we’ll scour the waiver wire for under-the-radar players that may aid your team, whether you play dynasty or redraft, and we’ll also throw in some DFS advice. Finally, we’ll take a look at some past go-to fantasy assets that may be overpriced – either in the short or long term – for various reasons.
Forwards
Marcus Foligno, LW/RW, Minnesota Wild (36.6 percent of ESPN.com leagues): Marcus Foligno, LW/RW, Minnesota Wild Foligno scored eight goals in his last twelve games while skating on a scoring line with Jordan Greenway and Joel Eriksson Ek. Even though it’s just one assist, when you combine those goals with a team-high 79 hits and other contributions, the tenacious 30-year-old has been repaying his managers with an average of 2.6 fantasy points per game since Nov. 20. In most ESPN.com leagues, that payout is worth investing in, at least until the experienced winger cools down.
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Ryan Johansen (31.7 percent), Nashville Predators: Johansen was forced to miss Sunday’s game against the Rangers after being added on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list over the weekend. While it’s unclear when the Predators’ center will be able to return (as of this writing), he’s still worth a look in all but the most meager ESPN.com fantasy teams. Johansen has three goals and 12 helpers in 11 games since late November, playing on a scoring line with Luke Kunin and Eeli Tolvanen, who has been a scoring machine of late. That isn’t a coincidence. From 2013 to 2019, the 29-year-old resembled the highly-valued fantasy item we learned to adore. He won’t be available for long in approximately 70% of leagues.
New Jersey Devils’ RW Jesper Bratt (22.4 percent): New Jersey’s most prolific forward is making his second visit on the waiver wire, and he remains outrageously under-rostered as a fantasy asset. Bratt has barely scored a single point in three games in the last six weeks while playing on a scoring line with Dawson Mercer and Andreas Johnsson. Since Oct. 30, he has eight goals and 16 assists in 21 games. Despite this, Tomas Tatar, who averages 1.2 fantasy points per game, is in 10% more ESPN.com leagues than the Devils’ most consistent scorer. It doesn’t make any sense.
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RW Ondrej Kase of the Toronto Maple Leafs (4.1%): Kase is my favorite free-agent addition of the week, slotted beside center Auston Matthews. Even before he was called upon to fill in for an ailing Mitchell Marner, the former Duck/Bruin had showed indications of settling in with his new team, scoring seven goals and adding four assists in 13 games since November 10. Kase is virtually a must-stream asset given that he’s on a scoring line with one of the league’s best centers. Marner is anticipated to be sidelined until late December at the earliest due to a shoulder ailment.
RW Taylor Raddysh of the Tampa Bay Lightning (0.3%): The 23-year-old rookie has been on a tear recently, earning spots on a top scoring line with Steven Stamkos and Ondrej Palat. With three goals and an assist in five games, he seems like he’ll be staying around for a long. If that’s the case, Raddysh may be a fascinating, out-of-the-box Daily Fantasy asset. Check out his matchups against the Kings on Tuesday and the Senators on Thursday.
Tim Stutzle (46.6 percent), Ottawa Senators; Ivan Barbashev, C/RW, St. Louis (15.7 percent); Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, New York Islanders (4.9 percent )
Defenders
Seattle Kraken’s Adam Larsson (18.6%): Larsson had 54 blocked shots to lead the Kraken, as well as 69 hits and 40 shots on goal in his first 27 games in Seattle. With his two goals and six assists, the 29-year-old defender has provided 1.8 points per game to his fantasy managers so far. Larsson should be in almost every ESPN.com league that rewards more than simply scoring.
New York Islanders’ Noah Dobson (9.0 percent): In most fantasy communities, three goals and one assist in five games, including two points on the power play, are reason enough to give the young defense a second look. Dobson is also shooting the puck more, indicating an increase in self-assurance. Then there’s the noticeable increase in on-ice time to consider. The mix of talent and swagger – on both sides of the rink – suggests that the 12th overall draft pick (2018) is ready to take the next major step in the big leagues. This twenty-one-year-old is just getting started.
See also: Winnipeg Jets’ Nate Schmidt (28.1 percent )
Goaltenders
San Jose Sharks’ James Reimer (36.7 percent): After a 10-day layoff, the Sharks’ No. 1 goaltender looks to have regained his form. The 33-year-old seemed set to continue shouldering the brunt of the burden for San Jose in the coming weeks after stopping all but one of 35 shots faced in Saturday’s 2-1 victory against the Stars, his 400th career game. Reimer, who has a 2.03 GAA and.937 SV%, is one of the reasons the Sharks have a winning record and are in contention for a playoff berth. Any fantasy manager with a goalie problem should take a close look at him.
2 Related
St. Louis Blues’ Charlie Lindgren (2.8 percent): Lindgren has only allowed three total goals in two consecutive victories while both Jordan Binnington (COVID-19 protocol) and Ville Husso (lower-body) are out. It’s not bad. Until Binnington and/or Husso return, the AHL regular is worth streaming as an injury substitute. The Blues play the Stars twice this week before hosting the Jets on Sunday. The Stars have only scored once in their last two games.
Anaheim Ducks’ Anthony Stolarz is another worth mentioning (7.3 percent )
Expectations were lowered
Taylor Hall (88.0 percent), Boston Bruins LW: It’s not going to be enough to score eight even-strength points in 24 games. Not with how much more we had hoped for from Hall in his first full season as a Bruin. The three assists (zero goals) in the last eight games is another cause for worry. The decline in Hall’s ice time – around 13 minutes each game this week – may be the most concerning sign of coach Bruce Cassidy’s lack of faith in the former Hart Trophy winner. If Boston wants to compete in the difficult Atlantic Division, they will need more secondary scoring. Hall and his teammates aren’t putting in enough effort right now.
In other fantasy news, put your favorite Flames on hold this week, as the whole team will be out until December 18 – at the earliest – as part of the NHL’s COVID-19 procedure. Ben Bishop’s acting career is allegedly gone. According to Stars General Manager Jim Nill, the veteran goaltender is unable to return from a torn meniscus, a degenerative condition that forced him to miss the whole previous season. As a result, Braden Holtby (21.5 percent) and Jake Oettinger (29.7%) will split time in the Dallas net, while Anton Khudobin has been put on waivers. Khudobin might have a new, though restricted, fantasy slate depending on where he settles.
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The “nhl power rankings” is a fantasy hockey waiver watch that displays the top 10 players in each position.
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