The dust hasn’t yet settled from the impending NHL trade deadline, so hopefully, some last-minute transactions don’t mess up our fantasy hockey waiver wire list. With that being said, here are ten more players – four forwards, four defensemen, and two goalies – that can help out your fantasy squad as we hit the crucial time in the season.
(only includes players rostered in 50% or less of Yahoo Fantasy leagues; stats listed are after Tuesday’s games)
Best Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Pickups: Forwards
J.T. Compher – Colorado – C/RW – 42% Rostered
(12 G, 29 A, +7, 10 PPP, 115 SOG, 68 BLK)
We get a new name as our top recommended forward pickup – the defending champion’s J.T. Compher. Currently centering the team’s second line, the lifelong Av had himself a month in February, as two goals and nine assists in only 10 games is an elite level of production. Plus, he’s a guy who helps you in all categories – even blocked shots – as his stat line above attests.
Dawson Mercer – New Jersey – C/RW – 43% Rostered
(19 G, 20 A, +16, 5 PPP, 109 SOG, 44 BLK)
There aren’t many players hotter than Dawson Mercer currently is. The 21-year-old has scored in six straight games heading into Wednesday’s action – making him the youngest player in the Devils’ franchise history to achieve that feat. His eight goals in February put him up to 19 in his sophomore season, topping the 17 times he found the back of the net in his rookie campaign. Plus, the +16 rating will be a nice addition to your roster.
Best Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Pickups: Defensemen
Sean Durzi – Los Angeles – D – 36% Rostered
(7 G, 26 A, -9, 14 PPP, 96 SOG, 108 BLK)
Sean Durzi‘s solid blueline play for the Kings has made him a regular on our fantasy hockey waiver-wire list. Since writing about him last week, he picked up a goal and two assists in four games and his plus-minus didn’t get any worse. Progress! Like Dawson Mercer, he is another second-year guy who has topped his rookie season’s stats across the board already in year two.
Mark Giordano – Toronto – D – 22% Rostered
(4 G, 18 A, +24, 0 PPP, 86 SOG, 115 BLK)
2045. That’s how many times Mark Giordano has thrown his body in front of speeding rubber to block a shot, an NHL record. So if you need help in that category, Giordano is your man. Then there’s the plus-minus – Giordano’s +24 on the season is tied for 17th best in the league, so he’ll give you a bump there as well. While Toronto has recently added to their blue line depth during trade season, Giordano’s solid play should keep him on the ice plenty.
Best Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Pickups: Goalies
John Gibson – Anaheim – G – 45% Rostered
(12 W, 152 GA, 1394 SV, 1 SHO)
It always is hairy trying to find decent goalies available on the waiver wire to recommend, but Anaheim’s John Gibson made it easy this week for me. He’s won two straight games, stopping 41 and 51 shots in the games. This has propelled him into the 10th spot in the fantasy hockey goalie rankings for the season. This is due mainly to his league-best 1394 saves.
Karel Vejmelka – Arizona – G – 49% Rostered
(16 W, 133 GA, 1248 SV, 3 SHO)
Desert dog Karel Vejmelka is another goalie that doesn’t get much defensive support from his team, with his 1248 saves eighth best in the NHL. He went 3-1-1 in February, but had an abysmal goals against average and save percentage. His 3.32 GAA and .904 SV% on the season aren’t terrible numbers, but it’s the saves and his ability to pull off shutouts that bring real value to your team.
Other fantasy hockey waiver wire players worth checking out: Mikael Backlund, Logan Couture, Erik Gustafsson, Ryan Graves
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