Hopefully, you’re still in the hunt for your fantasy hockey league’s championship (if not, you probably wouldn’t be reading this article). Every little move at this point could make or break your season, so don’t ignore your league’s waiver wire. Here are ten players who can help you in your championship push.
(only includes players rostered in 50% or less of Yahoo Fantasy leagues; stats listed are after Wednesday’s games)
Best Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Pickups: Forwards
Phillip Danault – Los Angeles – C – 35% Rostered
(18 G, 35 A, -8, 20 PPP, 141 SOG, 70 BLK)
Phillip Danault was held off the scoreboard on Tuesday, but he was on fire leading up to that game. The Kings’ second-line center had assists in three straight games before Tuesday, including a three-assist game on Sunday against St. Louis. His 53 points on the year tie his career high, and on the other side of the rink, his 70 blocked shots are far and away the best of his career. Other than plus-minus, Danault will help you in every category.
J.T. Compher – Colorado – C/RW – 46% Rostered
(16 G, 33 A, +6, 13 PPP, 143 SOG, 77 BLK)
J.T. Compher is another forward who will help you everywhere – including plus-minus. Compher is having a career-best season in Year 7 in the NHL, with his 49 points crushing his previous career high of 33. In addition, he’s only two goals away from tying his best mark of 18, which he registered last season. But, more importantly, for people considering adding him to their fantasy team, he has two goals and four assists over his previous seven games.
Best Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Pickups: Defensemen
Sean Durzi – Los Angeles – D – 28% Rostered
(8 G, 29 A, -11, 16 PPP, 100 SOG, 118 BLK)
Second-year defenseman Sean Durzi hit the ground running (the ice skating?!) after missing seven games due to an upper-body injury. He had a goal and two assists in his two games since returning, with two power-play points and an incredible eight blocked shots. His plus-minus isn’t great, but he’ll help you everywhere else.
Mike Matheson – Montreal – D – 49% Rostered
(8 G, 21 A, +6, 8 PPP, 106 SOG, 63 BLK)
Canadiens’ defenseman Michael Matheson is having a breakout season in his eighth year in the NHL, closing in on career-high numbers despite only playing in 41 games thus far. He has points in seven of his last nine games, totaling three goals and seven assists in that span. He’s also putting lots of pucks on the net and is getting down and blocking plenty of shots.
Best Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Pickups: Goalies
Mads Sogaard – Ottawa – G – 12% Rostered
(7 W, 45 GA, 380 SV, 0 SHO)
With regular starter Cam Talbot now back from injury, Mads Sogaard will surely see his ice time cut. But, with not many options out there on the waiver wire, he may be worth a speculative add anyhow. He played great, filling in as Ottawa’s number-one netminder, with a .904 save percentage and a 3.02 goals-against average over his last five starts between the pipes.
James Reimer – San Jose – G – 17% Rostered
(11 W, 125 GA, 1068 SV, 3 SHO)
After games where he let in seven and five goals, James Reimer pitched a shutout for the Sharks on Tuesday, turning away 41 Winnipeg shots. He also saved 47 shots against Edmonton – the problem was he had 52 shots sent his way that game. So maybe he’s on a hot streak? If so, he could carry the week for you.
Other fantasy hockey waiver wire players worth checking out: Mikael Backlund, Logan Couture, Brady Skjei, Shayne Gostisbehere
