Welcome back to the weekly Fantasy Hockey waiver wire article! We’ll be taking a look at the teams with the most favorable fantasy hockey schedules and a few players that should be available on waivers for each squad.
The NHL has its usual lighter nights on Monday (6), Wednesday (4), and Friday (3) this week. However, there are only eight games on Tuesday and Sunday.
For the purpose of this fantasy hockey schedule article, we’re going to look at teams playing on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday this week, as half of the league (or more) is playing on Tuesday (8 games), Thursday (13), Saturday (12), and Sunday (8)
In this article, we’ll be highlighting a few teams that play on lighter nights in order for you to maximize your roster for any given week. The Fantasy Hockey waiver wire is key!
Optimizing your lineup is crucial in any fantasy sports league, and fantasy hockey is no different. Given the NHL’s unbalanced scheduling, there are certain teams that have better schedules on certain weeks throughout the year.
If you are in a shallower or deeper league –– or just have a question or comment –– feel free to reach out to me on Twitter (@RGilbertSOP) or in the SGPN Discord!
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Fantasy Hockey Schedule – Week 9 Waiver Wire
The St. Louis Blues play on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with an extra game on Saturday as well. The Pittsburgh Penguins only have three games this week, but all three are on those lighter nights.
St. Louis Blues
- Monday @ VGK
- Wednesday vs. VGK
- Friday @ CBJ
- Saturday vs. CHI
Robert Thomas (C – 57% Rostered)
We’re once again starting this week’s article off with an exception, as Thomas is rostered in over half of leagues. However, he should be gobbled up in the 43% of leagues he’s available in.
Thomas has eight goals and leads the team with 15 assists for a team-leading 23 points in 23 games. He centers the top line and is on the top power-play unit as well.
Thomas has six points (two goals, four assists) in his last six games while playing over 20 minutes a night. Pick him up if he’s available.
Jake Neighbours (LW – 14% Rostered)
Neighbours plays on the top line and top power-play unit with Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich (67% rostered). He’s taking advantage of his opportunity with nine goals on the season. The 21-year-old forward has scored seven of those goals in his last eight games.
Of course, Neighbours can’t possibly keep scoring at this rate, but he’s worth a look while he’s hot during a busy week.
Kevin Hayes (C – 8% Rostered)
Veteran center Kevin Hayes isn’t what he once was, but there may be some use for him on your fantasy hockey roster.
Hayes is actually playing on the wing on the second line with Brayden Schenn and Jordan Kyrou, two of the Blues’ better forwards. He’s also getting some time on the second power-play unit.
He has 11 points in 23 games this season but has been “hot” recently, with five points in his last seven games. Take a look at Hayes in deep leagues.
Pittsburgh Penguins
- Monday @ PHI
- Wednesday @ TBL
- Friday @ FLA
Bryan Rust (RW – 65% Rostered)
Yes, another exception, but stop what you’re doing and go pick up Rust if you’re in the 35% of leagues he’s on the waiver wire in.
Rust recently missed three games with a lower-body injury but returned with a bang. He has a goal and two assists — along with 13 shots on goal — in his last three games. On the season, Rust has 19 points (10 goals, 9 assists) in 20 games. He’s become a consistent scorer for the Penguins with five straight 20-goal seasons.
Ryan Graves (D – 6% Rostered)
If you’re scraping the bottom of the barrel for defensemen on the fantasy hockey waiver wire, Ryan Graves may be what you’re looking for.
He plays on the Penguins’ top pair and penalty kill unit, and sure, he won’t rack up the points, but he’s had four blocked shots in three of his last four games and picks up a few shots on goal as well.
Drew O’Connor (LW – 0% Rostered)
Surely, someone has to roster Drew O’Connor.
He was a great player in the AHL over the last three years, scoring 73 points in 73 games. The 25-year-old made the most of his opportunity with the Penguins banged up a bit, and he’s still on their second line.
O’Connor has two points in his last four games and three in his last seven. He may only be an option in the deepest of leagues, but he is an option.
