اليابان والولايات المتحدة لتطوير أسلحة تعترض صواريخ تفوق سرعتها الصوت
20 Fantasy Thoughts: Which players should you target on the waiver wire?
From Jesper Bratt to Noah Dobson to Jake Oettinger, the waiver wire has once again proven to be an integral source for success this fantasy season.
And late in the year, it’s also the only option to find impactful pieces that could help put your roster over the top.
Believe it or not, there’s still plenty of value to untap on the wire with just two weeks remaining in the season — at least from a skater standpoint. As is normally the case, goaltending is a different story. The position remains as volatile as ever.
1. Buckle up for an incredibly busy week ahead in the NHL (April 18-24), there are 58 games on the docket.
Monday: 6 Games
Tuesday: 10 Games
Wednesday: 4 Games
Thursday: 11 Games
Friday: 4 Games
Saturday: 12 Games
Sunday: 11 Games
2. In total, there are 21 four-game teams: ARI, BOS, CGY, CAR, CHI, COL, DAL, DET, FLA, MIN, MTL, NJD, NYI, OTT, SJS, SEA, STL, TBL, TOR, VAN, WSH.
3. From a schedule manipulation standpoint, I like these two slates the most:
Colorado Avalanche: Mon (WSH), Wed (@SEA), Fri (@EDM), Sat (@WPG)
Waiver Looks: Nathan MacKinnon 4, COL Goalies 3
SN Fantasy: Valeri Nicushkin, J.T. Compher
Washington Capitals: Mon (@COL), Wed (@VGK), Fri (@ARI), Sun (TOR)
Waiver Looks: Alex Ovechkin 4, John Carlson 2
SN Fantasy: Conor Sheary, Marcus Johansson
4. Lastly, steer clear of waiver adds from Buffalo. They’re the only team who plays just twice.
5. With Tristan Jarry out indefinitely, it’s Casey DeSmith’s crease for the foreseeable future in Pittsburgh. Personally, I’d pick my spots with the 30-year-old, he’s been liable to surrender a leaky goal or two this season.
6. Grab Logan Thompson immediately. Unexpectedly, the 25-year-old has emerged as Vegas’ top option in goal, especially now that Robin Lehner is unavailable to play.
Thompson, who started the year as the Golden Knights’ third-stringer, has been an incredible story in the second half.
7. Add Antti Raanta. Carolina’s No. 1 Frederik Andersen was injured late in Saturday night’s 7-4 loss against Colorado and had to be helped off the ice. Bad for news for the Canes.
8. As highlighted a couple weeks back, Toronto backup Erik Kallgren should get plenty of action down the stretch. Ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it would be wise for the Maple Leafs to keep Jack Campbell as fresh as possible.
9. Shockingly, Scott Wedgewood has been outplaying Jake Oettinger in Dallas since being acquired at the trade deadline. That shutout against Tampa this past week was something else. Big win for Oettinger on Saturday night versus San Jose.
10. Brian Elliott’s another look. With Tampa clinching a playoff spot recently and Andrei Vasilevskiy struggling – by his standards – over the past few starts, the veteran has been utilized more frequently lately. Think about it.
11. Even though Brock Boeser and Bo Horvat are banged up right now, I’d still contemplate taking a flier on the likes of Conor Garland, Vasily Podkolzin and Alex Chiasson right now. All three have been hot, and most importantly, Vancouver plays four times this week.
12. The Kraken also have a busy slate ahead, which means you should definitely be scoping out the freshly signed Matty Beniers. The Michigan standout has been centering the top line and first power-play unit, too. The 2021 second overall pick has one goal and one assist in two NHL games thus far.
13. Some other Mark Scheifele/Horvat centre-eligible injury replacements: Jordan Staal, Tim Stutzle, Trevor Zegras, Jack Roslovic and Zach Parise.
14. Aside from Thompson in the crease, Evgenii Dadonov, William Karlsson and Alec Martinez have been providing multi-category performances in recent outings, just not Saturday night obviously. The Golden Knights have lots of meaningful hockey ahead; time is running out.
15. If you’re looking for a cheeky blue line stream, Columbus’ Nick Blankenburg – another Michigan product – has looked impressive in the early going. The 23-year-old puck mover, who notched an assist in his NHL debut back on Wednesday night, tallied 14 goals and 29 points in 38 games with the Wolverines this past season. Some food for thought.
16. Speaking of college, scoop up Matt Boldy. The dual-eligible Wild winger has five points in four games since returning from injury.
17. It’s go-time on Frederick Gaudreau again, too. That Fiala/Gaudreau/Boldy is sneaky good. Gaudreau has five points over a mini three-game point streak.
18. For rest of season purposes, Noah Hanifin should be considered a must-own defender. The 25-year-old Flames blueliner has tallied a goal and seven helpers over the past five contests.
19. Grab Dustin Brown. The veteran has a goal and two helpers in three outings for the Kings since returning from injury.
20. Lastly, put Avs rookie forward Ben Meyers on your watchlist. The highly sought-after free agent picked up a helper in his NHL debut on Saturday night. The University of Minnesota product had 17 goals and 41 points in 34 games this season.