NHL Fantasy Hockey Opportunities
This week, several NHL teams have a unique opportunity to shine in fantasy hockey as they play on traditionally quieter days, specifically on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. This includes the Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, and even the Buffalo Sabres, as they provide excellent options for fantasy managers looking to enhance their lineups during a week when many competitors are inactive.
In addition to these intriguing choices, this article highlights other potential free agents from around the league that could either offer immediate or long-term value to your fantasy roster.
Team Insights
For those managing fantasy squads, the Nashville Predators will have just a single game this week following their international travels. Moreover, teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, and Ottawa Senators are slated to compete in only two games. If you’re pondering a player from these franchises, it may be prudent to hold off for a few days until the league schedule picks up again.
Waiver Wire Picks
Every Monday, we delve into the waiver wire for lesser-known players who could significantly boost your fantasy team’s performance across various leagues, along with showcasing candidates for streaming in the week to come.
Player Recommendations
- Andrei Svechnikov, LW, Carolina Hurricanes: With a fantasy point per game average of 1.4 and 40.8% availability, Svechnikov’s rough start seems to be behind him. Recently, he has blossomed with 4 goals and 3 assists in his last six games, playing alongside fellow talents Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis on the power play.
- Pavel Zacha, C/LW, Boston Bruins: Averaging 1.8 FPPG and still available in 57.1% of leagues, Zacha emerges as a key player for those in search of a Boston forward since other popular picks like David Pastrnak may already be claimed. He has logged 0.80 points per game this season and finds himself centering the second scoring line.
- Zach Hyman, RW, Edmonton Oilers: Hyman’s season debut was promising, featuring over 23 minutes of ice time with Connor McDavid. He managed to record an assist and significant defensive contributions including 11 hits. His current 2.8 FPPG with availability at 40.3% makes him a valuable addition as the Oilers face several matchups this week.
- Tyler Seguin, RW/C, Dallas Stars: With an availability rate of 88.8% and a FPPG of 1.3, Seguin is rebounding well after a slow start, contributing notably with three goals and an assist in his last four games due to synergy with the impressive Jason Robertson.
- Jake DeBrusk, RW, Vancouver Canucks: DeBrusk has been in excellent goal-scoring form with five tallies through six games, making him an ideal candidate for forward slots, especially as Vancouver prepares to clash with teams this week.
- Shayne Gostisbehere, D, Carolina Hurricanes: Fresh off an injury recovery, Gostisbehere has already made quite an impact with five assists in three outings, establishing himself as a top defender once again in Carolina’s setup.
- Jeremy Swayman, G, Boston Bruins: Swayman has been stellar this month, holding a 5-0 record with a .923 SV%. His tough matchup on Monday will be followed by several favorable games against lower-ranked teams later in the week, making him a worthwhile acquisition.
Emerging Talents
For those interested in boosting their rosters further, consider players like Isak Rosen from the Buffalo Sabres, who has made a solid impression with three goals and two assists in his initial NHL outings, and other emerging talents such as Artyom Levshunov from the Chicago Blackhawks and Gavin Brindley from the Colorado Avalanche.
Explore your options wisely this fantasy week!
