Fantasy Hockey Action Overview
The fantasy hockey action kicks off this Monday evening at 7 p.m. Eastern Time, featuring a clash between the New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils, as well as the Nashville Predators taking on the New York Rangers. Following this initial match-up, the Predators will embark on a trip to Sweden, playing two games against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Stockholm on Friday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m. Eastern, which is sure to complicate roster locks for daily managers later in the week.
Injury Focus
Interestingly, much of the focus for these games revolves around injured players, notably the significant absence of the Penguins’ key contributors and the Predators’ star defenseman, Roman Josi. Meanwhile, managers should keep an eye out for potential late additions to their drafts as we explore players available to enhance your fantasy roster.
Waiver Wire Highlights
Every Monday, we delve into the waiver wire, highlighting lesser-known players who can deliver significant contributions to fantasy teams across various formats. We also identify several appealing streaming options for the coming week.
Player Recommendations
- Tyler Bertuzzi (LW, Chicago Blackhawks): With a fantasy points per game (FPPG) of 2.09 and 66.3% of managers not having him on their rosters, Bertuzzi’s recent performance warrants attention. As Connor Bedard’s linemate, his play has heated up following a hat trick last Wednesday. Recently, he stepped in for injured player Frank Nazar, helping form a potent line that has already netted significant goals, offering promising returns for fantasy managers.
- Mats Zuccarello (RW, Minnesota Wild): Initially available to 78.9% of players, Zuccarello made his season debut on Friday and played alongside Kirill Kaprizov and Marco Rossi. Despite a less-than-stellar performance in terms of shot attempts, he impressed by taking charge of the power-play unit, which may signal a return to form for the veteran.
- Cole Perfetti (LW, Winnipeg Jets): Perfetti, with a 0.60 FPPG and available in 86.0% of leagues, slotted into a favorable second-line role in his season opener. With his placement on the top power-play unit alongside established stars like Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor, high-value opportunities are expected to come.
- Zach Hyman (RW, Edmonton Oilers): Currently 52.9% available, Hyman is anticipated to make a comeback by the week’s end. His potential to play alongside superstar Connor McDavid and secure a spot on the top power-play unit makes him a promising candidate for fantasy managers seeking to bolster their lineups.
- Artyom Levshunov (D, Chicago Blackhawks): A newcomer, Levshunov has stepped up as the team’s power-play quarterback, generating impressive results during his tenure. In his short time, he’s already racked up multiple points, significantly outperforming his predecessor.
- Bowen Byram (D, Buffalo Sabres): Byram’s role may expand due to Rasmus Dahlin’s absence, allowing him to potentially solidify his spot on the top power play. He represents a great opportunity for managers in need of defensive help.
Goalies to Monitor
Several goalies are worth tracking, including Pyotr Kochetkov of the Carolina Hurricanes, who is seeing significant playing time, and Jet Greaves of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who is in a tight rotation but has favorable matchups coming up.
Streaming Options
Lastly, fantasy managers looking for value should consider streaming options like Evander Kane (LW, Vancouver Canucks) and Emil Heineman (LW/RW, New York Islanders), both of whom are positioned to provide consistent scoring potential in their respective matchups this week.
Conclusion
In conclusion, as the week unfolds, keep an eye on these emerging players to potentially shore up your fantasy squad.
