The NHL trade deadline is fast approaching and now is the time to make a move and give your fantasy roster a push if you are a contender. This week the Waiver Wire looks at NHL players on hot streaks. Some are short term solutions, but some may have keeper potential for some leagues.
Jordan Staal, Centre – Carolina Hurricanes, 50% owned
Carolina currently sits just outside a playoff spot, and are 5-3-2 in their last ten games. In that stretch, Staal has ten points, including four points in his last two games. Staal is putting up a strong second half of the season so far with 16 points in a 14 game span, and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Benoit Pouliot, Left Wing – Edmonton Oilers, 45% owned
Pouliot has seven points in his last ten games, including back-to-back two point games coming against Ottawa, and Columbus. As long as he remains on a line with Connor McDavid, and Jordan Eberle, Pouliot is fantasy relevant and is worthy of picking up off the waiver wire over a higher profile player who is slumping or injured.
Zack Kassian, Right Wing – Edmonton Oilers, 26% owned
His second chance this season (and likely the last of his career) with Edmonton has gotten off to a good start, considering he missed the first half of the season and training camp. Kassian has played in ten games for the Oilers and has four points, 16 shots, 43 penalty minutes, and 37 hits. He has shown flashes of offensive skill during his career in the minors and when he was on a line with the Sedin twins in Vancouver. His real fantasy value comes in leagues which score peripheral stats such as hits and PIM’s.
Joseph Blandisi, Left Wing – New Jersey Devils, 27% owned
Since being recalled by the Devils Blandisi has been on fire with four points in four games. He has been bounced between the NHL and AHL a few times this season, but to date he has ten points including three powerplay points in 15 games. He mainly gets recalled for injury relief, but his offensive production may earn him a regular roster spot on the top line with Adam Henrique and Lee Stempniak as well as powerplay time. Don’t sleep on Blandisi!
Cody Ceci, Defence – Ottawa Senators, 41% owned
The Sens only other offensive defenseman has been red hot lately with eight points in his last ten games, doubling his point total on the year to 16 in 47 games. That scoring pace has him on par with teammate Erik Karlsson, which is obviously unsustainable, but shows promise for his offensive development and fantasy relevance going forward. The former first round pick continues to improve, suggesting his ownership number will quickly increase so don’t procrastinate.