As the season progresses we are starting to see some trends that can have a strong impact on your fantasy hockey team but a keen waiver wire addition. There are players who have suddenly found themselves either on their team’s top line or with a plum fantasy line mate and are widely available. Some rookies have survived the nine game mark and are now worth investing in and there are always injuries and call ups to keep an eye on.
Benoit Pouliot – Edmonton Oilers, Left Wing 39% owned
While Connor McDavid and Nail Yakupov are widely owned across fantasy leagues, Pouliot is the third man in on that line and number 67 has shown to have some chemistry with number 97 and at only 39% owned is available in many leagues. Coming off a five game point streak don’t sleep on Pouliot.
Pascal Dupuis – Pittsburgh Penguins, Left Wing 31% owned
The Crosby – Kessel combination that many thought would be deadly has failed to click early on and Sid is struggling. As a result, he has been reunited with his old running mate who is healthy again in Pascal Dupuis. Along with Patrick Hornqvist on that line it is only a matter of time before Crosby breaks out and if Dupuis is along for the ride, you want to own him.
Ryan Garbutt – Chicago Blackhawks, Right Wing 15% owned
No, Ryan Garbutt has not scored a goal yet this season, and has only one assist. So why is he on the waiver wire list? He does have 25 shots and 34 hits in ten games and has found himself playing on a line with Jonathan Toews and Teuvo Teravainen. He is generating scoring chances and playing with quality line mates so expect the production to come shortly.
Colin Miller – Boston Bruins, Defence 28% owned
Perhaps you were sleeping on Colton Parayko and missed out on this years John Klingberg, if so step right up and grab Colin Miller. Miller has three points in the last three games, is paired with Zdeno Chara and has worked his way into the Bruins top four. It is not a fluke either as Miller was a key piece in the Lucic deal. He was the second highest scoring defenceman last year in the AHL with the Calder winning Monarchs. He was a sleeper heading into the season, but don’t sleep on him now.
Victor Rask – Carolina Hurricanes, Centre 36% owned
Rask is centering the top line with Kris Versteeg and Eric Staal, which is as god as it gets in Carolina. Rask had an impressive rookie season scoring 33 points and should have no trouble eclipsing that as the Canes top centre this year. His three point game against Tampa on Sunday may be a harbinger of things to come.
Brett Connolly – Boston Bruins, Right Wing 36% owned
Connolly has found himself on a red hot line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand and has a six game point streak to show for it. The 2010 first round pick of Tampa has fallen under the radar as a result of injuries which slowed his development. Still only 23 he could have a breakout season and be a great value add as a waiver or free agent claim.
Torrey Mitchell – Montreal Canadiens, Right Wing 34% owned
Mitchell has been red hot this season for the Habs with nine points in 13 games including a current four game point streak. He is very valuable in leagues that count peripheral categories as well as he has produced 20 penalty minutes, 14 hits, 10 blocks 18 shots and is a plus -6.
Paul Byron – Montreal Canadiens, Centre 6% owned
For those of you in super deep leagues, Byron was claimed off waiver from Calgary by Montreal and has three points in his first three games. Both his goals are shorthanded goals to boot for leagues that have multi category scoring. Byron is centering a line with Torrey Mitchell and DSP.
All ownership numbers based on Fantrax leagues
All line combinations are from Frozen pools via Dobber Hockey