In what will be the final edition of the Waiver Wire for this season as fantasy hockey tends to recognize the same roster freeze for the end of the regular season and playoffs I will take a look at new found fantasy value in players who changed zip code during the last week.
Kimmo Timonen, D – Chicago Blackhawks 29% Fantrax Owned
Timonen has missed the entire season so far due to a blood-clot. At 39 years old he may find it difficult to get up to his normal speed after missing so much time. However he is worth the risk as in his last season his 0.64 points per game was his best in five years. Timonen is now a member of the Blackhawks and can ease his way up to speed behind Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook and should finish the season strong and possibly have a deep playoff run if your league carries over into the post-season.
Timonen has plenty of time to get up to speed before the playoffs. I like this move for CHI. If he gets up to speed he is a major upgrade.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) February 28, 2015
Tomas Fleischman, LW – Anaheim Ducks 23% Fantrax Owned
The Flash has struggled the last two seasons with Florida, but that come after having been the team’s leading scorer the previous two seasons. Look for the Flash to rediscover his scoring touch with the Ducks on a line with Ryan Kessler and Jakob Silfverberg on the second line. The Ducks are going all-in for a Stanley Cup run and Fleischman can give your fantasy team a similar boost.
Smart move by Anaheim. Boudreau likes Fleischman. Could be a fit with Getzlaf/Perry. Like Vrbata with Sedin's!
— Shawn Simpson (@TSNSimmer) February 28, 2015
Erik Cole, RW – Detroit Red Wings 40% Fantrax Owned
The 36 year old Cole is in the final year of an $18 million contract. He quickly found the doghouse in Dallas and was a mess in Montreal. With 33 points this season he has rebounded slightly, but expect an even bigger increase in Detroit as veterans seem to find a second wind in Detroit.
William Karlsson, C – Columbus Blue Jackets 16% Fantrax Owned
Wild Bill was a surprise roster player with Anaheim after he made the Ducks roster out of training camp, but had since been assigned to the AHL. The second round pick from 2011 has 24 points in 37 games there before being traded to Columbus. While still in the AHL, it will be easier for Karlsson to return to the NHL in Columbus than on a deep Ducks roster. He is a bit of a gamble at this point but could make a lot of noise when he is called up, a great investment in keeper leagues.
Ben Smith, RW – San Jose Sharks 8% Fantrax Owned
Smith had been buried on the Hawks depth chart but in his first game between literally introducing himself to his new teammates in San Jose he scored a goal and an assist in his Sharks debut. Don’t expect Smith to continue his two point per game pace of course, those were his first two points in the last 26 games, but count on increased production as his role will be increased playing on a line with Tommy Wingels and Tomas Hertl.