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Even though the fantasy hockey week has prematurely concluded due to the All-Star break, that doesn’t mean you should sit around and wait until Monday. If you’re aiming for a title, look around the league for players who can help. Make a few offers and see what sticks. And should you be shooting for next year, try to accumulate as many assets as you can from the contenders.
Whether you’re wheeling, dealing or both, it’s always a smart idea to go to RotoWire for all the latest hockey news and in-depth material.
Like last week, you’ll find a couple of familiar faces who should still be better covered. And remember, only previously mentioned players who continue to be less than 50 percent can be mentioned again.
(Rostered rates/stats as of Feb. 3.)
Forwards
Jared McCann, SEA (Yahoo: 27%)
Like Michael Bunting last week, McCann had the honor of appearing in the season’s first Waiver Wire article. He has successfully continued his outstanding Pittsburgh run with a decent haul for the expansion franchise in the form of 19 goals, 11 assists, 105 shots and 159 faceoff wins. McCann centers the Kraken’s top even-strength line and operates on the lead power play where he’s posted 10 points. And at 25, there’s room to grow should he decide to stay long-term in Seattle.
Mason Marchment, FLA (Yahoo: 24%)
Marchment qualifies as this edition’s “No, really?” entry after going off for six points Monday and 12 in the last five games. This surge hasn’t necessarily been surprising since he scored at a decent rate over multiple AHL seasons, though there’s little chance of maintaining a similar pace. Marchment has fit perfectly beside Sam Reinhart and Anton Lundell on Florida’s third unit, so offensive opportunities should continue to come.
Robert Thomas, STL (Yahoo: 22%)
When Thomas was first brought up in late October, his coverage rate was at four percent. Even though that figure has significantly increased, it’s still not high enough for someone who’s racked up 32 points in 37 matches and has regularly skated with Vladimir Tarasenko. Thomas’ 275 faceoff wins won’t convince anyone in leagues where that category isn’t counted, but becoming a top-six mainstay and a consistent scorer on a strong team should be enough to garner more attention.
Mike Hoffman, MON (Yahoo: 15%)
The Habs are, well, the Habs, and that’s generally not been very good for fantasy business, yet there’s still value to be found. Hoffman averaged less than 60 points over a six-year span before dropping a bit in St. Louis and arriving in La Belle Province. The veteran may find himself lower on the depth chart at five-on-five, but he’s part of Montreal’s first man-advantage and has produced three PPAs from five outings. Hoffman’s never been shy to fire pucks on net and has prolonged that trend with almost three shots per game.
Ilya Mikheyev, TOR (Yahoo: 10%)
Mikheyev turned a 56-point KHL performance in 2018-19 to secure a multi-year deal with the Leafs. The momentum of an excellent debut fell off the following season and seemed destined to repeat itself after he underwent thumb surgery in October. Fortunately, Mikheyev didn’t need much time to get it going and has posted seven goals and three assists in 13 games. He may be a member of Toronto’s third line and secondary power play, but he’s been active with 37 shots and logs sufficient minutes on both special-teams groups.
Tyler Ennis, OTT (Yahoo: 5%)
It almost feels like yesterday when Ennis was dominating the WHL and being drafted in the first round — and then I realize the latter happened in 2008. He’s never hit that elite level in the NHL and has frequently changed locations in recent years. Ennis is now on his second tour with the Sens and looks to have settled in with some of the better talent. That’s led to an outstanding run of six points, 22 shots and 11 hits across six games, including a hat trick last week against the Sabres. Ennis could be moved down once others return, but he makes for a sneaky lower-roster addition in the meantime.
Alex Newhook, COL (Yahoo: 4%)
While the Avs waited for Newhook, he starred at Boston College and was named most outstanding freshman for the 2019-20 campaign. He got a taste of the big leagues last year and put up three assists in six appearances. After making the team out of training camp and participating in one game, Newhook was sent down to the AHL and racked up 11 in 10 before being recalled — and he immediately started scoring. He’s been rather streaky, but is adapting well and boasts tremendous upside.
Peyton Krebs, BUF (Yahoo: 2%)
It’s only coincidental one of Newhook’s teammates from the 2021 WJC is listed right after him, though both are equally talented. Alex Tuch might be thought of as the key player sent by Vegas in the Jack Eichel trade, but Krebs may soon have something to say about that. The 2021 WHL MVP has already shown he’s too good for the minors following four goals and 15 assists from only 18 games. Krebs has only found the scoresheet three times this season, but two of those netted a pair of points and rave reviews regarding his puck skills. With the Sabres’ young core developing, he should be given every opportunity to succeed both now and down the road.
Defensemen
Rasmus Andersson, CGY (Yahoo: 38%)
Did you get Andersson as was suggested at the beginning of the season? He’s not in the elite tier of D-men, but Calgary’s top power play is dangerous and nine of his 21 points have come during this situation. Andersson has also chipped in with 78 shots and 71 blocks while averaging 22:26. Better fantasy blueliners exist, though you’re not going to find one with lower coverage numbers who skates major minutes while receiving plenty of scoring responsibilities.
Ryan Pulock, NYI (Yahoo: 13%)
Pulock is definitely someone to watch as he’s only two games back from a lengthy absence. No offense yet, but he’s been reintegrated on the man-advantage and his ice time should keep increasing toward normal levels. Remember, Pulock is only a year removed from producing at least 30 points in three consecutive seasons while combining for 30 PPPs. And if you’re searching for supplementary stats, he’s more than serviceable for hits and blocks.
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Luke Schenn, VAN (Yahoo: 3%)
Schenn never lived up to the high expectations of a fifth overall pick and can’t be counted upon for offense, though there’s something he can do that he’s really, really good at. We’ve seen the likes of Cal Clutterbuck, Radko Gudas and Jani Hakanpaa make a name for themselves as hit specialists, and we now can add Schenn to that list. He’s dished out 124 across 30 outings, including a whopping 19 from the last two being partnered with Quinn Hughes. We’re not saying Schenn will magically start scoring alongside the star defender, but there’s a chance he’ll be on the ice when the Canucks put pucks in the net.
K’Andre Miller, NYR (Yahoo: 2%)
One could claim Miller is getting a boost because of Adam Fox‘s upper-body injury, yet the reigning Norris Trophy winner has only missed three games and Miller’s PP role already jumped in mid-January. Nothing yet in that department, though the goal, three assists, 17 shots, 12 hits, nine blocks and a plus-6 over the last eight looks solid. Miller’s points might dry up, but he’s reliable as an across-the-board contributor.
Goaltenders
Petr Mrazek, TOR (Yahoo: 44%)
Mrazek’s first season in Toronto started off terribly after missing significant time with a groin injury and then almost immediately entering COVID protocols. 2022 has been kinder to him with a 3-1 record along with a 2.11 GAA and .921 save percentage over four appearances. Jack Campbell has looked dominant throughout the campaign but has experienced a couple of recent hiccups, including being pulled on Monday and Mrazek coming in and impressing. That doesn’t mean Mrazek is going to unseat Campbell, though that should at least allow for more starts provided he can stay healthy.
Joonas Korpisalo, CLS (Yahoo: 10%)
Looking at the Blue Jackets’ awful GAA and Korpisalo’s 3.82/.887 line might have you wondering why he’s being included. Sometimes the goalie who plays the most is sufficient as a fantasy fill-in. And that’s been the case lately with Korpisalo as Elvis Merzlikins has produced — and you may want to look away — a 4.38 GAA and .884 save percentage from his last 15 games. That has left the Finn with consecutive wins and a decent replacement effort after Merzlikins let in seven at home versus Florida.
(Players to consider from past columns: Nazem Kadri, Tyler Toffoli, Joel Eriksson Ek, Tage Thompson, Lucas Raymond, Ryan Hartman, Ondrej Kase, Jesper Bratt, Lawson Crouse, Anthony Cirelli, Matthew Boldy, Ryan Johansen, Trevor Zegras, Nino Niederreiter, Ivan Barbashev, Mats Zuccarello, Anton Lundell, Kailer Yamamoto, Alex Tuch, Boone Jenner, William Karlsson, Troy Terry, Matt Duchene, Tanner Jeannot, Mikael Granlund, Sonny Milano, Jonathan Dahlen, Evan Bouchard, Jared Spurgeon, Moritz Seider, Shayne Gostisbehere, Damon Severson, Mark Giordano, Matt Grzelcyk, Alex Nedeljkovic, Matt Murray, Pavel Francouz, Ville Husso, Kaapo Kahkonen, James Reimer, Karel Vejmelka)