Fantasy Hockey Free Agent Pick Ups – The Fantasy Sports Coach

Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Week 20

With the NHL Trade Deadline fast approaching, it’s usually around this time players are being auditioned in hopes to raise their value. Other players are seeing their production rise because of new (or old, depending on how you look at it) line-mates & a D-man wearing blue and white is providing most of the offence for the 30th place team in the league. Below I’ll discuss some important names for the fantasy hockey waiver wire for week 20.

Must Add

Benoit Pouliot – LW – Edmonton Oilers
21% Owned
OPP: ANA/MIN/COL

Nobody is safe in Edmonton. Nobody. Well, unless your name is Connor McDavid. If that’s not your name – you’re more than likely on the trading block. Pouliot has been hot as of late. Five points in his last three games is nothing to ignore. He’s on the top line with McDavid and Eberle and should reap the benefits.

Blake Comeau – LW – Colorado Avalanche
7% Owned
OPP: MTL/EDM/VAN

Blake Comeau is getting the perfect opportunity in Colorado to showcase his skills. Whether GM Joe Sakic intends to move the 29 year old is yet to be seen. For now – Comeau is lighting it up on the first line and first powerplay unit. 11 shots on goal over his last three games to go along with three points is perfect fantasy value. Slide Comeau into your roster now.

Jori Lehtera – C – St. Louis Blues
10% Owned
OPP: DAL/L.A./ARI

The STL (Schwartz/Tarasenko/Lehtera) line is re-uniting in St. Louis. Lehtera found most of his success last year playing with Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz. Lehtera has been underwhelming this year but that’s mostly because of Schwartz’s asbence in the lineup. With Schwartz back – Lehtera’s fantasy value should see a boost.

Jake Gardiner – D – Toronto Maple Leafs
4% Owned
OPP: CHI/NYR/PHI

The Leafs don’t have much offence. At all. Their first line consists of Michael Grabner, Leo Komarov and Peter Holland. Since there’s not much offence up front, Toronto is going to rely heavily on their mobile D-men. Jake Gardiner has been hot as of late. Four points in his last three games including a pair of goals is supreme production for a blue liner. He’s paired with the rugged Roman Polak so Gardiner has a bit more freedom to play his offensive minded game. The Leafs might not be relevant right now but Jake Gardiner is.

Drops

Mike Condon/Ben Scrivens – G – Montreal Canadiens
29/20% Owned
OPP: ARI/COL/PHI

Montreal is a tire fire. Early on in the year Condon gave Price owners a solid short-term replacement between the pipes. Condon has never played more than 48 games at any professional level before and just doesn’t have the endurance to be a long-term replacement for Montreal. Ben Scrivens is a backup goaltender who is streaky at best. Unfortunately his hot streak came to an end. You’re safe to drop either of these Montreal goaltenders

Tyler Myers – D – Winnipeg Jets
29% Owned
OPP: CAR/TBL/FLA

This is just a friendly reminder to drop Tyler Myers if you have him on your roster. He’s 6’8” and has three hits in his last seven games. To make matters worse – he has no points in those seven games. The 2009-2010 Calder Trophy winner has certainly fallen from grace.

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions or comments regarding NHL Fantasy or NHL DFS, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @BESTofMATT

Fantasy Hockey – Mike Condon and Other Week 8 Transaction Trends

The Montreal Canadiens were dealt a big blow when they announced that Carey Price would be out for a minimum of six weeks. Chances are, if you’re a Price owner – your fantasy team is looking a little troublesome between the pipes. If you missed out on the Mike Condon train in fantasy hockey week 8 transaction trends, there are other goal tending options you can pick up.

Mike Condon – G – Montreal Canadiens
65% Owned

Let’s start with the man of the hour. Condon has filled in admirably for the all-star, Price. He’s 10-2-0 with a 2.06 GAA to go along with a .934 SV% as CP31’s replacement. Price is slated to miss the next 18 games (Estimated return Jan 14 vs Chicago) and those games are against some tough company. 15 of the next 18 games are against teams above .500 (Including two against Boston and two against the Capitals). Condon has shown that he’s more than capable to fill-in while Price is out but if he falters at all – the door is wide open for Zachary Fucale. If you have an empty roster spot – it might be a good idea to handcuff Condon with Fucale (1% owned).

Thomas Greiss – G – New York Islanders
20% Owned

Greiss and his counter-part Jaroslav Halak are fighting for first-string status. They have very similar stats (Halak: 2.02 GAA, .921 SV% | Greiss: 2.30 GAA, .925 SV%) and it seems like head coach Jack Capuano is not opposed to riding the hot hand. This week? It’s Thomas Greiss. The 29 year old has won his last two starts and looks to be the go-to guy for now. The Islanders have three games left this week so Greiss could bring you some short term value or a handcuff if you’re a Halak owner.

John Gibson – G – Anaheim Ducks
18% Owned

John Gibson just might be the best goaltender in the Ducks organization. He only has a four game sample size this year (2W, 1.82 GAA, .936 SV%, 1 SO) but he’s been pretty damn good. Frederik Andersen has been very average on the season but horrible over his last three games (.817 SV%). If Gibson and the Ducks keep rolling there’s no guarantee that Andersen gets his job back. If Gibson is available in your league – pick him up.

Leo Komarov – C/LW – Toronto Maple Leafs
16% Owned

Leo Komarov used to be an add strictly used if you were desperate for hits. He’s doing that (2nd among eligible forwards with 114 hits) and more. With 10 goals on the season, he’s already eclipsed his previous career best of 8 NHL goals. Komarov has found a home on the top line with Nazem Kadri and James van Riemsdyk while manning the middle on the top power play unit. Leo is on a hot streak (4G last 3GP) and the Leafs have three games left this week. Strike while the iron’s hot.

Frans Nielsen – C – New York Islanders
34% Owned

At age 31, Frans Nielsen is having the most productive season of his career. He’s shooting the puck way more (69 SOG) and it’s leading to points. Nielsen is currently on pace for 61 points which would be a new career high. He can thank life on the top power play unit with John Tavares for that.

Michael Stone – D – Arizona Coyotes
9% Owned

More ice time = more production in most cases. Michael Stone is no exception. Playing 22+ minutes per game over his last three contests – Stone has produced. One goal and two assists while firing seven shots on goal provides not only season long value but great DFS value. He’s paired up with Arizonas best player in Oliver Ekman-Larsson while seeing time on the second power play unit. Arizona has three more games this week including matchups against Buffalo and Carolina. Value. Value. Value.

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions regarding season long leagues or DFS, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter (@BESTofMATT)

* All percentage owned and position eligibility based on Yahoo!