NHL Trade Deadline – The Fantasy Sports Coach

Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire – NHL Trade Deadline Week 22

I figured it’s a safe time to write this Trade Deadline article before the actual day wraps up because in all honesty, the Trade Deadline “day” is almost useless now. With a bunch of fantasy relevant names already on the move, I’ll list some of the biggest names you should be on as well as other players you should just pick up and drop. Also, watch for me on Twitter (@BESTofMATT) to break down the fantasy relevance of trades that happen to break throughout the day

Must Add

Teddy Purcell – RW – Florida Panthers
7% Owned
OPP: WPG/COL/ARI

This is risky, but risks win weekly matchups. Purcell is going to get every opportunity to keep being a top six forward in Florida and some strange part of me thinks he’s going to flourish. There’s two things that are going to push Purcell. First – he’s finally on a contender. Secondly – but most importantly; he’s on his contract year. Purcell is a high risk, high reward add this week and I’m in.

Zack Kassian – RW – Edmonton Oilers
1% Owned
OPP: BUF/PHI/CBJ/WPG

I can already hear it. “Why Zack Kassian?” It’s simple, with Teddy Purcell gone someone has to play on the second line. He hits and he’s starting to find the score sheet. Kassian has simply been impressing and now he’ll have an even bigger chance to impress playing alongside Leon Draisaitl and Taylor Hall.

Ryan Callahan – RW – Tampa Bay Lightning
33% Owned
OPP: ARI/NJD/BOS

Ryan Callahan is very much a second half player and he’s delivering on that premise. With five points in the last three games, Callahan has looked excellent on the ice. He’s stapled himself on the first line and the first powerplay unit. At 33% owned, if he’s still there – grab him quickly.

Dmitry Orlov – D – Washington Capitals
9% Owned
OPP: ARI/MTL/MIN/CHI

Dmitry Orlov has now scored more goals than his last three seasons combined. The rise of Orlov (sounds like a movie title, I should probably trademark it) has been paying dividends for owners who have stuck with him. With John Carlson out for 2-3 weeks, Orlov will get a bigger opportunity to shine in Washington. He has hits in five straight games, goals in two straight and a huge jump in playing time, scoop up Orlov before it’s too late.

William Nylander – C/RW – Toronto Maple Leafs
13% Owned
OPP: TBL/WSH/MIN/OTT

William Nylander represents the future of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The young Swede racked up 45 points in 37 games with the AHL’s Marlies and is going to get a big shot up with the Leafs. Already put on the second powerplay unit, Nylander is also slotted to be on the second line with Zach Hyman and Michael Grabner. His dual eligibility between C and RW offers you a fantastic flex opportunity as he’ll be mainly centering and racking up the faceoff wins.

Drops

Lee Stempniak – LW/RW- New Jersey Devils (Even if he gets traded, drop him)
44% Owned
OPP: NYR/CBJ/TBL

Lee Stempniak was only producing because nobody else in New Jersey is a threat to be a bigger offensive threat than Stempniak. He’s slumping there and will be a bottom six forward if/when he gets traded. He won’t get near enough time on ice with a new team and even if he sticks around with the Devils, like I said – he’s slumping.

James Reimer – G – San Jose Sharks
33% Owned
OPP: STL/COL/BUF/VAN

James Reimer had it good in Toronto when it came to getting starts. In San Jose he’ll take the backseat to Martin Jones and get some spot starts here or there (which makes him a great DFS play when the time comes). As of now, the Sharks are unsure as to when he’ll even join the team due to possible visa issues. It’s safe to cut ties with the former Leaf.

As the trades trickle in throughout the deadline – follow me on Twitter (@BESTofMATT) for all the latest fantasy hockey analysis.

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions regarding NHL Fantasy or DFS, feel free to tweet me!

Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Week 21

With the trade deadline quickly approaching on Monday, February 29th, now is the time to lock in some players who may see a rise in production due to trades surrounding them or being traded themselves. Below, I’ll outline who these players are as well as providing you with some other adds and drops for the fantasy hockey waiver wire week 21.

Must Add

Rickard Rakell – C – Anaheim Ducks
13% Owned
OPP: CAL/EDM/VAN/CAL

Rickard Rakell has been thriving playing with Corey Perry. Rakell has already shattered his career highs in every category. At the time of writing this – in 16 less games played compared to last year, Rakell has 30 more shots and his shooting percentage is up to 11.1% from 8.6% last year. In his last five games Rakell has only played less than 17 minutes just once. The Ducks are high on Rakell and you should be too in your fantasy leagues.

Jordan Staal – C/LW – Carolina Hurricanes
32% Owned
OPP: WPG/OTT/SJS/TBL

Jordan Staal is a perfect example of someone whose production will sky rocket due to a trade. If his brother Eric is traded (And he doesn’t seem to care if he does or not) Jordan will almost certainly jump to the first line in Carolina. Already the points leader for the Hurricanes, a bump to the top line with more minutes would almost guarantee that he finishes the season the leading point getter in Carolina. A plus player with a 14.30% shooting percentage to go along with 100+ hits, Staal is a perfect fantasy stat stuffing machine.

Jason Pominville – RW – Minnesota Wild
16% Owned
OPP: VAN/CAL/EDM/CHI

Jason Pominville is literally at the hands of the Minnesota Wild in the best ways possible. Pominville and the Wild are hot right now (Pominville – three goals over his last three games. Minnesota – winners of four straight) and they have to decide if they want to be buyers or sellers at the deadline. If they’re buyers – they’ll almost certainly get a complimentary player to help Pominville keep putting the puck in the net, but if they’re sellers – Pominville is definitely a big trading chip.

Michael Stone – D – Arizona Coyotes
16% Owned
OPP: MTL/DAL/STL

Mostly known as a shot blocker, Michael Stone has really been chipping in offensively as of late. With six points in his last five games, his trade value has never been higher. With the Coyotes five points out of a wildcard spot, it’s looking more and more like they’ll be sellers at the deadline. Stone is a perfect fit on a contending team looking for blocked shots with a bit of an offensive upside.

Drops

Mark Streit – D – Philadelphia Flyers
42% Owned
OPP: NJD/MTL/TOR

With Shayne Gostisbehere as the go-to guy in Philadelphia, Mark Streit is basically fantasy irrelevant. He might be on the second powerplay unit, but it’s with nobody special (Sam Gagner is the biggest name on the unit). If he’s not scoring – he’s not helping you out fantasy wise.

Lee Stempniak – LW/RW – New Jersey
48% Owned
OPP: PHI/NYI/WSH

Lee Stempniak was good for providing some offence with Mike Cammalleri out of the lineup but at the end of the day, Stempniak can’t be relied on for a long period of time to do so. He’s cooled off considerably with no goals in his last nine games with only two assists across that span as well.

Thanks for reading! If you have any NHL DFS or season long questions, feel free to contact me via Twitter @BESTofMATT