Fantasy hockey: Waiver pickups to target this week

Working the waiver wire is a crucial part of any championship fantasy hockey season. Finding players to work into your lineup every single week who can add points to your total is the No. 1 way you can control the outcome of your matchup. In this article every week, I’ll be going over players at every position and at different levels of rostership so that you can fill out your fantasy squad with the best players available in your league. Let’s dig in:

Forwards

Rostered in 41-50% of leagues: Nicholas Paul, C/LW, TBL (44% rostered)

Nick Paul has forced himself onto the fantasy hockey consciousness with nine points in his last nine games. Most of Paul’s success of late has come via centring Steven Stamkos, and the connection seems to be legitimate. Paul is averaging over 18 minutes a night during this stretch, clearly winning the confidence of coach Jon Cooper in all situations. Paul also contributes to the hits and blocks categories even when he’s not scoring, making him all the more valuable in leagues that count those statistics. Tampa doesn’t have an A-plus schedule this week but this might be last call on Paul if you’re looking for something a bit more long-term.

Honorable Mentions: Andrei Kuzmenko, LW, VAN (44%) & Boone Jenner, C, CBJ (45%)

Rostered in 31-40% of leagues: Andrew Mangiapane, LW/RW, CGY (33% rostered)

Mangiapane is a strong candidate for a one-week stream this week, rocking a four game, four "off-night" schedule that all but guarantees he’ll be in your starting lineup every night he plays. An "off-night" is when less than half of the league is playing. Mangiapane has been a little feast-or-famine of late, with all four of his points in the last five games coming across just two of those contests. But the ice time has consistently been up in the 17-18 minute range and the advanced metrics look very solid for Mangiapane. It helps that linemate Nazem Kadri is suddenly on a bit of a streak himself with six points in his last five games. I’m firing Mangiapane up with confidence to take advantage of that sweet schedule.

Honorable Mentions: Viktor Arvidsson, LW/RW, LAK (33%) & Seth Jarvis, LW/RW, CAR (31%)

Rostered in 21-30% of leagues: Max Domi, C/LW/RW, CHI (26% rostered)

Domi has a couple of big positives in his favor currently: he plays four games with two off-nights this week, and he sports the coveted C/LW/RW tri-eligibility that makes him so easy to slot into your lineup every night. Domi also sees a consistent 18-plus minutes a night that at least gives him the opportunity to rack up some points. While Domi is not currently playing on a line with Patrick Kane, he is still a big part of the top power-play unit and will continue to garner his fair share of points on the man advantage. All told, if you’re looking for a streamer with a good situation and good schedule this week, Domi fits that bill to a tee.

Honorable Mentions: Anthony Cirelli, C/LW, TBL (24%) & Jason Zucker, LW, PIT (25%)

Rostered in 0-20% of leagues: Marcus Foligno, LW/RW, MIN (16% rostered)

Foligno largely exists on this planet to hit people in hockey games. The Wild winger ranks in the top-25 in hits this season, but unlike most of the other players high on that list he also exhibits offensive upside, averaging 20-plus goal paces in each of the past two seasons. Minnesota has a perfect four game, four off-night schedule this week and covering your hits category with a player who also has very solid points upside is a terrific way to get an edge on your opponent. Foligno is a very solid option in any deeper league, and in bangers categories leagues he should be one of the hottest pickups of the week.

Honorable Mentions: Dawson Mercer, C/RW, NJD (16%) & Shane Pinto, C, OTT (9%)

Defensemen

Rostered in 26-50% of leagues: Rasmus Sandin, TOR (28% rostered)

Sandin is a must-roster currently. The shots on goal may not always impress, but Sandin is quarterbacking the top power play for the red-hot Maple Leafs and has notched three points in his last three games. Sandin is averaging over 20 minutes per game and is an underrated source of hits and blocks to boot. Incumbent PP1 defenseman Morgan Rielly is not expected to return to the Leafs’ lineup for a number of weeks so it’s hard to see a scenario where Sandin is not a solid addition to your lineup for the next 2-3 weeks at least. For at least that period of time, Sandin should be rostered in nearly every league.

Honorable Mentions: Shayne Gostisbehere, ARI (50%) & Jake Sanderson, OTT (38%)

Rostered in 0-25% of leagues: Matt Dumba, MIN (21% rostered)

I will be honest with you: it’s difficult to find good options on defense this far down the list these days. But with Minnesota’s upcoming perfect schedule and Dumba’s role as a minute-muncher on that team, there are few options I’d consider over him as a streamer for the week. Dumba may not provide top end statistics in any one category but he contributes across the board and sometimes that’s all you need in a streaming option. One other important consideration in favor of Dumba and the other Minnesota streaming options: their opponents this week are Edmonton, Detroit, Chicago and Ottawa. I expect the Wild to score more than their fair share of goals against that group of teams and that should raise the floor for Dumba and any other Wild players you choose to pick up.

Honorable Mentions: Cam Fowler, ANA (17%) & Brady Skjei, CAR (17%)

Goalies

Rostered in 26-50% of leagues: Pyotr Kochetkov, CAR (47% rostered)

Yes, I’m aware Frederik Andersen has been back at practice and his return may be imminent. But Kochetkov just pitched another shutout on Saturday and now sports a .918 save percentage on the year. The rookie goaltender was leaned on heavily while Andersen was out and has even signed a four-year, $8-million deal in the middle of this latest run. He’s clearly a part of the Hurricanes’ long-term plans and I think there’s a real possibility he’s at least a 1B in Carolina if the Hurricanes hesitate to make Andersen a workhorse once again after dealing with injuries in both of his first two seasons in a Carolina uniform. Carolina is a terrific team defensively and any shot at a goaltender receiving a solid amount of work there needs to be taken seriously.

Honorable Mentions: Karel Vejmelka, ARI (50%) & Daniel Vladar, CGY (36%)

Rostered in 0-25% of leagues: Pheonix Copley, LAK (7% rostered)

It’s a dart throw, for sure. But Pheonix Copley has arrived on the scene in Los Angeles and delivered two straight games of two goals against. That’s a mark that incumbent Jonathan Quick has only matched or exceeded twice so far this season across his 18 games. Quick has been particularly bad of late, allowing three or more goals in six straight games and five or more in three of those six. For a team like the Kings who currently sit third in the Pacific Division with the most goals scored of any Western Conference team (but the second-most goals allowed), they simply cannot afford to continue running out goaltenders that are not performing well. If Copley can provide even a slightly below-average level of play for the rest of the season the Kings would probably be ecstatic. Give Copley a look if you’re hunting for a goalie on the waiver wire this week.

Honorable Mentions: Philipp Grubauer, SEA (18%) & Elvis Merzlikins, CBJ (25%)

Nate Groot Nibbelink is the creator of Apples & Ginos Fantasy Hockey and the originator of the #ZeroG draft strategy. You can find him pontificating about obscure fantasy hockey strategy topics in the Apples & Ginos Discord Server or on Twitter @applesginos.

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