The waiver wire this week takes a look at some players who are hot, some who are getting a golden opportunity and a bunch of players widely available from the offensively hot Carolina Hurricanes.
Sven Andrighetto, Montreal Canadiens – 24% owned
Andrighetto was recalled from the AHL by Montreal on November 20th and since that time he has managed three goals on 12 shots in nine games. Andrighetto has begun seeing time on the top line with Alex Galchenyuk and Max Pacioretty and the opportunity lends its self to establishing fantasy value.
Curtis McElhinney, Columbus Blue Jackets – 20% owned
With the unfortunate news that Sergei Bobrovsky will miss up to the next three weeks, the door is wide open for McElhinney to string together a series of starts. McElhinney has played in seven games and is still seeking his first win on the season with a 0-4-1 record and a 2.77 GAA. The 32 year old has not played poorly and could use some run support from the struggling Blue Jackets. The team has recalled Joonas Korpisal as the backup from the AHL who has a 2.12 GAA and a .928 save percentage and he is a long shot to steal the starting job in the interim.
Carl Soderberg, Colorado Avalanche – 53% owned
The big free agent signing of the off season has been hot lately. He has points in seven of the last ten games with nine points and has 19 shots in that span as well. He is the centre on the third line with Blake Comeau and John Mitchell and the trio has found chemistry as of late and is providing consistent secondary scoring.
Lee Stempniak, New Jersey Devils – 59% owned
Don’t look now but the Devils have quietly become an offensively strong team. Stempniak is playing on the top line with Mike Cammalleri and Adam Henrique both at even strength and on the first power play unit. He is also riding a four game point streak where he has two goals and two assists in that time. The 32 year old is well known for his hot streaks and when he gets hot, he gets red hot! Don’t sleep on Stempniak as he is red hot with 22 points in 28 games this season.
Carolina Hurricanes: With ten goals scored in their last two games, the Carolina Hurricanes are fantasy relevant and there are plenty of players who are widely available, here are a few of interest.
Jeff Skinner – 51% owned
Albeit Skinner has only ten points in 28 games this season, however he has six points and 25 shots in his last ten games. Most notably of course is the fact he has remained healthy. The 23 year old is already in his sixth season and already has two 30 goal campaigns under his belt. Injuries derailed his career for sure, but he may have it back on the rails.
Elias Lindholm – 55% owned
Like Skinner, Lindholm has only nine points in 28 games this season, and seven of those points have come in the last ten. Lindholm has been playing most of the season on a line with Eric Staal and is seeing time on the first power play unit. The fifth overall pick from 2013 has struggled at times in his NHL career as young man on a struggling team. Despite his trial by fire he seems to be finding his groove recently and is worth adding if available in your league. He also has keeper value.
Andrej Nestrasil – 11% owned
If you purchased the McKeens Yearbook and read my contribution, The Late, Late Show, you may be in the 11% who own Nestrasil. As I pointed out Nestrasil found his offence in Carolina after being claimed off waivers from Detroit. Playing on a line with Joakim Nordstrom and Jordan Stall this season, he has four points in his last three games.