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Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Adds and Drops

This week the waiver wire looks at some players who you may want to look at dropping. The season is no longer new and it may be time to cut bait on some dead weight. And of course, some players you can add to fill those empty roster spots.

Drops

Dan Boyle, New York Rangers – Defence

Father time has caught up to Boyle. The 39 year old veteran has only four assists this season in 16 games played. He is seeing limited power play minutes and with just four points is offering little in terms of fantasy value.

Antoine Vermette, Arizona Coyotes – Centre

While the Coyotes have had a surprising start and players like Max Domi and Martin Hanzal have been somewhat surprising, Vermette has been invisible. In 14 games, he has yet to score and has only three assists, despite playing mainly on a line with Domi and Mikkel Boedker.

Nick Shore, Los Angeles Kings – Centre

After a strong season in the AHL scoring 42 points in 34 games and then being called up to replace Mike Richards last season, several predicted (or hoped) that Shore would be a sleeper pick. With only two goals in 21 games this season, Shore has not provided any fantasy value on the Kings fourth line. If you are still sitting on Shore on your roster, it’s time to cut bait.

Michael Grabner, Toronto Maple Leafs – Right Wing

The Leafs gave up several fringe prospects to acquire Grabner. The trade was more of a purge than an acquisition and Grabner has done little to rewards the Leafs, or fantasy owners. In his 20 games he has failed to score and has only two assists.

Chris Kunitz, Pittsburgh Penguins – Left Wing

Being Sidney Crosby’s wing man served Kunitz pretty well. He won an Olympic Gold Medal and signed a nice contract. But the well has run dry, Crosby is struggling himself and Kunitz has only three points in 20 games this season. He is no longer fantasy relevant.

NHL: NOV 21 Sharks at PenguinsAdds

Joel Ward, San Jose Sharks – Right Wing 65% owned

The Sharks are on a roll and Ward is heating up with three points in the last two games. Ward is skating on a line with Patrick Marleau and Tomas Hertl and has17 points in 21 games. Ward is also seeing time on the power play and has three PP points this season. Ward is also a reliable source of peripheral stats such as hits and blocks.

Tomas Fleischmann, Montreal Canadiens – Left Wing 47% owned

The Flash has been hot lately with four points in the last four games, including three goals. Despite not playing on a top six line, he has 15 points this season in 22 games. The 31 year old winger has found a niche in Montreal and has fantasy relevance again.

Shane Gostisbehere, Philadelphia Flyers – Defence 43% owned

Gostisbehere had eight points in 13 games in the AHL before being called up to replace the injured Mark Streit in Philadelphia. Since being recalled, he has two points in five games with the Flyers. The undersized defender is under the radar perhaps because last season was lost to injury, but he is an offensively gifted player who has the ability to make a fantasy impact now that he has an opportunity.

Chris Wideman, Ottawa Senators – Defence 19% owned

Wideman spent some time in the press box to start the season, but the Sens refused to subject him to waivers as the diminutive defender has significant offensive upside. Now with injuries to Patrick Wiercioch and Chris Phillips Wideman has been a regular in the Sens lineup. Last season’s AHL defenceman of the year winner may be small, but there is a role in today’s NHL for smaller players who can shoot and score like Wideman.

 

All ownership numbers based on Fantrax leagues

All line combinations are from Frozen pools via Dobber Hockey