Waiver Wire: Hot or Not

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 03:28:05 +0000

Last week the waiver wire focused on players who were ridding hot streaks, and if you were quick to react you probably had a good week from guys like Kris Versteeg and even Ales Hemsky got on the board. While Versteeg looks like he will continue to perform, Hemsky (As I cautioned) probably will not.

This week I will look at players who are the unheralded stars this season; Players who are not super stars, but are having tremendous seasons. These players may be riding hot streaks, but have been steady producers for the first half and can offer good value throughout the balance of the season. Hot or not, these players are worthy of a waiver wire addition.

Matt Beleskey, Anaheim Ducks – 59% Fantrax Owned

Anaheim has tried several different options on the top line with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, from Dany Heatley to Rene Bourque. But for the past few games the job has gone to Beleskey who now has 14 points in 27 games but with a whopping 12 goals (12^th overall in NHL) He has proven to be a capable scorer on any line, but if he can stick on the top line look out!

Antti Raanta, Chicago Blackhawks – 55% Fantrax Owned

With the timing of the Hawks heating up, and Corey Crawford going down with an injury, now is the time to add Raanta to your roster. Earlier there was some question if perhaps John Darling could steal the backup role, but Raanta has performed well posting a 4-2-2 record with a 1.77 GAA and a .947 save%

Zemgus Girgensons, Buffalo Sabres – 55% Fantrax Owned

If you are in a roto league, this guys is a beast! In 25 games he has a nice point total of eight goals and six assists. But where it gets really impressive is he is a plus -6 on the Sabres and has a short-handed goal and 57 hits, 24 blocked shots and 161 faceoff wins. Bottom line is he produces in almost every category, has an affordable cap hit, his Coach loves him and he is now the number one centre on his team.

Blake Comeau, Pittsburgh Penguins – 55% Fantrax Owned

Comeau has turned into somewhat of a journeyman in the last few years but there have always been signs of potential with him. Perhaps he has finally found his home in Pittsburgh as he has 15 points in 23 games this season including five points in his last four games with a hat trick against the Leafs back on Nov 26^th. With a few recent injuries in Pittsburgh, Comeau finds himself on the second line with Evgeni Malkin so the immediate future looks even brighter.

Jhonas Enroth, Buffalo Sabres – 53% Fantrax Owned

While his overall stats are not overwhelming at 3.21 GAA and a .914 save% the Sabres have been red hot lately and Enroth is a big reason why. He has established himself as the incumbent in goal with his recent performance winning six of his last seven starts. Hot streak or not, Enroth is Buffalos number one goalie.

Mike Santorelli, Toronto Maple Leafs – 27% Fantrax Owned

Santorelli is red hot right now riding a five game point streak in which he has a goal and eight assists over that span. His role with the Leafs continues to grow as he has the Coach’s confidence and he is seeing time with the like of Nazem Kadri and Joffrey Lupul on the second line. Santorelli may be producing at such a high rate at the moment that he will not be able to maintain, but his entire season has been productive as he has 18 points in 25 games now. Even after he cools off he should still have fantasy value in most leagues.

Fantasy Hockey Waiver Watch

McKeen's Hockey — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 03:40:12 +0000

The NHL season is closing in on the ten game mark and the injuries are starting to pile up. Max Pacioretty, Rick Nash, James Neal and Dan Boyle are just a few of the players currently injured. Chances are you have one or two players injured or even just under performing or demoted to the minors. Here are five players you should consider if they are available in your league.

1. Mathieu Perreault – Anaheim Ducks, Centre 37.5% Owned

Perreault was traded in late September from Washington to Anaheim for John Mitchell and a 2014 fourth round pick. While in Washington, he was a third liner and even a healthy scratch at times. In Anaheim, he is the second line centre between Teemu Selanne and Jakob Silfverberg. In six games this season he has two goals, three assists, is a plus-3 with 11 shots on goal. He is also a reasonably cheap player with a cap just over one million. Prior to the start of the season, he was only 8% owned, don’t hesitate to pick him up if he is still available as his position on the second line looks secure.

2. Andre Benoit – Colorado Avalanche, Defense 26.6% Owned

Benoit had his first real taste on NHL action playing as a regular for Ottawa last season. He played 33 games of the short 48 game schedule and quietly produced an impressive three goals and seven assists. Signed as a free agent in the offseason in Colorado he is now a top four defender. It is unlikely he will lose that spot once the injured Ryan Wilson returns. In seven games in Colorado, Benoit has three assists, is a plus -5, nine shots on goal and is averaging 18:34 minutes a game and 2:38 minutes on the powerplay. The Avalanche are off to a hot start, so Benoit will not be a secret for long.

3. Mike Santorelli – Vancouver Canucks, Right Wing 25.9% Owned

Santorelli has been a journeyman playing on four teams in four NHL seasons with a career year to date coming back in 2010-2011 with Florida when he scored 20 goals and 41 points in 82 games. He is off to a hot start with four goals and two assists in eight games and has even been playing with the Sedin twins. With the injury to Alex Burrows, it is conceivable that Santorelli continues to ride shotgun with the twins. If so, expect his fantasy production to continue. With a cap hit of $550K what have you got to lose?

4. Tye McGinn – Philadelphia Flyers, Left Wing 17.1% Owned

McGinn debuted last year with Philly scoring five points in his first 11 games. Unfortunately he finished with five points in 18 games. He started the season in the AHL but has been recalled and played in three games so far. He is off to another hot start with three goals, seven shots and five hits. His cap hit is a very comfortable $775K and so far has been playing with Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek since the Coaching change to Craig Berube. McGinn could be a steal!

5. Rob Klinkhammer – Phoenix Coyotes, Left Wing 11.9% Owned

A late blooming power forward, Klinkhammer is a big 6’3” and 214 pound winger with three goals and one assist in seven games. Klinkhammer has seen his point totals in the AHL rise steadily in the last three years up to 44 points in 53 games last year. He is playing on a line with Shane Doan and Antoine Vermette, so if he can hold that roster spot, he may continue to produce points. At $625K, it is a small risk to take.

Mike Santorelli – McKeen's Hockey

Waiver Wire: Hot or Not

Fantasy Hockey Waiver Watch