Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire

McKeen's Hockey — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 21:51:45 +0000

It is reality check time. It is no longer early in the season as we approach the quarter point.

If your fantasy team is sucking due to a slow start I got bad news for you, your team just sucks.

The good news is there is still time to do something about it before you go into full on Connor McDavid/Jack Eichel mode. Trade for some sleeper value players and cut bait on those slow starters or injured players.

This week’s Waiver Wire article will help identify who to cut, and who to add.

Cut Bait Candidates.

Tyler Myers, Buffalo

After 18 games, the former Calder Trophy winner has just two points, no goals and is a minus -9. Since winning the Calder, Myers has been in decline and the team is historically bad right now. The risk in dumping Myers is if he is traded to a team like Detroit and suddenly catches fire. Given his contract, it would be difficult for him to be traded during the season and while he may hold some keeper value, if you can move him and find a more reliable option, do so.

Corey Conacher, New York Islanders

Conacher seemed like found money at the start of the season, playing on the top line with John Tavares. Since his early start he has cooled off considerably and now has a total of three points in 13 games. With Conacher being a healthy scratch now it is time to say good bye.

Cody Hodgson, Buffalo

Another Sabre makes this list, and while the whole team could be named Hodgson stands out among the forwards. With a cap hit of $4.25 million you need more than two points and a minus -10 in 18 games to be considered a fantasy option. Unless you need the cap hit to maintain a legal roster as you tank this season, Hodgson offers no value.

Steve Ott, St. Louis

Ott has bounced around on several lines in St. Louis this season but has failed to find any offense. With just two assists in 16 games and no signs of improving it is time to bail on Ott.

Ales Hemsky, Dallas

There was a lot of hype surrounding Hemsky leading into the season as he and Jason Spezza who were dynamite together in Ottawa were both acquired by Dallas in the off-season. Since then, Hemsky has been on a milk carton scoring a pitiful one assist and no goals in 16 games while posting a minus -7 with a $4 million cap hit. Hemsky is going to be a healthy scratch and really has no business being on your fantasy roster.

Players to add

Mike Hoffman, Ottawa 29% Fantrax Owned

Hoffman has scored well in lower levels and now has seven goals in 13 games for the Sens. While his goal total is impressive he only has one assist, but Hoffman seems to have found a full time NHL job on the “kid line” with Curtis Lazar and Michael Stone. While Hoffman was mentioned in a previous waiver wire post, he bears mention again since his value is high and he is widely available.

Peter Holland, Toronto 17% Owned

Holland might be looking at full time duty with the Leafs on a line with Mike Santorelli and Leo Komarov. The trio is seeing a regular shift suggesting they have the Coaches confidence. The line is reliable defensively, provides lots of energy and now Holland has eight points in 17 games. The Leafs may have given up too soon with Joe Colborne but are about to reap the rewards of being patient with Holland. Don’t sleep on this player if he is available in your league.

Ryan Garbutt 29% owned, Antoine Roussel 57% owned - Dallas

The duo of Roussel and Garbutt are a highly effective pair. While they have much higher value in leagues with greasy stat categories like hits, PIM’s and blocked shots, they even have good value in point’s only leagues that are deep enough. The best part about owning them is watching them play. They pass the eye test as they are impossible to not notice on the ice. They are a factor in almost every game and can be a factor on your fantasy roster as well.

Jimmy Hayes, Florida 14% Owned

Jimmy Hayes has been hot of late in Florida scoring three goals and three assists in his last six games and seeing an average of 13 minutes a game of ice time. While Florida is struggling for offense with players like Alex Barkov, and Jonathan Huberdeau not producing, Hayes has been carrying the mail and delivering fantasy stats.

Trevor van Riemsdyk, Chicago 10% Owned

TVR was a surprise player to make the roster, and while his offense has not arrived yet I assure you it is coming. He has won the confidence of management and Coaches and with the trade of Nick Leddy there is opportunity for TVR to see some power play minutes.

Fantasy Hockey Waiver Watch: Quarter Mark

McKeen's Hockey — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 04:38:49 +0000

The first quarter of the season is now over and by now you should have a pretty good idea if you will be competing for a championship in your fantasy league this year or not. Regardless if you are or not, it is always a good idea to keep an eye on the waiver wire for potential valuable players who may be available. If you are in contention, these players may be the difference maker giving you injury relief or increased depth. If you are not a contender, they give you some trade value to help improve your teams future in keeper leagues.

Nikolai Kulemin – Toronto Maple Leafs, Left Wing 28.4% Fantrax Owned

Kulemin missed the first 12 games of the season with an ankle injury. He had two points in his first two games but has only scored one in his next seven. Kulemin does provide a healthy amount of hits however with 23 giving him added value in some leagues and he is a former 30 goal scorer. Kulemin is worth a free pickup at this point.

Carl Soderberg – Boston Bruins, Left Wing 25% Owned

Soderberg is in his first full NHL season, but the 28 year old has been playing pro hockey in Europe for years. His season debut was delayed due to injury and he has been slow to produce offense out of the gate with eight points in his first 15 games. However he has been playing better lately and had a multi-point game NOV 18 against Carolina. He is playing on the Bruins third line with Reilly Smith and Chris Kelly averaging over 13 minutes a game. His modest cap hit makes Soderberg a low risk fantasy option with decent offensive upside. Perhaps his game winning goal and assist against Carolina is a hint of what to come.

Peter Holland – Toronto Maple Leafs, Centre 24.6% Owned

Recently acquired from the Anaheim Ducks for Jesse Blacker, Holland provides the Leafs with some depth down the middle and relief for injured centers Dave Bolland and Tyler Bozak. Holland was a first round pick by the Ducks (15^th overall in 2009). In 21 NHL games last season Holland produced five points and didn’t look out of place. More impressively, he scored 39 points in 45 AHL games. This is also a contract year for Holland so expect him to use this opportunity to place a bid for a one way NHL contract next year. He is a keeper.

Luke Adam – Buffalo Sabres, Centre 12.3% Owned

Adam had fallen out of favor under the old regime in Buffalo. But with a clean slate, Adam will be given the opportunity to work his way back into a top six role. He has an impressive 18 points in his first 15 games this season in the AHL and the size at6’2”, 206 LBS that new Coach Ted Nolan loves. Adam was recalled to Buffalo on Nov 20^th and will play on the second line with Steve Ott and Zemgus Girgensons.

Brian Gibbons – Pittsburgh Penguins, Centre 7.4% Owned

Gibbons is an undrafted College find of the Penguins who signed him after he had two 50 point seasons in Hockey East with Boston College. After two average 30 point seasons in the AHL, Gibbons has exploded with 22 points in 15 games this season, and made his NHL debut. All he did in his first game was score a goal and an assist, not bad. He is small at 5’8” 160 LBS but is very skilled and great hockey sense. He is certainly running hot right now and is well worth a gamble, ride out this hot streak and hope it lasts the whole season.

Peter Holland – McKeen's Hockey

Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire

Fantasy Hockey Waiver Watch: Quarter Mark