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.

Tye McGinn – McKeen's Hockey

Fantasy Hockey Waiver Watch