With the NHL Trade Deadline fast approaching, it’s usually around this time players are being auditioned in hopes to raise their value. Other players are seeing their production rise because of new (or old, depending on how you look at it) line-mates & a D-man wearing blue and white is providing most of the offence for the 30th place team in the league. Below I’ll discuss some important names for the fantasy hockey waiver wire for week 20.
Must Add
Benoit Pouliot – LW – Edmonton Oilers
21% Owned
OPP: ANA/MIN/COL
Nobody is safe in Edmonton. Nobody. Well, unless your name is Connor McDavid. If that’s not your name – you’re more than likely on the trading block. Pouliot has been hot as of late. Five points in his last three games is nothing to ignore. He’s on the top line with McDavid and Eberle and should reap the benefits.
Blake Comeau – LW – Colorado Avalanche
7% Owned
OPP: MTL/EDM/VAN
Blake Comeau is getting the perfect opportunity in Colorado to showcase his skills. Whether GM Joe Sakic intends to move the 29 year old is yet to be seen. For now – Comeau is lighting it up on the first line and first powerplay unit. 11 shots on goal over his last three games to go along with three points is perfect fantasy value. Slide Comeau into your roster now.
Jori Lehtera – C – St. Louis Blues
10% Owned
OPP: DAL/L.A./ARI
The STL (Schwartz/Tarasenko/Lehtera) line is re-uniting in St. Louis. Lehtera found most of his success last year playing with Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz. Lehtera has been underwhelming this year but that’s mostly because of Schwartz’s asbence in the lineup. With Schwartz back – Lehtera’s fantasy value should see a boost.
Jake Gardiner – D – Toronto Maple Leafs
4% Owned
OPP: CHI/NYR/PHI
The Leafs don’t have much offence. At all. Their first line consists of Michael Grabner, Leo Komarov and Peter Holland. Since there’s not much offence up front, Toronto is going to rely heavily on their mobile D-men. Jake Gardiner has been hot as of late. Four points in his last three games including a pair of goals is supreme production for a blue liner. He’s paired with the rugged Roman Polak so Gardiner has a bit more freedom to play his offensive minded game. The Leafs might not be relevant right now but Jake Gardiner is.
Drops
Mike Condon/Ben Scrivens – G – Montreal Canadiens
29/20% Owned
OPP: ARI/COL/PHI
Montreal is a tire fire. Early on in the year Condon gave Price owners a solid short-term replacement between the pipes. Condon has never played more than 48 games at any professional level before and just doesn’t have the endurance to be a long-term replacement for Montreal. Ben Scrivens is a backup goaltender who is streaky at best. Unfortunately his hot streak came to an end. You’re safe to drop either of these Montreal goaltenders
Tyler Myers – D – Winnipeg Jets
29% Owned
OPP: CAR/TBL/FLA
This is just a friendly reminder to drop Tyler Myers if you have him on your roster. He’s 6’8” and has three hits in his last seven games. To make matters worse – he has no points in those seven games. The 2009-2010 Calder Trophy winner has certainly fallen from grace.
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions or comments regarding NHL Fantasy or NHL DFS, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @BESTofMATT
