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Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Pickups: Matvei Michkov, Tristan Jarry among top adds
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- Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Pickups: Matvei Michkov, Tristan Jarry among top adds
Once upon a Wednesday evening
As I started slowly screening
Over many listings on RotoWire.com
While I logged off, nearly crying, suddenly there was notifying
Of a player alert from days of yore
But the fact is I was sleeping, and the thought came slowly creeping
Creeping through my office door
With procrastination proceeding and waiver ideas receding
That left me helpless as a kitten
I couldn't recall the player in question, while struggling with mild aggression
To figure out what should be written
"Who is this NHLer for whom I seek?"
"For my column is due at the end of the week!"
"Is it a competent forward, defender or goalie?"
"Spell out his name and please do it slowly!"
A silence fell upon the room, with feelings of impending doom
That shook me to the floor
But then a voice came calling, sounding something so appalling
Quoth the fantasy gods: "Trevor Moore"
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Happy Halloween!
(Rostered rates as of Oct. 30)
Forwards
Matvei Michkov, PHI (Yahoo: 51%):If you're looking for goals and the usual stars aren't available, Michkov is your man. As in seven over the last seven games — and nine overall — with four coming on Philly's top power play (and a fifth prior to this run). Only two assists so far, but that'll eventually grow, as Michkov combined for 68 the last two seasons. Get him while he's still hot.
Joel Farabee, CGY (Yahoo: 39%):The Flames had their four-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday after losing six of the first seven. And even when they were struggling during those first six defeats, Farabee still managed an assist in three. He leads the team in points (11), assists (eight) and PPPs (six) while logging an 18:50 average ice time, operating on all lead units. Throw in 29 shots and a shorthanded assist for good measure. There may be the stigma of adding players on weaker sides due to lower projected scoring and/or the plus-minus hit, yet Farabee should at least be able to provide an offensive boost.
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Gabriel Landeskog, COL (Yahoo: 35%):The three-year gap on Landeskog's résumé hasn't affected his output. Current placement doesn't have him next to Nathan MacKinnon or Martin Necas, though a regular gig with Brock Nelson is a fine consolation. Landeskog has excelled the last two weeks, posting four goals, two assists, two PPPs, nine shots, 15 hits and six blocks. And anywhere within the Avs' top-nine and either man-advantage will do for fantasy consumption.
Elias Lindholm, BOS (Yahoo: 26%):Lindholm has seemingly been playing forever (since 2013, to be more precise) and is still somehow only 31. His recent point hauls have landed in the high-40s on fewer minutes than in his peak period. Lindholm is set to obliterate those tallies as he's already at 11, including four on Boston's top PP. He may slot in as the third center, yet he leads the league with 160 faceoff wins, while his linemates are wunderkind James Hagens (5G, 5A) and the more-than-serviceable Casey Mittelstadt (4G, 4A).
Gabe Perreault, NYR (Yahoo: 23%):Perreault continued his upswing from the end of last season into the current one by notching six points — three of those PPAs — and 10 shots from the opening seven games. Even though he's only recorded a lone goal from the next seven, there's been 18 pucks on net to go with six blocks and five hits on 17:35 ice time per game. Perreault may not be on the Rangers' first power play, but he still works five-on-five alongside Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafreniere.
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Jake Neighbours, STL (Yahoo: 13%):Sometimes you just need a more under-the-radar, cross-category performer to lift up your fantasy squad. Neighbours isn't the most prolific contributor, though he's well-positioned and can supply enough stats. Wouldn't you want a forward who has registered four goals (first PPG on Thursday), three assists (all PPAs), 24 shots, 11 PIM and 44 hits? Yeah, me too. Wait, I already have him in the RotoWire Staff Keeper Hockey League. If only I started him.
Chandler Stephenson, SEA (Yahoo: 10%):The Kraken have already found the back of the net 50 times after finishing last season 28th in average goals. A few veterans are clicking, while the younger contingent has integrated fairly well. Among those in the former group is Stephenson, who tops the team with 11 points thanks to five PPPs and a busy workload. Upcoming matchups against the Hurricanes will be daunting, but there's also a pair versus Calgary (31st in GAA) and meetings with the three California clubs (26th, 27th and 29th, respectively). Seattle's offense is bound to slow down, yet it's currently on fire, and someone like Stephenson can immediately help.
Brett Howden, VGK (Yahoo: 8%):Howden has exceeded expectations in a bottom-six role, so it's probably not surprising he's doing the same on the second even-strength trio by way of five goals, three assists, 22 shots and 19 hits. The 22.7 shooting percentage looks inflated, though it's not far off from the last two years (18.4%, 18.2%). Even with minimal special-teams responsibilities, Howden is getting the job done. Just imagine what he could accomplish with some man-advantage minutes.
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Defensemen
Morgan Rielly, TOR (Yahoo: 44%):Darren Raddysh's summer arrival projected a dip in Rielly's production, yet it's the latter who has been the higher scorer so far this season. We're not saying that's going to continue all season, but it's notable that Rielly has delivered six assists from the last five games. And there's probably less pressure on him not having to quarterback the top power play while logging less than 20 minutes per game. As long as the Leafs keep racking up goals, Rielly remains a valuable fantasy commodity.
Sam Malinski, COL (Yahoo: 18%):Malinski broke out last season by posting 40 points and a plus-43. He didn't find the scoresheet during the first five outings this season — while being scratched once — though he has recorded five assists in the last seven alongside 10 shots, 14 blocks, eight hits and a plus-5. Malinski does enough on modest ice time (17:19 average) as part of a potent offense to warrant more coverage.
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Kaiden Guhle, MTL (Yahoo: 12%):Defensive blueliners seem to get lost, as poolies usually seek out higher scorers, but they could be key contributors in formats counting physical stats. Guhle has never exceeded 22 points in any year, yet averages two-plus hits and is usually paired with a decent scoring defenseman. He's currently on the second five-on-five duo while taking the lead on the penalty kill, and has registered two goals, two assists, 12 shots and 21 hits across nine contests with at least 22:22 of ice time from each of the last eight.
Jamie Drysdale, PHI (Yahoo: 5%):I think I've lost count of how many times I've been bitten by Drysdale in fantasy, whether it be due to significant injuries or prolonged slumps. He's been mainly healthy and growing in responsibility since joining the Flyers, and that translated to the scoresheet last season as he equaled a career-high of 32 points. While Drysdale has only chipped in a goal and two assists through the first 15 appearances, he's skating major minutes while partnered with Travis Sanheim at even-strength and operating on Philly's lead man-advantage, where he's already notched two PPAs. Be patient. The output should come.
Goaltenders
Philipp Grubauer, SEA (Yahoo: 35%):Joey Daccord came into the campaign slightly ahead on the Seattle goalie rankings, though he's fallen significantly behind by posting a 5.58 GAA and .845 save percentage over his last four outings while allowing no fewer than four goals three times. Grubauer hasn't been spectacular overall, but consistent enough, and has won four of his last five starts. Consider him the current No. 1 with favorable fantasy opportunities behind a solid attacking side.
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Tristan Jarry, EDM (Yahoo: 32%):The Oilers' goaltender situation has been dicey the last couple of years via mediocre results and personnel instability. And while the stats haven't necessarily improved, there's at least some continuity. Devon Levi came out and established himself as the top dog with a 6-1-0 record before getting hurt. Jarry managed two impressive early victories and just shut out the Flames on Wednesday. Anyone leading in net on the league's best offense shouldn't be available in more than two of every three Yahoo leagues.
