No Fantasy Hockey League is the same, so being savvy and strategical on the waiver wire can take many forms. Ultimately, there are players who are worth an addition to your team based on their talent and situation alone.
However, looking ahead at the NHL’s Schedule may yield further information to help you fully take advantage of the available options on your waiver wire.
Zigging where others zag is a fantasy strategy discussed and used in all fantasy sports and in a number of ways. The NHL’s Schedule often provides an excellent opportunity to increase your fantasy production if approached strategically.
Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Schedule Analysis
You cannot win if you do not play and taking a quick peek at the upcoming schedule can be extremely beneficial for fantasy hockey owners.
This week breaks down as follows:
Four Games: Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets
Two Games: Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning
Additionally, it is also important to consider which teams play on the nights where there are fewer scheduled games. Maximizing your lineup each night keeps the fantasy production on the scoreboard and not wasted on your bench when there are ten games on the docket. Finding favorable matchups on the nights with a light schedule and pouncing on available players in advance can further separate you from your opponents.
This week has an extremely balanced schedule with just Wednesday night having fewer than five games.
Wednesday’s Schedule: Montreal Canadiens at Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks at Detroit Red Wings, Phoenix Coyotes at Calgary Flames.
Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Adds: From Last Week
*All players are still available in fifty percent of Yahoo! Leagues of less.
LW/RW Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes: The Coyotes’ Captain should be owned in more leagues. He can contribute in all fantasy categories and has the dual winger eligibility.
RW Nathan Horton, Columbus Blue Jackets: Still widely available, Horton has a three game point streak and is finding his groove with the hard-working Blue Jackets.
RW Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues: He was held off the scoreboard this week, but with four games upcoming for the Blues next week, expect some production from the talented winger.
RW Ryan Callahan, New York Rangers: The Rangers’ Captain didn’t have a huge week, but his ability to chip in across all fantasy categories should have him on your radar.
Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Latest Adds:
*All players are available in fifty percent of Yahoo! Leagues of less.
C Tyler Bozak, Toronto Maple Leafs: He centers two high-end offensive players and is making the most of it with eleven points in his last nine games. Bozak can help your fantasy squad.
C David Legwand, Nashville Predators: A longtime fringe fantasy asset, Legwand has five points in his last two games and plays on the Predators top power play unit.
C Nick Bonino, Anaheim Ducks: It has been a long path to the NHL, but Bonino has carved out a role with the Ducks, which includes a big role on the number on power play unit. He already has thirty-five points.
C/LW Chris Kreider, New York Rangers: The stats speak for themselves, but Kreider also is playing prime offensive minutes with the Rangers and you have to like his grit and penalty minutes.
C/LW Alex Killorn, Tampa Bay Lightning: The sophomore is putting together an extremely productive year to date. Offensively, he is a little streaky, but spends time in the box and posts a plus rating.
C/RW Kyle Palmieri, Anaheim Ducks: Spent a night in the press box lately, but Palmieri can score and sometimes plays alongside Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry.
LW Scott Hartnell, Philadelphia Flyers: Somehow still available in exactly half of Yahoo! Leagues, Hartnell is one of the most balanced fantasy contributors in the NHL. He should be owned in next to all leagues.
RW Cam Atkinson, Columbus Blue Jackets: The undersized winger has five goals in his last five games and fits in well with the Blue Jackets, who have now won five straight.
D Radko Gudas, Tampa Bay Lightning: Rarely can you get offensive production and penalty minutes from a defenseman, which makes Gudas’ availability so surprising.
D Andrej Meszaros, Philadelphia Flyers: Nine of Meszaros’ twelve points have come in his last five games and if the veteran can get back to his former self, he could be a huge asset.
