Week 9 NHL Risers and Fallers for Fantasy Hockey

December 6, 2014

Joe Hannon recaps some NHL forwards, defensemen and goalies rising and falling in early December. These players might be fantasy hockey waiver wire pickups or potential sleepers for your fantasy hockey teams.

Hey RotoBallers. Here is week 9, early December rundown of NHL forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders whose fantasy hockey values have been rising and falling over the past week of action.

The rising players can be considered fantasy hockey sleepers or waiver wire pickups, depending on your league size and format. If you are still holding on to any of the skaters that are trending downward, it might be time to look elsewhere for production.
 

NHL Players Rising After Week 8 of Fantasy Hockey

Stephen Weiss (F, DET) - 12% Owned

A sports hernia sidelined Stephen Weiss for most of this season, but the veteran winger has now returned to the Red Wings lineup in spectacular fashion. Weiss has posted six points in five games since returning, including two goals in his first game action. His ice time has been fairly low since rejoining the team, but his playing time should increase if his scoring pace continues.  Keep an eye on him over the next week of action to see how things play out.

Brayden McNabb (D, LA) - 3% Owned

Though his time on ice is sitting at just 16:40, Brayden McNabb has been averaging 20:34 minutes per game over his last nine contests. McNabb has also contributed six assists over his last seven games. Brayden isn't afraid to mix things up either, racking up 31 penalty minutes in 25 games. The absence of Slava Voynov has substantially increased McNabb's value going forward.

Karri Ramo (G, CGY) - 20% Owned

The Flames have won three straight games with Karri Ramo in net, including two shutouts. Ramo has won five straight starts overall and is starting to see an increase in playing time. Jonas Hiller hasn't been terrible, but Ramo will continue to get the starts as long as the Flames are winning. Karri has 7 W, .921 SV % and a 2.25 GAA in 11 games played.
 

NHL Players Rising After Week 8 of Fantasy Hockey

Scott Hartnell (F, CLS) - 79% Owned

The Blue Jackets are having a tough start to the year and Scott Hartnell is strugging along with them. In his first year in Columbus, Scott is sporting a -12 rating in 24 games. He has been held without a point in 10 straight games. The lack of support around him is making it hard for Hartnell to contribute offensively. Fantasy owners should look elsewhere for scoring.

Torey Krug (D, BOS) - 71% Owned

The Bruins have had all types of problems with defensemen this year. Torey Krug missed time with a broken finger and hasn't been able to produce much since rejoining the team. He has just one point in his last 11 games. To make matters worse, Krug is barely averaging over 20:00 minutes of ice time per game. There are plenty of other defensemen scoring points and skating heavier minutes.

Jonas Hiller (G, CGY) - 64% Owned

The Flames have been winning games lately. The problem for fantasy owners is that Karri Ramo has been the man in net, not Jonas Hiller. Hiller started out the season on fire, but has struggled over the past few weeks. He has allowed at least three goals in five straight starts. Fantasy owners may want to grab Ramo off the waiver wire, as Hiller will probably be on the bench for the near future.