RADIO
The waiver wire is a resource that separates the great fantasy managers from the bad. Someone that can track trends, investigate injuries, and sniff out stashes has a massive advantage over the less-intuitive managers in their league. In this piece, I'll be going over some widely-available players that can help lead your team to fantasy glory.
Jason Pominville - RW - Buffalo Sabres
33% owned on Yahoo, 12.5% owned on ESPN.
Somebody tell Pominville that it isn't 2007-08. Yes, the Sabres veteran forward has had quite a start to the season. Playing alongside Jeff Skinner and Jack Eichel on the top line seems to be the fountain of youth for the 35-year-old. Pominville has eight goals and six assists through 14 games this season. He is currently riding a six-game point streak and is coming off of a three-point performance against the Senators on Saturday. He is shooting a ton and locked into a role on the top power-play unit. Pominville is going to be a hot commodity in fantasy circles so grab him while you can.
Dominik Simon - C/LW - Pittsburgh Penguins
9% owned on Yahoo, 0.3% owned on ESPN.
Playing on Sidney Crosby's wing and the second power-play unit? Sign me up. It seems as though the Penguins AHL affiliate is just a science laboratory that keeps on producing young, skilled forwards. Simon currently has six points in his past six games. He has seen his ice-time increase over the past week including playing a career-high 19:12 in Tuesday's loss to the New York Islanders. The former fifth-round pick has never been an elite scorer, but Jalen Ramsey could probably score 20 goals on Crosby's wing. Simon is definitely worth a pickup in deeper leagues.
Alex Tuch - RW - Vegas Golden Knights
20% owned on Yahoo, 7% owned on ESPN.
Tuch has five points in his first six games of the season since returning from a lower-body injury on October 26. The 22-year-old is not afraid of putting pucks on net and contributes in the hits department. Patience will be key with Tuch, as his value will increase tenfold once Max Pacioretty (upper body) and Paul Statsny (lower body) return from injury. In the meantime, Tuch is seeing usage on the top power-play unit and playing with Tomas Hyka and Erik Haula on the second line. Tuch and the Golden Knights are also about to start a four-game week, so at the very least, he is a worthy streaming option.
Artem Anisimov - C - Chicago Blackhawks
6% owned on Yahoo, 4.7% owned on ESPN.
Exposure to Patrick Kane is always a good thing (unless you're a cab driver). Anisimov is centering the second line and second power-play unit, which gives him extensive usage alongside the perennial All-Star. Anisimov was a huge fantasy disappointment last season, only recording 31 points after having 45 points in 64 games the season before. He was quiet to start this campaign but has responded with a goal and four assists over his last six games since being moved up with Kane. Anisimov is not the kind of pickup that will win you a fantasy championship on his own, but he is a solid depth acquisition for managers in deeper leagues.
Pontus Aberg - LW/RW - Anaheim Ducks
4% owned on Yahoo, 0.4% owned on ESPN.
Exposure to skilled players and increased roles due to injuries are the bread and butter of waiver wire pickups. Aberg can check off both of those categories, as he is playing alongside Rickard Rakell and Ryan Getzlaf with Corey Perry (knee) out for the foreseeable future. Aberg started the season in the AHL but has put up four goals in three games since being moved to the top line. He is also playing on the second power-play unit with Ryan Kesler and Patrick Eaves. Aberg was on the ice for 19:38 against the New York Rangers on Thursday which is a good indicator that the coaching staff is going to leave him in his role for the time being. He is a worthwhile pickup in any leagues with more than 12 teams and can be utilized as a fantastic DFS value option.
Brock Nelson - C - New York Islanders
10% owned on Yahoo, 2.9% owned on ESPN.
The biggest beneficiary of John Tavares' departure has been Nelson, as he has slid into the top-line center position. Nelson has been on a tear lately, registering six goals and one assist over his past seven games. He is playing alongside Anders Lee and Josh Bailey on the top line while centering the second power-play unit. Nelson has reached the 20-goal plateau three times over the past four seasons despite being in a lesser role. Now, he is flanked by two solid offensive wingers while seeing at least 16 minutes a night. Grab him in leagues with 12 or more teams.
