RADIO
What’s up RotoBallers? Welcome to my week 18 edition of the fantasy hockey waiver wire. Below are a few skaters at each position that will steer your fantasy hockey team toward a championship.
Whether your fantasy hockey team is dealing with injuries or lack of production, these NHL players will help you get back on track. These players can be considered waiver wire pickups or sleepers depending on the league format.
Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire - Forwards
Mathieu Perreault (F, WPG) - 45% Owned
If the Jets make it to the playoffs this season, Mathieu Perreault will be one of the players that gets them there. The 27 year-old playmaker has been excellent this season with 18 G, 18 A, 34 PIM and a +2 rating in 53 games. Perreault has five points in his last three games and plays an important role in the teams' top power-play unit. He is a solid forward option for the remainder of the season.
David Desharnais (F, MON) - 19% Owned
Highly-rated coming into the preseason, David Desharnais posted underwhelming numbers throughout the first half of the year. However, he is hot as a pistol lately and is currently one of the Canadiens' top forwards. Desharnais has eight points in his last five games and is a +9 during that stretch. Fantasy owners should cash in on his recent play.
Mats Zuccarello (F, NYR) - 34% Owned
Similar to Desharnais, Mats Zuccarello endured a tough first half of the season, but has been impressive as of late. Zuccarello has points in six straight games, including three goals and five assists. In 50 games this season, he has 10 G, 21 A, 31 PIM, 107 SOG and is a +14. He is one of the Rangers best playmakers and should be a strong option for the rest of the year.
Kris Versteeg (F, CHI) - 24% Owned
Prior to missing six weeks with a hand injury, Kris Versteeg was second on the Blackhawks in points. That's saying something for a squad as talented as Chicago. Versteeg showed excellent chemistry with Patrick Kane and Brad Richards earlier in the season and could be reunited with them in the near future. For now, Versteeg will start out on the third line as he makes his return from injured reserve. Versteeg has 27 points and is a +14 in 34 games this season.
Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire - Defensemen
John Klingberg (D, DAL) - 55% Owned
I wrote about John Klingberg last week, but he is worth mentioning again. This rookie has been unreal. He has 11 points in his last seven games and now has 29 points in 40 games played. He is sporting a +10 rating and is now averaging over 21:30 minutes per game. Klingberg is quietly becoming the Stars best defenseman and is starting to be mentioned in the Calder Trophy conversation.
Seth Jones (D, NSH) - 26% Owned
Seth Jones is really starting to come into his own this season. The young defenseman has points in five straight games and has skated over 20:00 minutes in each of his 15 last games. Jones has skated over 25:00 minutes in each of his last two contests. He is now a +9 on the season and is slowly finding the consistency that he had been lacking early in his career. Jones is an excellent option for fantasy owners looking to add some blue line production.
Travis Hamonic (D, NYI) - 23% Owned
Another young defenseman that is starting to come around is Travis Hamonic. He is displaying a solid all-around game this season, posting 18 points, 64 PIM, a +6 rating and 21:35 minutes of ice-time in 44 games. Hamonic has seven assists in his last eight games and is a solid defensive option going forward.
Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire - Goaltenders
John Gibson (G, ANA) - 11% Owned
The goalie situation in Anaheim is a bit of a mess, but it appears as though John Gibson is currently the best fantasy option. Starter Frederik Andersen has been placed on injured reserve and will be out for at least another week. The Ducks started Ilya Bryzgalov on Tuesday, but pulled him after he allowed three goals on eight shots. Bryzgalov has been brutal this season, posting an .847 save percentage and 4.19 goals against average. The starting job is now Gibson's to lose. The Ducks are a strong team and should be able to continue racking up the victories with Gibson in net.
Jonas Hiller (G, CGY) - 54% Owned
Jonas Hiller has all but cemented himself as the Flames top goaltender. He has started seven straight contests and has won five of them. He has allowed two goals or less in all but one of those seven starts. Calgary continues to remain in the playoff mix and Hiller is a steady option for the rest of the season.
