With a few reliable fantasy players on the shelf, here are some options to add in their absence. Players are listed by position, and ownership rates. A reminder that not each player needs to be added, this crop of prospective adds are to fill current injury gaps, or for fantasy owners that (smartly) leave an open roster spot to stream players.
David Desharnais (Montreal – Centre) – Ownership: 22 per cent ESPN; 18 per cent Yahoo
A lot of fantasy owners were hanging on to David Desharnais while Montreal was going through the Dale-Weise-on-the-first-line phase of the season. For those that did not, now would be the time to give him another look. He’s once again centring the top line with Max Pacioretty, and is joined by Brendan Gallagher on his other wing. As of Saturday, Gallagher and Pacioretty were both in the top-10 of the NHL in individual scoring chances at five-on-five (via War On Ice).
Mark Scheifele (Winnipeg – Centre) – Ownership: 12.9 per cent ESPN; 11 per cent Yahoo
Scheifele has been locked on that second line for the Jets for most of the season, but with the recent long-term injury to Mathieu Perreault that will likely keep him out for the rest of the regular season, Dustin Byfuglien is now playing on his line. It’s not that Byfuglien is necessarily an upgrade over Perreault in real hockey, but in the fantasy game having a winger that shoots as much as Byfuglien can only help Scheifele’s assist totals. There is also room for Scheifele to improve on his 6.8 per cent shooting rate this year.
Craig Smith (Nashville – Right Wing) – Ownership: 19.3 per cent ESPN; 31 per cent Yahoo
Since the start of the 2013 season there have been 14 forwards with 40 goals, 40 assists, 375 shots on goal, 50 penalty minutes, and a positive double-digit plus/minus. One of those 14 forwards is Craig Smith. His ownership rate is higher on Yahoo, but those in ESPN leagues should look for him. He won’t help a great deal in any single category, but he’s locked in a top-six role for the Predators and can help you across the board.
Nino Niederreiter (Minnesota – Right Wing) – Ownership: 16 per cent ESPN; 14 per cent Yahoo
The lineup blender has come out in Minnesota of late, and the latest incarnation has Nino Niederreiter playing alongside Mikko Koivu and Jason Pominville. The best part of this trio for Niederreiter is that he’s guaranteed top-six minutes as long as he stays with Koivu. Niederreiter also gets second unit power play time, and should crack 25 goals this year. Players like that don’t belong on the waiver wire.
Next week on Sportsnet’s Fantasy Hockey Pool – a weekly salary cap-style fantasy game on Sportsnet.ca – Minnesota has games against Edmonton and Minnesota. Niederreiter costs just two of a possible four points, and could have a big week given his new situation.
Zack Kassian (Vancouver – Right Wing) – Ownership: 1.3 per cent ESPN, 2 per cent Yahoo
This could be a very temporary add. When Alex Burrows was injured for Vancouver it was Kassian, and not Radim Vrbata, who took his spot on the top line with the Sedins. As long as Kassian stays there he deserves a roster spot in fantasy. As soon as he’s moved off that line he deserves to be launched into the waiver abyss.
Dwight King (Los Angeles – Left Wing) – Ownership: 5.4 per cent ESPN; 3 per cent Yahoo
For a little while now, Dwight King has been playing on the second line in Los Angeles alongside Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli. He’s also getting sparse power play time, but that’s not where his value resides. King has five points in his last eight games, and like Kassian, as long as he stays on a line with Carter he deserves a roster spot. As soon as King is moved back into the bottom-six he can be taken off your rosters.
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Patrick Maroon (Anaheim – Left Wing) – Ownership: 5.1 per cent ESPN; 7 per cent Yahoo
This would be a pre-emptive move. Maroon is playing alongside Ryan Getzlaf, but Corey Perry has been bumped down to the second line. Expect Perry to be back with Getzlaf soon, and hopefully Maroon stays with them.
Matt Dumba (Minnesota – Defence) – Ownership: 0.4 per cent ESPN; 0 per cent Yahoo
Adding Matt Dumba would be for those that are looking for power play production. Ryan Suter eats most of the top power play minutes, but Dumba has slotted in on the second unit of late. For those needing a few power play points from a fifth defenceman down the stretch, Dumba is the player to look for.
*Some stats courtesy of Hockey Reference and War On Ice.
