If you’re still active in a fantasy league that allows daily transactions, then a case could be made for any player being used as a short-term waiver-wire pickup. It depends on what position and category you need. So although many of these players are potential waiver-wire adds today, the focus here is on players that you can also target for seasons going forward.
Pierre-Luc Dubois, C/LW
The line of Dubois, Artemi Panarin, and Cam Atkinson has been one of the league’s hottest this past month. Panarin is scoring at nearly a two-points-per-game pace (27 points over his past 15 games), while both Atkinson and Dubois have also been at least point-per-game scorers. Panarin and Atkinson aren’t likely on the waiver wire, but Dubois is still available in most leagues. Dubois has been especially hot of late, scoring five points over his past three games while earning at least 20 minutes of ice time in each game.
Nolan Patrick, C
Patrick’s first season got off to a very slow start with just 11 points over his first 41 games. Since then, he’s been on a 60-point pace, scoring 18 points in 30 games. The Flyers even tried Patrick on the first-unit power play on Tuesday and he delivered, scoring two power-play goals in the third period. There’s a good chance that he will have a greater role next season. In the meantime, the Flyers play twice in the next three days and are attempting to secure a playoff spot, so Patrick could be back in the same spot in the near term.
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Anthony Beauvillier, C/LW
Beauvillier is providing clutch scoring during the fantasy playoffs, yet he’s still unowned in a surprising number of leagues. He’s now scored goals in four consecutive games, including a three-point effort with seven shots on goal against Philadelphia on Tuesday. Having a centre like Mathew Barzal has been a great match for Beauvillier, who has reached 20 goals in his second NHL season. If John Tavares leaves Long Island in the off-season, Barzal becomes the focal point of the offence. The chemistry that Beauvillier and Barzal have developed should benefit the keeper value of both.
Thomas Chabot, D
Chabot has been a sneaky good waiver-wire add in what for some is championship week, scoring two goals and adding an assist against the Jets on Monday. He also saw second-unit power-play minutes and over 21 minutes of ice time during that game, so he has worked his way into the fold after limited minutes and AHL time earlier this season. If Erik Karlsson is in fact traded during the summer as rumoured, Chabot’s fantasy value could be in for a major uptick in value. But even if Karlsson isn’t dealt, Chabot has the makings of a potential sleeper with the pedigree of a strong world junior championship and point-per-game numbers over his last two QMJHL seasons.
Eeli Tolvanen, RW
We don’t have to say that Eeli’s coming anymore, because he has finally signed his NHL contract and suited up for the Predators. There’s the chance he could provide some late-season fantasy value if he’s placed in a scoring role. But he is better suited as a potential keeper for next season, as he is at the top of the Dobber Hockey Top 200 Fantasy Prospect Forwards list. One reason he’s so highly touted is his recently-completed KHL rookie season in which he scored 21 goals and 38 points in 51 games for Jokerit. At the rate that Tolvanen’s stock has risen this past year, it shouldn’t be long before he is making an impact fantasy-wise.
Henrik Borgstrom, C
Borgstrom was a healthy scratch on Monday and Tuesday, so at least you know that you’re better off targeting him as a keeper for next season. At least the Panthers have tried him on a scoring line, as he has lined up with Jonathan Huberdeau in his brief NHL time (more line combinations here). Also like Tolvanen, Borgstrom is a late first-round pick who has amassed impressive scoring totals since being drafted. Over the past two seasons at the University of Denver, Borgstrom has reached 95 points in 77 games. His 52 points in 40 games over the recently completed season was also enough to win him the NCHC Player of the Year award.
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