The holidays are over. As fantasy team owners we all know it’s a harder time than normal to keep up to date on your fantasy teams. However, now that we’re back to a regular schedule there are no excuses as to why you shouldn’t be on top of your teams.
There is still half of the NHL season yet to be played. This means you have time to pull your team up into a playoff spot or separate your team from the pack.
At this point in your fantasy season you know who’s already given up or not trying. Try to make a move with these guys. They know they aren’t going to win, but they always have someone valuable on their roster that you can try to pry away. Always assume that nobody is going to approach you with a deal. You have to make the effort with them. Call them, email them, tweet at them, etc. This is the time to make a move in fantasy hockey if you think you have a chance in your league.
One of the biggest advantages of people losing interest in their teams is that there is less competition for the waiver wire pickups each day. Make sure you’re using your weekly allowance of moves when you can. Perhaps pick up some of the players listed below who are playing pretty well of late.
Taking a Second Look In Our Weekly Waiver Wire Pick-Ups
One theme this week is that there are a number of players in this list (Cole, Gagner, Bourque, Staal) who were regularly owned by high percentages of people in previous years, but it is no longer the case. The players listed below are playing pretty well of late, and perhaps these old fantasy regulars deserve a second look.
Eric Cole DAL – LW/RW (Owned %: ESPN 5.9%, Yahoo 5%)
Dallas has won eight of their last ten games, and Cole is one of the reasons why. We all know the Stars’ first line has been one of the best in the league this season, but now their second line is starting to click as well. Cole has points in five of his last seven games (4G, 4A) while playing alongside Jason Spezza 5-on-5 and Vernon Fiddler on the second power play unit.
Sam Gagner ARI – C/RW (ESPN 5.6%, Yahoo 8%)
The Arizona Coyotes are still struggling as a team, but Gagner is playing good hockey, leading the team in scoring the last two weeks with 4 goals and 5 assists. While he’s playing on the team’s normal second line, Gagner is starting on the team’s first power play unit.
Rene Bourque ANA – LW – (ESPN 1%, Yahoo 0%)
Let’s be honest. Bourque has not had a good year. However, the Ryan Getzlaf effect is real, and in the three games Bourque has been on the Duck’s first line he has two points(1G, 1A). While he’s not getting any power play time at the moment, if he develops any chemistry with Getzlaf and Perry he could be a welcome addition to your fantasy lineup.
Jordan Staal CAR – C/LW (ESPN 17.5%, Yahoo 15%)
Finally back from injury, Jordan Staal has jumped right into the Hurricanes’ first line centering his brother Eric and Elias Lindholm. In his first three games Jordan has 2 assists. While he still doesn’t appear to be 100% healthy, if he’s on a line with his brother they should be able to produce both 5-on-5 and on special teams.
Dwight King LAK – LW (ESPN 0.3%, Yahoo 1%)
In the last two games King has played on Los Angeles’ first line with Anze Kopitar and Marian Gaborik, scoring three goals during that time. It’s tough to say how long King will remain on the first line in LA, as coach Darryl Sutter likes to switch lines up. However, Kopitar is playing better than he has all season and while he’s hot, King should benefit playing beside him.
Melker Karlsson SJS – LW (ESPN 0%, Yahoo 0%)
Due to Joe Thornton’s injury, the Sharks have shuffled lines around and Karlsson has found himself on the top line playing alongside Joe Pavelski. The rookie has scored goals in each of the last two games and has 6 points in 10 games this season.
Ryan Ellis NSH – D (ESPN 14.6%, Yahoo 26%)
Shea Weber and Roman Josi rightfully get more attention in Nashville, but Ellis is quietly having a very good season as well. In the last two weeks Ellis has outscored both Weber and Josi, while also recording a +/- of 5, and is also quarterbacking the team’s second power play unit.
Anton Khudobin CAR – G (ESPN 5.7%, Yahoo 32%)
A lot of people at the start of the year thought that Khudobin would be the starter at some point in this season. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened yet. However, Cam Ward has struggled as of late and Khudobin is back to possibly splitting starts for the Hurricanes. Keep an eye on him, and if you need goaltending it might be worth it to hang onto him right now.
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