Week 17 is generally lighter than most weeks in the NHL because we’re into, what used to be, the Olympic break. The Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers and San Jose Sharks all don’t play this week. Meanwhile, there are some teams like, like the Ottawa Senators, who are very busy this week. Let’s explore some potential waiver wire pickups to help you in your fantasy leagues this week.
Waiver Wire Pickups
Forwards
Connor Brown (7% owned in Yahoo leagues)
Connor Brown hasn’t suited up since January 13th when he broke his jaw in warm-ups (but still played the entire game). He’s expected to return to the lineup on Monday against the Devils. The timing is perfect as Brown and the Senators play five games this week. Other managers will be quick to make waiver wire pickups from the Sens with a five-game slate looming, so make sure to make Brown your priority. He has 19 points in 26 games this season and hasn’t gone more than a single game without recording at least one point since the first two games of the season. He’s bound to get a few this week.
Alex Formenton (6% owned in Yahoo leagues)
The Sens have endured significant injuries lately to some of their best players like Drake Batherson, Josh Norris and Connor Brown. Although Brown will be back, Alex Formenton is likely to maintain his top-six role in the lineup. He has 16 points in his last 20 games and looks to be a great option given the Senators’ schedule this week. Another add from the Sens could be Tyler Ennis, but his role may somewhat diminish with the return of Brown.
Yegor Sharangovich (6% owned in Yahoo leagues)
After a quietly impressive rookie season that saw Yegor Sharangovich have 30 points in 54 games, his sophomore season thus far has seen a slow in his progression. His points per game currently sits at 0.44 in comparison to the 0.56 mark he set last year. Sharangovich is on this list because there are recent signs that he’s turning his season around. He has eight points in his last 13 games while playing on the top line with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, both of whom are having great campaigns. The Devils are one of four teams that play more than three games this upcoming week.
Mike Hoffman (15% owned in Yahoo leagues)
The Montreal Canadiens are the worst team in the NHL. That fact, coupled with him missing the early part of the season, is why Mike Hoffman’s ownership in fantasy leagues is so low. Despite losing their last six games in a row, Hoffman has managed at least a point in five of them. He’s better than his ownership suggests. He will continue to get opportunities to produce and be a high-volume shooter, making him a decent pickup option when the Canadiens have a good schedule. The week ahead has them playing four times at home, three of which are against teams that currently sit out of a playoff spot – the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Buffalo Sabres and the New Jersey Devils.
Josh Anderson (15% owned in Yahoo leagues)
The Habs schedule is too good to not have another one on this list. Like his teammates, Josh Anderson has had a forgetful season. Through 33 games, he has just nine goals and 16 points. In spite of the lowlights, Anderson still presents a good floor for leagues that include hits as a category. He should be good for a couple of points and at least 10 hits this week.
Blake Coleman (29% owned in Yahoo leagues)
Blake Coleman has always been worth rostering in deep fantasy leagues due to his large volume of shots and hits along with his respectable blocked shot totals. Through 41 games this season, he has 128 shots, 89 hits and 33 blocks. Right now, the points are coming too, which makes Coleman very valuable. He’s playing on the Calgary Flames’ second line with Mikael Backlund and Andrew Mangiapane. Coleman has 11 of his 18 points on the season over the last 13 games. Calgary plays three games at home this week. Ride him while he’s hot.
Goalies
Antti Raanta (8% owned in Yahoo leagues)
Taking advantage of spot starts is imperative to winning in fantasy hockey. That’s why Antti Raanta is on this week’s list of waiver wire pickups. The Carolina Hurricanes are undoubtedly one of the NHL’s best teams. Raanta has benefitted from that, going 6-2-1 over 10 starts this season. He has a solid 2.21 GAA and a .914 SV%. This week, the Canes will be in Ottawa on Tuesday night after each team played the night before. Starting goaltender Frederik Andersen is likely to get the start against his former team – the Toronto Maple Leafs – on Monday night meaning Raanta should get the call against the Sens. 4 vs 30 in the standings. Take your chances.
Philipp Grubauer (61% in Yahoo leagues)
Thanks to lofty expectations set by the Vegas Golden Knights, the Seattle Kraken have had a disappointing inaugural season to date. Unjustly so, a lot of that blame has fallen on the shoulders of Philipp Grubauer. He is 12-17-4 on the season with a 3.09 GAA and a terrible 0.887 SV%. Grubauer, however, is coming off this first shutout of the season and has a date at home with the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday night. It’s also worth noting that the lowly Coyotes will be playing the Vancouver Canucks the night before. Grubauer and the Kraken should pick up another W here.
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