Each week, we’ll mine the waiver wire for lesser-rostered property to assist your squad, whether or not you prefer dynasty or the redraft format, and we’ll additionally toss in some ideas for DFS gamers on the market. Lastly, we’ll have a look at some former go-to fantasy property who could also be overvalued – within the short- or long-term – for one purpose or one other.
Forwards
Phil Kessel, RW, Arizona Coyotes (51.zero%): The Coyotes want Kessel to be at his greatest in the event that they’re to carry lifelike hope of maintaining the Blues at bay for the fourth and ultimate playoff spot within the West. Particularly with Conor Garland out week-to-week with a lower-body harm. Thankfully, “Phil the Thrill” is often more practical with a bit of additional aggressive fireplace in his stomach. The Coyotes’ upcoming schedule additionally seems favorable, together with 4 contests towards San Jose and a pair with the Kings (a two-game set with Vegas admittedly strikes as much less advantageous). Kessel has seven targets in 4 video games towards the Sharks this season, together with a hat-trick his final trip (Mar. 27). I am all around the veteran sniper as a sneaky fantasy addition whereas the common season winds down.
Nino Niederreiter, RW/LW, Carolina Hurricanes (49.9%): Planted on a line with Vincent Trocheck and Martin Necas, Niederreiter has a pair of targets and an help in his previous three contests. They have a tendency to come back in bunches for this man, which foreshadows a productive end to the common season. And, in contrast to Trocheck and Necas, Niederreiter is accessible in about half of ESPN.com leagues.
Tanner Pearson, LW, Vancouver Canucks (42.5%): The Canucks are scheduled to play 11 extra video games earlier than Might 13, the ultimate date on the ESPN.com fantasy calendar. Solely the Avalanche, Blues, and Kings have as many contests remaining on their respective slates (for comparability, the Crimson Wings and Blue Jackets have solely six left). It provides as much as a superb variety of on-ice minutes for Pearson to take pleasure in on a high line with Bo Horvat and Brock Boeser. And the compilation of three targets in three latest video games suggests the slumping ahead has maybe lastly rediscovered his scoring contact.
Anthony Duclair, LW/RW, Florida Panthers (41.1%): After highlighting Sam Bennett’s rejuvenated fantasy worth on this area solely every week in the past, I am shifting consideration to considered one of his present linemates. Since returning to the ice in mid-April, Duclair has two targets and 7 assists (plus-13!) in seven video games. That manufacturing works out to a completely helpful 2.1 fantasy factors per contest. There’s loads to love proper now about Florida’s second scoring line – additionally together with Jonathan Huberdeau – because the Panthers proceed to battle Tampa Bay and Carolina for the Central Division crown. Notably this week when the membership faces the Predators and Blackhawks twice.
Jesse Puljujarvi, RW, Edmonton Oilers (29.5%): Goodness is aware of what number of occasions Puljujarvi has been acquired after which dropped once more over the course of his reunion season with the Oilers, however perhaps take into account giving him yet another go. Competing on a scoring line with Connor McDavid, the 22-year-old has scored in three-straight video games (plus contributed an help). McDavid – and this should not register as even a minor shock with anybody – assisted on all three of these targets. After a quick hiatus, the Oilers are again at it, dealing with a 10-game stretch earlier than ESPN wraps up fantasy play on Might 13. So long as he sticks beside one of many sport’s best, Puljujarvi might make a good bit of scoring noise earlier than we’re by means of.
Eeli Tolvanen, LW/RW, Nashville Predators (22.zero%): After dropping most of April to a lower-body harm, Tolvanen seems to be selecting up the place he left off. Skating on a high Predators line with Victor Arvidsson and Ryan Johansen, the 21-year-old is a objective and help to the great by means of two video games again. Promising, particularly when recalling his collected three targets and 6 assists throughout Nashville’s six-game win streak to wrap up March. The Preds want extra of the identical from their younger ahead in the event that they’re to fend off Dallas, or perhaps even Chicago, for fourth spot within the Central.
Tyler Bozak, C, St. Louis Blues (three.zero%): With out attracting a lot consideration from the fantasy crowd, the Blues heart has quietly strung collectively a six-game level streak comprising of 1 objective and 7 assists. A that clip, he is not prone to be shifted off a top-six line with Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz anytime quickly. As talked about above, the Blues – sitting one level out of fourth place within the West – are considered one of a small handful of groups with 11 video games remaining on the schedule. After lacking all of February and most of March, Bozak seems intent on making up for misplaced time. He has worth in deeper leagues, with out query.
See additionally: Nick Foligno, LW/RW, Toronto Maple Leafs; Josh Norris, C, Ottawa Senators; Andre Burakovsky, LW/RW, Colorado Avalanche
Defenders
Matt Grzelcyk, Boston Bruins (34.three%): Battling accidents all season, Grzelcyk is again at it as soon as extra, skating on Boston’s high pair and anchoring the No. 1 energy play. There is not any level in anticipating any actual fantasy fireworks right here, however the Bruins defender is a heat physique who shoots, blocks photographs, and contributes the odd level. When in greatest kind, Grzelcyk is nice for a few fantasy factors an evening.
Goaltenders
Braden Holtby, Vancouver Canucks (42.9%): As talked about above, the Canucks are scheduled to play a superb variety of video games to wind down 2020-21, and Holtby seems poised to characteristic in most of them. He began three of Vancouver’s most up-to-date 4 – received all of them in convincing vogue – and as is slated to face the Senators on Monday. If all for a goalie who ought to garner loads of alternatives within the subsequent two-plus weeks, Holtby is as an possibility to think about.
See additionally: Darcy Kuemper, Arizona Coyotes; Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins; Alex Nedeljkovic, Carolina Hurricanes
Lowered expectations
Kevin Lankinen, G, Chicago Blackhawks (70.5%): Malcolm Subban has been the busier of Chicago’s two important netminders of late, beginning three of the membership’s previous 4. The truth is, Lankinen’s final outing in Nashville was a very ugly affair, leading to his receiving the hook after permitting 5 targets on 22 photographs. Plus, there is not a lot to like about what’s left of the Blackhawks’ schedule, together with a tilt with Tampa, a pair versus Florida, and a three-game set in Carolina. All of it provides as much as six of eight remaining video games towards the cream of the Central Division’s crop. Even when Lankinen begins half of them, they might not go properly.