Week 18 Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Pickups (Feb. 21-Feb. 27)
The NHL waiver wire can be chaotic this time of year in fantasy hockey leagues. This week represents a transition from the "postponed games" to what would have been the end of the "Olympic Break". There will be 48 games played in all from Feb. 21-27. Let's break down the schedule matrix in the terms of games by night.
- Monday (Feb. 21) -- 5
- Tuesday (Feb. 22) -- 6
- Wednesday (Feb. 23) -- 5
- Thursday (Feb. 24) -- 8
- Friday (Feb. 25) -- 6
- Saturday (Feb. 26) -- 10
- Sunday (Feb. 27) -- 8
Again, note the weekend schedule. That is a lot of games spread over Saturday and Sunday.
Teams Playing Four Games: Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Islanders, San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken, Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets.
Teams Playing Three Games: Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks.
Teams Playing Two Games: Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights, Washington Capitals.
In Week 18, there are still some lopsided schedules to take advantage of. This time, some back-to-backs could prove pivotal too.
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Some Nice Commodities (Players Less Than 30% Owned)
W Jeff Skinner, Buffalo Sabres (15.2% Rostered)
The Buffalo forward has enjoyed a renaissance in the fantasy hockey world. Along with breakout Tage Thompson (21.4% owned), the Sabres have a trifecta of forwards who have provided owners with much joy of late (Alex Tuch - 19 points in 17 games at press time). Now, Jeff Skinner may not score 40 goals this year but does have 20 in 47 games so far. That is a pace of at least 35 goals. He is shooting the puck at just over three on the net a game. Also, his shooting percentage is at 13.6%. Skinner's six best years in the league have all seen shooting percentages of 10.9% or better. He is playing about three minutes a game more than last year as well. It is safe to say the tough times are behind him. Between Skinner, Thompson, and Tuch, Buffalo has fantasy-relevant forwards for a few years to come.
C Scott Laughton, Philadelphia Flyers (3.0% Rostered)
Sometimes one just needs a chance. With Sean Couturier and other forwards shut down out of mercy, Scott Laughton is getting his chance. He is taking advantage of it. Over the last five games, the center has six points (three goals, three assists), 15 shots on goal, and is playing the top-six minutes fantasy owners longed for. His per 60 rates had always been pretty good. Many felt also Laughton did not shoot the puck enough. That pans out somewhat as he averaged 1.7 shots per game over the last four seasons. If he keeps up his current pace or comes anywhere close, Laughton likely plays around 18 minutes a night and could produce at a rate of 0.6 to 0.75 points per game. That is until Claude Giroux gets moved. For now, enjoy the ride.
D Noah Hanifin, Calgary Flames (10.2% Rostered)
There must be something in the water in Calgary. Noah Hanifin suddenly is playing like the defenseman he was envisioned to be in Carolina. He has five points in his last five games while playing a strong two-way game. With this latest stretch, Hanifin is averaging 0.5 points per game for the first time in his entire career. It is his seventh year in the league. Maybe the learning curve was just longer for Hanifin. Either way, he is bringing it offensively as Calgary continues to get above-average production from their defensemen. Darryl Sutter has Calgary and Hanifin playing some of its best hockey right now. Also, Oliver Kylington is still at just 11.7% owned from last week. Damon Severson (six points in five games) almost made this week's list.
G Laurent Brossoit, Vegas Golden Knights (6.8% Rostered)
Things have not quite panned out in Las Vegas as they had hoped. The Vegas Golden Knights at one time had Marc-Andre Fleury to go along with Robin Lehner. Right now, they have neither. Fleury was traded to Chicago and now Robin Lehner is out indefinitely with a torn labrum. Lehner likely needs surgery at some point. So, this is currently what we have. Laurent Brossoit will take the reins of starter and run with it until or if Vegas makes a move. His last two starts have been much better as the goaltender has stopped 51 of his last 53 shots faced. He played so infrequently behind Lehner but all that changes now. Grab him while one can at least for a short-term fix.
Assets Owned At A Higher Rate (30-60% range)
W Tyler Toffoli, Calgary Flames (33.5% Rostered)
This is where one has to be happy for Tyler Toffoli. He got to the Stanley Cup Final with Montreal last season and went on a nice scoring run. This season had been anything but storybook. Finally, last week saw him get traded to the Calgary Flames. His first two games were pretty good. Toffoli scored a goal while averaging just over 12 minutes per game for ice time. His season average is 17:31. Do not be too alarmed as Calgary and Toffoli are getting used to each other. Expect his ice time to rise gradually. He is still a threat to score. His 27 points in 39 games are proof of that. There is a likely scenario that Toffoli winds up with more power-play time in short order. He can be a sneaky addition for those willing to risk average time on ice going into one's fantasy playoffs.
D Rasmus Andersson, Calgary Flames (52.8% Rostered)
For the Calgary Flames, it seems like every top-four defenseman is producing lights out right now. Take advantage of it! Andersson has had six points (one goal, five assists) in his past five games. That includes 11 shots on goal, five blocked shots on goal, and playing nearly 23 minutes a night. He now has 25 assists on the season (27 points in 47 games. The key for Andersson is staying healthy. His playing time and role have steadily climbed in each of the last four seasons. Calgary's patience with him has paid off. The Flames have one of the best top-four bluelines in the league. No wonder why Jacob Markstrom is enjoying a career season. Andersson could easily top 15 power-play points this season too on his way to a 40+ point campaign.
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G Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins (20.0% Rostered)
The fact that Jeremy Swayman still thrived even when Tuukka Rask was back in Boston is significant. It is the knowledge he gained from the former Boston Bruins netminder that will serve him well. Swayman has gone just 1-1-1 in his last three starts. However, he has allowed just four goals in those games. As he and Linus Ullmark share the goaltending duties in Boston, it is expected that Swayman will get more than enough appearances. Boston has 34 games to go in the regular season. One figures to see Swayman get around half of those, maybe more. With a 2.15 goals-against average and .923 save percentage plus three shutouts, he looks to be the "1A" in Beantown now.
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