The fantasy hockey landscape is constantly changing and staying active on the NHL waiver wire is key to succeeding. Here’s a look at the top adds from the fantasy hockey waiver wire, consisting of players available in less than 60 percent of FanTrax leagues who can help in various settings.
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Week 7 Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire
Forwards
C Kevin Hayes, NYR (28%): It’s been a nice stretch for the 26-year-old center with a goal, seven assists, two power-play points and 20 shots through his past seven games. Hayes is logging top-offensive minutes, including 3:36 of power-play time per contest through his past four outings.
C Anthony Cirelli, TB (35%): A candidate to consider in salary-cap formats that include faceoff wins, Cirelli has a team-high 58.6 Corsi For percentage at even strength and has been on the ice for 12.53 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes. His on-ice effectiveness has only translated to two goals, five points and 29 shots on the scoresheet, but there’s also positive regression ahead of his 6.9 shooting percentage.
C Brett Howden, NYR (28%): While definitely more of a deep-league option, Howden has shown some offensive upside with four goals, six assists and a respectable 2.31 points per 60 minutes. The rookie has also averaged 18:01 of ice time per game with 2:36 on the power play through his past three outings, as his role appears to be growing.
C Drake Batherson, OTT (18%): Ottawa recalled the 20-year-old forward Monday after he recorded 20 points — seven goals — through 14 games in the AHL. Batherson is an overachiever with high-end skill and vision. The jury is still out on where he fits into the Senators lineup, but at worst, he’s a player to monitor in deep settings.
C/LW Colton Sissons, NSH (22%): Promoted to a top-line role alongside Ryan Johansen and Filip Forsberg with Viktor Arvidsson (upper body) out of action, Sissons is positioned to succeed. Sissons’ new linemates have connected for an impressive 4.35 goals while driving possession with a 55.6 Corsi For percentage at even strength dating back to the beginning of last season, after all.
C/LW Brock Nelson, NYI (39%): With a scoresheet appearance in eight of his past 10 contests for seven goals, two assists and 24 shots, Nelson continues to show well for the Islanders. He’s locked into a top-six gig with power-play time, and his eligibility as a winger also boosts his value.
C/LW/RW Dominik Simon, PIT (30%): Skating on Sidney Corsby’s flank has been a fantasy sweet spot over the years, and Simon’s cashed in to the tune of three tallies and five helpers through his past nine outings. Additionally, dating back to last season, Simon and Crosby have combined for 4.25 goals and 15.71 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at even strength while dominating possession with a 60.3 Corsi For percentage.
LW/RW Nino Niederreiter, MIN (40%): After three consecutive 20-goal showings, 2017-18 was a lost season for Niederreiter, and then he limped out of the gate this year. The 26-year-old winger appears to have found his offensive game again of late, though. Niederreither has collected seven points — one goal — through his past 10 games, and there’s definitely still positive regression ahead of his 3.3 shooting percentage after posting a — mark over the previous four years.
RW Jake Virtanen, VAN (38%): It’s easy to forget that Virtanen was the sixth overall selection in the 2014 draft, as the 22 -year-old winger has struggled to score at the highest level over the past few seasons. He’s now collected five goals through his past six games and has flourished alongside bergoing superstar Elias Pettersson.
Defensemen
D Esa Lindell, DAL (51%): The 24-year-old Finn is set to log big minutes with John Klingberg (hand) out of action. Lindell isn’t going to pile up points, but he projects to be a solid source of shots, hits and blocked shots while chipping in offensively. It’s also encouraging to see Lindell log 2:29 of power-play time Monday against the Blue Jackets.
D Ben Hutton, VAN (15%): It’s been a nice stretch for Hutton. He’s collected three tallies, three helpers, three power-play points, 13 shots, seven hits and seven blocked shots while averaging 22:36 of ice time (2:26 with the man advantage) through his past seven contests. While the 25-year-old defenseman has been flip-flopped quarterback duties on the No. 1 power-play unit with Derrick Pouliot, Hutton’s posted better offensive numbers.
D Samuel Girard, COL (52%): The sophomore defenseman has been receiving power-play looks with the top unit of late and translated the opportunity into three assists (two with the man advantage) and 10 shots through his past four games. Tyson Barrie is probably going to return to the No. 1 power-play unit at some point, which would cut into Girard’s value. However, the smooth-skating, 20-year-old Girard should still be able to help fantasy owners, especially in the meantime.
Goaltenders
G Casey DeSmith, PIT (42%): Currently outplaying two-time Stanley Cup champion Matt Murray with a 3-1-2 record, .942 save percentage and 1.89 GAA, DeSmith should begin to see more regular starts for the Penguins. Murray owns disappointing .903 and 3.07 ratios through his past 58 games dating back to last season, and the Penguins are in win-now mode with a veteran-filled lineup.
G David Rittich, CGY (37%): Another backup performing better than his partner in crime, Rittich has won five of six starts with a .935 save percentage and 1.91 GAA. Mike Smith has potential to bounce back from his disappointing start, but it wouldn’t be shocking if Rittich pushed the veteran netminder for a 50-50 timeshare over the coming weeks.
G Chad Johnson, STL (22%): The veteran journeyman has started the past three games for the Blues and gone 2-1 with a .956 save percentage and 1.34 GAA. It’s a small sample size, but patience for Jake Allen’s poor play has to be wearing thin. Johnson has the potential to start regularly moving forward and can reward owners who are selective with his matchups.
G Mikko Koskinen, EDM (29%): Edmonton allows the ninth fewest high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (10.1) at five-on-five in the league, so the 6-foot-7 netminder is in a favorable spot most nights he starts. Koskinen has gone 3-1 with a respectable .915 save percentage and 2.64 GAA to start the campaign and can be started confidently against weaker opponents.