Depending on what type of pool you are in and how many players on your roster, it’s always best to use your moves weekly. At some point you will have an injured player and they will become DTD, O or IR. Just like that you have your rotator slot and you can work the waiver wire and pickup a free agent. Quite often I will end up keeping one of my rotator players because they end up breaking out and I will end up dumping one of my other players who aren’t performing as well as I’d like. This is how my team usually gains traction as the season goes, it’s constantly improving as I tweak it and then all of a sudden my IR player is back in action and I have to dump someone.

This is when I look at a trade option and target one of the weaker teams in the pool and offer them two or even three of my players for one of theirs. Ultimately I end up getting the best player in the deal (usually a stud) and I can insert my IR player and hit the free agency pool for my next project/rotator.

For example: This season I traded Andrew Copp, Cam Atkinson and David Perron for Matthew Tkachuk (points, PIM, ppp, gwg, shp, G, A plus goalie stats). I then inserted Sam Bennett from the IR and picked up Valeri Nichushkin from the free agency pool.

Since the season is well underway and everyone’s drafts are complete, let’s dive right in and take a look at what players may be available to snag in your pool.

Who to pick up?

Goaltenders:

If you are looking to grab a goalie due to an injury or using them in your rotator slot, I’m eyeing Jake Oettinger for the Dallas Stars. He will be between the pipes tonight and Dallas has been red hot. The only thing I don’t like about Jake the snake here is that he’s in the goaltending circus in Dallas with three goalies rotating around and Ben Bishop doing some condition and priming up for a return. Seems like a bit of a gong show and that’s why Oettinger is getting the Jake the snake reference here. He has been playing great and seems to be getting snaked for starts as Holtby and Khudobin are still flashing the leather. Great for spot use, not so great for holding permanently at this point in time is my 2c.

Adin Hill seems to have taken over the starting role from James Reimer. This could be a viable option for short/long term.
Anthony Stolarz is a goalie I’d keep an eye on for spot starts as Anaheim has been playing good hockey. With that said, if Gibson begins to slide at any point they may give Stolarz a few more games as he’s won four in a row and posted a couple shutouts as well.

Forwards:

As mentioned, Anaheim has been playing some good puck, so if Sonny Milano is available he could be a fantastic pickup. His chemistry with Zegras has been spectacular, as we all saw the alleyoop the other night. Milano could be worth a grab in any format, and I would even check out Rickard Rakell who also plays on the big line. Just keep in mind Getzlaf will slot somewhere in the mix, but that may not affect this line as Troy Terry and Getzlaf will likely be reunited.

Valeri Nichushkin has been racking up the points for the Colorado Avalanche. He may not be on the top line or top power play but he’s great on the PK and has shorthanded goal potential. If available I would grab Nichushkin for all formats as he also chips in the banger categories (hits/blocks). In deeper formats I’m a fan of Alex Newhook and he could be a spicy pickup for keeper/dynasty fantasy leagues. This Avalanche team knows how to score goals.

A team that doesn’t exactly scream offense is New Jersey. With that said I’ve been liking what I see from Dawson Mercer for deeper format fantasy. He’s got talent, playing on the third/second line as well as the second unit on the power play, he’s one I’d keep my eye on and see what happens with his game, he could surprise.

St Louis has a lot of players I like who may or may not be taken. Off the hop if Buchnevich is available I would grab him, he’s a player I’ve always liked and he should only get better and more opportunity as the season goes on. Kyrou I have rostered in both of my fantasy pools this season and he’s another great player, at one point I considered trading him because his value was so high. I’m glad I didn’t so far, because he’s been fantastic all season. Ivan Barbashev is another player who seems to be finding points and also chips in with hits/blocks. He could be a good pickup in keeper leagues or one for using in spot starts in your rotator spot.

Podkolzin for Vancouver could break out with new management/coach. If nobody has taken Michael Bunting, he's been been consistent playing alongside Auston Matthews.

Defensemen:

While the Blues are still fresh in my mind, a quality keeper/spot start defenseman could be Scott Perunovich. He should blossom into a top defender for St Louis. Krug hasn’t exactly been stellar this season so keep an eye to see what happens here!

It’s not likely Werenski is available but perhaps Adam Boqvist is. He would be a great option if you are in need of a defenseman on the top power play. He and Werenski will be quite the force for years to come I would imagine.

To list off a couple other defensemen worth grabbing off the wire if available; Jamie Drysdale, Rasmus Andersson, Devon Toews or Moritz Seider.

There are others, in every position. I will look at some daily additions in the next blog, feel free to ask any questions about who to add/drop in your fantasy fun.

Thanks for reading, have a great day.

Join the Discussion: » 1 Comments » Post New Comment

» Fantasy Spotlight: Matthew Boldy

» Fantasy Quick Hits: Husso, Nichushkin, Strome, Kahkonen, Mikheyev

» Mid season: Fire up the Free Agency

» The Fantasy Portal

» Fantasy – Eye of the Tiger