Fantasy - WireTap: 3 players to watch on the wire
Every Sunday, we examine 3 players you should consider picking up from the waiver wire in your pool.
The holiday season is right around the corner, and fantasy hockey managers can consider themselves #blessed by plucking a gift or two off the waiver wire.
First, a look at the NHL's top 10 scoring leaders:
Player | Points |
---|---|
Jakub Vorcaek (PHI) | 29 |
Tyler Seguin (DAL) | 26 |
Sidney Crosby (PIT) | 26 |
Steven Stamkos (TB) | 24 |
Claude Giroux (PHI) | 24 |
Vladimir Taraenko (STL) | 23 |
Phil Kessel (TOR) | 23 |
Patri Hornqvist (PIT) | 23 |
Evgeni Malkin (PIT) | 23 |
And now, here are three players to consider adding to your roster this week.
Justin Abdelkader (DET): 6 goals, 8 assists, +5, 50 shots on goal
Owned in 35 percent of Yahoo leagues
With 14 points through 20 games, Abdelkader ranks second in scoring among Red Wings players this season, and is filling up that stat sheet for fantasy owners in the process.
The winger is on pace for 25 goals and 57 points, which would shatter his previous career highs of 10 goals and 18 assists set in 70 games last season. With a shot rate of 2.5 per game - and with a physical game to boot - he's showing no signs of slowing down, and is demonstrating an ability to succeed in all situations.
If head coach Mike Babcock puts Abdelkader in full-out Tomas Holmstrom mode, thereby giving him addition time on the power play, his breakout could indeed remain more than sustainable, rendering him a must-own player in all but the very deepest of fantasy leagues.
Ryan Strome (NYI): 4 goals, 11 assists, +9, 43 shots on goal
Owned in 16 percent of Yahoo leagues
The fifth overall pick from the 2011 NHL Draft is finally getting his chance to shine on Long Island.
Brought along slowly by the Islanders, Strome is making good in his first full season with the club. He ranks fourth in team scoring with 15 points while filling the third-line center role.
The 21-year-old is only getting better, and with four goals and four assists in November, he's already eclipsed his production from the entire month of October, with four games on tap this week.
As the 85th ranked player in Yahoo leagues, Strome's criminally under owned. Scoop him off the wire before it's too late.
John Klingberg (DAL): 2 goals, 4 assists, +3, 8 shots on goal
Owned in 6 percent of Yahoo leagues
In desperate need of help on the blue line, the Dallas Stars called this Swedish defenseman up from the AHL in early November, and he's made an immediate impact.
After being held off the score sheet over the course of his first three NHL games, the 22-year-old recorded points in each of his past four, including a two-point performance (one goal, one assist) Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings.
A fifth-round pick at the 2010 NHL Draft, this rookie defenseman is already turning heads around the league.
If his first NHL goal is a sign of things to come, he's definitely worth adding to your fantasy team, especially with the Stars heading into a four-game week.
Week 7 Outlook
Team | Games |
---|---|
Anaheim | CGY, CHI, @SJ |
Arizona | COL, CGY |
Boston | PIT, WPG |
Buffalo | WPG, MTL, @MTL |
Calgary | @ANA, @SJ, @ARI |
Carolina | @FLA, @PIT, PIT |
Chicago | @COL, @ANA, @LA |
Colorado | @ARI, CHI, DAL |
Columbus | WPG, VAN, @NSH |
Dallas | EDM, MIN, @COL |
Detroit | OTT, PHI, @NJ, VAN |
Edmonton | @DAL, @NSH, @STL |
Florida | MIN, CAR, OTT |
Los Angeles | @NSH, @MIN, CHI |
Minnesota | @FLA, LA, @DAL, STL |
Montreal | @BUF, BUF |
Nashville | LA, EDM, CLS |
New Jersey | @VAN, DET, @NYI |
NY Islanders | PHI, WSH, @WSH, NJ |
NY Rangers | @TB, @PHI, PHI |
Ottawa | @DET, @STL, @FLA, @TB |
Philadelphia | @NYI, @DET, NYR, @NYR |
Pittsburgh | @BOS, TOR, CAR, @CAR |
San Jose | CGY, ANA |
St. Louis | OTT, EDM, @MIN |
Tampa Bay | NYR, OTT |
Toronto | @PIT, WSH |
Vancouver | NJ, @CLS, @DET |
Washington | @NYI, NYI, @TOR |
Winnipeg | @CLS, @BUF, @BOS |
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