Every Sunday, we examine three players you should consider picking up from the waiver wire in your pool.
As we pass the midway point of the 2015-16 NHL regular season, many fantasy managers are searching for that perfect cost-effective addition to round out their rosters. Thankfully, there are solid options primed to emerge as consistent producers throughout the rest of the year.
Here are three players to consider picking up this week:
Avalanche F Carl Soderberg: 7 G, 21 A, -2, 90 SOG
Owned in 25 percent of Yahoo leagues
Soderberg is on pace for a career-high 55 points, producing on one of the NHL's best young teams.
.@Avalanche (21-18-3, 45 pts) earned their 3rd straight win & improved to 9-2-2 in their past 13 contests. #NSHvsCOL pic.twitter.com/9c8FqGCl1d
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 9, 2016
After 48- and 44-point seasons with the Boston Bruins, the 30-year-old forward is capitalizing on a fantastic opportunity with the Colorado Avalanche. Playing on a line with captain Gabriel Landeskog, Soderberg has tallied eight points over his last 10 games, and is emerging as a go-to forward for head coach Patrick Roy.
Soderberg has capitalized on playing alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Jarome Iginla on the power play, as his 11 points with the man advantage sees him tied with Alex Ovechkin, Henrik Sedin, Corey Perry, and David Krejci.
Though he may never overwhelm with his goal-scoring, he's a very consistent and reliable player who regularly threatens the 50-point mark. With dual capability at both center and left wing, Soderberg is the perfect addition to round out your fantasy lineup.
Flyers F Sean Couturier: 9 G, 11 A, +8, 69 SOG
Owned in 5 percent of Yahoo leagues
Couturier is one of the NHL's hottest players over the last month, yet he's somehow available in 95 percent of leagues. There's no better time to go for the ultimate home run pick, as the 2011 eighth overall pick appears primed to quietly break out as a legitimate second line center for the Philadelphia Flyers.
Man, has Sean Couturier come into his own this past month. Production finally coming. Quite possibly playing best hockey of career so far.
— Broad Street Hockey (@BroadStHockey) January 9, 2016
The 23-year-old scored in three consecutive games last week, giving him six goals and six assists in his last 10 games. It's no coincidence the Flyers are 6-3-1 during the aforementioned stretch; they're 7-2-0 when Couturier scores this season.
Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol has undoubtedly noticed Couturier's strong play, putting him on the ice in critical situations on a nightly basis. He's also using him on the power play with regularity.
Couturier recorded 39 and 37 points over the past two seasons, and he's finally on pace to break the 40-point plateau. There's very likely not a hotter player available on the waiver wire, so make sure you snag him while you can, then sit back and reap the rewards.
Lightning F Jonathan Drouin: 2 G, 6 A, +1, 19 SOG
Owned in 17 percent of Yahoo leagues
Drouin is currently playing in the minors after being assigned to the AHL's Syracuse Crunch last week, but there's no better time to pick him up than right now. Patience will be key, but it will very likely result in significant long term gain, especially in a deep pool or keeper league.
Drouin's trade request from the Tampa Bay Lightning has been well documented, and many believe him leaving the team is the only likely scenario. Teams are lining up for the former third overall draft pick, so he'll eventually find himself in a far better opportunity to show what he can do in the NHL.
Drouin has already illustrated he can produce at the NHL level, recording 32 points in 70 games as a 19-year-old rookie last season. Whoever lands the prized youngster will undoubtedly provide him with every opportunity to develop and ultimately build on last season's early success.
It's not out of the realm of possibility that Drouin could find himself playing alongside the likes of former teammate MacKinnon on the Avalanche, or the high flying Vladimir Tarasenko and the St. Louis Blues, or even the solid young core of the Ottawa Senators. One way or another, Drouin should find himself in the top six on a solid young team at some point this season.
There's absolutely no better time to show patience and snag the extremely skilled 20-year-old - available in 83 percent of leagues - before it's too late. Couturier may be a home run, but Drouin might very well be a grand slam.
