Fantasy: 3 players to watch on the waiver wire
Every Sunday, we examine three players you should consider picking up from the waiver wire in your pool.
With six weeks to go before the NHL's trade deadline, fantasy managers will undoubtedly be looking to fine tune their rosters through some wheeling and dealing of their own.
Listed below are three players to watch on the waiver wire this week. But first, here's the league's top 10 scorers:
| Player | Team | Goals | Assists | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Kane | CHI | 28 | 39 | 67 |
| Jamie Benn | DAL | 26 | 30 | 56 |
| Tyler Seguin | DAL | 25 | 28 | 53 |
| Erik Karlsson | OTT | 9 | 37 | 46 |
| Vladimir Tarasenko | STL | 24 | 21 | 45 |
| Blake Wheeler | WPG | 13 | 31 | 44 |
| Joe Pavelski | SJ | 22 | 21 | 43 |
| Johnny Gaudreau | CAL | 19 | 24 | 43 |
| Artemi Panarin | CHI | 16 | 26 | 42 |
| Taylor Hall | EDM | 16 | 26 | 42 |
Blue Jackets D Seth Jones: 1 G, 12 A, -6, 80 SOG
Owned in 38 percent of Yahoo leagues
Here's some great news for fantasy managers: A top-pair defenseman is available to be plucked in most leagues at no cost other than the subtraction of the weakest link on one's roster.
This is a result of Seth Jones' move to Columbus, where he's adopted a prominent role on the Blue Jackets' blue line, and is taking full advantage of his opportunity in Ohio's capital.
Here's a look at Jones' production in his first five game with his new club:
| Date | Opponent | Ice Time | Points | Shots |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 8 | @ Carolina (L 4-1) | 22:31 | 0 | 1 |
| Jan. 9 | Carolina (L 4-3 OT) | 22:47 | 0 | 1 |
| Jan. 12 | NY Islanders (L 5-2) | 23:44 | 0 | 1 |
| Jan. 13 | Maple Leafs (W 3-1) | 24:52 | 1 A | 0 |
| Jan. 16 | Avalanche (W 2-10 | 26:08 | 1 A | 3 |
Jones is averaging 24 minutes a night with the Blue Jackets, a bump of 4:21 over his ice time with the Nashville Predators. Once he starts shooting the puck with more regularity, the five percent career shooter should start to rack up the goals, especially with an increase in power-play time.
Flames F Sam Bennett: 11 G, 9 A, +2, 72 SOG
Owned in 14 percent of Yahoo leagues
The NHL's hottest scorer over the past seven days is none other than 19-year-old Sam Bennett, who's recorded six goals in his past three games, including a four-goal outburst on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers.
For the season, the Calgary Flames rookie has scored 11 goals and added nine assists, and appears to be just getting started.
Penguins F Carl Hagelin: 4 G, 8 A, -10, 82 SOG
Owned in 14 percent of Yahoo leagues
Carl Hagelin, come on down. You're the next contestant on "Is he a fit in the Pittsburgh Penguins' top six?"
Acquired from the Anaheim Ducks in a trade that saw David Perron and Adam Clendening head to Orange County, Hagelin brings speed and hockey sense to the Penguins' lineup, and will likely be afforded a shot to ply his trade on a line with either Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin.
Hagelin scored only four goals for the Ducks, and never seemed to find his stride during his 43 games in California. He did, however, record 17 goals in each of the past two seasons as a member of the New York Rangers, and could be a productive fantasy forward down the stretch if he can indeed click with one of Pittsburgh's superstar centers.