Each week we’ll be scouring the waiver thread for less extortionate sources to help your team, whether you prefer the dynasty format or the redesigned format, and we’ll also offer some tips for DFS players. Finally, we look at some once great assets that may be overvalued for one reason or another – short or long term.
Update (Monday, 12 p.m. ET) on the postponement of this week’s game under NHL COVID-19 protocol: The New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins are off until Thursday. The Minnesota Wild also plan to resume play Thursday, but that could change if more players are added to the league roster. The Colorado Avalanche is off limits until Sunday the 14th. February, inactive. The Arizona Coyotes play the blues on Monday, but then are off until Saturday.
Forward
David Krejci, C, Boston Bruins (34.0%) : The experienced striker should be used in all but the smaller championships, which are also good for goals. With Nick Ritchie at the center of the second scoring line, Krejci has nine assists in 11 appearances, including five with an extra skater. The 34-year-old is always underrated and will never get the imaginary love he deserves – at least not at the start of the season. Two years ago he scored 73 points in 81 games, including 20 goals. Get him up before he throws them into the net.
1 Connected
Jesse Puljujarvi, RV, Edmonton Oilers (37.8%) : Only four weeks into the season, and Puljujarvi has already been in ESPN’s fantasy department a few times. The Oiler, once reanimated, looks good. He’s playing in the front row with Connor McDavid. He has scored three goals in his last two games, including two on a pass from McDavid. The 22-year-old is making the most of his resumed NHL career. As long as he stays with you-know-who, Puljujarvi has a lot of imagination.
Jack Roslovic, C/RW, Columbus Blue Jackets (8.4%) : The former Jet has been a member of his home club for some time. After a goal and five assists in his last quartet of games, Roslovic joins Patrick Laine and Cam Atkinson at the center of the Blue Jackets’ forward line and is responsible for the club’s best power play. The 24-year-olds from the first round (2015) should continue to score points while fulfilling these roles as plum picks. It won’t be available across the spectrum of fantasy for long.
Joe Thornton, C, Toronto Maple Leafs (7.6%) : Not yet, but keep the veteran in mind until next week. Thornton, who has recovered from a broken rib, could play on the 15th. February will be ready again when the Leafs play a home game against the Senators. He resumed training on Monday. With Wayne Simmonds absent for six weeks due to a broken wrist, Toronto would certainly benefit from Thornton’s return to contention, especially on the power play.
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Scott Laughton, C, Philadelphia Flyers (7.5%) : As Laughton’s first career hat trick against the Capitals showed on Sunday, the Flyers’ third line is producing more bang for the buck than most other units in the league’s bottom six. The 26-year-old has steadily improved over the past three years and is expected to take another big step forward this season. While he’s stuck in the neighborhood with James Van Riemsdyke’s engine currently clogged up. Laughton leads the league in shots (30) and deserves extra attention in deeper leagues that also reward physical play.
See also : Tim Statzl, LW, Ottawa Senators; Dylan Strome, C, Chicago Blackhawks; Tyler Johnson, C/RW/LW, Tampa Bay Lightning
Defender
Pierre-Olivier Joseph, Pittsburgh Penguins (7.1%) : Sleepy but needy fantasy managers can do a lot worse than rolling the dice on a 21-year-old recruit. Joseph scored his first NHL goal last weekend against the Islanders, getting more than five minutes of playing time in seven games. Given Pittsburgh’s blue line, the young skater was recently nominated for heavy minutes on the team’s top pair with Chris Letang and participated in the club’s secondary power play. Remember, the Coyotes only hired Joseph four years ago, 23 years old. Maybe we shouldn’t be so surprised by his impressive play so far.
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See also : Erik Gustafsson, Philadelphia Flyers.
Goalkeeper
Jake Allen, Montreal Canadiens (26.7%) : The Canadiens’ replacement has played almost as much as Cary Price in recent weeks, and he’s been great. While there is no debate on who will lead the goaltending ship in Montreal, Allen has been really good, in fact better than Price every time he has been approached for this campaign. And unlike the franchise’s goalie, the company’s best support is widely available in ESPN’s fantasy leagues. He deserves a place in any league where the lineup can be rearranged daily.
Mike Smith, Edmonton Oilers (4.4%) : We will soon find out the extent to which Mikko Koskinen can be held responsible for the Oilers’ defensive woes. Smith has been activated from injured reserve and seems eager to make his season debut against the Senators on Monday. The 38-year-old says he feels good physically and mentally. Let’s take another look. In the past, Smith has been an inconsistent asset to fantasy, but he has certainly benefited from certain periods of dominant play here and there. Fantasy managers who have issues with the net would now at least be able to assess whether he likes it this way. Hopefully with better defensive support on the outside.
See also : James Reimer, Carolina Hurricanes.
Reduced expectations
Witek Vanecek, Washington Capitals (54.1%) : The Capitals’ current regular goalie has allowed a total of 11 goals (.855 save percentage) in three consecutive defeats with a hook against the Flyers on Sunday. That’s not enough for a team that wants to make the playoffs. Furthermore, Ilya Samsonov has resumed training after a three-week absence, in accordance with the league’s COVID-19 protocol. Washington is right. Number 1 should be ready to go again soon.
See also : Timo Meyer, RW/LW, San Jose Sharks.
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