Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Pickup options for this week

By Evan Berofsky, RotoWire
Special to Yahoo Sports

Since the objective in fantasy is to maximize success, ambition will undoubtedly appear throughout the process. At the same time, civility and common sense should also supplement the experience. In other words, treat other owners how you want to be treated.

Be friendly when communicating with others. You want to enjoy the league as much as they do. And when it comes to trades, please don’t keep throwing out awful offers.

The first offer can be on the lower end, since negotiations generally start that way. But make sure you don’t follow that up with a series of substandard suggestions — and then wonder why the other person isn’t responding.

If swapping players isn’t your thing, here are some NHLers who can be added mainly for free:

(Yahoo ownership rates/stats as of Jan. 17.)

Forwards

Jeff Carter, LA (41 percent)

It’s not often you’ll find a perennial 60-point performer on this list, but that’s just the recent reality surrounding the Kings. Carter endured a horrendous run in November and December where he only posted five points in 22 games, but his ice time has remained steady throughout. The most recent 10 appearances have yielded four goals and four assists, including a three-point effort versus the Penguins on Saturday.

Brendan Gallagher, MON (64 percent)

Gallagher has generally been prized in fantasy circles for his continued multi-category production, but a few hiccups have arisen along the way. Last year’s haul of 31 goals, 17 power-play points, 278 shots on goal, and 90 hits returned the abrasive winger to the upper levels of achievement.

The point total has decreased and the man-advantage minutes have declined of late, but Gallagher has potted four goals in the last five contests while firing 18 shots over that span. He’s also stepped up his feistiness and is on pace to eclipse triple digits in hits for the first time in his career.

Jason Zucker, MIN (52 percent)

After notching 33 goals last season, Zucker entered his fifth full campaign with high hopes. The first 27 appearances yielded 18 points, but that was followed by two in 14, although he averaged three shots per game during this stretch.

Zucker looks to be breaking out of the funk with three goals and an assist over the last four, which includes three PPPs. Minnesota’s top three forward lines look loaded, so the 27-year old should continue contributing regardless of line placement.

Blake Coleman, NJ (41 percent)

A breakout season has allowed Coleman to be known more for his on-ice exploits than his pickle entrepreneurship. Sure, running a business is nice, but pulling off 27 points through 46 games just sounds more exciting. The Texan turned into a fantasy darling after a solid November but tailed off heading into 2019. Coleman has resurged, however, over the last four with three goals, 16 shots, and 12 hits while sharing a spot with Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac on New Jersey’s second unit.

Daniel Sprong, ANH (2 percent)

The Amsterdam-born phenom never got started in Pittsburgh, prompting a trade out West last month. In his first 18 matches with his new club, Sprong has sprung into action by registering six goals, three assists, and 51 shots with almost two minutes of power-play duty per night. He’s seen time on all of Anaheim’s top three lines but should eventually settle into a top-six role on the right side. You may want to wait until the Ducks snap out of their cold streak before considering any of their skaters, though.

Andreas Johnsson, TOR (8 percent)

When a player is selected 202nd in the Draft, the expectations aren’t necessarily high. After rocking the Swedish League, Johnsson impressed in his second North American year by leading the AHL Marlies to the Calder Cup on his way to an MVP performance. He cracked the Leafs’ lineup in the fall and has proceeded to climb the depth chart while counting 21 points in 40 appearances. Auston Matthews and John Tavares being inserted as his regular centers has only enhanced Johnsson’s value.

Tyler Bertuzzi, DET (6 percent)

Like Johnsson, Bertuzzi made his professional mark by taking top AHL postseason honors. But the Sudbury native differs from the Swede in that his game adds a dimension of grit. After signing a two-year deal last summer, Bertuzzi is enjoying his first full test of NHL action with 25 points to go along with 50 hits and 27 blocks. The 23 year old has been sighted on the top line with Dylan Larkin and Gustav Nyquist, where he recently recorded his first hat-trick. As long as Bertuzzi stays among Detroit’s other skilled forwards, he should see his stats continue to grow.

Tanner Pearson, PIT (3 percent)

Pearson pretty much lucked out to start his career by earning a Stanley Cup with the Kings in 2014. And while the last three seasons netted adequate numbers, he led off the current campaign with a single assist in 17 contests. Since arriving in the Steel City, Pearson has skated alongside Evgeni Malkin and notched 13 points through 30 games. While the former OHL standout isn’t the most prolific scorer, he can still produce at a decent level thanks to Pittsburgh’s high quality of surrounding talent.

Defensemen

Kevin Shattenkirk, NYR (26 percent)

The Rangers paid big money to land the prized defender in 2017, so it was sad to see Shattenkirk miss almost half of his opening run. And while an injury contributed to that disappointment — eight points from the first 29 games this year – and the subsequent shoulder problem caused fantasy owners to shed his shares. Shattenkirk has looked more like his peak self by striking for a goal and four assists in the nine games since returning. His ice time may register below his usual allotment, but he’s benefited from Neal Pionk’s absence to once again patrol the point on the top power play.

Ivan Provorov, PHI (46 percent)

Provorov dominated in junior and started his time in Philly with a couple strong seasons, but the scoring suddenly stopped. The 2016 CHL Defenseman of the Year continues to skate major minutes on the top pairing, but he’s only notched 17 points in 47 outings. He is also projected to fall behind his usual totals in shots, hits, and blocks. Provorov just turned 22, so he’s learning how to break out of this slump and has already begun the process with four assists over his last three appearances.

Devon Toews, NYI (2 percent)

Toews made a seamless jump from NCAA to AHL play by racking up 45 points in 2016-17. And after another hot start this year with 19 in 24, the Isles promoted him in time for the holidays. In his first 11 NHL contests, the 24-year old has posted four points — including an overtime winner — and 22 shots. He’s also getting a look on the second man advantage but has yet to record a point. Toews’ upcoming responsibilities may be affected when Thomas Hickey rejoins the squad, but enjoy his production for now.

Jordan Oesterle, ARI (1 percent)

After showing very little in the Oilers organization, Oesterle enjoyed an early stretch of 10 points in 15 games with the Blackhawks last season. However, a drop-off through most of the remainder saw him shipped to Arizona in the summer. The undrafted blueliner hasn’t achieved a lot with the Coyotes, but he has tallied five power-play points and blocked 70 shots. Oesterle may be a reach even in deeper leagues, but his special-teams promise could serve as a welcome short-term fix.

Goaltenders

Anders Nilsson, OTT (7 percent)

After Craig Anderson succumbed to a concussion in late December, Ottawa acquired the Swedish netminder from Vancouver to fill the void. Not only has Nilsson covered six straight starts, but he’s won three of four — including stopping 30 of 32 shots against Colorado on Wednesday. Anderson is expected to be back soon, but you might as well grab the new guy until then.

Collin Delia, CHI (20 percent)

Corey Crawford has been plagued by a series of recent injuries, and veteran Cam Ward appears past his prime, leaving the door open for someone to take hold of the top job in Chicago. Delia received a brief taste of the big leagues last season, but he obviously didn’t impress enough to stay as Ward was signed in July.

After a decent stint in the minors, the 2017 NCAA Hockey East top netminder was thrust into the spotlight a month ago when Crawford once again left the lineup. And even though Delia hasn’t recorded a victory since his first three appearances, he’s earned enough excellent efforts to compile a 2.71 GAA and .932 save percentage.

Players to consider from past columns: Tyler Johnson, Alex Galchenyuk, Nico Hischier, Brandon Pirri, Mikael Backlund, James van Riemsdyk, Jonathan Drouin, Max Domi, Paul Stastny, Jaden Schwartz, Gustav Nyquist, Micheal Ferland, Jake DeBrusk, Dustin Brown, Mats Zuccarello, David Perron, David Krejci, Kevin Fiala, Conor Garland, Ondrej Palat, Travis Zajac, J.T. Compher, Craig Smith, Sam Reinhart, Bobby Ryan, Justin Williams, Brock Nelson, Alex Tuch, Bryan Little, Dylan Strome, Andreas Athanasiou, Darnell Nurse, Mikhail Sergachev, Nate Schmidt, Alexander Edler, Erik Gustafsson, Miro Heiskanen, Jacob Trouba, Josh Morrissey, Jared Spurgeon, Jakob Chychrun, Ryan Pulock, T.J. Brodie, Will Butcher, Brandon Montour, Marcus Pettersson, David Rittich, Jacob Markstrom, Jordan Binnington, Carter Hart, Mikko Koskinen, Curtis McElhinney, Robin Lehner

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