This article is part of our NHL Waiver Wire series.
Again, the NHL schedule is evenly packed this week with 14 teams playing four games. However, it's worth noting the Kings and Lightning have just two games this week, so their fringe fantasy assets are prime drop candidates.
There also aren't oodles of potential adds this week, so be wary of overextending your FAAB dollars. Scott Darling and Jakub Vrana stand out as the most intriguing grabs, and if you're looking for a boost in PIM, Matthew Tkachuk is moving the fantasy needle.
Remember to double-check the availability of players previously covered in this space and check the recommended adds in the our Daily Puck articles throughout the week.
Jakub Vrana, F, WAS (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%, CBS: 9%): Despite going scoreless through his first two NHL games, Vrana remains a target-worthy fantasy asset. He's scored 50 points through 54 AHL games dating back to last year, and Vrana is currently receiving top-six minutes and power-play time. The offense is coming.
Matthew Tkachuk, F, CGY (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 14%, CBS: 55%): The rookie isn't going to light the league on fire offensively, but he's doing enough across all categories to provide fantasy value. Tkachuk's 49 PIM alongside his 11 points and 40 shots warrant attention in all leagues including penalty minutes.
Sam Reinhart, F, BUF (Yahoo: 30%, ESPN: 26%, CBS: 50%): With Jack Eichel back in the fold, Reinhart has a goal and three helpers over three games. Eichel's return is a huge boost for the entire
Again, the NHL schedule is evenly packed this week with 14 teams playing four games. However, it's worth noting the Kings and Lightning have just two games this week, so their fringe fantasy assets are prime drop candidates.
There also aren't oodles of potential adds this week, so be wary of overextending your FAAB dollars. Scott Darling and Jakub Vrana stand out as the most intriguing grabs, and if you're looking for a boost in PIM, Matthew Tkachuk is moving the fantasy needle.
Remember to double-check the availability of players previously covered in this space and check the recommended adds in the our Daily Puck articles throughout the week.
Jakub Vrana, F, WAS (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%, CBS: 9%): Despite going scoreless through his first two NHL games, Vrana remains a target-worthy fantasy asset. He's scored 50 points through 54 AHL games dating back to last year, and Vrana is currently receiving top-six minutes and power-play time. The offense is coming.
Matthew Tkachuk, F, CGY (Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 14%, CBS: 55%): The rookie isn't going to light the league on fire offensively, but he's doing enough across all categories to provide fantasy value. Tkachuk's 49 PIM alongside his 11 points and 40 shots warrant attention in all leagues including penalty minutes.
Sam Reinhart, F, BUF (Yahoo: 30%, ESPN: 26%, CBS: 50%): With Jack Eichel back in the fold, Reinhart has a goal and three helpers over three games. Eichel's return is a huge boost for the entire Sabres offense. After leading the Sabres in second-half goals last year (11), Reinhart is a player on the rise who owns pedigree and a respectable offensive track record.
Conor Sheary, F, PIT (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 12%, CBS: 29%): Playing alongside Sidney Crosby has been a fantasy boon for Sheary. The winger has a respectable six goals, 12 points and 39 shots on net over 18 games this season, and Sheary has combined with Crosby for an impressive 3.87 goals for per 60 minutes at five-on-five over the past two years.
Jared Spurgeon, D, MIN (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 17%, CBS: 35%): Cruising of late, Spurgeon has six assists, 35 shots on goal and 32 blocked shots while averaging 25:12 of ice (2:44 with the man advantage) over his past 12 games. While the offensive numbers are modest, Spurgeon's huge role and peripheral coverage provide a solid fantasy floor for the points to build on.
Scott Darling, G, CHI (Yahoo: 21%, ESPN: 6%, CBS: 31%): With Corey Crawford out two to three weeks because of an appendectomy, Darling will ascend to No. 1 duty. Darling isn't a matchup-proof starter, but he does own a career .920 save percentage and 2.41 GAA, so he should be owned in all fantasy leagues for the duration of Crawford's absence.
Players to consider from previous articles: Leon Draisaitl, Michael Cammalleri, Mitch Marner, Alexander Wennberg, Valtteri Filppula, Derek Stepan, Mikko Rantanen, Anthony Mantha, Charlie Coyle, Victor Rask, Nazem Kadri, Viktor Arvidsson, Patrick Eaves, Robby Fabbri, Brock Nelson, Oscar Klefbom, Anthony DeAngelo, Morgan Rielly, Jeff Petry, Damon Severson, Dmitry Orlov, Brady Skjei, Chad Johnson, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Calvin Pickard, Jonathan Bernier, Peter Budaj
