There have been a handful of long-term injuries to players this season. A few of them have recently returned, and have done quite well in their performances thus far. These players being out of commission for so long makes it more likely for them to be forgotten by other managers. Try and pick one of them up from the fantasy hockey waiver wire before everyone catches on.
Week 15 Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire
Forwards
Quinton Byfield, C, Los Angeles Kings (51% Rostered)
The 2020 2nd overall pick made just six appearances last season, tallying one assist. He was expected to be a regular in the Kings lineup this year, but an ankle injury prevented that from happening. Upon becoming healthy, he was sent to the AHL where he posted six points in 11 matchups. He is now back up with the big club and played his first NHL game of the season Thursday night. He didn’t notch any points, but he did take three shots on net in 15 minutes of ice time. Byfield had 5:15 of power-play time, so if that continues it bodes well for his fantasy value.
Alex Tuch, RW, Buffalo Sabres (50% Rostered)
Shoulder surgery put Tuch on the shelf for over two months of the season. During that time, the Vegas Golden Knights traded him to the Buffalo Sabres as part of the Jack Eichel deal. Tuch had 18 goals and 33 points in 55 outings last season, a near 50-point pace. He’s elevated his game to a higher level since suiting up for the Sabres. In eight appearances he’s scored at a point per game pace. It’s unlikely to be sustainable production, but he’s getting plenty of ice time, including over 20 minutes in each of the past three meetings. Unlike in Vegas, Tuch is going to be relied on as a primary source of offense in Buffalo. So far he’s thriving in the expanded role.
Phillip Danault, C, Los Angeles Kings (41% Rostered)
Danault is known for his defensive shutdown game, and the whole hockey world got exposed to that during Montreal’s playoff run last year. However, Danault has more offense to his game than some may believe. He has 10 goals this season, already doubling last year’s total, and is scoring at a 20-goal pace. He has 22 points, which is just two shy of last season’s output and a 46-point pace. The center just needs four more goals to set a career-high. The move to LA has been a good one for Danault.
Jeff Skinner, LW, Buffalo Sabres (29% Rostered)
You read that right, another Sabre on the list. As strange as that is, it is deserved. Skinner had a disastrous year in 2020-21. Just seven goals and seven assists in 53 games, it was by far the worst season of his career. Fast forward to 2021-22, and Skinner is having a bounce-back campaign. In 38 games he has already doubled his goal total, and he’s generated 24 points. He’s scoring at a 51-point pace over a full season. It isn’t 40-goal production like in his first season with Buffalo, but it’s a much welcome change from last year. Skinner is playing on the top line and should have no trouble retaining a top-six role.
Defense
Urho Vaakanainen, D, Boston Bruins (15% Rostered)
Vaakanainen has only played seven games this season, but he’s registered four points in the process. He’s been filling in on the second pair, playing at least 20 minutes in each of the past five matches. He should be considered a short-term solution, and only for deeper leagues. Once the Bruins defense is fully intact, he’ll likely get pushed out of the lineup, so can be sent back to the waiver wire.
Riley Stillman, D, Chicago Blackhawks (9% Rostered)
Despite being a bottom pair defender, Stillman recently went on a five-game point streak where he collected six points. He has 10 points in 27 games on the year, doubling his previous career-high point total. He has 22 PIM, 67 hits, and 28 blocks, so he can chip in with the more physical categories. The defender can provide value to managers in deeper leagues that need a blue line boost.
Goaltending
Pavel Francouz, G, Colorado Avalanche (52% Rostered)
Francouz missed all of last year, and also missed a good chunk of this season as he didn’t suit up until Dec 16. Since then he has posted a 5-1-0 record, winning his past five contests. He has a 2.40 GAA and .922 save percentage and posted a shutout in his most recent appearance. Darcy Kuemper should still be considered the starter, but he has a tough time staying healthy too. Francouz should get a fair number of starts the rest of the way, in part to give Kuemper some rest. With how well Colorado is playing, it’s always a good bet to earn a win when you have one of their goaltenders on your fantasy team.
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