There’s under a month left in the season, so we’re getting down to the last few opportunities to make some key claims from the fantasy hockey waiver wire. It could just be the extra push you need to win your matchup or propel you up the standings.
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Week 14 Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire
Forwards
C Josh Norris, OTT (50% Ownership): After a five-game point drought, Norris has gone on quite a run. He has 14 points in his last 15 outings. This includes an ongoing five-game point streak where he’s collected eight points. The 21-year-old has 29 points in 46 games. He’s climbed up to third in rookie scoring, surpassing teammate Tim Stützle. Norris centers the top line alongside Brady Tkachuk and Drake Batherson and does the same on the top power-play unit. The Senators will be relying on him to score, and you should do the same.
LW/RW Anthony Duclair, FLA (44%): Duclair is lighting it up with a seven-game point streak, racking up 10 points in the process. He’s up to 24 points in 34 games this season. His category coverage isn’t overwhelming with 85 shots, 14 PIM, and 28 hits — but his plus-19 rating is nice. After some struggles early in his career to solidify himself, he was able to showcase his offensive capabilities with the Senators last year. He’s carried that onward with the Panthers and makes for a solid source of secondary scoring.
C Casey Mittelstadt, BUF (28%): There haven’t been many bright spots for the Sabres this season, but Mittelstadt’s recent play is one of them. The 2017 eighth overall pick started with five points in six games in 2017-18, and that rose expectations through the roof. In his first full season, he posted 25 points in 77 games. Not bad for a rookie, but it was nowhere near what many expected from him. Since then he’s been splitting time between the Sabres and their AHL affiliate, Rochester. Jack Eichel’s injury and Eric Staal being traded leave Buffalo with a void at center, and Mittelstadt has filled in admirably with 10 points in 12 games. He’s centering the second line and the top power-play unit, so he’ll continue to receive plenty of opportunities to succeed.
C/LW/RW Sam Bennett, FLA (19%): Being traded to Florida has proven to be a great move so far. Bennett has three goals and two assists in his first three games in a Panthers sweater. He had a four-game point streak going in his last contests as a Flame, giving him points in each of his last seven appearances. He’s centering the second line with Jonathan Huberdeau and Anthony Duclair and centers the second power-play unit. As a fourth overall pick from 2014, his ceiling was very high. That potential has waned over the years, as he’s in his sixth NHL season. Could the change of scenery help him finally tap into that offense, or is it just a hot streak? Worth plucking from the waiver wire to find out.
C/LW/RW Evan Rodrigues, PIT (4%): This one’s for the deeper leagues. Rodrigues has 14 points in 30 games this year, including four points in his past three outings. He’s playing on the Penguins third line, after recently getting time on the second line. He also plays on the second-man advantage. If you’re in a fairly deep league, Rodrigues is a strong option that is being overlooked in the vast majority of leagues.
Defensemen
D Alex Goligoski, ARZ (32%): The 35-year-old endured a 23-game point drought, followed by a 7-game point drought earlier in the year. It looked like Goligoski’s days as a point-producing blueliner were behind him. He has since gone on to score 13 points in 14 contests. He had a five-game point streak, and currently has a four-game streak going. He’s proving that his early-season struggles were an anomaly and that he’s worth icing in a fantasy lineup.
D Jamie Oleksiak, DAL (21%): Oleksiak isn’t a prominent scorer, but he does have a pair of goals and an assist over the past six contests. You’re not picking him up for his offense though. The 6’7″ defender has 35 PIM, 71 blocks, and 117 hits this season. He’s a solid option if you need to tack on a few more hits and blocks. His next two meetings are with the Red Wings, who the Stars have just defeated twice. Maybe Oleksiak can add another goal in the process. He has five goals and six assists on the year.
Goalies
G Jake Allen, MTL (44%): Carey Price is expected to be sidelined at least a week, giving the starting role to Allen in the meantime. Allen has a 7-8-4 record with a 2.52 GAA and .914 save percentage. These aren’t the greatest totals, but it isn’t always common to find a starting goalie available on the waiver wire. Montreal has another meeting with the Oilers Wednesday, followed by three matchups against the Flames. Two of those are a back-to-back, so expect Cayden Primeau to get a start while Allen gets the bulk of the workload.
Did you enjoy Brandon’s Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire? You should also check out Mark Hillier’s Week 14 Goalie Streams.
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