Welcome back for more of the Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire. This week we have a rookie soaring up the charts, injuries leading to opportunities, and some depth players making their contributions matter.
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Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire for Week 16
Forwards
LW Dominik Kubalik, CHI (51%): Playing on the top line with Jonathan Toews, Kubalik has been on a tear lately. He just had a six-game point streak snapped, one that saw him post seven goals and three assists. The 24-year-old had a rather lukewarm start to his NHL career, as he posted 10 points through his first 27 contests. After heating up, the dual eligible winger finds himself fourth in rookie scoring with 28 points and leads the league in rookie goals with 18 markers. He’s playing his way into potential Calder Trophy discussion.
LW Blake Coleman, NJD (48%): It may have been overlooked due to the performance of his opponents, but Coleman scored a hat-trick against the Maple Leafs Tuesday night. He has six points in his last six outings, all of them being goals. He’s never finished a season with more assists than goals and appears on track to do that again. He has 18 goals and eight assists for 26 points in 46 contests. He should have no trouble blowing by the career-high 22 goals and 36 points he posted last year. It’s not just the tallies that make him interesting, it’s his peripherals. He has 140 shots on goal and 142 hits. The high shot total is even more interesting given Coleman’s lack of power-play time. In any case, he’s a quality secondary scorer who can help with shots and hits.
C Noel Acciari, FLA (34%): Acciari continues to be a curious case. A player with six goals in 72 games last season, he managed to equal that within two games, scoring back-to-back hat-tricks. He manages to keep scoring, bringing his goal total up to 17 in just 42 appearances. He has an absurd 25% shooting percentage, which should go down over time. However, it hasn’t thus far, and he may continue to defy the odds. Acciari also brings 82 hits and 70 blocks to the table, so he can contribute in other ways should it not be raining hats and rats on the ice.
C Derek Stepan, ARZ (21%): The Coyotes centerman is picking up steam, collecting nearly half of his total points in the past eight games. He was at 12 points through 41 contests but is now on a run of nine points in eight outings. He’s playing on a line with Phil Kessel and figures to see significant time with either Kessel or Taylor Hall on any given night. If you want to add a depth center to your squad, Stepan makes for a good fit while he continues to provide the points.
LW Alexander Steen, STL (5%): Steen has gotten hot lately, picking up nine points in eight games. He’s playing on the third line with Robert Thomas and Tyler Bozak, but it’s one of the more potent third lines in the NHL. Steen is quietly having a solid campaign. An ankle injury limited him to 32 appearances, in which he’s posted 14 points. A slight uptick in production from last year’s 27 points in 65 outings. For a 35-year-old coming off a Stanley Cup victory, that’s not bad production. He can be a quality add for anyone in a deeper league.
Defensemen
D Rasmus Sandin, TOR (40%): Sandin was given six games back in October, before being sent back to the minors. He played great hockey at the World Junior Championship, winning the bronze medal and being named the top defender of the tournament. Now with Morgan Rielly scheduled to miss at least two months with a fractured foot, Sandin will get an opportunity to continue his recent momentum. He started out strong during Tuesday’s tilt with New Jersey, netting a pair of assists (one on the power play), a plus-2 rating, two shots on goal, three hits and a block. While he can’t sustain that kind of production, he’ll be utilized in an offensive role, making him a great addition in the fantasy realm. For Rielly owners, he’s a must-add.
Goaltenders
G Cam Talbot, CGY (33%): It might be hard to believe, but Talbot has won four in a row, and he’s started four of Calgary’s last six meetings. He allowed eight goals against in that span, bringing his save percentage up to .922. The Flames are giving the bigger workload to the hotter hand, so Talbot can keep earning starts if he continues this level of play.
G Aaron Dell, SJS (27%): Has Dell taken over the starting role from Martin Jones? Jones’ struggles are well documented, and his numbers have dropped even more to a 3.19 GAA and .890 save percentage. Dell’s numbers on the season aren’t great with a 2.84 GAA and .909 save percentage, but he’s picked up his play lately. Dell has started the Sharks last four contests, and six of their past seven. He’s won four of those meetings, allowing just six goals against over the course of those victories. While Dell isn’t the most reliable goaltender, he can help you in wins and saves, and possibly other categories if his team can clamp down defensively.
Also, check out last week’s fantasy hockey waiver wire picks to see if any of those players are still available.
Got another name or two for the fantasy hockey waiver wire? Let us know in the comments below. We promise we won’t tell anyone in your league.
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