It is an interesting week for forwards to stream because the group of potential players that will make a difference is smaller than normal. That being said, there are still some solid options that may have slipped through the cracks and not been added by others in your league(s) yet. Here they are.
Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Forwards to Consider for Week 17
Nick Schmaltz, Utah Hockey Club
Nick Schmaltz’s eight-game point streak was just snapped, proving that he’s been quietly putting up points and providing some nice value in fantasy hockey. He has also been a part of the success of Utah’s power play as he has four power-play points in the last seven games. He doesn’t shoot a ton, but he shoots enough. Along with that, he will block about a shot per game, but not make very many hits if that’s what you’re looking for in a forward this week.
Schmaltz plays on the very good top line of Utah with Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley who have both also been doing great this season. Schmaltz not only plays on the top line but the top power play as well, which is the reason for the production being where it is with the man advantage. Utah matches up against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, and St. Louis Blues this week, three teams who haven’t been able to keep the puck out of their nets well at all this season. Look for a big week by Schmaltz and Utah’s offense.
Pavel Dorofeyev, Vegas Golden Knights
Pavel Dorofeyev is another player who has had quiet success this season and there’s no reason to think that is going to change with the young forward playing in the Vegas Golden Knights’ top-6 and on the top power-play unit where he’s been doing extremely well lately. He is a shooter and is already at 21 goals on the season, but he is especially effective in the shooting role on the power play where he has recorded six points in the last eight games.
Dorofeyev doesn’t hit, but he doesn’t need to when he’s scored seven goals and recorded 10 points in the last eight games. Recently, he has been a fantasy darling and someone who is very much worth a stream. He has been streaky this season, so that’s something to watch. He’s gone two games in a row without scoring, but is still shooting, so that’s the risk you’ll have to take. The Golden Knights are set to play the Dallas Stars, Blue Jackets, and New York Rangers, so it is a bit of a tougher look in net for two of the games if Jake Oettinger and Igor Shesterkin are manning the creases.
Juraj Slafkovsky, Montreal Canadiens
Juraj Slafkovsky is a great all-around player to have in fantasy hockey when he is producing at even a decent rate offensively. He’ll take penalties, he will definitely use his body and make hits, he will block shots, and isn’t a shooter, but will almost always get a couple of shots on net. It is a bonus that Slafkovsky is playing on the top line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield as well as on the top power-play unit.
If Slafkovsky could get in on the power-play production more, he’d be a perfect forward to grab and hold onto. The opportunity is right in front of him. That being said, he does have three goals and five points in the last six games. It isn’t as flashy as Schmaltz or Dorofeyev recently, but he’s a much more well-rounded player. The Montreal Canadiens face the Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild, and then the Anaheim Ducks, so their week gets progressively easier.
Related: Week 17 Fantasy Hockey Goalie Streams
There may not be many options out there for you this week and all of these players will not only provide you with value but three games this week as well. Make sure to come back next week for more of the top forward streamers.
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