Defensemen remain hard to come by in fantasy hockey, but there are still some strong options available, this week more than many others. While all of these three potential streamers can produce offense and have lately, there’s more to be provided as well. Let’s dive into the top options for Week 19 in fantasy hockey.
Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Defensemen to Target for Week 19
Jackson LaCombe, Anaheim Ducks
Jackson LaCombe remains at the top of the list of streamers, meaning that if there is an open spot on your roster to even hold onto him, I’d suggest that. He has had an impressive breakout season, especially since Cam Fowler was traded to the St. Louis Blues and more ice time and opportunity really opened up. In his first two games since the NHL came back from the break, he has three assists, five shots, two hits, and six blocked shots.
LaCombe is up to nine goals and 27 points in 49 games, which is nothing to ignore, especially from a player that didn’t really step up until the opportunity presented itself. He’s on a 15-goal, 45-point pace for a young d-man and he’s played over 25:30 in each of his last two games. The Anaheim Ducks have been winning, so it’s boosting him even more as well. The Ducks face the Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks to close out this week, but have a back-to-back early next week as well before we convene here again.
Tony DeAngelo, New York Islanders
Tony DeAngelo and the New York Islanders also have a decent schedule the rest of the week and into the start of next week. The team plays twice this week against the Boston Bruins and Nashville Predators, then play a Monday and Tuesday back-to-back. As long as DeAngelo shows that he can handle the minutes being given to him since signing with the Islanders and the team stays banged up, he’s going to continue producing.
DeAngelo has played nine games ahead of Tuesday’s slate of games and has one goal and five points in nine games. We can’t expect many defensemen to play at a point-per-game pace, especially not ones sitting on the waiver wire. He averages over 25 minutes of ice time per night, is on the top pairing, and the top power-play unit. He is getting the best opportunity he is going to get. Not only will he shoot a decent amount, he is really doing well blocking shots and being a team player in that regard.
Owen Power, Buffalo Sabres
It is nice to see Owen Power turning into more of a fantasy-relevant defenseman. He is already a talented young d-man in the NHL, but now that he’s getting himself on the scoresheet more, and not just with points, he is worth a good look. Power has assists in six of his past seven games and is shooting more than he normally does, getting nine shots on net a few games back.
Power is on the second pairing and second power-play unit for the Buffalo Sabres and the team is hit and miss, but he is finding ways to contribute in a good way. While the power play is unfortunately mostly a non-factor for him, he has six goals and 30 points in 55 games this season and is going to top his career highs. The Sabres are really putting some goals up lately, so I don’t see that falling off suddenly. Buffalo matches up against the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens this week and then the Canadiens and the San Jose Sharks in a start of next week back-t0-back.
Related: Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Week 19 Forward Streams
Be sure to take advantage of the talent that should be available to you in your fantasy hockey league(s) and come back next week for more of the top choices to stream.
