After weeks of instability at the goalie position, there seems to be more certainty of late and little to be excited about from the free-agent pool. Additionally, the waiver wire is pretty thin on the blue line. Because replacement level is typically high for forwards, owners in need of upgrades to their goaltending and/or defense corps might be better off exploring the trade market. With that in mind, here’s your Week 10 Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire.
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Week 10 Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire
Forwards
C/LW Blake Coleman, NJD (36%): With four tallies, seven helpers, 48 shots and 31 hits through his past 14 contests, Coleman is affirming himself as a solid cross-category contributor. Just note that he’s more of a bottom-six talent and offensive inconsistency is likely.
C Cody Eakin, VGK (29%): The veteran is making the most of his time between Max Pacioretty and Alex Tuch and now has seven goals and six helpers through his latest 14 outings. The promotion is working for Eakin, and with Paul Stastny (lower body) and Erik Haula (lower body) both nowhere close to returning, the 27-year-old center should continue to see favorable minutes for the Golden Knights.
C Colin White, OTT (39%): Currently centering Mark Stone and Brady Tkachuk, White is putting up respectable fantasy numbers. The trio has also connected for an impressive 4.51 goals and 17.46 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes for the campaign, and somewhat surprisingly, Ottawa is also one of the highest scoring clubs in the league.
C Dylan Strome, CHI (45%): The Blackhawks are giving Strome a legitimate shot skating with Patrick Kane and Alex Debrincat, and the line has clicked for 5.27 goals per 60 minutes through four contests. It’s resulted in two goals and an assist for Strome, and as long as he’s playing top-six minutes an receiving power-play time, he’s positioned to succeed.
C Robert Thomas, STL (34%): St. Louis is injury riddled up front, so Thomas has been receiving top-line looks with Ryan O’Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko of late. The rookie also scored last time out, so he’s worth a look. Additionally, Thomas is obviously more valuable in keeper/dynasty settings.
C/RW Andrew Shaw, MON (30%): Scoring at a point-per-game pace through his past 12 outings, Shaw continues to provide fantasy owners with a rock-solid stat line. His 32 shots and 31 hits during the stretch are nice bonuses, and the veteran appears locked in with youngsters Max Domi and Jonathan Drouin.
C/LW/RW Dominik Simon, PIT (22%): Dating back to last season, Simon has connected with Sidney Crosby for 4.39 goals per 60 minutes and a dominant 61.4 Corsi For percentage at even strength. The 24-year-old winger has recorded an assist in three of his past four games and also helps in the secondary categories.
LW/RW Pontus Aberg, ANA (19%): Slotted in atop the depth chart with Ryan Getzlf and Rickard Rakell, the 25-year-old Swede is worth a look on the fantasy hockey waiver wire. Aberg has collected three goals, three assists, two power-play points and 11 shots through his past four contests, and he’s clicked with Getzlaf to the tune of 5.26 goals per hour this season.
LW Andreas Johnsson, TOR (32%): The return of William Nylander will give the Maple Leafs more scoring depth, and Johnsson has been noticeably more dangerous of late. He followed up his first career hat trick with three assists through the next three games, and the stretch has netted him six of his nine points this season.
RW Eeli Tolvanen, NSH (54%): This is the last call on Tolvanen. The talented Finn projects to skate in a top-six role and receive power-play time over the coming weeks, with Nashville dealing with a number of injuries. While it could prove to be a fleeting gig for Tolvanen, there’s also the potential to score his way into a permanent and meaningful offensive job.
RW Ondrej Kase, ANA (46%): The old adage is good things happen when you shoot the puck, and Kase leads the Ducks in shot attempts per hour (16.5) dating back to last season. He’s also currently in strong form with three tallies, four helpers and four power-play points through his past eight outings.
RW Alex Chiasson, EDM (28%): Currently the third wheel on Edmonton’s top line with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, Chiasson’s fantasy value is way up. The elder statesman of the trio has played well in the role with five goals, an assist, 17 shots and 11 hits through the past nine outings. Chiasson is also skating with the No. 1 power-play unit.
Defensemen
D Mike Matheson, FLA (33%): While Matheson’s numbers don’t jump off the page, he’s been solid of late with seven helpers, three power-play points, 21 shots and 18 blocked shots through his past 10 outings. He’s also well on his way to topping last season’s career-best 27 points.
D Dmitry Orlov, WSH (37%): Like many mid-level defensemen, Orlov’s offensive numbers are going to be hit-or-miss, but his year-end stat line will be serviceable. The Russian moves the needle in the shots, hits and blocked shots column and has also topped 25 points in three consecutive seasons, so his fantasy floor is high.
D Sami Niku, WPG (24%): The Finn has been playing sparingly with the Jets, and there’s no guarantee his minutes will climb over time. However, after posting 54 points — 16 goals — through 76 AHL games last year, there’s definite offensive upside. In most settings, taking a wait-and-see approach is probably still best, but it’s not out of the question to scoop up Niku off the fantasy hockey waiver wire in deep leagues.
Goalies
G Curtis McElhinney, CAR (50%): It’s odd to see McElhinney’s ownership so low. He’s sporting a 7-2-1 record with a .930 save percentage and 2.10 GAA, after all. Additionally, he’s earned the starting role, so the veteran should see consistent starts as long as he’s playing well. The journeyman backup should be owned in all settings now that he’s climbed to the top of Carolina’s depth chart.
For more great fantasy hockey talk, listen in on Chris Meaney and Neil Parker on the Fantrax Fantasy Hockey Podcast, as they hit on all the injuries, streamers, and recent trends you need to know to stay on top of the fantasy ice.
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