It’s an interesting week in the NHL with just a single game on the schedule Tuesday and no games on Thursday. Additionally, 16 teams will hit the ice four times. Here’s a look at your Week 8 fantasy hockey waiver wire adds.
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Week 8 Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire
Forwards
C Mikko Koivu, MIN (48%): With Sunday’s helper, Koivu has now marked the scoresheet in six of his past eight games for two goals, 10 assists, and seven power-play points. His nine shots definitely leave a lot to be desired and Koivu hasn’t posted a 60-point showing since the 2010-11 campaign. Still, he’s locked into a top-six role and offers a respectable offensive floor while also providing a huge boost in leagues that include faceoff wins.
C Kevin Hayes, NYR (31%): A mainstay in this space so far, Hayes continues to thrive in a go-to role and has now recorded 10 points — two goals — while averaging a hefty 20:33 of ice time (2:48 on the power play) through his past nine contests. The 26-year-old center is also still in the heart of his offensive prime and is helping more in the peripheral categories than in years past with 49 shots and 24 hits for the campaign.
C Drake Batherson, OTT (30%): Now three games into his career, Batherson has already collected two goals, three assists, and two multi-point showings. He logged a season-high 15:39 of ice time against Florida on Monday, and the 20-year-old forward’s value will only rise when he earns winger eligibility. There’s even more to like about Batherson in keeper/dynasty settings, too.
C/LW Blake Coleman, NJD (25%): Hot of late with three tallies, four helpers and 26 shots through his past seven contests, Coleman is making the most of his middle-line role with New Jersey. While he projects to remain a solid source of PIM and hits, fantasy owners should probably keep offensive expectations in check moving forward. Still, in deep settings, Coleman offers enough cross-category production to be a serviceable asset.
C/LW Brock Nelson, NYI (45%): A regular in this space, Nelson has marked the scoresheet in 10 of his past 13 games for eight tallies and five helpers — all at even strength. He’s averaged 2:03 of power-play time per contest this season, so the production with the man advantage should also begin trickling in. Additionally, in leagues including faceoff wins, it’s helpful to have a winger-eligible skater who takes draws.
C/LW Frank Vatrano, FLA (13%): While probably more of a salary-cap option ($925,000), Vatrano has flashed solid offensive upside throughout his AHL career and is currently slotted into a top-six role with power-play time (2:16 per contest) for Florida. At worst, there’s streaming potential in deep settings.
C/RW Andrew Shaw, MON (17%): Joining Max Domi and Jonathan Drouin at five-on-five has been a perfect fit for Shaw, as the trio has connected for 7.55 goals and 14.02 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes during Shaw’s active five-game point streak (five tallies and two helpers). Obviously, the offensive numbers are unsustainable, but Shaw has a 20-goal showing on his resume and is also skating on the No. 2 power-play unit. Additionally, he moves the needle in the peripheral categories.
RW Craig Smith, NSH (36%): The veteran collected an assist in Monday’s win over Tampa Bay and spent the majority of the contest on the No. 1 line with Ryan Johansen and Filip Forsberg. With Viktor Arvidsson (thumb) out long-term, Smith has the potential to thrive in the top-line gig.
Defensemen
D Dmitry Orlov, WAS (36%): The veteran is a better real-world player than fantasy asset and his offensive talent doesn’t translate to scoresheet appearances as frequently as it should. Still, Orlov is well on his way to a fourth consecutive solid season and he could potentially turn in a career-best showing. Of late, the 27-year-old Russian has recorded two goals, four assists, seven shots, and eight blocked shots through his past four outings.
D Ben Hutton, VAN (21%): It’s been a nice run for Hutton. He’s seeing big minutes in all situations and has collected three tallies, five helpers, and five power-play points while averaging 22:34 of ice time (3:09 with the man advantage) through his latest 11 contests. Just note that playing for the Canucks makes Hutton a huge risk in formats including plus/minus rating.
D Nate Schmidt, VGK (42%): The 27-year-old defenseman has now played two games since returning from suspension, and while he’s been quiet in both, Schmidt is also coming off a breakout, 36-point showing in 2017-18. He also offered nice secondary production topping triple-digits in both the shots and blocked shots columns.
Goaltenders
G David Rittich, CGY (56%): It’s last call to scoop up Rittich. He’s sporting a 7-1 record with a .931 save percentage and 1.93 GAA and also now started consecutive games — both wins. Mike Smith is struggling, so at worst, Rittich has probably earned a 50-50 timeshare in the Calgary crease.
G Calvin Petersen, LA (22%): Los Angeles plays solid defense and low-event hockey, so Petersen will have a chance to post respectable ratios and chip in the odd win. Additionally, he projects to start plenty of games and opportunity often trumps talent in the fantasy game. Shutting out the Blues on the road Monday shouldn’t go unnoticed, either.
G Edward Pasquale, TB (3%): There’s a chance Pasquale receives a handful of starts over the coming weeks with Andrei Vasilevskiy (foot) out long term. Interim starter, Louis Domingue, is off to an underwhelming start with a .892 save percentage and 3.51 GAA, after all. Pasquale could be a worthwhile stash and plug-and-play netminder when starting, and there’s a better than zero chance he outplays Domingue.
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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