For fantasy hockey teams in leagues with many teams and large rosters, there are general strategies to follow in those later rounds. Zach Bogosian [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxMzc4MTI3MzEyNTk0OTE3/usatsi_20424710_168400847_lowres.jpg] Zach Bogosian As it always is, the Sunday before the NHL's opening night was a particularly busy one as clubs made the final cuts to their rosters in order to be ready for the regular season. This meant that a metric ton of players hit waivers yesterday, offering up a smorgasbord of free players for teams to pick and choose from – if they can make the dollars and cents fit, that is. The flat cap makes it very difficult to do so and therefore means a number of quality names often manage to pass through waivers, with this year being no different. So, let's take a look at the five best players who went unclaimed on Monday and determine what they can bring to the table. MARTIN JONES, G, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS Jones is no longer an NHL starter, having gone five years since posting a save percentage above .900. But he does have value on a big-league roster in the short term. For teams in need of a safety net, Jones is a serviceable choice. While his stats aren't great, Jones has proven to be capable of keeping his head above water in spot duty for a contender, managing to rack up 27 wins for the Kraken last season behind a solid-as-heck blueline. Those 27 wins, however, mask some larger, long-term issues for the big guy, coming accompanied by a staggering negative-21.4 goals saved above average to give Jones one of the lowest metrics in the league. He will not win his team games. In fact, he'll likely lose them, more than anything. But no one can deny that the Kraken won more than they lost with Jones in net in 2022-23, context be damned. For a team in need of a stop-gap like Tampa, Jones could at least be an experienced warm body between the pipes until their actual starting netminder, Andrei Vasilevksiy, returns from injury. RAPHAEL LAVOIE, C, EDMONTON OILERS Since turning pro in 2020, Lavoie has done exactly what every team hopes for from their mid-round picks: Get better every year. The 23-year-old second-rounder truly came into his own in 2022-23 down on the farm with the Bakersfield Condors, finishing his third AHL campaign with a very promising 25 goals and 20 assists for 45 points in 65 games, nearly doubling his total from the season prior while thrusting himself into serious consideration for an Oilers roster spot. While that ultimately didn't come to pass out of camp, there's a lot to like about Lavoie moving forward. At 6-foot-4, the kid has size, offensive instincts and a motor to improve his status within the Oilers organization and make him a very valuable depth asset for the club as they continue to build the bottom of their lineup. Another strong start in the AHL could make Lavoie one of the first call-ups of an 82-game season that will inevitably feature many. There's no doubt GM Ken Holland and his entire front office are breathing a sigh of relief that the hulking forward didn't get plucked from their grasp. ZACH BOGOSIAN, D, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING Bogosian making it through waivers is one of the more surprising developments of the cutdown day, given that he's still a serviceable NHLer despite his declining foot speed and was reportedly offered up to all 31 other teams by the Lightning in an effort to get him more playing time elsewhere. At this stage of his career, Bogosian is nothing more than a quality sixth or seventh defenseman, a role which nonetheless ends up being quite valuable to contending clubs given the rigors of a full-length campaign. Bogosian averaged just under 15 minutes per night with the Lightning last season and produced quite well in a limited role, with Tampa outchancing its opponents and generating 50.06 percent of the expected goals at 5-on-5, respectively, according to naturalstattrick.com [https://www.naturalstattrick.com/playerteams.php?fromseason=20222023&thruseason=20222023&stype=2&sit=5v5&score=all&stdoi=oi&rate=n&team=T.B&pos=S&loc=B&toi=0&gpfilt=none&fd=&td=&tgp=410&lines=single&draftteam=ALL]. There aren't many fringe defenders who can do that in similar circumstances while bringing Bogosian's trademark physicality and veteran leadership. It wouldn't be surprising to see Bogosian moved to a team with more opportunities available in the days or months ahead. GRIGORI DENISENKO, LW, VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS Picked 15th overall in 2018, Denisenko definitely has the best pedigree of any player to have cleared waivers this time around, giving Vegas an intriguing scoring threat in their system to plug and play as they see fit. The Golden Knights claimed him off waivers from the Florida Panthers days ago, but Florida didn't take him back. Last season was the first time Denisenko played more than 30 games for one team in the same year since his KHL days back in 2019-20, logging 56 games with the AHL's Charlotte Checkers and racking up 12 goals and 24 assists for 36 points. The offensive talent is there for Denisenko, as his 2022-23 numbers suggest. It's his defensive prowess that paints another story, with Denisenko struggling mightily in his own end in the AHL while also being unable to translate his nose for the net to the league above. In 26 NHL games across three seasons, Denisenko has yet to score a goal and has chipped in seven assists. Perhaps a change of scenery and a renewed commitment to him as a player by a new organization can be precisely what the doctor ordered for the talented winger. And, if so, that's a mighty fine addition to the roster of the reigning Cup champs that really didn't change too much over the summer. ZACH ASTON-REESE, LW, DETROIT RED WINGS If you're looking for offense, Aston-Reese is not your man. The 29-year-old is as defense-first as it comes in the modern NHL despite scoring a career-high 10 goals in 2022-23, providing any team's fourth line with responsibility and a commitment to puck possession that clubs value very highly. There's more to Aston-Reese than your typical 12th forward, namely, his defensive acumen allows him to contribute on special teams as an effective penalty killer. On a two-way deal, Aston-Reese is a smart financial bet for the Red Wings and could potentially net them a low-round pick from a team in need of NHL-caliber forward depth in the event they opt to trade him. Aston-Reese was assigned to Grand Rapids after clearing waivers, but he is too good for the AHL at this stage of his career and is likely looking for a full-time job after spending the entire past season with the Maple Leafs. If that's the case, the likes of Philadelphia, San Jose, and even his old club Anaheim could be interested at the right price.
