Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire - Tuesday, Oct. 24

I’m changing it up from the Sit/Start/Stream/Stash format used in the first two weeks of the season. This week's new format offers up lists of players rather than a list of games featuring players to pay attention to. 

It's more streamlined this way and allows you to zero in on the players you need to help your fantasy team by jumping to the relevant section using the table of contents. 

Shorter. Faster. Better. Just like prime Martin St. Louis. 

Positions and percentage rostered courtesy of Yahoo Fantasy.

( < 50% rostered, ranked by matchup)

Joseph Woll, TOR at WSH (39% rostered)

Woll came in relief for Ilya Samsonov and made 29 saves in a comeback win against the Lightning on Saturday, and it also just happens to be a scheduled start for Woll. With Samsonov struggling (.831 SP, 4.35 GAA), a strong performance from Woll will ensure he gets a bigger chunk of the playing time than previously anticipated, and he’s been a popular add in fantasy, up from 26 percent rostered from Sunday to Monday.

The Caps offense is sputtering, and they don’t have the firepower to match the Leafs even if it becomes a high-scoring game. It’s worth noting that Samsonov similarly struggled for a short period in late December last season (.850 SP in four games) but ended up having the best season of his career. Woll’s definitely worth streaming, and we’ll pump the brakes a little bit before proclaiming him as the No. 1, though this situation is definitely worth monitoring.

Anthony Stolarz, FLA vs. SJ (1% rostered)

The Sharks are the second-worst team on offense after the Caps, so it makes sense Stolarz is No. 2 on the list. He’ll be making his season debut, and I actually think this matchup is better than Woll if only because Woll still has to face the most feared goal scorer of his generation. Stolarz has a career .913 SP behind a tattered Ducks defense, and he’s also 8-1-0 with a .929 SP and 2.56 against the Sharks in his career.

Elvis Merzlikins, CLB vs. ANA (33% rostered)
John Gibson, ANA at CLB (39% rostered)

At first glance, Elvis should be worth starting. The Jackets’ goaltending and offense have been better than expected, and even without Patrik Laine, they have a nice 1-2 punch with Boone Jenner and Adam Fantilli down the middle. 

What scares me a little is past history; the Ducks have won eight of their past nine matchups, including three in extra time, and their three most recent matchups averaged 9.7 goals per contest. There’s sneaky offensive talent on both teams – Fantilli vs. Leo Carlsson being one of them – and I feel like this will be a costly win for Elvis in regards to his save percentage and goals against.

Jonas Johansson, TB vs. CAR (50% rostered)
Antti Raanta, CAR at TB (33% rostered)

This one has the potential to be a very high-scoring affair. The Lightning defense is thin and Brett Pesce missed Saturday’s game. What gives me some confidence is Johansson, who has been far better than expected and proved he can handle a high shot volume against the Leafs. 

This feels like a win for Johansson since Raanta (.818 SP, 4.41 GAA) has been playing so poorly, but it’ll likely come at a cost with a low save percentage and high goals against. The Lightning are 2-0-1 at home and the Canes 2-3-0 on the road.

( < 50% rostered)

Lucas Raymond, DET vs. SEA (46% rostered)

Raymond collected three assists riding shotgun on the top line. The lack of power play is a little frustrating, but that may be moot against the Kraken’s No. 6-ranked penalty kill. After a strong start, expected starter Philipp Grubauer is once again showing that he’s not a viable starter with a 0-4-0 record and a .896 SP.

Logan Cooley, ARI at LA (46% rostered)

Cooley’s looking for his first goal and it’s going to come soon. With L2 and PP1 deployment, Cooley’s getting all the quality ice time and linemates he needs. The upside is relatively modest, however, because even though the Kings are allowing almost four goals per game, their schedule has been really tough so far facing the Avs, Canes and Bruins.

( < 25% rostered)

Sean Monahan, C, MTL vs. NJ (23% rostered)

This is truly a rejuvenation of a career once derailed by injuries. Monahan is averaging the most ice time in nearly five seasons, and he’s certainly taken advantage of it scoring a point in three of his five games played. The Habs clearly trust Monahan’s veteran line, which also includes a rejuvenated Brendan Gallagher, and Monahan also lines up with Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki on PP1.

Dylan Strome, C, WSH vs. TOR (23% rostered)

It took long enough; after starting the season as the third-line center, Strome is on the top line with Alex Ovechkin on his wing as Spencer Carbery elects to stack his top line in search of more offense. Strome is their most consistent playmaker and at Monday’s skate was also elevated to PP1. He was their second-leading scorer after Ovechkin last season.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C, CAR at TB (21% rostered)

The Canes know what they’re doing, that’s for sure. After signing KK to a much-maligned long-term extension in a season where he scored only 29 points, he’s already scored seven points with 15 shots in six games. He’s playing more minutes than ever (16:11 TOI/GP) and firmly entrenched as the No. 2 center on a deep team that spreads out their minutes.

( < 50% rostered)

Max Domi, C/LW, TOR at WSH (45% rostered)

I still find Domi totally overrated in fantasy, but his two-assist effort and chemistry with Matthew Knies against a very slow opponent makes this a nice play.

Frank Vatrano, C/LW, ANA at CLB (43% rostered)

The nice thing about Vatrano is that he shoots a lot. Heading into Monday, Vatrano was tied-21st in the league with 20 shots on goal and plays with arguably their top center in Mason McTavish at even strength. The past three Ducks-Jackets matchups have totaled 29 goals scored, and more of the same could be in store.

Mikael Backlund, C, CGY vs. NYR (40% rostered)

I don’t necessarily like this matchup because Igor Shesterkin is elite, and his current .879 SP is bound to improve. Backlund had a quiet start but now has helpers in consecutive games, and his shot volume has remained steady. He’s on pace for 287 shots, continuing a late-career transformation into an offensive, high-volume shooter despite being more known for his two-way play.

Adam Fantilli, C, CLB vs. ANA (32% rostered)

The Ducks have never been good defensively and, as previously noted, past history indicates this will be a high-scoring game. Fantilli scored his first career goal in his last game and it was certainly overdue; he’s been playing well and was robbed twice before on two odd-man rushes. Fantilli’s upside is immense as the Jackets’ future top pivot.

( < 25% rostered)

Matthew Knies, LW, TOR at WSH (18% rostered)

I hesitate to include Knies among players to add and hold for the rest of the season because he’s not getting top-six minutes. He’s been playing very well, but the Leafs are playing Calle Jarnkrok on their top line and leaving Knies on the third line where he’s shown good chemistry with Domi. Knies is coming off an awesome three-point performance against the Lightning.

Leo Carlsson, C, ANA at CLB (13% rostered)

Carlsson should draw into the lineup after sitting out Saturday due to load management, for lack of a better term. The Ducks plan to ease Carlsson into his first NHL season, but when Carlsson does play, he’s centering a high-upside offensive line with Trevor Zegras and Troy Terry on his wings and already averages 20 minutes per game.

Thomas Novak, C, NSH vs. VAN (6% rostered)

Assume the Canucks’ top pairing will draw Ryan O’Reilly’s line, which gives Novak a chance to feast on their much lesser second and third pairings. Novak’s speed will be a problem, and he’s scored three goals in his past three games.

Alex Iafallo, LW, WPG vs. STL (4% rostered)

Iafallo’s working on a two-game point streak and replaced Mason Appleton on the top line at Monday’s skate and joined the top power-play unit. This immediately boosts Iafallo’s fantasy value, who also played a season-high 19:23 against the Oilers. He’s one of the best low-key streamers of the night in his new role.

Paul Cotter, C, VEG vs. PHI (3% rostered)

Cotter should be an awesome streamer in banger leagues, whose scoring – four points in four games – has made him more than just a source of hits. He’s playing L2 with Chandler Stephenson and Mark Stone and on PP2.

Matthew Poitras, C, BOS at CHI (3% rostered)

I noted in the first weekend of the season that Poitras has the potential to be a fantasy-relevant player in deep leagues. Centering the second line, he scored the first two goals his career against the Ducks and now has another excellent matchup against the Hawks, who are playing fellow rookie Lukas Reichel on the second line.

Ridly Greig, C, OTT vs. BUF (3% rostered)

Quietly, Greig has now put together a four-game point streak and even with the return of Josh Norris, he has maintained his spot in the lineup next to the red-hot Vladimir Tarasenko. The Sabres are playing the second half of a back-to-back with third-string Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen expected to make his season debut. Greig fills multiple categories, including shots, hits and faceoff wins.

Filip Hronek, VAN at NSH (46% rostered)

The Canucks’ top pair with Hronek and Quinn Hughes has simply been outstanding. Hronek’s been stuffing the stats sheet with points (3), shots (12), blocks (9) and hits (4), and in 12-team banger leagues certainly deserves a spot.

Mike Matheson, MTL vs. NJ (40% rostered)

I’m really tired of typing this, but Matheson was overlooked last season, before the season and right now during the season. Averaging nearly 26 minutes per game, Matheson is their PP1 QB and offers up a steady diet of shots (14) and blocks (13) with some occasional hits.

Travis Sanheim, PHI at VEG (10% rostered)

John Tortorella’s found his new workhorse. Sanheim played a season-high 28:28 on Saturday against the Stars, the third-highest of his career and also scored his fourth assist in five games. When you’re on the ice that much, including PP1 and PK1, you’re bound to fill the stats sheet. In 12 or 14-team leagues, Sanheim’s definitely worth looking into.

( < 50% rostered)

Cam Fowler, ANA at CLB (49% rostered)

Both of Fowler’s points were scored in the same game this season, and otherwise he’s been quiet. However, with Jamie Drysdale injured, Fowler is now quarterbacking PP2 by himself. He plays a ton of minutes for the Ducks but he’s much better in real-life hockey than fantasy hockey. I’m not sure why he’s rostered in so many leagues right now when Pavel Mintyukov’s the QB on PP1, but this is a good matchup for Fowler because it will potentially feature a lot of goals.

Brayden McNabb, VEG vs. PHI (30% rostered)

McNabb is excellent in banger leagues if you’re looking for blocks. The three apples are nice, but McNabb’s 19 blocks provide most of his fantasy value. They’ll be plenty of chances against the Flyers, who average 46.6 shot attempts per game and rank fourth with 34.4 shots per game.

( < 25% rostered)

Oliver Ekman-Larsson, FLA vs. SJ (19% rostered)

Good thing defensive play and turnovers don’t count in fantasy. OEL continues to have value as the Panthers’ top PP QB and he’s averaging 2.8 shots per game. Against the lowly Sharks, OEL should be able to score at least a point; his 28 career points against them is the second-highest total against any team.

Pavel Mintyukov, ANA at CLB (5% rostered)

Along with his role on PP1, Mintyukov provides really good value in banger leagues with his hits and blocked shots. He’s very involved in the play all the time, though he’s a high-risk, high-reward type of player because he doesn’t always play a lot of minutes.