Discover forwards on the waiver wire such as the Kings' Alex Laferriere and the Oilers' David Tomasek playing top-line roles. Plus, get insights on Anton Lundell, Jared McCann and others to boost your NHL fantasy lineup.
On every game day this season, THN Fantasy will highlight players and goalies for fantasy managers to stream or roster for the rest of the season. The recommended players and goalies are rostered in less than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and can be selected in standard fantasy leagues and/or for daily fantasy games.
Anton Lundell, C, FLA at BUF (43% rostered) – FanDuel $5,700
Between Lundell and Sam Bennett, Lundell has been far more productive on offense even though he’s averaging a little less ice time and playing PP2. Matinee games can be difficult to predict, but I like Lundell’s situation right now playing between Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart, and facing a team that’s finally figured out how to score but not how to defend.
Sean Monahan, C, CBJ vs. TB (43% rostered) – FanDuel $6,100
Dmitri Voronkov, LW, CBJ vs. TB (16% rostered) – FanDuel $4,700
A little strange that Monahan has yet to register a point, but that should change sooner than later. The Lightning are playing the second half of a back-to-back and will likely start Jonas Johansson, who’s one of the weaker backups in the league. Both Monahan and Voronkov play L1 and PP1 with top scorer Kirill Marchenko.
Jared McCann, C/LW, SEA at TOR (40% rostered) – FanDuel $5,800
I will recommend McCann until my face goes blue. His three-game points streak was snapped against the Habs but he’s still the Kraken’s most consistent and dangerous shooter, and so far has 14 shots in four games. Tough matchup against the Leafs with solid goaltending from Anthony Stolarz, but if the Kraken get on the board, I’m willing to bet McCann’s in on it.
Jake Neighbours, LW/RW, STL vs. DAL (28% rostered) – FanDuel $5,300
Neighbours is red-hot with four goals in three games and has since moved up to the top line with Robert Thomas. I think Jim Montgomery is still trying to figure out what works best, so expect some line juggling if the Blues struggle, but he’s been their best winger so far.
Trevor Zegras, C, PHI vs. MIN (17% rostered) – FanDuel $4,600
Despite playing L3/PP2, I think a crafty offensive player such as Zegras will find the open areas in the ice to score. The Wild are a high-event team; they generate a ton of scoring chances but also give up a lot, and their goaltending – they’re expected to start backup Jesper Wallstedt in the second game of a back-to-back – has been really shaky so far. Zegras carries a three-game assist streak into this matchup.
Alex Laferriere, RW, LA vs. CAR (10% rostered) – FanDuel $4,900
Anze Kopitar is out week-to-week with a foot injury and based on the lines it looks like Laferriere will skate as the 1C. This is a really interesting decision; it doesn’t seem like Jim Hiller wants to touch the other lines, but this is such a tough assignment against a team that tends to dominate puck possession. Still, skating with Andrei Kuzmenko and Adrian Kempe should put Laferriere in a better position to score points. He’s registered at least one shot in every game this season even though he’s been held without a point. Consider Laferriere a deep value play in DFS leagues and a long-shot in standard leagues as a waiver wire pickup.
Dawson Mercer, C/RW, NJ vs. EDM (6% rostered) – FanDuel $4,600
Has Mercer finally figured it out and returned to form? After an impressive first two seasons in the league, Mercer’s offensive numbers dipped but he’s up to four points in four games this season playing L2 with Nico Hischier. Given how poor the Oilers defense and goaltending has been, there’s a good chance Mercer extends his points streak to three games.
David Tomasek, RW, EDM at NJ (2% rostered) – FanDuel $4,200
Tomasek is slated to play L1/PP1 with Connor McDavid and this isn’t a Trent Frederic-type situation where he’s just filling in. Tomasek is a proven scorer, having led Farjestad in the Swedish League in scoring for two straight seasons before signing with the Oilers. He has yet to score a goal but he’s come close a few times, and he’s also not afraid to shoot the puck with 10 shots in four games. The ice time isn’t great but the quality deployment should make up for it.
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