This article is part of our NHL Waiver Wire series.
It's the season of giving thanks, so let's show appreciation to a few players who have up to now performed significantly higher than expected…
F: Elias Lindholm, CGY – Many expected James Neal to join forces with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan, but Lindholm stole the gig and has run away with it.
F: Mikko Koivu/Zach Parise, MIN – Further proof that age and an injury history can't stop skill, with each veteran striking for 18 points.
F: Timo Meier, SJ – The 2015 first-round pick improved in the second half of last season, so perhaps we shouldn't be too surprised by his 12 goals in 22 games.
D: Thomas Chabot, OTT – The new Erik Karlsson in Ottawa is doing better than the real-life Erik Karlsson in San Jose.
D: Neal Pionk, NYR – Even though he notched 14 in 28 last year, the 13 points – including 10 on the power play – has pretty much pushed Kevin Shattenkirk out of the lead role.
G: Jimmy Howard, DET – Other overachieving netminders may be posting better overall stats, but Howard has stabilized the back end of a strong youth contingent.
(Ownership rates/stats as of Nov. 21)
Forwards
Drake Batherson, OTT (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 3%, CBS: 19%): The 20-year old whose name sounds like a superhero's alter ego has immediately clicked with Matt Duchene since being called up last week. After racking up 20 points in 14 AHL contests,
It's the season of giving thanks, so let's show appreciation to a few players who have up to now performed significantly higher than expected…
F: Elias Lindholm, CGY – Many expected James Neal to join forces with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan, but Lindholm stole the gig and has run away with it.
F: Mikko Koivu/Zach Parise, MIN – Further proof that age and an injury history can't stop skill, with each veteran striking for 18 points.
F: Timo Meier, SJ – The 2015 first-round pick improved in the second half of last season, so perhaps we shouldn't be too surprised by his 12 goals in 22 games.
D: Thomas Chabot, OTT – The new Erik Karlsson in Ottawa is doing better than the real-life Erik Karlsson in San Jose.
D: Neal Pionk, NYR – Even though he notched 14 in 28 last year, the 13 points – including 10 on the power play – has pretty much pushed Kevin Shattenkirk out of the lead role.
G: Jimmy Howard, DET – Other overachieving netminders may be posting better overall stats, but Howard has stabilized the back end of a strong youth contingent.
(Ownership rates/stats as of Nov. 21)
Forwards
Drake Batherson, OTT (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 3%, CBS: 19%): The 20-year old whose name sounds like a superhero's alter ego has immediately clicked with Matt Duchene since being called up last week. After racking up 20 points in 14 AHL contests, Batherson has tallied two power-play goals and three assists over his first three NHL appearances. That kind of pace surely won't last, though he's looking like a safe bet to stay with the Sens.
Alexander Wennberg, CLS (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 4%, CBS: 21%): Wennberg hit his peak in 2016-17 when he struck for 59 points, including 23 with the man advantage. Last season's total dipped to 35, although his ice time remained in the 18-minute range. The Swede currently centers Columbus' third line, but he's been able to produce a goal and 11 assists – with three of those coming via the power play. He may not provide much in supplementary categories, but Wennberg does enough elsewhere to earn a spot in standard fantasy formats.
Nino Niederreiter, MIN (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 49%, CBS: 29%): Long gone are the days when Niederreiter dazzled as a member of Switzerland's World Junior team. And while most of the flash has transferred to a more well-rounded game, he can still pack in the points when healthy. A lone assist in his first seven outings appeared troublesome, but Niederreiter has turned it around with two goals and five assists through his last nine. And he's lucky enough to be surrounded by two excellent linemates in Parise and Koivu.
Ondrej Kase, ANA (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 3%, CBS: 40%): Kase was aiming to build upon his breakout from last season, but missed the Ducks' first 18 games after a preseason concussion. The young Czech has only registered one goal in four appearances, but he's directed a whopping 21 shots on goal. On top of that, Kase has vaulted to the first unit with Ryan Getzlaf and Rickard Rakell. If he continues to fire enough pucks at the net, offensive stats will follow.
Anthony Mantha, DET (Yahoo: 30%, ESPN: 72%, CBS: 42%): It's nice to see Detroit start well after enduring a couple years of pain. At the front of their resurgence stands Mantha, who has paired well with star Dylan Larkin. The 6-foot-5 winger may be pointless on the power play over the previous 14 contests, but he's managed five goals in the last 10 to go along with 29 shots and an 18:07 average. Mantha isn't only a key player in the Red Wings' future; he's an important part of their current success.
Kyle Okposo, BUF (Yahoo: 21%, ESPN: 12%, CBS: 35%): Let's face it: Okposo is probably not going to hit the 60-plus-point mark. The former Islander has been streaky during his Buffalo tenure, but he remains a serviceable forward when given the opportunity. Okposo has recently experienced success alongside another underwhelming forward – Casey Mittelstadt – by notching five points in five outings. Jason Pominville's numbers have tailed of late, so maybe Okposo will get a bump up with Jack Eichel.
Cody Eakin, VGK (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 2%, CBS: 7%): Erik Haula's injury has worked out in Eakin's favor. The Winnipeg native has racked up five goals from his last seven games while logging an additional two minutes of ice time over his season average. Once Paul Stastny returns in December, Eakin will probably lose a chunk of ice time. But until then, stick with the 27-year old while he's hot.
Andrew Shaw, MON (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 2%, CBS: 8%): The incomparable Janet Eagleson already touted Shaw's virtues, so let's continue the support. The two-time Cup winner sometimes fails to find the scoresheet and occasionally appears in the press box but can magically transform into a multi-category dynamo when properly motivated. On a line with Jonathan Drouin and Max Domi, Shaw has exploded for seven points over his last six to go with 18 shots and 16 hits.
Defensemen
Colin Miller, VGK (Yahoo: 30%, ESPN: 36%, CBS: 62%): There hasn't been much for Vegas fans to cheer about this season, but a few of their fantasy commodities deserve consideration. Miller destroyed career marks by notching 10 goals and 31 assists last season. Since struggling with two assists from his first 15 games, the ex-Bruin has rebounded with seven assists in seven – with four of those on the power play. Miller also puts plenty of shots on net and serves as a mainstay on the Golden Knights' top man-advantage quintet.
Mike Matheson, FLA (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 8%, CBS: 21%): 44 points spanning two years doesn't make for an exciting fantasy prospect, but Matheson's offensive skills have developed to a point where people have started to notice them. In addition to 20 shots and 15 blocks in the last 10 contests, he's tallied a goal and six assists. Matheson has never been associated with power-play performance, but he's getting a good look with Aaron Ekblad on Florida's second unit and has chipped in with three assists there.
Johnny Boychuk, NYI (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 0%, CBS: 6%): It may sound strange to recommend someone with three assists in 19 outings, but things begin to make more sense when you consider two of them came during the last week and both occurred with the man advantage. The Islanders' blue-line corps has produced very little this season – as Scott Mayfield's team-leading eight points illustrate – but Boychuk has at least shown recent promise on the power-play point with Mathew Barzal, so that's gotta be worth something.
Esa Lindell, DAL (Yahoo: 29%, ESPN: 55%, CBS: 34%): The chance to acquire Miro Heiskanen has probably passed, but one of his compatriots should suffice. Like his fellow Finn, Lindell bided his time while John Klingberg dominated the box score. But since the superstar went down, others have received the chance to contribute. Lindell's total of nine points may not look impressive, but a two-goal effort Monday and a power-play assist Tuesday in conjunction with 12 shots through three games strengthens his case.
Goaltenders
Louis Domingue, TB (Yahoo: 51%, ESPN: 5%, CBS: 66%): Andrei Vasilevskiy is scheduled to be out until mid-December, so there's an immediate opportunity for someone to step in and rack up a few wins. Enter Domingue, who posted a mediocre 70-game run in Arizona over 2015 and 2016. Although his career stats show a 3.03 GAA and .905 save percentage, Tampa's attack should be able to compensate at the other end. And when you consider the alternative of Edward Pasquale and his zero NHL experience over six organizations, Domingue becomes the obvious choice.
Cal Petersen, LA (Yahoo: 14%, ESPN: 0%, CBS: 14%): With both Jonathan Quick and Jack Campbell recuperating and Peter Budaj revealing his true 36-year old self, Petersen has seamlessly transitioned from NCAA All-Star to overnight sensation. Three consecutive road outings – including a shutout Monday versus St. Louis – have pushed the Notre Dame product to the front of the L.A. goalie line. Expect Petersen to continue starting, but beware that the Kings may eventually revert to their earlier disappointing form.
Players to consider from past columns: Alex Galchenyuk, Mikko Koivu, Jake DeBrusk, Matt Duchene, Jonathan Drouin, Max Domi, Gustav Nyquist, Dustin Brown, Mika Zibanejad, David Krejci, Travis Konecny, Travis Zajac, Alex Kerfoot, Sam Reinhart, Nolan Patrick, Brock Nelson, Alex Tuch, Jason Pominville, Andreas Athanasiou, Kevin Labanc, Boone Jenner, Ryan Dzingel, Kevin Hayes, Tom Wilson, Miro Heiskanen, Samuel Girard, Shea Theodore, Neal Pionk, Brandon Montour, Mike Green, Oscar Klefbom, Damon Severson, Vince Dunn, Ben Hutton, Brent Seabrook, Jacob Markstrom, Craig Anderson, Jimmy Howard, David Rittich
