This article is part of our NHL Waiver Wire series.
If your championship dreams are still alive, we send our best wishes. And for those who didn't advance in head-to-head, we offer our condolences…unless your league provides a second chance with a consolation game. The reward or recognition may not be great, but at least it proves that perseverance – and a bit of luck – eventually pays off.
Another week to strategize and outwit your opponents. Here's the latest lot of available recruits, ranging from under-the-radar newcomers to veterans with nothing to lose:
(Ownership rates/stats as of March 21)
Forwards
Evgenii Dadonov, FLA (Yahoo: 71%, ESPN: 92%, CBS: 94%): The boys from Sunrise may be facing their playoff sunset, but their top players haven't stopped scoring. Even though Dadonov piled up plenty of points during his five-year KHL vacation, it was unclear if he could replicate that in North America.65 points to start his second NHL tour quieted the critics, and 59 more in the current campaign have cemented Dadonov as an attractive fantasy commodity. However, he remains free in almost 30 percent of Yahoo leagues. And you don't let someone with 10 points from their last seven games just sit there.
Ryan Getzlaf, ANH (Yahoo: 68%, ESPN: 87%, CBS: 79%): Throughout his hockey career, Getzlaf has won at every level.He'll soon be 34, but the drive to succeed hasn't decreased. The Regina native has slipped off his standard point-per-game pace, yet proceeds to produce. Despite some scoring inconsistencies, Getzlaf has turned it on with seven points
If your championship dreams are still alive, we send our best wishes. And for those who didn't advance in head-to-head, we offer our condolences…unless your league provides a second chance with a consolation game. The reward or recognition may not be great, but at least it proves that perseverance – and a bit of luck – eventually pays off.
Another week to strategize and outwit your opponents. Here's the latest lot of available recruits, ranging from under-the-radar newcomers to veterans with nothing to lose:
(Ownership rates/stats as of March 21)
Forwards
Evgenii Dadonov, FLA (Yahoo: 71%, ESPN: 92%, CBS: 94%): The boys from Sunrise may be facing their playoff sunset, but their top players haven't stopped scoring. Even though Dadonov piled up plenty of points during his five-year KHL vacation, it was unclear if he could replicate that in North America.65 points to start his second NHL tour quieted the critics, and 59 more in the current campaign have cemented Dadonov as an attractive fantasy commodity. However, he remains free in almost 30 percent of Yahoo leagues. And you don't let someone with 10 points from their last seven games just sit there.
Ryan Getzlaf, ANH (Yahoo: 68%, ESPN: 87%, CBS: 79%): Throughout his hockey career, Getzlaf has won at every level.He'll soon be 34, but the drive to succeed hasn't decreased. The Regina native has slipped off his standard point-per-game pace, yet proceeds to produce. Despite some scoring inconsistencies, Getzlaf has turned it on with seven points across six appearances. Anaheim accepted their current fate long ago, so the team presumably is playing without pressure. As a result, a few of their forwards qualify as decent pickups. (See below for further details.)
Bo Horvat, VAN (Yahoo: 64%, ESPN: 88%, CBS: 85%): Horvat may already have been surpassed by Elias Pettersson as Vancouver's top center and the rookie may have stolen away Brock Boeser, but that hasn't slowed him down. The 2013 OHL playoff MVP has found the scoresheet in five of his last six, with nine total points over that stretch. Four of those have come on the power play, where Horvat combines with the dynamic duo.And at nearly 21 minutes a night, he'll pick up enough chances in the offensive zone to fill the stats column.
Josh Anderson, CLS (Yahoo: 60%, ESPN: 51%, CBS: 67%): Columbus made deals to go on a deep spring run, but that dream may be slipping away. Anderson's power-forward frame allowed him to overpower opponents, but he's only recently transferred that size advantage to the attacking side. The 24-year old has already established a personal best in goals with 24 and points with 42. Based on a four-point performance last Tuesday and regular duty on the first man-advantage, Anderson appears ready to continue shattering those marks.
Jakub Vrana, WAS (Yahoo: 25%, ESPN: 17%, CBS: 52%): Since the start of November, Vrana's ownership has doubled.That's happened because of 18 goals and 21 assists during the subsequent 64 contests. And then there's also the continuing gig alongside Evgeny Kuznetsov, which could never hurt a winger's confidence. He also participated in his first career regular-season fight Wednesday, but don't expect aggression as a regular part of his repertoire. Vrana has shown consistency all year, so he should be able to provide the same stability on your roster.
Dustin Brown, LA (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 72%, CBS: 58%): Like their Southern California counterpart, the Kings have resigned themselves to an early exit. Apparently, Brown didn't get the memo. The former club captain has busted out in March with seven points and 24 shots through eight outings. In addition to those gaudy numbers, Brown logs lots of ice time as a key supplier in all situations. In fact, he leads LA in power-play goals with eight – and has accomplished this even after missing the first 10 games.
Nick Ritchie, ANH (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 4%, CBS: 16%): If Getzlaf represents the popular option on Anaheim, then Ritchie comes in as the value pick. He followed the path of many of his teammates by enduring a long drought as the Ducks tumbled out of relevance. But Ritchie has been able to resurrect his fantasy profile over the last two weeks, thanks to a goal and four assists from eight contests. The big winger has also vaulted to the first line with Getzlaf for both five-on-five and the man-advantage.
Kenny Agostino, NJ (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 1%, CBS: 1%): After falling down the depth chart in Montreal, Agostino was waived in February and claimed by Jersey. In 19 appearances for his new team, the Yale graduate has just about matched the point total (10) he achieved in 36 with the Canadiens (11). And due to a rash of injuries up front, Agostino's minutes have sharply increased as a member on the Devils' second unit and premier power play.
Defensemen
Shea Theodore, VGK (Yahoo: 52%, ESPN: 51%, CBS: 84%): The Golden Knights' blueline, like Southwestern weather, has been scorching the desert. At the front of this group stands Theodore, with 11 goals and 24 assists. He also quarterbacks Vegas's top man-advantage, where's he's contributed nine points. And over the last nine games, Theodore has notched a goal, seven assists, and 34 shots. Based on how much the club has been scoring of late, expect the ex-Duck to keep most of the momentum going.
Alexander Edler, VAN (Yahoo: 42%, ESPN: 39%, CBS: 59%): The career Canuck has generally served as a special-teams mainstay, but injuries have taken their toll through the years. This season has followed the same pattern, as Edler has accumulated 13 PPPs while spending separate stints on the sidelines. But he's healthy now and netted a trio of helpers on Wednesday, following a two-point effort from Monday. Until Quinn Hughes (bruised ankle) is deemed fit for his long-awaited debut, Edler should be your Vancouver defenseman of choice.
Oscar Klefbom, EDM (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 26%, CBS: 52%): Had he not gone down in December for almost two months, we may be talking about Klefbom enjoying a career year. Darnell Nurse took advantage of the Swede's sabbatical with 22 points in 27 contests, but has ceded his role as the alpha D-man as Klefbom eased his way back into the flow. It appears he's recovered to full power, having reclaimed a place on Edmonton's first power play while registering an assist in four straight heading into Thursday.
Vince Dunn, STL (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 14%, CBS: 49%): Dunn has already exceeded his point projection, having racked up 11 goals and 20 assists. And with the Blues holding on to a divisional berth, they've entrusted the 22-year old with plenty of possibilities. This includes a pairing with Alex Pietrangelo on even strength and a secondary spot on the power play. Dunn has responded to the added responsibility with four points – including two PPPs – from six outings.
Goaltenders
Philipp Grubauer, COL (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 17%, CBS: 29%): Colorado may be fighting to recover its season, but Grubauer can't be blamed for the latest downturn. The former Washington netminder has posted three shutouts over his last seven appearances, to go along with a 0.83 GAA and .971 save percentage.Meanwhile, Semyon Varlamov has dropped 17 of his last 25 decisions dating back to mid-December. If the Avs want to continue playing through April, they'll need to rely on the goalie who's recently provided them hope – and that means Grubauer.
Malcolm Subban, VGK (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 3%, CBS: 14%): Marc-Andre Fleury has been bitten by the lower-body bug, so Subban has stepped in and come out on top the last two starts. While the 2012 first-rounder hasn't looked particularly convincing this year, he'll keep seeing action as long as Fleury remains hurt.And even when the future Hall-of-Famer returns, he shouldn't be pushed prior to the postseason as Vegas probably won't be able to climb the standings. That means Subban should earn more minutes behind their awesome attack, which could translate into more Ws.
Players to consider from past columns: Brady Tkachuk, Dylan Strome, James van Riemsdyk, Nino Niederreiter, Reilly Smith, Max Pacioretty, David Krejci, Alex Galchenyuk, Jaden Schwartz, Mikael Backlund, Jonathan Drouin, Max Domi, Yanni Gourde, Andreas Johnsson, Frank Vatrano, William Nylander, Vinnie Hinostroza, Brendan Gallagher, Ryan Donato, Sam Reinhart, Brock Nelson, Roope Hintz, Kevin Labanc, Pavel Buchnevich, Andreas Athanasiou, Nate Schmidt, Justin Schultz, Miro Heiskanen, Jacob Trouba, Jared Spurgeon, Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim, Ryan Pulock, Brandon Montour, Cam Fowler, Tim Heed, David Rittich, Petr Mrazek, Jacob Markstrom, Corey Crawford, Jordan Binnington, Darcy Kuemper, Casey DeSmith
