This article is part of our NHL Waiver Wire series.
This will be the final edition of waiver suggestions for 2018-19. Next week, we'll conclude by covering players whose fortunes are destined to improve or decline next season.
Most head-to-head formats have concluded, but those in rotisserie leagues could still use some last-minute upgrades. Here's a few who may help with that final push:
(Ownership rates/stats as of March 28.)
Forwards
Rickard Rakell, ANH (Yahoo: 64%, ESPN: 74%, CBS: 64%): Since we covered a couple Ducks forwards last week based on their name-brand, no-pressure appeal, let's continue the trend. Rakell increased his scoring totals in every season, peaking at 69 points last year. An ankle problem would sideline the Swede, while a few uninspired follow-up team efforts effectively sunk their hopes. However, since they threw in the towel, Rakell has exploded for six goals and six assists in his last 13 games. Too late for Anaheim, but perfect timing for fantasy considerations.
Vincent Trocheck, FLA (Yahoo: 54%, ESPN: 81%, CBS: 75%): Trocheck was hit hard in November after undergoing surgery for a broken ankle. The Panthers suffered during the seven weeks without him, losing 18 of 27 matchups. The results were mixed after returning, with the team following a similar pattern. And with Florida looking ahead to a busy offseason, most of their regular contributors have been able to focus on doing what they do best – at least in the opponents' zone. Trocheck has helped the cause with points in three straight entering Thursday.
This will be the final edition of waiver suggestions for 2018-19. Next week, we'll conclude by covering players whose fortunes are destined to improve or decline next season.
Most head-to-head formats have concluded, but those in rotisserie leagues could still use some last-minute upgrades. Here's a few who may help with that final push:
(Ownership rates/stats as of March 28.)
Forwards
Rickard Rakell, ANH (Yahoo: 64%, ESPN: 74%, CBS: 64%): Since we covered a couple Ducks forwards last week based on their name-brand, no-pressure appeal, let's continue the trend. Rakell increased his scoring totals in every season, peaking at 69 points last year. An ankle problem would sideline the Swede, while a few uninspired follow-up team efforts effectively sunk their hopes. However, since they threw in the towel, Rakell has exploded for six goals and six assists in his last 13 games. Too late for Anaheim, but perfect timing for fantasy considerations.
Vincent Trocheck, FLA (Yahoo: 54%, ESPN: 81%, CBS: 75%): Trocheck was hit hard in November after undergoing surgery for a broken ankle. The Panthers suffered during the seven weeks without him, losing 18 of 27 matchups. The results were mixed after returning, with the team following a similar pattern. And with Florida looking ahead to a busy offseason, most of their regular contributors have been able to focus on doing what they do best – at least in the opponents' zone. Trocheck has helped the cause with points in three straight entering Thursday.
Mikael Backlund, CGY (Yahoo: 34%, ESPN: 51%, CBS: 48%): All four Flames' forward lines have chipped in throughout the campaign, but the top two represent the driving force. While Sean Monahan generally acts as lead down the middle, Backlund has controlled second chair. The 24th pick from 2007 doesn't seem to be fazed as the "backup," having produced enough points in almost every full season. Backlund may not hit his peak of 53 from 2016-17, but he's been reliable when it matters – including seven from his last nine games.
David Perron, STL (Yahoo: 31%, ESPN: 51%, CBS: 66%): Despite a January-to-mid-March absence with concussion-like symptoms, it's tough to ignore someone who recorded points in 17 consecutive appearances before it was snapped on Saturday. The Blues are fighting for the Central Division crown, and a veteran like Perron – who experienced a deep run with Vegas last year – will be counted upon to lead both on and off the ice. Based on a top-six role and a spot patrolling the No. 1 power play, he'll be able to supplement an attack that's gone off for 26 goals during their current six-game winning streak.
Andreas Athanasiou, DET (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 32%, CBS: 37%): The Wings may be destined for a top lottery pick, but there's plenty of promise for the future. Athanasiou remains one of their key building blocks, breaking out this year with 29 goals and 20 assists. He's potted five of those markers over the last five matchups, where he's added a pair of helpers and 20 shots. The 24-year old speed machine also fits in on Detroit's first man-advantage, where he's collected eight PPPs.
Joe Thornton, SJ (Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 57%, CBS: 49%): Since we last featured Thornton right after New Year's, he's racked up 10 goals and 18 assists through 34 outings – and most of those as the Sharks' third pivot on the depth chart. The overall power-play numbers have declined, but eight of his 13 PPPs have come during this stretch. Thornton may never win any more major awards, but you could take home a prize by adding him to your lineup.
Anthony Cirelli, TB (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 9%, CBS: 27%): Cirelli dazzled in junior and earned enough in the AHL before last season's successful NHL start. He's worked hard on the defensive side, but the offense took a while to develop. While the first 54 contests only netted 19 points, the most recent 23 have seen the kid accumulate 18 more – including 12 in the last 13. And with Tampa already clinching top overall seed, maybe the stars will get rested a bit and provide Cirelli with further opportunities.
Taro Hirose, DET (Yahoo: 0%, ESPN: 0%, CBS: 0%): We return to the Motor City to check on the undrafted Hirose, who enjoyed an amazing career at Michigan State. Fresh off co-leading NCAA Division I in regular-season scoring, Detroit inked the Calgarian to a two-year deal. The flashy forward, who's also a Hobey Baker finalist, made his debut a week ago Tuesday and proceeded to register an assist in each of his four appearances. Hirose has also settled on the second line plus a peek on the power play.
Defensemen
Rasmus Dahlin, BUF (Yahoo: 78%, ESPN: 86%, CBS: 94%): Not many 18-year old defensemen have been able to immediately combine skill and maturity at the pro level, but Dahlin has been able to live up to the advanced billing. Last summer's star attraction may have started slowly on the scoring front, but he's learned throughout and appears worthy of his special status. He's skating 22:30 over the last 20 outings, with 10 points – including seven on the power play – 57 shots, and 41 hits while quarterbacking Buffalo's main man-advantage.
Thomas Chabot, OTT (Yahoo: 62%, ESPN: 83%, CBS: 94%): Chabot has certainly fulfilled on his promise, and then some. His Yahoo ownership recently took a hit when it was assumed he'd miss the rest of the schedule, but he recovered quicker than expected. Chabot obviously settled in, with three assists in two games spanning over 53 minutes (!) of ice time. And speaking of serviceable Senators D-men, both Dylan DeMelo (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 4%, CBS: 9%) and Christian Wolanin (Yahoo: 0%, ESPN: 0%, CBS: 3%) should also be mentioned.
Jared Spurgeon, MIN (Yahoo: 57%, ESPN: 80%, CBS: 92%): Mathew Dumba could be back soon and cut into Minnesota backline output, but he also may be held out until later next month – if the Wild even make it that far. Ryan Suter still sits on top in points with 46, but Spurgeon is challenging at a career-high 42. Both log major minutes, but Suter is gone in 83 percent of leagues and is older by five years. Spurgeon seems to be able to handle the heavy workload and will need to maintain his excellence if the club wants to progress further into the spring.
Anthony DeAngelo, NYR (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 11%, CBS: 37%): Thanks to some extra work and others' misfortunes, DeAngelo has leapfrogged Kevin Shattenkirk and Neal Pionk as the Blueshirts' lead fantasy blueliner. Since Feb. 4, the Jersey boy has picked up 17 assists – including seven PPAs – 42 shots, and 36 blocks. DeAngelo's effort in his own end may continue to be questioned, but his attacking talent looks as though it's finally being put to good use.
Goaltenders
Darcy Kuemper, ARI (Yahoo: 65%, ESPN: 28%, CBS: 63%): Who would've believed Kuemper could drag an inexperienced Arizona side into a serious playoff bid? No offense to the Coyotes' offense, but the former Wild netminder has served as the major source of the team's success. In his last 22 appearances, Kuemper has gone 14-6-2 with a 1.90 GAA and .938 save percentage. He'll try to keep the favorable fortune going, but can at least be counted upon to regularly earn the stats with Calvin Pickard the only other healthy option.
Jack Campbell, LA (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 2%, CBS: 12%): Campbell was originally featured in this column three weeks ago as Jonathan Quick was struggling. Not a lot has changed since, with the Kings still relying on the veteran and him running up a 3.62 GAA and .870 save percentage. That means Campbell hasn't gotten much activity lately, but he did impress on Monday in Calgary when he stymied the Western leaders en route to a 42-save shutout. L.A. isn't playing for this season, so Dallas's first selection from 2011 should be offered a larger share of the goaltending duty.
Players to consider from past columns: Josh Anderson, Brady Tkachuk, Dylan Strome, James van Riemsdyk, Nino Niederreiter, Reilly Smith, Max Pacioretty, David Krejci, Alex Galchenyuk, Jonathan Drouin, Max Domi, Dustin Brown, Andreas Johnsson, Frank Vatrano, William Nylander, Jakub Vrana, Brendan Gallagher, Ryan Donato, Brock Nelson, Roope Hintz, Kevin Labanc, Pavel Buchnevich, Oscar Klefbom, Shea Theodore, Nate Schmidt, Alexander Edler, Miro Heiskanen, Jacob Trouba, Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim, Ryan Pulock, Brandon Montour, Tim Heed, David Rittich, Philipp Grubauer, Petr Mrazek, Jacob Markstrom, Corey Crawford, Jordan Binnington, Malcolm Subban
