NHL Waiver Wire: San Joe-Say

For the Week of Feb. 8-15

Better Than You Think

Joe Pavelski C, SJS - His ascent into the elite levels of the NHL has been a slow and steady progression of continuous improvement. Since his first season in 2006-07, he has increased his point-per-game production every year. Last year's 79 points was good for ninth in league scoring; with 47 points in 53 games, he's on pace to replicate that performance and -- given a bit of luck -- possibly improve on it. His improvement trend cannot continue much longer, but fantasy GMs in keeper leagues should be confident that his status among league elite scorers is not a statistical blip, rather a solid blue-chip investment. His injury history is relatively short and unnoteworthy, and San Jose as an organization is deep and well-structured. He's never recorded a minus season in his career, and he consistently puts up good secondary category numbers like shots and power play points. While he's undoubtedly unavailable in your league, trade season is approaching, and targeting Pavelski is always a solid choice for both short and long term.

Joe Thornton C, SJS - At 35, he's definitely playing the back nine of his career, but Thornton is still a solid contributor in most fantasy formats and continues to be in the upper echelons of NHL scorers. Even now, he has nearly a point per game with 44 points in 49 games -- putting him on pace for 73 points this season. That would, strangely, be one of his worst seasons in the NHL -- and yet still count him among the league top 25. Thornton has never been a true goal scorer, with only 353 career goals in 1,256 games. He is, though, one of the most natural playmakers the league has seen in modern memory. His value in leagues that are goal-driven is much lower, but in formats where assists and power-play points are valued, he can be a category killer. In the last week, he's put up five points, and going into trade season he will be a valued commodity by teams gearing up for a championship run. If your team lacks assists, plus-minus and power-play points, find out the cost to add Thornton -- he could be the cure for what ails your team.

Good Bets

Mike Fisher C, NSH - Fisher's second life in Nashville has been much more dynamic and offensively talented than his time in Ottawa. Where he was more of a two-way secondary player for the Senators, he's found a new style of play for the Predators, and that's been a big boon to fantasy GMs who invested in him. He has 25 points in 30 games this year and looks to be on pace for a career season if he can stay healthy. The Preds are a fast and dangerous team under Peter Laviolette, and Fisher has benefitted greatly. Even though he's only played 30 games, he has eight power-play points, showing he could hit 55 points with 20 on the man advantage. That's a big story for fantasy GMs looking to add production in deeper leagues. His ownership levels are also decent at more than 30 percent, which means he's probably available.

Matt Beleskey W, ANA - The young Duck has posted some impressive numbers this year with 20 goals and seven assists in 52 games. More impressive, he's accomplished this while his position in the lineup has been unstable. He's bounced around between top-line duty with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, second-line time with Ryan Kesler and now is on the third line with Jakob Silfverberg. He's also playing on the first-line power-play unit, and doing fairly well in that spot, recording seven power-play goals. With an ownership rate of 36 percent, he's a wise investment in many mid- to deep-level pools, but he's been getting harder and harder to find free lately. He's been a solid fantasy performer in the last 10 games, recording three goals and two assists with 11 PIM -- if he keeps this up, he won't be free in any leagues.

John Klingberg D, DAL - We don't want to be those guys who said we told you so, but we told you so. Back in November, we told you he was a hidden gem, and if you listened then, you're laughing now. With 25 points in 37 games, he has one of the highest points-per-game averages among defensemen, and in his last 10 games, he has 12 points, including a four-point effort against Winnipeg on Jan. 31. If the trend continues, he'll put up more than 50 points as a rookie defenseman, along with a plus-25 and 40-odd PIM -- and probably not even garner a Calder nomination in the process, due to outstanding rookie work by the likes of Filip Forsberg and Aaron Ekblad. Regardless, Klingberg looks to be this year's Hampus Lindholm, and we've all seen what a wonderful talent he's turned out to be for Anaheim. If you're in a mid-to-deep pool and by some miracle he's still available, grab him ASAP. He's having a great year, and it's a good bet to continue.

Hidden Gems

Brandon Pirri W, FLA - While we've mentioned him in previous articles for fantasy value, it was never about the goal scorer he seems to have become. In his last seven games, he has seven points, including six goals; it's a surprise, but it shouldn't be to anybody who followed him in the AHL. His time in the minors were highly productive with 200 points in 238 games, and if he hadn't been hopelessly blocked on the depth chart in Chicago, he would certainly have already made a name for himself in the NHL. Now that he has the opportunity in Florida, he's making the most of it. A lot of fantasy GMs don't place a lot of weight in his abilities; deep poolies should pounce on him now and ride the immediate wave of his hot streak, with an eye to keeping him longer-term should he continue to produce.

Mike Hoffman W, OTT - With all that has gone bad in Ottawa this year, one of the bright spots has been Hoffman. On the third line with fellow youngsters Curtis Lazar and Alex Chiasson, Hoffman has potted 17 goals and 11 assists for 28 points in 47 games. Not too shabby considering he's only getting about 14 minutes of ice time on a given night and typically spot work on the power play. In his last 10 games, he has eight points and is a plus-one with 2 PIM. Unfortunately, he doesn't qualify as a rookie (sorry, leagues with youth exemptions), but he's so young that the future is bright for both him and the entire organization. If you're in a dynasty league, or a deep keeper league, consider adding Hoffman. He's going to be a very good NHLer in the not-too-distant future.

Joe Colborne C, CGY - It seems Colborne has found his place in the NHL -- as a third-line winger in Calgary. His performance this year has been hot and cold, but lately, he's been pretty good with eight points in his last 10 games and four PIM. While the hopes earlier in his career for him to follow the mold of a Joe Thornton have been long since dashed, he's becoming a solid two-way player who is responsible defensively. While he'll never highlight the top of your roster, deep teams need a player like this to fill in the blanks at the bottom. Calgary will make a playoff push toward year's end and into the fantasy playoffs -- exactly the time you need optimal production. If you're in a league with 20-plus roster spots, you'll be well served adding Colbourne.

Watch

Chris Stewart W, BUF - In what has surely become the low of his career, Stewart's season in Buffalo has been disasterous -- not just for Stewart, but for all Sabres. While the franchise can look forward to either Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel next season, the entire Sabres roster is a disaster from start to finish this year, and Stewart is no exception. With only nine goals and nine assist to go with a horrendous minus-30, it's been a rough stay in Western New York. The bright side is that Stewart has been mentioned in trade rumors with potential destinations being the Islanders and the Rangers. Either trade would be fantastic for Stewart, and would cause his ownership numbers to spike. He's a pretty talented player, and a fantasy dream when he's performing up to it. Given his situation in Buffalo, avoid him until the trade breaks. Then, snap him up. With his ownership rates at 8 percent, he'll almost assuredly be available in your league.

Patrick Eaves W, DAL - We're not terribly optimistic that he's going to pan out where so many others have failed this season, but while he's riding high on the top line in Dallas, we're going to give him a Watch. At 30, his best season is still a 32-point performance while in Ottawa almost a decade ago -- but the potential for easy points is so apparent on that line that we have to at least pay attention for the opportunity. During the season, we've recommended this spot so often that it's become old news, but when the right person finds the groove on that top line with such talented playmakers as Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, he's going to be an instant top-100 player or better. In his current position, he has four points in five games atop the line, including four goals. If this success can be continued, it would be a stellar gamble for any desparate fantasy GMs in need of point production.