NHL 2018 Week 1 Fantasy Hockey Report

This is my week one fantasy hockey report for those competing in head to head categories or rotisserie leagues. There are both standard and deep league acquisition targets, along with some suggestions for sell high, buy low, and players to be concerned about. This is more of a “waiver wire” report, looking for those who are more likely to be available in your league as opposed to the universally owned players. I also do not recommend any players who play 2 games or less over the next 7 days (Monday to Sunday), with a preference for those with 4 or more games.

Best Standard League Adds (20% to 65% Yahoo ownership):

1) Elias Pettersson, Vancouver, (61% Yahoo ownership): The kid has scored 5 PTS in his first 2 NHL games. The team is being very restricted with his minutes early, and he’s really maximizing his limited ice time. His name is quickly disappearing from waiver wires everywhere.

2) Jakob Silfverberg, Anaheim, (29% Yahoo ownership): The Swede has posted 4 PTS through 2 GP and the Ducks have 4 games next week. Always a good shooter to ride while he’s on a hot streak.

3) Timo Meier, San Jose, (49% Yahoo ownership): Meier has been getting quality minutes with good players, he’s seeing power play time, and the Sharks have a good schedule next week. He may not have any hits yet through 2 games, but was over 100 last year.

4) Colin Miller, Las Vegas, (39% Yahoo ownership): Miller scored 40 PTS last season and has seen an increase in his deployment through 2 games (including power play) with Schmidt suspended. Vegas plays 4 games next week, so this is a good D to plug into your line-up.

5) Josh Manson, Anaheim, (39% Yahoo ownership): You aren’t buying Manson for power play time, but he is logging heavy minutes early in the season and hits a ton. You can pencil him in for 30 PTS and 200 hits over the full season. Certainly, in the short-term Anaheim plays 4 games next week, so he’ll pad your hit total.

6) Erik Haula, Las Vegas, (25% Yahoo ownership): Has not scored a point yet in the first 2 games, but did score 55 PTS last season. The team has a good schedule and Haula is averaging over 17 minutes of ice time per game, including power play.

Best Deep League Adds (under 15% ownership):

1) Michael Ferland, Carolina, (11% Yahoo ownership): His first 2 games in Carolina have produced 2 PTS, 7 shots, 5 hits, and 1:44 of average power play time. The Canes are deploying him more than Calgary did and Ferland can help in multiple categories.

2) Gustav Nyquist, Detroit, (7% Yahoo ownership): The speedy Swede had a strong preseason and is getting quality minutes on the Red Wings top line, scoring 2 PTS in their first game. It’s also worth noting that he’s a pending unrestricted free agent and extra motivated to put up good numbers.

3) Conor Sheary, Buffalo, (7% Yahoo ownership): I would not have expected Sheary to appear in my week 1 waiver wire watch list, but after two power play goals last night he’s on the radar. If he can continue to show good chemistry with Eichel, his value could jump significantly.

4) Alex Kerfoot, Colorado, (4% Yahoo ownership): Kerfoot is coming off a strong rookie season with 43 PTS and currently has 3 PTS through 2 GP. His usage is still a bit low for him to break through to standard league relevance, but someone to keep an eye on.

5) Dennis Cholowski, Detroit, (7% Yahoo ownership): Cholowski is worth a gamble in deep leagues, at least until the Red Wings blueline gets healthy. The kid had a very strong preseason and scored a goal in the Wings first game.

The 1% (best adds 1% owned or less):

1) Carl Soderberg, Colorado: The Avs have played 2 games and Soderberg has 3 PTS with 2 on the power play. The 32-year-old is always a threat to have an extended cold streak, but he’s playing good right now.

2) Brett Connolly, Washington: Through 2 games Connolly has 1 point with 8 shots, averaging 15 minutes of ice time, including 1:41 on the power play. I just added him in an 18-team league.

3) Maxime Comtois, Anaheim: The teenager has scored 2 goals in his first 2 games with 5 hits. He’ll probably get sent back to junior after 9 games, but in the meantime, Anaheim plays 4 games next week. There is short term value here.

Sell High:

1) TJ Oshie, Washington: Through 2 games Oshie has 5 PTS, 7 shots, and 6 hits. That’s a great fantasy hockey stat line. Don’t forget that before becoming a Stanley Cup champion, Oshie had a months long slump in the regular season and was a disappointing fantasy player. His value may never be higher than it is right now.

2) Jonathan Toews, Chicago: Through 2 games Toews has 5 PTS, 7 shots, and 33 faceoff wins. You can expect him to continue as a top faceoff man, but that point production will slow down. Just like Oshie, Jonathan Hockey will never be more valuable than he is right now.

Be Concerned:

1) Matt Murray, Pittsburgh: It may only be 2 games into the season, but the Matt owners can’t be feeling good. The oft-injured goalie has an early 5.47 GAA and .831 SV%. Those numbers should improve, but there is still cause for concern. The problem is you can’t really trade or drop him, so you’re going to have to ride this out.

2) Martin Marincin, Toronto: Because of Yahoo’s terrible rankings and the prevalence of autodrafting, this healthy scratch magically found his way to 46% Yahoo ownership. Drop him immediately in all leagues. He has no value.