This is my 2021 Week Thirteen Fantasy Hockey Report for those competing in head-to-head categories or rotisserie leagues. There are both standard and deep league acquisition targets. This is more of a “waiver wire” report, looking for your best options among those who are more likely to be available in your league as opposed to the universally owned players. There are 10 recommendations in total, 2 goalies, 2 defensemen, and 6 forwards.
Best Standard League
Adds (25% to 65% Yahoo ownership):
1) Martin Jones, SJ, (53% Yahoo ownership): If you’ve been in a coma for the last month, it might shock you to learn that Martin Jones has been one of the hottest goaltenders in the NHL, posting a .929 SV% over the last 30 days (12 games played). This week the upstart Sharks will be playing Anaheim twice and Minnesota twice, both teams that have been struggling. Marty is a risk to turn back into his old self at any moment, but a large enough sample of success has emerged that I’m comfortable starting him until the bubble officially bursts.
2) Andrew Copp, Wpg, (61% Yahoo ownership): The injury to Blake Wheeler has created a vacancy on the Jets top line, and Copp has been called upon to fill that void with Connor and Scheifele. This has been a breakout season for Copp, scoring at a pace of 63 PTS per 82 GP, including 16 PTS (7 on the power play) in his last 15 GP (adding 29 shots and 16 hits). The Jets will hopefully play 4 games this week, but I’m most excited for the back-to-back Senators games on Monday and Wednesday.
3) Josh Anderson, Mtl, (64% Yahoo ownership): Anderson was among my fantasy MVPs in 2018/19, playing an invaluable role in multiple championship wins for me. He carries extra value in leagues that count hits and shots, and has a solid schedule ahead. I’m nervous about the surging Covid variant cases in Canada, which could potentially devastate the North Division when fantasy playoffs are about to begin. However, I’m not letting that dissuade my short-term streaming decisions until more teams actually get shut down.
4) Josh Morrissey, Wpg, (46% Yahoo ownership): Josh Morrissey is having another productive offensive season, scoring at just under a 40-point pace. Over his last 15 GP, the defenseman has scored 9 PTS (4 on the power play), with 33 shots, 19 hits, and a +4. I made a waiver claim for Josh myself last night that did not get processed because Yahoo is glitching. The Jets have a great schedule this week, but they play the Leafs 3 times next week. They’re scheduled to face Ottawa twice during the fantasy championship in Yahoo standard leagues.
5) Jason Robertson,
Dal, (33% Yahoo ownership): Jason Robertson has been red hot in Dallas, scoring
6 goals with 1 assist in his last 8 GP. He has become a revelation (especially
in leagues that award extra value on goals) and someone you want to target for
the fantasy playoffs. They’re schedule is not particularly appealing this
upcoming week, but 2 weeks from now they are going to face the Red Wings 4
times (who will have theoretically dumped half their roster at the trade
deadline). Buy Dallas Stars!
Honorable Mentions: Jakub Voracek, Tomas Tatar, Martin Necas, Rasmus Ristolainen, Jake Allen
Last Week: Juuse Saros, Eeli
Tolvanen, Phil Kessel, Ryan Graves, Jason Robertson
Best Deep League Adds
(under 25% ownership):
1) Craig Smith, Bos, (13% Yahoo ownership): The Boston Bruins experienced a scoring slump in late March, but have snapped out of it in April, aided by outstanding production from Craig Smith who has scored 10 PTS in his last 8 GP. He currently finds himself playing on the top line with Bergeron-Marchand, so he needs to be considered in more than just deep leagues. The Bruins still have 8 games remaining against Buffalo and New Jersey, so Smith is a potential gold mine in the fantasy playoffs if he sustains that deployment.
2) Colin Blackwell, NYR, (2% Yahoo ownership): Many of you have probably never heard the name Colin Blackwell before, but perhaps it’s time to take notice. The Rangers have arguably the best schedule this week, facing the New Jersey Devils 4 times, and Blackwell currently finds himself playing on a line with Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome. There’s no guarantee that he’ll be able to sustain that deployment going forward, but he’s available in 98% of fantasy leagues and is currently playing with one of the best offensive players in the league.
3) Alexandar Georgiev, NYR, (16% Yahoo ownership): Igor Shesterkin has a firm grasp of the starting role in New York, and the back-up has only played 4 games in the last 30 days. The good news; Georgiev has posted a .922 SV% in those 4 games with a shutout. I don’t normally recommend low volume back-ups to add in fantasy, except in special circumstances. The Rangers will be playing New Jersey 4 times, and the Devils are a bad team. It’s worth a roll of the dice that he’ll get at least 1, possibly 2 starts in easily winnable games.
4) Ty Smith, NJ, (20% Yahoo ownership): Ty Smith’s fantasy ownership seems to have hit a plateau in the 20% range, despite remaining consistently productive. He’s scoring at a pace of 44 PTS per 82 GP on the season, potting 9 PTS in his last 17 GP (with 3 PTS on the power play). The only thing limiting his market capitalization is unimpressive peripheral statistics, but the points are there. I’ve been recommending him on an almost weekly basis, and own Smith on both my teams. The Devils play 4 games this week.
5) Kaapo Kakko,
NYR, (8% Yahoo ownership): Many analysts (myself included) had high hopes for a
Kakko breakout in 2021, but were disappointed by a slow start. The sophomore
has finally started to reward his believers, scoring 5 PTS in his last 8 GP.
That’s not exactly outstanding production, but the part that excites me is the
Rangers upcoming schedule, with 4 games against the Devils. You can find this
kid on 92% of fantasy waiver wires, and this week is the perfect opportunity to
stream him for a test run.
Honorable Mentions: Mario Ferraro, Pavel Zacha, Paul Stastny, Calle Jarnkrok, Jeremy Swayman
Last Week: Nick Ritchie, Adin
Hill, David Krejci, Ty Smith, Rocco Grimaldi
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