NHL 2018 Week 4 Fantasy Hockey Report

This is my week four 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 60% Yahoo ownership):

1) Matt Duchene, Ottawa, (43% Yahoo ownership): Not only does Duchene have 8 PTS in his last 5 GP, but the Senators also have a great schedule this week, including back to back games against Buffalo. If he’s on your waiver wire, he can help pad some of your totals.

2) Sam Reinhart, Buffalo, (50% Yahoo ownership): I’m not recommending Reinhart as a long-term addition, but if he’s on your waiver wire, he can help you next week as a match up play. The Sabres play 4 games, with 2 against Ottawa. Sammy does have 3 PTS in his last 3 GP coming off a little 1 point in 5 GP slump.

3) Philipp Grubauer, Colorado, (44% Yahoo ownership): The Avalanche play 4 games next week, and Grubauer should start at least 2 of them. He may have only played 1 of the first 5 games for Colorado, but he’s started in 3 of the last 6, winning all of them. Grubs is not a long-term acquisition target, until the Avs trade Varlamov. Next week however, he can get you a few wins.

4) J.T Miller, Tampa, (53% Yahoo ownership): In his last 7 GP Miller has 9 PTS, 5 on the power play, with 13 shots and 11 hits. The Lightning have 4 games next week and Miller should be added in most weekly formats, even if it’s just on a temporary basis.  The downside is the last few games he's been demoted to the bottom 6 forwards and was just a -4 in the Lightning blowout loss to the Coyotes last night. At some point he'll be back in the top 6. In the short-term he'll help your hit total and might get you a few PTS. At the very least he'll be heavily added on the weekend for a Sunday game against Ottawa.

5) Jeff Petry, Montreal, (51% Yahoo ownership): If you need a replacement for Alex Edler, there is a very similar defenseman in Montreal that you can use. Petry logs a ton of ice time, including power play, and puts up good numbers in every category (despite not being a great real-life defenseman). So long as Shea Weber is out, Petry needs to be owned.

Best Deep League Adds (under 15% ownership):

1) Jason Pominville, Buffalo, (13% Yahoo ownership):  The Sabres have a great schedule this week and Pominville is hot, scoring 8 PTS in his last 4 GP. He is even borderline ownable in standard leagues this week. Pommer’s ownership was at 6% yesterday, so he’s trending on the most added list, playing on the first line with Skinner and Eichel.

2) Josh Anderson, Columbus, (14% Yahoo ownership): Anderson gives you 3 things, goals, shots, and hits. With the Blue Jackets playing 4 games next week, you can expect Anderson to help you in those categories. In 10 GP he’s scored 5 goals with 28 shots and 15 hits.

3) Mikael Backlund, Calgary, (13% Yahoo ownership): Backlund has 4 PTS in his last 6 GP and the Flames play 4 games next week. You won’t get power play PTS, but he’s averaging 18 minutes of ice and over 2 shots per game, also adding 80 faceoff wins in 11 GP.

4) Dennis Cholowski, Detroit, (11% Yahoo ownership): There was some concern that Mike Green returning to the line-up could hurt Cholowski, who has been the Red Wings top offensive defenseman in Green’s absence. However, Green’s return may actually help the rookie, as the two are going to play together. That could help increase his production rather than hurt it.

5) Dave Rittich, Calgary, (13% Yahoo ownership): Mike Smith has been a disaster to start the season, and Rittich has been getting more playing time. The Flames play 4 games next week, so Rittich should get at least 2 starts. He’s a good add where available, and may be a long-term option should Smith continue to falter.

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

1) Colin White, Ottawa: The kid quietly has 4 PTS in his last 5 GP and Ottawa has a great schedule this week. If your league is deep enough to add 1% players, this is a strong addition for week 4.

2) Tobias Rieder, Edmonton: Rieder did not record a point in the Oilers first 6 GP, but since then he’s scored 5 PTS in 3 GP with a substantial increase in ice time playing with Draisaitl. Edmonton only plays 3 games this week, but play 4 the following week. Toby is worth keeping an eye on in deep leagues if he continues to show chemistry with Leon.

3) Jake McCabe, Buffalo: After scoring 0 PTS in Buffalo’s first 5 GP, McCabe has now scored 7 PTS in his last 6 GP. He is also averaging 1.6 hits per game on the season if your league counts that category. Certainly in the short term in deep leagues, McCabe can help you.

Be Concerned:

1) Mike Smith, Calgary: If you own Mike Smith in any league, it’s probably been a rough start to your fantasy season (3.91 GAA, .869 SV%). Those numbers should improve, but at age 36 it’s entirely possible this could be the new normal. He’ a pending UFA, so the Flames are not committed to him beyond this season. We still don’t know if Dave Rittich can handle the #1 workload, but he’s been playing a lot more lately and playing better than Smith.

2) Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus: I own Bobrovsky in both my leagues, and his poor start to the season has hurt me. The former Vezina winner did help me advance to the championships of both leagues last season, but I’m now officially concerned after Korpisalo has started 2 games in a row. The fact that Bobrovsky is a pending UFA who hates living in Ohio only adds to my concern in the short-term. It may be smart for Bobrovsky owners to add Korpisalo as an insurance policy, certainly in deeper leagues where the waiver options are limited.