NHL 2018 Week 5 Fantasy Hockey Report

This is my week five 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) Nico Hischier, C, New Jersey, (55% Yahoo ownership): If Hischier is available on your waiver wire, he’s a great addition for next week. The Devils play 4 games, including Mon, Fri, Sun when it’s easier to get him into your starting line-up. The kid has scored 6 PTS in his last 5 GP.

2) Oscar Klefbom, D, Edmonton, (32% Yahoo ownership): Over the last 8 GP Klefbom has been averaging 27.5 minutes of ice time per game, with 4 PTS and 32 shots. The Oilers have a good schedule this week, and this guy can help you. Darnell Nurse has also been playing a ton of minutes and putting up some decent numbers in Edmonton if Klefbom is not available in your league.

3) Alex Tuch, W, Las Vegas, (20% Yahoo ownership): Tuch missed the start of the season with an injury, but since returning to the line-up he’s scored 5 PTS in 6 GP, with 28 shots. Vegas does play 4 games this week and Tuch can get you a few PTS, although his ice time was down yesterday, just so you know.

4) Josh Bailey, W, Islanders, (45% Yahoo ownership): Count me among the people who thought Bailey and Lee were going to be bad this season after losing Tavares. I was wrong. The Islanders don’t have a great schedule this week (playing Mon, Thu, Sat), but Bailey still needs to be added in more leagues, having scored 11 PTS in his last 8 GP.

5) Thomas Greiss, G, Islanders, (28% Yahoo ownership): This is another from the “not a great schedule this week but he’s hot” list, with 3 wins and only 4 goals against in his last 4 GP, and a SV% over .950. He’s worth hanging on to beyond this week if this quality play continues.

Best Deep League Adds (under 15% ownership):

1) Charlie Coyle, W, Minnesota, (9% Yahoo ownership): Coyle has been averaging 17:40 in ice time the last 5 games, scoring 4 PTS. The Wild have a favourable schedule this week, and this guy can get a few points and hits.

2) Miko Koskinen, G, Edmonton, (9% Yahoo ownership): If you play in a deep league and need a goalie who might get 1-2 starts next week, Koskinen has been playing well for the Oilers early in the season. In 3 GP he has 3 wins, a shutout, with a 2.02 GAA and .935 SV%.

3) Jared Spurgeon, D, Minnesota, (15% Yahoo ownership): Spurgeon is a good streaming defenseman for deeper leagues. He’s scored 4 PTS in his last 5 GP and has a strong schedule this week.

4) Michael Grabner, W, New Jersey, (4% Yahoo ownership): Over the last 4 GP, Grabner has scored 5 PTS with 10 shots, averaging over 15 minutes of ice time. The Coyotes play 4 games this week, so he’s a solid streamer in deeper leagues.

5) Drake Caggiula, W, Edmonton, (3% Yahoo ownership): The Drake has been getting some McDavid time, so it’s worth cycling him into your line-up in deeper leagues, scoring 5 goals in his last 6 GP.

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

1) Alex Chiasson, Edmonton: If you’re playing in a deep format Chiasson can help you this week, having scored 6 goals in his last 7 games. I just added him in my 18-team league, where he’s a great streamer for this week, and possibly beyond, clicking on the 2^nd line with Rieder and Draisaitl.

2) Tobias Rieder, Edmonton: Rieder was on this list last week and is still sitting at 1% ownership, with 7 PTS in his last 7 GP. Edmonton has a great schedule this week, and either Rieder or Chiasson will help you in deep leagues. I own them both.

3) Miles Wood, New Jersey: Wood’s point production is mediocre at best (2 PTS in his last 5 GP), but he’s averaging over 3 shots and 2 hits per game over that span. With the Devils having a great schedule this week, Wood can really help your peripherals in deep leagues.

Safe to drop in Standard Leagues:

1) Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo: This kid has a bright future in the league, but you should temper your expectations for this current season. It’s fine to use him as a streamer if Buffalo has a good schedule or the Dahlin gets hot, but you don’t need to burn a roster spot for the full season in a re-draft league.

2) James Neal, Calgary: If he ever gets promoted to the top line with Gaudreau and Monahan, he might be worth considering. In the meantime, there is no reason to hang on to this guy in shallow leagues. You may safely drop him.