NHL 2018 Week 6 Fantasy Hockey Report

This is my week six 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 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) Bo Horvat, C, Vancouver, (53% Yahoo ownership): The Canucks play 4 games next week and have scored 2nd most goals in the NHL. Bo knows how to score PTS, with 6 in his last 4 games where he’s averaging over 22 minutes of ice time per game. They are leaning heavily on this kid and the team is hot.

2) Cam Fowler, D, Anaheim, (58% Yahoo ownership): If you need a defenseman this week and Fowler is on your waiver wire, you need to add him. The Ducks play Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun, so it will be easy to get him into your line-up and he has scored 6 PTS in his last 7 GP. Fowler is logging a ton of ice time and scoring points.

3) Brian Elliot, G, Philly, (39% Yahoo ownership): The Flyers don’t have a great schedule this week, but Elliot is on one of his hot streaks. In his last 4 GP, the streaky goalie has 4 wins with a 1.12 GAA and .960 SV%. This is one of those goalies you ride when he’s hot, and he’s hot.

4) Miro Heiskanen, D, Dallas, (41% Yahoo ownership): John Klingberg will miss the next month of the season, so the Stars will need someone to step up in his absence, and Heiskanen will fill the void on the first power play unit. The rookie has scored 3 PTS in his last 4 GP. Not a great schedule for Dallas this week, but this guy is still a great Klingberg replacement for the duration of his injury.

5) Dustin Brown, W, LA, (39% Yahoo ownership): In 6 games since returning from injury, Brown has scored 5 PTS with 16 shots and 18 hits, playing over 20 minutes per game. The banger picked up where he left off last season and is going to be a big boost to your weekly hit totals.

Best Deep League Adds (under 15% ownership):

1) Ryan Hartman, W, Nashville, (5% Yahoo ownership): After a slow start to the season not getting much ice time, Hartman has seen his deployment increase, resulting in 5 PTS over his last 5 GP. The Predators play 4 games this week and Hartman is certainly someone you should be considering in deep leagues where he’s available.

2) Travis Zajac, C, New Jersey, (5% Yahoo ownership): Zajac is not an exciting player to own at this stage in his career, but he’s a compelling streamer for next week as the Devils play 4 games. Zajac has scored 6 PTS in his last 6 GP, including goals in 3 straight games. At the very least you should consider adding him for the weekend as he’ll be playing Saturday and Sunday.

3) Erik Gudbranson, D, Vancouver, (4% Yahoo ownership): Heading into this season I wouldn’t have expected this guy to show up on any Fantasy Hockey Reports, yet here he is. Gudbranson is actually a compelling streamer this week for deep leagues, especially those that count hits. With the Canucks injuries on defense, he’s playing a greater role, scoring 6 PTS in the last 6 games. That pace can’t continue, but the Canucks play 4 games and the team is scoring a ton of goals. Strike while they’re hot.

4) Jake Virtanen, W, Vancouver, (8% Yahoo ownership): Over his last 6 GP, Virtanen has scored 5 goals with 20 shots and 10 hits. That pace is not sustainable in the long-term, but he’s worth a streaming spot in the shot-term. The team has been clicking on offense and plays 4 games next week.

5) Darcy Kuemper, Arizona, (13% Yahoo ownership): The Coyotes don’t have a great schedule this week and Kuemper has allowed 13 goals in his last 3 GP. But if you are desperate for goalie starts, this guy is getting the majority of Phoenix starts with Raanta on IR. Other options; Ryan Miller and Alex Stalock are strong #2 goalies on teams that play 4 games this week.

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

1) Jordan Greenway, W, Minnesota: The Wild play 4 games this week and the rookie is finally showing signs of life with 4 PTS in his last 6 GP. His shots and hits are still low, but at his age there’s still growth potential. Could be a long-term deep league play. At the very least it’s a good gamble for this week.

2) Markus Granlund, W, Vancouver: Over the last 6 GP, Granlund has scored 6 PTS with 17 shots, averaging over 16 minutes of ice per game. Great deep league streamer for the coming week, possibly even beyond so long as he continues producing.

3) Tony DeAngelo, D, Rangers: The kid had been a repeat healthy scratch earlier in the season, but has since won himself a significant role (over 21 minutes in 3 of the last 4 games), including power play time. In 9 GP this season, he has 7 PTS and a +6.

Safe to drop in Standard Leagues:

1) Aaron Ekblad, Florida, (72% Yahoo ownership): You don’t need to hold a permanent roster spot for Ekblad, who has only 2 PTS in his last 11 GP. He may be useful from week to week as a streaming option when Florida has a good schedule, but he’s not helping you much otherwise.

2) Max Pacioretty, Las Vegas, (57% Yahoo ownership): Don’t burn a roster spot on this guy unless you’re in a deep league. At this point he’s really nothing more than an occasional streaming option. 1 goal, 0 assists in his last 8 GP.