NHL 2018 Week 7 Fantasy Hockey Report

This is my week seven 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 60% Yahoo ownership):

1) Jonathon Drouin, W, Montreal, (49% Yahoo ownership): The Canadiens have exceeded expectations this season, and increased offense from Drouin is among the reasons. In his last 7 games, the kid has scored 9 PTS with 25 shots, playing over 18 minutes per game.

2) Chris Kreider, W, Rangers, (57% Yahoo ownership): This is not Kreider’s first appearance on this list this season, but it would be his last if he could attain and sustain 60% ownership. In his last 7 games, he’s scored 9 PTS with 17 shots and 11 hits. Worth holding on to permanently beyond this week.

3) Neal Pionk, D, Rangers, (41% Yahoo ownership): Pionk went from a healthy scratch early in the season to become the Rangers best defenseman. He leads all defensemen in power play PTS over the last 14 days with 5, though his shot numbers are not exciting. Pionk is worthy of a long-term roster spot so long as he continues to produce.

4) Louis Domingue, G, Tampa, (48% Yahoo ownership): If you are sensitive about your GAA and SV %, then Domingue might not be for you. With Vasileyvsky out, he’s the #1 goalie on one of the best teams who will get you saves and wins, though some of those wins might be more of the 6-5 variety we saw yesterday. If you simply need starts, he might be your best option.

5) Tom Wilson, W, Washington, (49% Yahoo ownership): He’s back from suspension and has finally learned from his mistakes…In the 3 game since returning, Wilson only has 4 hits, which is a significant drop from his previous rates. He may no longer be a category freak, but would still be worth owning if he continues to play on the top line with Ovechkin.

Best Deep League Adds (under 15% ownership):

1) Cody Eakin, C, Vegas, (6% Yahoo ownership): Eakin has been getting first line deployment with Pacioretty and Tuch, putting up 6 PTS in his last 6 GP. He’s been getting some time on the power play but has yet to put up any PP PTS this season. This current hot streak is probably only temporary, but he’s not a bad streaming option while he continues getting top line minutes.

2) Dmitry Orlov, D, Washington, (8% Yahoo ownership): It was a slow start to the season for Orlov, who may have been one of the few Caps to start with a Stanley Cup hangover. He’s picked up his scoring as of late, with 4 PTS in his last 7 GP. Still not getting enough power play time to be relevant as anything more than a short-term streaming option in shallower leagues.

3) Chad Johnson, G, St. Louis, (12% Yahoo ownership): It’s hard to tell what’s going on in the Blues net, but it’s at least clear that Johnson has been better than Allen, and the coach is figuring that out (with Johnson starting 4 of the last 6 games). In those 4 starts he put up 2 wins with a 2.01 GAA, .933 SV%, and a shutout. This is a good streaming option in deeper leagues.

4) Jimmy Vesey, W, Rangers, (2% Yahoo ownership): We’ve seen a few extended scoring slumps from Vesey early in his young career, but he’s been good lately, scoring 6 PTS in his last 6 GP. We will need to see him sustain that over a longer period before he becomes playable in shallow formats. He’s still young enough to be a breakout candidate.

5) Tanner Pearson, W, Pittsburgh, (9% Yahoo ownership): Since being traded to Pittsburgh, Pearson has been a hot add on Yahoo. Or at least he was. After his first 2 games he has not produced anything and his ice time has been low. That whole team has been hurt by the loss of Crosby. Pearson will need to start scoring before being ownable in standard leagues, but at this point is worth a speculative stash in deeper formats. Do not yet drop somebody good to add him. Once/if he gets a few PTS, his ownership will blow up.

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

1) Nick Holden, D, Vegas: Over the last 6 GP Holden has produced 3 PTS with 11 hits, averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per game. Certainly worth a roster plug in deep leagues.

2) Nick Bonino, C, Nashville: If you’re in my 18-team league you won’t find Bonino on the waiver wire because I’m currently using him for a 2 week stream over which Nashville plays 8 games. In his last 6 GP, Bonino has scored 5 PTS, with 15 shots, a +6. This is a guy you can use when the schedule works and don’t need to feel bad dropping later.

3) Marcus Sorensen, W, Sharks: Sorensen is among the leading scorers for 1% owned players over the last 14 days, scoring 6 PTS in his last 7 GP. His deployment is nothing exciting, playing with Thornton and Labanc at about 12.5 minutes per game. Worth a speculative play while he’s scoring.

Safe to drop in Standard Leagues:

1) Duncan Keith, Chicago, (58% Yahoo ownership): The Hawks came flying out of the gate this season, but have since come crashing back to Earth. Keith has gone pointless in 8 straight games. You can comfortably drop him.

2) Ivan Provorov, Philadelphia, (72% Yahoo ownership): I dropped him in my Yahoo standard league and he cleared waivers. The kid has been getting a ton of playing time but has not put up good fantasy numbers in any category. He’s currently on pace for a 28-point season.