NHL 2018 Week 8 Fantasy Hockey Report

This is my week eight 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) Brandon Montour, D, Anaheim, (49% Yahoo ownership): Cam Fowler’s broken face and an injury to Hampus Lindholm have created a great opportunity for Montour to get a ton of ice time. The Ducks have a great schedule this week and Montour has 5 PTS in his last 6 GP, with 19 shots, averaging 24.5 minutes of ice time per game. I added him in my 12-team standard league.

2) Brady Tkachuk, W, Ottawa, (41% Yahoo ownership): The rookie has 5 PTS in his last 7 GP with 21 shots and 12 hits. The Senators play 4 games and Tkachuk can help you in multiple categories. The kid has a bright future in fantasy hockey, especially in leagues that count hits and penalties. At his age consistency may be an issue over the course of a full season, but even just as a short-term streaming option he’s a good add for this week.

3) Casey DeSmith, G, Pittsburgh, (49% Yahoo ownership): Matt Murray is injured again, which is almost irrelevant since DeSmith was already starting a majority of Penguins games. He needs to be added in more leagues, with a 2.50 GAA and .925 SV % in his last 6 games. DeSmith may even retain the primary starters role when Murray returns from injury.

4) Sam Reinhart, W, Buffalo, (46% Yahoo ownership): Newsflash, turns out the Buffalo Sabres might be good and Reinhart is playing on the top line with Skinner and Eichel, scoring 7 PTS in his last 8 GP. So long as that line deployment continues, including first power play, Reinhart is worth holding on to beyond just this week.

5) Andreas Athanasiou, W, Detroit, (28% Yahoo ownership): This has to be the first time I’ve recommended Athanasiou as a standard league pick-up, but he’s a strong streaming option for the upcoming week. The Red Wings play 4 games and AA has 5 goals and 29 shots in his last 7 GP. You shouldn’t burn a permanent roster spot on him just yet, this is a short-term streamer.

Last Week: Jonathon Drouin, Chris Kreider, Neal Pionk, Louis Domingue, Tom Wilson

Best Deep League Adds (under 15% ownership):

1) Kevin Hayes, C, Rangers, (14% Yahoo ownership): The Rangers play 4 games this week, including a home and home against the Ottawa Senators, who can’t keep the puck out of their net. Hayes has scored 11 PTS in his last 10 GP. He’s almost addable in a standard league for those 2 games against the Sens and should be owned in most deeper formats.

2) Alex Kerfoot, W, Colorado, (13% Yahoo ownership): Kerfoot has been scoring at a point per game clip over the last 12 games. Despite only playing on the second power play unit, he has managed to produce 4 PP PTS in the last 7 GP. The Avalanche have a strong schedule this week and Kerfoot will get you PTS, albeit with weak peripherals.

3) Bobby Ryan, W, Ottawa, (8% Yahoo ownership): Don’t look now, but Bobby Ryan has actually been productive lately, scoring 7 PTS in his last 7 GP, giving him 16 PTS in 23 GP on the season. That contract may be terrible, but he’s good enough to play hockey in the NHL and somebody worth taking a look at for next week.

4) Bryan Little, C, Winnipeg, (10% Yahoo ownership): Patrik Laine is on a hot streak and Little is reaping the benefits, with 9 PTS in his last 7 GP. There have been concerns early in the season that Little might be holding Laine back, but suddenly the big Finn has 11 goals in his last 4 GP.

5) Tristan Jarry, G, Pittsburgh, (7% Yahoo ownership): With Murray out the starting duties will fall to DeSmith, but Jarry will get some starts here and there. He’ll get at least 1 next week on back to back. He stopped 35 of 37 shots in his first game Friday against the Bruins.

Last Week: Cody Eakin, Dmitry Orlov, Chad Johnson, Jimmy Vesey, Tanner Pearson

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

1) Frans Nielsen, Detroit: If you play in a deep enough league where 1% players are commonly owned and Nielsen is on your waiver wire, grab him for the upcoming week. He has scored 4 PTS in his last 6 GP playing over 17 minutes per game. Streamer, not a keeper.

2) Cody Ceci, Ottawa: If you’re looking for a defenseman who is widely available, has a good schedule next week and can help your hits and blocks while chipping in a few PTS, grab Ceci. They play 3 games in the next 4 nights.

3) Mikkel Boedker, Ottawa: Boedker is a decent streaming option in deep leagues, with the Senators playing Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, you can squeeze some extra games into the first half of your week. With 6 PTS in his last 15 GP, Boedker isn’t exactly exciting as a long-term pick-up.

Last Week: Nick Holden, Nick Bonino, Marcus Sorensen

Safe to drop in Standard Leagues:

1) Jake Muzzin, LA: Muzzin is owned in 50% of Yahoo leagues and has 2 PTS in his last 12 GP. You don’t need to burn a permanent roster spot on him. I’m just not buying stock in the LA Kings right now. Use him as a streamer when you like the schedule. Although the Kings do have a good schedule this week, so keep that in mind.

2) Craig Anderson, Ottawa: Nobody should be burning a permanent roster spot on Craig Anderson in shallow leagues. His GAA on the season is 3.91 and he’s allowed at least 4 goals in 6 of his last 7 GP. You should only ever use Anderson on an emergency basis when you need to reach your minimum starts in a week. Otherwise he’ll do more harm than good to your numbers.