NHL 2018 Week 9 Fantasy Hockey Report

This is my week nine 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.

To view my list of the most added players in November, click here. To view the most dropped November players, click here.

Best Standard League Adds (20% to 60% Yahoo ownership):

1) Reilly Smith, W, Vegas, (52% Yahoo ownership): After a 2 PTS in 12 GP swoon from late October to early November, Smith has been hot, producing at an impressive clip with 10 PTS in his last 8 GP. Vegas plays 4 games this week and that line with Smith-Karlsson-Marchessault has been on a roll.

2) Mikko Koskinen, G, Edmonton, (49% Yahoo ownership): The Finn has wrestled the Oilers starting duties away from Cam Talbot and the team plays 4 games this week. In his last 6 starts Koskinen has 4 wins with a 1.82 GAA and .938 SV %. It’s always good to own Hitchcock goalies. He's worth adding for next week and beyond, so long as he keeps getting a majority of Hitchcock starts.

3) Shea Theodore, D, Vegas, (50% Yahoo ownership): It was a slow start to the season for the youngster, but he’s finally found his rhythm. He’s scored 7 PTS in his last 8 GP with a +9. In October Theodore only managed to produce 3 PTS in 12 GP, but completely turned things around in November with 12 PTS in 15 GP. He’s hot and needs to be added.

4) Tyler Johnson, W, Tampa, (48% Yahoo ownership): The Bolts play 4 games next week and Johnson has been seeing time on the top line with Point and Kucherov. You may want a piece of this action for the upcoming week. He does have 6 PTS in his last 10 GP and has a really high upside any given week because of his explosive linemates.

5) Alex Tuch, W, Vegas, (45% Yahoo ownership): Tuch has been steadily rising in ownership since missing the start of the season, as the kid has now scored 20 PTS with 29 hits in 20 GP. He can add a physical component if you play with hits in your league. I added him in my Yahoo standard league two weeks ago as a streamer and haven’t been able to drop him.

Last Week: Brandon Montour, Brady Tkachuk, Casey DeSmith, Sam Reinhart, Andreas Athanasiou

Best Deep League Adds (under 15% ownership):

1) Alex Chiasson, W, Edmonton, (11% Yahoo ownership): It’s been difficult trying to play McDavid linemate roulette in fantasy this season, but Chiasson is the latest lottery winner and has scored 5 goals in his last 8 GP. If you are in a deep league and want that McDavid exposure, Chiasson is available. It’s possible that Hitch will rotate through line combinations so it’s hard to trust these things long-term. The Oilers do have a nice schedule this week, making this a good time to roll the dice.

2) Drake Batherson, W, Ottawa, (6% Yahoo ownership):  Batherson has played 9 games in the NHL and has scored 7 PTS playing on the Matt Duchene line, which is red hot. At his age he has yet to really establish his ceiling or floor. Whether or not you want to be a part of that journey in the long-term, he’s at least worth a short-term streaming spot next week.

3) TJ Brodie, D, Calgary, (11% Yahoo ownership): Brodie may have only scored 4 PTS in his first 18 GP but the veteran has scored 7 PTS in his last 8 GP. The Flames play 4 games this week, making TJ a solid streaming option. His peripheral statistics are not great, so he’s really only someone you want on your roster while PTS are coming in and they have a good schedule.

4) Colin White, C, Ottawa, (4% Yahoo ownership): White is officially under-owned having scored 16 PTS in 24 GP this season (55-point pace). If he were a winger that ownership would probably be closer to 40% than 4%. So, whether or not White appeals to you depends on if you have room in your line-up for another center. The rookie has been my 5^th center in an 18-team league since preseason and I’m in first place. Just saying…

5) Adin Hill, G, Phoenix, (11% Yahoo ownership): Antti Raanta is injured again, or may be back soon, who really knows, and Adin Hill is the latest replacement. In his first 2 starts, he’s got 2 wins stopping 60 of his first 61 shots. It’s hard to trust him in the long-term, but he’s worth a short-term gamble if goalies are scarce in your league.

Last Week: Kevin Hayes, Alex Kerfoot, Bobby Ryan, Bryan Little, Tristan Jarry

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

1) Mark Jankowski, Calgary: Jankowski has managed to score 5 PTS in his last 6 GP despite playing mostly 4^th line without talented wingers. He would need to be bumped up the depth chart for me to trust as anything more than a one-week streamer. The Flames play 4 games next week, so this is a decent streaming option in very deep leagues.

2) Erik Cernak, Tampa: If you need hits next week in your deep league, take this guy, who has 31 in his last 10 games. That’s just about the only thing Cernak will do for you, pad your hit totals in a streaming role, and next week is a great time to do so if you need more hitting.

3) Gavin Bayreuther, Dallas: The Stars do not have a great schedule this week, but Bayreuther is a defenseman to keep an eye on in the deepest leagues. Over the last 8 games he’s been averaging over 20 minutes of ice time (including power play), scoring 4 PTS. Obviously when Klingberg gets back everyone gets bumped down the depth chart. Still, this kid is intriguing in the short-term.

Last Week: Frans Nielsen, Cody Ceci, Mikkel Boedker

Safe to drop in Standard Leagues:

1) James Van Riemsdyk, LA: If you were expecting a 40-goal scorer when you drafted JVR, you have been sorely disappointed. He has still only played 9 games in Philly and has only scored 1 goal. The ice time has been declining and the PTS are few and far between. 62% owned is way to high for this guy.

2) Will Butcher, New Jersey: This has not been a good sophomore season for Butcher, who has only scored 3 PTS in his last 15 GP. The power play PTS have completely dried up and he’s not giving you good peripheral stats. He should not be 38% owned.