Sunday, October 13, 2019

2019 Week 2 NHL Fantasy Hockey Report


This is my week two 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) Oscar Klefbom, Edm, (55% Yahoo ownership): In 5 GP this season Klefbom has scored 7 PTS (4 on the power play), taking 12 shots, averaging 24:58 of ice time. The Oilers do have a great schedule this week, but that shouldn’t make a difference here. Klefbom is a long-term hold regardless of his schedule this week. If he’s available in any of your leagues, however shallow, go add him right now.

2) Roope Hintz, Dal, (55% Yahoo ownership): Hintz was a buy low target of mine last week when he was 44% owned. So far he’s scored 4 Goals and 5 PTS in 6 GP playing on the Stars top power play unit. The Stars play 4 games next week, most of them on the off nights when it’s easier to get guys into your line-up. His 5 on 5 assignment with Pavelski and Janmark is not as exciting as where he was to start the season, on a line with Seguin and Radulov, but he’s still averaging 17:24 of ice time, which is encouraging.

3) J.T Miller, Van, (55% Yahoo ownership): Miller exploded for a 4-point night against the Kings and now finds himself on the top line with Boeser and Pettersson, as well as the top power play unit, averaging 18:15 of ice time. He’s not a lock to hold that deployment all season, but in the short-term he’s worth a shot. The Canucks play 4 games this week, mostly on the busy nights, so make sure you can fit him into your starting line-up. The games against Detroit and New Jersey are the most enticing.

4) Tomas Tatar, Mtl, (31% Yahoo ownership): Tatar has been getting good minutes on the top line with Gallagher and Domi, scoring 4 PTS in 5 GP. From Jan 1st to Apr 6 last season, Tatar had an average ownership of 56% on Yahoo. It’s fair to say he’s under-owned, making him a good streaming option when the schedule aligns. The Habs play on Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun, so make sure you can fit him into your line-up before streaming. At the very least he’s a good weekend streamer, facing Minnesota on Sunday.

5) Mike Smith, Edm, (33% Yahoo ownership): I’m not endorsing Mike Smith as a long-term addition or anyone you should drop a good goalie to add. But if you need a streamer next week, he might be the best option available on your waiver wire. The Oilers play 4 winnable games and the team is red hot. He’s in a time share with Koskinen, which makes him difficult to own when Edmonton doesn’t have a full slate.


Last Week: Reilly Smith, Carter Hutton, Justin Schultz, Sam Reinhart, Alex Galchenyuk


Best Deep League Adds (under 20% ownership):


1) Zach Kassian, Edm, (17% Yahoo ownership): The guy sees significant ice time with Draisaitl and McDavid, bringing extra value in leagues that count hits. In 5 GP Kassian has produced 5 PTS with 15 hits, a +6 rating, averaging 16:51 of ice. Certainly carries more value in bangers leagues. I own Kassian in my 14 team league.

2) Colin Miller, Buf, (16% Yahoo ownership): The minutes haven’t been big for Miller in Buffalo thus far (averaging just 17:59), but he’s still managed to score 3 PTS in 5 GP with 2 on the power play. The Sabres have a 4-game week coming up, including Los Angeles and San Jose on Thursday and Saturday, two teams who have been hemorrhaging goals.

3) Ondrej Kase, Ana, (14% Yahoo ownership): In 5 GP, Kase has scored 4 PTS with 17 shots, currently playing on the top line with Getzlaf, averaging 15:06 of ice time. Kase was a trendy sleeper among fantasy analysts heading into the season, after being derailed by injury in the previous campaign. The Ducks play 4 games (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun), so he’ll be easy to squeeze into your line-up as a streamer, but he also has long-term value in deep leagues beyond just this week.

4) Tanner Pearson, Van, (5% Yahoo ownership): Pearson has been getting heavy deployment with the Canucks, playing on a line with Bo Horvat. In 4 GP he has collected 4 PTS while taking 18 shots and averaging 18:03 of ice time. Sure 11 of those shots came in 1 game, but he’s still a good guy to target in deep leagues if you need some extra shots this week.

5) Mikko Koskinen, Edm, (18% Yahoo ownership): It’s been a respectable start to the season for Koskinen, with 2 wins (2.41 GAA and .914 SV%) in 2 starts. The Oilers are playing great and Koskinen has a decent shot at 2 starts next week. Mike Smith is getting the greater time share thus far, so it’s hard to own Mikko long-term. This is just a streaming option for short-term need in deeper formats where goalie starts are harder to find.


Last Week: Victor Olofsson, Cody Glass, Brandon Tanev, Ilya Samsonov, Neal Pionk


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


1) Brad Hunt, Min: There are not many defensemen who are 0% owned and have collected multiple PTS on the power play. In 4 GP, Hunt is only averaging 15:31 of ice time, but has produced 4 PTS and 10 shots. He has a great schedule this week, including Ottawa on Monday.

2) Marcus Foligno, Min: Foligno has managed to produce 3 PTS in his first 4 GP, averaging 12:41 of ice time. That scoring pace is unsustainable, but you’ll want to consider this guy if you are in a deep league that counts hits, as he has amassed 22 thus far.

3) Alex Iafallo, LA: The Kings might not have a great schedule this week, and Iafallo has only produced 1 point in 4 GP this season. What makes him worth adding in a deep league is his top line assignment with Kopitar and Brown, where he’s averaging 17:53 of ice time on a bad Kings team. There aren’t many top line players who are only 1% owned.


Last Week: Radek Faksa, Ville Heinola, Thomas Nosek

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