2019/20 Week 16 NHL Fantasy Hockey Report

This is my week sixteen 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) Ilya Samsonov, Wsh, (62% Yahoo ownership): Samsonov has been by far the best goalie in Washington for more than a month, and has moved into an even time-share with Holtby. Over his last 6 GP, Samsonov has a 1.30 GAA and .956 SV %. The fact that Holtby is still there and getting starts is the only knock on adding Samsonov. Fortunately, the Caps play 4 games this week, so you’ll get at least 2, possibly 3 starts. I’ve added him myself in a 12-team standard league.

2) Tanner Pearson, Van, (40% Yahoo ownership): The Canucks second line of Bo Horvat, Tanner Pearson, and Loui Eriksson has been on fire lately. Over his last 11 games, Pearson has scored 13 PTS with 27 shots and 16 hits. He’s actually been pretty good for most of the season, and someone I’ve used a few times as a shallow league streamer when Vancouver has a good upcoming schedule (like they do this week). I;m streaming him this week in my 12-team standard league.

3) Ilya Kovlachuk, Mtl, (38% Yahoo ownership): If you haven’t been following Kovalchuk’s meteoric rise up the fantasy ownership charts, then you’ve been asleep at the wheel. I’m still not buying this guy for a permanent roster spot in a standard sized league, but he has unquestionably worked his way into my streaming rotation. Since arriving in Montreal, Ilya has been putting up points (8 PTS in 8 GP with 22 shots and 14 hits). The Russian has been playing top line, top power play, averaging 19:35 minutes per game. The Habs play 4 games this week while many teams are on bye, so there’s no better time to take Kovalchuk for a spin.

4) Ondrej Palat, TB, (41% Yahoo ownership): While Palat is no longer playing on the top line with Point and Kucherov, the Lightning play 4 games this week during the byes, so anyone you can grab from the 2^nd line of Palat, Cirelli, and Tyler Johnson should help. Over his last 12 GP, Palat has scored 9 PTS with 19 hits and a +7. The shot totals are low, so maybe try someone else if you need help in that category, add if you need hits.

5) Esa Lindell, Dal, (36% Yahoo ownership): Lindell has started to cool off from his post-Christmas scoring surge, but it’s still a good week to utilize him as a streamer, with the Stars playing 3 games. You won’t find many (if any) better streaming options for defense on your waiver wire, unless you need hits and Radko Gudas is available. Lindell had a terribly slow start to the season, but over his last 10 GP has scored 9 PTS while averaging over 24 minutes per game. Also helps in hits and blocks.

Last Week: Anders Lee, Brock Nelson, Patric Hornqvist, Elvis Merzlikins, Erik Gustafsson

Best Deep League Adds (under 20% ownership):

1) Anthony Cirelli, TB, (22% Yahoo ownership): Cirelli is on pace for 57 PTS, including 6 PTS in his last 3 GP. He’s available in this many leagues due to center over-abundance, but you might have room to squeeze him in this week. If your league counts +/-, he’s even better, posting a +13 in his last 13 GP. I would love to buy stock in this kid in dynasty formats, as he’s got a bright future ahead of him.

2) Tyler Johnson, TB, (15% Yahoo ownership): I’m not necessarily a big Tyler Johnson fan at this stage in his career, but he plays on a team with so many talented forwards that he often lucks into great situations. The Lightning have currently stacked Stamkos-Point-Kucherov on a super line, which isn’t great news for Johnson. The good news is that the 2^nd line has been producing too, and the Lightning have a great schedule coming up with some bad defensive teams on the slate.

3) Jake Allen, STL, (21% Yahoo ownership): The Blues will play a pair of back-to-backs in the upcoming week, so Jake will almost certainly get 2 starts with an excellent chance of winning both. Allen has posted a .927 SV% and 2.22 GAA this season on a very good St. Louis team. Because of the schedule, you may even want to use him in a shallow league. I wouldn’t be shocked to see his usage increase approaching the trade deadline as the Blues entertain offers, but Jordan Binnington will be the main man as playoffs get closer.

4) Zach Hyman, Tor, (19% Yahoo ownership): Hyman’s hits per game totals has dropped considerably this season, so he hasn’t been the banger’s league darling you’ve become accustomed to, but he’s also playing on a line with Matthews and Marner. I’m interested in buying Hyman so long as that deployment continues. He has scored 6 PTS in his last 7 GP and will get points by osmosis with exposure to that dynamic scoring duo.

5) Dmitry Orlov, Wsh, (18% Yahoo ownership): There are limited deep league streaming options on defense this week, and Orlov is at the top of the list. The Russian is quietly on pace for a career high 37 PTS, including 5 PTS in his last 11 GP. I’ve got a streaming spot open for a defenseman in my 12-team standard league, and am currently torn between 3 games of Lindell or 4 games of Orlov with limited options on the waiver wire.

Last Week: Dominik Kahun, John Marino, Jordan Eberle, Aaron Dell, Dominik Kubalik