2019/20 Week 17 NHL Fantasy Hockey Report

This is my week seventeen 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) Zach Hyman, Tor, (22% Yahoo ownership): The Fantasy community has been slow to react to Hyman’s deployment on a line with Marner and Matthews, where he’s in a fantastic position to pick up points that he might not otherwise deserve (9 PTS in his last 7 GP). The Leafs also have a very good schedule this week (Mon-Wed-Fri-Sat), so this is a great opportunity to take this 3^rd wheel for a spin. May also provide you with some extra hits.

2) Zach Parise, Min, (26% Yahoo ownership): Parise is always worth a roll of the dice as a streamer when he’s been on a heater and Minnesota has a good schedule ahead, both of which are true right now. The winger has scored 8 PTS (6 on the power play) in his last 10 GP with 26 shots. The Wild play Tue-Thu-Fri-Sun, so if you can’t get him into your line-up on the busy days, you can wait and use him as a Fri-Sun streamer.

3) Jaroslav Halak, Bos, (59% Yahoo ownership): The Bruins will play 4 games this week, including a pair of back-to-backs that guarantees at least 2 starts for Halak. Rask has returned from a concussion and Halak had been struggling, but I’m still betting on him to have a good week, especially if he gets the easier games. Over the last 2 weeks Halak has posted a .909 SV% in 3 starts, winning twice. It really helps that he plays on one of the league’s best teams.

4) Adam Fox, NYR, (41% Yahoo ownership): It has been a solid rookie season for the young defenseman, on pace to score 46 PTS, including 6 PTS in his last 10 GP. The Rangers have a very convenient Mon-Wed-Fri-Sun schedule, so it will be very easy to fit them into your line-up. The only thing standing between Fox and elite level production is Anthony DeAngelo eating up so much power play time. Fox has a bright future.

5) Frank Vatrano, Fla, (28% Yahoo ownership): Over his last 10 GP, Vatrano has managed to score 12 PTS with 25 shots and 21 hits.  Frank hasn’t been getting consistently good deployment, mostly playing on the 3^rd line, but recent productivity (including a hat trick against Chicago) is a good way to earn more ice time. The Panthers will play 4 games this week, including Mon-Tue-Thu if you want a streamer with a front-loaded schedule.

Last Week: Ilya Samsonov, Tanner Pearson, Ilya Kovlachuk, Ondrej Palat, Esa Lindell

Best Deep League Adds (under 20% ownership):

1) Pavel Buchnevich, NYR, (8% Yahoo ownership): Buchnevich replaced Lemieux on the Rangers top line with Zibanejad on Friday, and if he can sustain that deployment, he becomes a very appealing roster addition. Over his last 10 GP (most of that on the 3^rd line) the winger has scored 5 PTS with 26 shots and 18 hits. I’m much less interested if Buchnevich falls back onto the 3^rd line, which is entirely plausible with this coach.

2) Jared Spurgeon, Min, (16% Yahoo ownership): If you are looking for a widely available defenseman who plays 4 games this week and has been getting solid power play deployment, your search can end here. Over his last 10 GP, the veteran has scored 5 PTS (3 on the power play), with 16 shots and 12 hits. Spurgeon has been consistently near the 40-point mark for the past few seasons and is on pace for 39 PTS again this year.

3) Alex Iafallo, LA, (5% Yahoo ownership): Iafallo has been getting strong deployment all season on the top line with Brown and Kopitar. Over his last 11 GP, the winger has scored 7 goals while averaging 19:09 of ice time and playing on the top power play. The Kings play 3 of their 4 games on busy nights, so make sure you have room for Iafallo before adding him. If you need shots, you may want to consider his teammate Tyler Toffoli, who has 41 shots in in his last 11 GP.

4) Jesper Fast, NYR, (2% Yahoo ownership): Fast is only 2% owned despite playing on a dangerous scoring line with Artemi Panarin. Over his last 10 GP, Fast has scored 8 PTS with 21 hits, averaging 17:35 of ice time. He should already be owned in deep banger leagues, but with the Rangers schedule this week, his usefulness as a streamer extends to shallower formats. There should be fast and furious growth in his ownership if he continues showing good chemistry with Panarin.

5) Brian Elliot, Phi, (18% Yahoo ownership): Carter Hart is close to returning from injury, so Elliot’s run as the main guy in Philly will likely end sometime during this week. They do play two bad teams (Detroit and New Jersey) on Monday and Thursday, both games Elliot has a great chance of winning if he’s playing. This recommendation is merely a short-term stream, not someone you should be adding long-term.

Last Week: Anthony Cirelli, Tyler Johnson, Jake Allen, Zach Hyman, Dmitry Orlov