This is my 2021 Week Twelve 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 your best options among those who are more likely to be available in your league as opposed to the universally owned players. There are 10 recommendations in total, 2 goalies, 2 defensemen, and 6 forwards.
Best Standard League
Adds (25% to 65% Yahoo ownership):
1) Juuse Saros, Nsh, (64% Yahoo ownership): It was a competitive race for my top goaltending recommendation this week, as Martin Jones and MacKenzie Blackwood are also red hot (Casey DeSmith was going to be on that list until he got pumped for 6 goals against Boston yesterday). Saros edged out the competition because of their 2 Red Wings games early in the week, a team he beat twice on March 23 & 25 (with a shutout). I’m invested in Saros myself and had a difficult decision to make in a league where Martin Jones was also available. Since Saros has allowed 2 goals or less in 11 of his last 12 games, he’s the winner.
2) Eeli Tolvanen, Nsh, (37% Yahoo ownership): Tolvanen’s torrid scoring pace continues, potting 10 PTS in his last 8 GP, and has played a key role in the Predators reversal of fortunes. The Preds will play 4 games this week, with 2 against the Red Wings, who they blew out 7-1 in their last meeting. They’ve been among the hottest teams in the league over the last few weeks, as my fantasy teams have become increasingly invested in their roster. Eeli was 1% owned on March 1st and his stock is rapidly ascending to a new level.
3) Phil Kessel, Ari, (46% Yahoo ownership): Phil has been thrilling fantasy managers for the last 2 weeks, scoring 10 PTS in 7 GP playing with Clayton Keller (who was also considered for this list). Phil's poor play last season was reportedly injury related, and he now finds himself fully healed (according to Paul Bissonette on Spittin Chiclets). The Coyotes play 4 games this week, making Phil a tempting target while this hot streak lasts. He is an elite shooter and gets a value bump in leagues that reward goals over assists.
4) Ryan Graves, Col, (38% Yahoo ownership): After a rough start to the season, Ryan Graves has started rounding into form. Over his last 17 GP, Graves has scored 8 PTS with 31 shots, 21 hits, and an impressive +13. The Avalanche have been steam rolling the opposition lately and will play 4 games this week, including Fri-Sun against the not so mighty Ducks, which the Aves outscored 13-6 in their last 2 meetings. His value gets a bump in category leagues where those peripheral stats are more helpful.
5) Jason Robertson,
Dal, (32% Yahoo ownership): Jason Robertson’s fantasy ownership has nearly
doubled since I recommended him as a “deep league add” last week. His outstanding
production has made him increasingly relevant in shallower formats. The rookie
has scored 17 PTS in his last 17 GP with 47 shots, giving him 24 PTS in 30 GP
on the season (65 PTS per 82 GP). The Stars will play 4 games this week, and
like Tolvanen, we’re likely witnessing another youngster breaking out into
permanent fantasy relevance.
Honorable Mentions: Jakub Voracek, Kevin Fiala, Martin Jones, Rasmus Ristolainen, Clayton Keller
Last Week: Yanni Gourde,
MacKenzie Weegar, Jack Campbell, Alex Killorn, Martin Necas
Best Deep League Adds
(under 25% ownership):
1) Nick Ritchie, Bos, (15% Yahoo ownership): Over the last few weeks the Boston Bruins have struggled to score goals (until their 7-goal outburst against Pittsburgh yesterday), with Ritchie only totaling 6 PTS in his last 14 GP. The main reason I’ve pencilled him in as my top deep league waiver target is that they’ll be playing 5 games this week, 3 of those against a team who has struggled even more than Boston, the Philadelphia Flyers. Ritchie still gets power play deployment and is even worth considering in standard sized formats.
2) David Krejci, Bos, (21% Yahoo ownership): While it’s been a rough ride for the Bruins over the last few weeks, Krejci still managed to be productive, scoring 13 PTS in his last 14 GP. I’m checking all my waiver wires for available Bruins this week, but none appeared on the shallow league list above because they only have 1 player between 25% and 65% ownership. Like Ritchie, Krejci is also worth streaming in all formats, as he’ll be facing Flyers goaltending 3 times this week. They’ll also play Washington twice, who has an .867 SV% over the last 14 days. Buy Bruins!
3) Adin Hill, Ari, (19% Yahoo ownership): Adin Hill was my top deep league goaltending recommendation last week. I added him to one of my own teams, and I’m letting it ride. The Coyotes will play the Kings twice, Vegas twice, and Hill has a firm grasp on the starting role with Kuemper and Raanta on IR. Hill has posted a .910 SV% over his last 5 games, which isn’t spectacular, but good for a guy who has started 5 consecutive games (which includes a shutout vs San Jose). Linus Ullmark was also an interesting possibility, with a .925 SV% in the 4 games since returning from injury.
4) Ty Smith, NJ, (21% Yahoo ownership): Ty Smith qualified for my “deep league” waiver wire recommendations this week, yet has found his way onto my roster in both my 12-team standard leagues where good scoring D-men have been hard to find. While his peripheral stats have not been impressive, the rookie has scored 5 PTS in his last 8 GP, bringing his season total to 19 PTS in 35 GP, which would equate to 45 PTS in an 82-game schedule. This kid has a bright future, and is a hot commodity in dynasty formats.
5) Rocco Grimaldi,
Nsh, (1% Yahoo ownership): As mentioned above, the Predators will be facing the
Wings twice this week, and Grimaldi recorded a 4-goal game the last time they
met. The bad news is, that one game accounted for nearly half his points on the
season. While it’s entirely unlikely that lightning will strike twice, he’s
available in even the deepest of leagues, and may get a few extra shifts based
on his performance last time they played. If they didn’t play the Wings twice,
Rocco would not be considered for this list.
Honorable Mentions: Anthony Beauvillier, Jared McCann, Mario Ferraro, Linus Ullmark, Calle Jarnkrok
Last Week: Adin Hill, Jason
Robertson, Noah Hanifin, Joonas Donskoi, Valeri Nichushkin
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