Fantasy Hockey 2021/22 Week 1 Waiver Wire Report

Welcome to my 2021/22 Week One Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Report for those competing in head-to-head categories or rotisserie leagues. There are both standard and deep league acquisition targets to help you this week. This report focuses on the best options among those who are 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. Some of these are only short-term targets, while others you may want to keep permanently.

 

Best Standard League Adds (25% to 65% Yahoo ownership):

 

1) Jake Allen, Mtl, (42% Yahoo ownership): Jake Allen’s average ownership last season was 30%, and was only at 13% on October 1st, 2021. News broke that Carey Price would be taking an indefinite leave of absence, and Jake’s stock has been skyrocketing. I added him to one of my teams on a $3 bid earlier this week. The Canadiens play 3 games this week, and Allen will get the lion’s share of action. My only reservation is that Jake played his best hockey last season when Price was healthy. When Price was out with injury, Allen struggled.

2) Jesse Puljujarvi, Edm, (42% Yahoo ownership): I have been recording monthly Yahoo fantasy ownership rates for a few years now, and have never recorded a higher number for Puljujarvi than his current 42%. His stock might be trading at an all-time high, thanks to playing with McDavid in preseason and scoring a few goals. Whether or not he’s a streamer or a permanent hold in standard leagues, depends entirely on power play time. The Oilers only play 2 games this week so he’s not an ideal streamer, but he’s worth a gamble for the first week or two to see how the top power play shakes out.

3) Jaden Schwartz, Sea, (34% Yahoo ownership): Jaden Schwartz averaged 53% ownership last season and has seen his share value drop since moving to Seattle, but it remains to be seen if the latest expansion team is actually a worse situation. His production with the Blues over the last 3 seasons was underwhelming, pacing for 43, 66, and 43 PTS per 82 GP. He’ll be playing top line, top power play with the Kraken and was scoring goals in preseason. Seattle plays 3 games this week, and I’m also interested in his linemates Jared McCann and Jordan Eberle.

4) Josh Anderson, Mtl, (38% Yahoo ownership): Josh Anderson is not playing on either the top line or top power play in Montreal, but is a great fantasy hockey streaming option in category leagues that count hits and shots. Those outstanding peripheral numbers are why Anderson averaged 56% fantasy ownership last season and why he has been a frequent streaming target of mine dating back to his time in Columbus. The winger scored at a rate of 38 PTS per 82 GP last season, and has only breached 40 once in his career. So, if you play in a points-only league, then ignore this recommendation. I added him in a standard league as a streamer.

5) Jacob Trouba, NYR, (46% Yahoo ownership): I’m not advocating permanent ownership of Trouba in a standard sized league, but he is a decent streaming option this week. The Rangers play 3 games, and Trouba will help boost your hit, shot, and block totals. He scored at a 50-point pace during his last year in Winnipeg, but you’ll be lucky to get 30 PTS out of him this season. His sole role on your team will be boosting your peripheral stat categories, a lot like Josh Anderson. But given how many teams only play once this week, you're going to need those extra periphs.

 

Honorable Mentions: Jared McCann, Jordan Eberle, Elvis Merzlikins, Ryan Pulock, Josh Norris

 

Best Deep League Adds (under 25% ownership):

 

1) Tyler Johnson, Chi, (19% Yahoo ownership): If Tyler Johnson can hold on to that top line, top power play role in Chicago, he needs to be far more than 19% owned. Not only is he a permanent target, the Hawks also play 3 games this week, making him a fantastic streamer, even in standard sized leagues. He could be 60% owned by the end of the month. I added him last night in a 12-team standard league, but that may just be temporary for this week because I like their schedule. Johnson is an intriguing sleeper.

2) Noah Dobson, NYI, (16% Yahoo ownership): Dobson is currently slotted on the top power play unit for the Islanders and needs to be owned in more than 16% of Yahoo leagues if that sticks. The young defenseman has only scored 21 PTS over his first 80 GP, but part of that is attributable to low ice time. As his usage increases (especially with the man advantage), there is significant breakout potential. We just need to see how those PP minutes are distributed between Dobson and Pulock with Leddy out of the picture.

3) Chandler Stephenson, Veg, (22% Yahoo ownership): You would expect the center playing between Stone and Pacioretty to be owned in more leagues, but Stephenson peaked at 39% last season. He scored at a 56-point pace, which may be his ceiling going forward. Yet there is also a chance that he could break-out given his linemates. He does need to be owned in more than 22% of leagues regardless. Vegas plays twice at the beginning of the week, then get 5 days off. If you’re looking at Stephenson solely as a streamer, you may want to choose someone else instead.

4) Nick Ritchie, Tor, (25% Yahoo ownership): Ritchie is presently playing with Marner and Matthews, but not the top unit power play. There is no guarantee he can sustain top line deployment long-term, but he’s a compelling streaming target this week, especially if your league counts hits. The Leafs play 3 games with 2 against Ottawa. Though I personally had the choice between Ritchie and Brandon Tanev in a category league, and chose Tanev because I need as many extra hits as possible. Ritchie should get more PTS.

5) Anton Khudobin, Dal, (24% Yahoo ownership): There aren’t many quality deep league streaming options in goal for week one, other than maybe a probable Brian Elliot (5% owned) start for Tampa versus Detroit. The Stars will play 3 games, so you might get 2 starts out of Khudobin, who disappointed last season. I’m concerned about Khudobin’s start share over the full season, especially when Bishop returns. It’s also worth pointing out, Braden Holtby drew praise for his strong play during the preseason, and he’s only 14% owned. That could potentially mean that Holtby gets 2 starts and Khudobin gets 1.

 

Honorable Mentions: Moritz Seider, Brandon Tanev, Braden Holtby, Andrew Copp, Max Domi