Welcome to my 2021/22 Week Twenty-Four 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. 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) Robert Thomas, Stl, (52% Yahoo ownership): Robert Thomas is on a wicked heater, and my second fantasy team that was not on a bye was a big beneficiary. In his last 12 GP, Thomas has potted an impressive 21 PTS, but only 18 shots and 1 hit. The peripherals are lacking. Robby was mentioned in my report last week after I added him as a short-term streamer, and he’s left me no choice by to let it ride after his outstanding success. The Blues play 4 more games, albeit with a tougher schedule. Make sure you can fit him into your line-up.
2) Cole Caufield, Mtl, (59% Yahoo ownership): If you are lucky enough to compete in a league where Cole Caufield is on your waiver wire, he’s must own (I was able to acquire some Caufield stock on Friday night in a league where I dropped him last week). Statistics aside, this is a crazy scheduling week with an overloaded Tue-Thu-Sat slate. Both the Jets and Canadiens play 4 games, with 3 of them on Mon-Wed-Fri. You’ll need to check all your waiver additions to make sure there’s even room on your starting roster. In his last 15 GP, Caufield has scored 15 PTS with 45 shots on goal.
3) Jeff Petry, Mtl, (37% Yahoo ownership): After recently missing time with an injury, Jeff Petry was dropped in a bunch of fantasy leagues. Guess who’s back? If you need to squeeze extra games out of your blueline to help with shots, hits, and blocks, Petry is a solid option. Granted I would rather have Josh Morrissey, but he’ll be harder to find on your waiver wire (8 PTS, 41 shots, 33 hits in last 14 GP). I added Mattias Ekholm as a streamer last week, and will be carrying him on my roster for at least 1 more match-up.
4) James Reimer, SJ, (38% Yahoo ownership): The San Jose Sharks are not a good team, but James Reimer has been putting up decent numbers down the stretch. Over the last 30 days, Reimer has played in 9 games, posting a respectable .913 SV%, but only 3 wins. The Sharks will play 4 games, against mostly teams in the middle part of the league standings. You may also want to consider Mike Smith, who is heating up at exactly the right time for Edmonton, with 6 wins and a .923 SV% in his last 8 games. The Oilers only play 3 games, none against easy teams, so proceed with caution.
5) Tage Thompson,
Buf, (62% Yahoo ownership): Two weeks ago, Tage Thompson was my top waiver
recommendation, where I said he was worth hanging on to for the next 3 weeks.
Since that report, he has scored 9 PTS in 7 GP with 19 shots. If he’s already
on your roster, let it ride. The benefit of Tage is that he’s eligible at every
forward position, which gives you more roster flexibility in an inflexible
week. I’m also a Tanner Jeannot shareholder, but am facing a tough decision
being unable to start him until Sunday. He’s a great hits guy if you can fit
him into your starting line-up.
Honorable Mentions: Mike Smith, Josh Morrissey, Tanner Jeannot, Michael Bunting, Anders Lee
Last Week: Tanner Jeannot, Tyler
Toffoli, Elvis Merzlikins, Jaccob Slavin, Tim Stuetzle
Best Deep League Adds
(under 25% ownership):
1) Brendan Gallagher, Mtl, (25% Yahoo ownership): This is more than a deep league recommendation. Gallagher had returned from injury to score 5 PTS in 3 GP, and is among the best players available that you can fit in your line-up Monday to Friday. He’s only deployed on Montreal’s 3rd line, but makes up for that by playing on the top power play unit. Gallagher should give you decent shot and hit numbers, as does teammate Josh Anderson, who is less exciting offensively but also worth a stream in deeper leagues.
2) Paul Stastny, Wpg, (17% Yahoo ownership): Paul Stastny is available in 83% of Yahoo leagues, and is the best Winnipeg Jets forward under 76% owned. Next to Gallagher, there will be leagues where Stastny is the best forward on waivers that you can start Monday to Friday. His 8 PTS and 29 shots in the last 14 games is not exciting, but his schedule is a perfect fit under challenging circumstances. If you have the room, you may want to try Alex Tuch, Ilya Mikheyev, Casey Mittlestadt, or Kyle Palmieri.
3) Erik Kallgren, Tor, (21% Yahoo ownership): The Toronto Maple Leafs will be playing 4 games (3 against non-playoff teams), with a back-to-back set, so you’re getting a guaranteed start from Kallgren, hopefully two. The rookie netminder hasn’t been great, but he plays behind a good team that can score goals. In his last 8 GP, Kallgren has posted 5 wins with a .904 SV%. Jake Allen left Saturday’s game with an injury, which will put Sam Montembeault in line for some starts this week, although his .891 SV% in the last 30 days is mildly worrisome.
4) Victor Olofsson, Buf, (15% Yahoo ownership): Victor Olofsson is sniping again. In his last 14 GP, Victor has netted 8 goals, 12 PTS (4 on the power play), with 36 shots. He might be difficult to fit into your line-up for the Tue-Thu games, but I love that weekend back-to-back against Philly. He’s worth a weekend stream in all formats. Speaking of sniping, Jakub Vrana in Detroit has 7 goals in his last 14 GP with 36 shots. The Red Wings play 4 games this week, so Jakub is also worthy of your consideration.
5) Adam Pelech,
NYI, (4% Yahoo ownership): Adam Pelech is only my top choice among deep league
defense if you can fit him into your starting line-up. The Islanders play
Tue-Thu-Fri-Sun, so you’re at least avoiding the Saturday. In his last 17 GP,
Pelech has scored 9 PTS with 23 shots, 21 hits and 25 blocks. If on the other
hand you are looking for a defenseman to squeeze in between your starters, Nate
Schmidt might be the best available option (preferable to Savard, Edmundson, or
Romanov, but not exciting either).
Honorable Mentions: Sam Montembeault, Nate Schmidt, Josh Anderson, Jakub Vrana, Alex Tuch
Last Week: Erik Haula, Brady
Skjei, Seth Jarvis, Mikael Backlund, Dan Vladar
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