Waiver Wired: Week 25
Sunday, March 28, 2010
With just two weeks left in the NHL's regular season, some teams might give some of their top players a game or two off in preparation for the playoffs while other teams, like Carolina, are giving ample playing time to their youngsters. It is a strange time of year in fantasy leagues because of this. But it's also conducive to streaks from players who otherwise may not be on anyone's fantasy radar. Bottom line, this a good time to pluck guys from the waiver wire.
Jamie McBain – D – Carolina
Jamie McBain has two goals and six points in his first seven NHL games. But it isn't as if the defenseman is getting lucky offensively; he has a track record of offense from the blueline. He had seven goals and 40 points in 68 games in the AHL this season before being recalled and was a point-per-game player in his final season with Wisconsin in the NCAA. He's the future of Carolina's defensive corps, but is proving that the future may come a lot sooner than many expected.
Steve Sullivan – W – Nashville
Steve Sullivan has one goal, four points and a plus four rating in the Predators' last four games and three goals and 11 points in 15 games since the Olympic break concluded. If only he could get some power-play time, he'd be even more valuable. As it is, though, Sullivan is producing on a great line with
Marcel Goc and
Patric Hornqvist, with all of his points coming at even strength.
David Krejci – C – Boston
David Krejci is hot again. The notoriously streaky scorer has two goals and six points in the past three games. His hot play dates back to the end of the Olympics, where he scored five goals and registered 15 points in the last 12 games. And he has taken advantage of his increased playing time due to
Marc Savard's serious concussion. He's playing on a line with
Blake Wheeler and
Michael Ryder.
Erik Karlsson – D – Ottawa
Erik Karlsson is a dangerous player. The trouble is, he's dangerous both offensively and in his own zone. Karlsson is a shifty little player on the point with extreme confidence when handling the puck. That confidence has led to one goal and five assists in the Senators' last four games. But before that, Karlsson had a five game pointless streak with a horrendous minus nine rating. It's boom or bust with this kid, but we think the boom period should last another week or two.
Erik Christensen – C – New York Rangers
Erik Christensen is back on the top line and producing. He has four assists in the Rangers' last three games while playing on a line with
Marian Gaborik and
Brandon Dubinsky. Gaborik is still trying to find his game and remains wildly inconsistent; he's either putting up three-point games or zeroes. At least Christensen has endeared himself enough to coach John Tortorella that he's been a fixture on the top line for some time now. That's worth a gamble in deeper fantasy leagues this time of year.
Ron Hainsey – D – Atlanta
Ron Hainsey has two goals and eight points in Atlanta's last nine games. Most Thrashers are hot right now with five wins in their last seven games, and Hainsey has been one of their better performers. He will never be confused with the likes of
Mike Green or
Nicklas Lidstrom, but Hainsey is a serviceable defender with some offensive upside. With Atlanta in a dog fight for a playoff spot, they will continue to rely on veterans like Hainsey down the stretch.
With just two weeks left in the NHL's regular season, some teams might give some of their top players a game or two off in preparation for the playoffs while other teams, like Carolina, are giving ample playing time to their youngsters. It is a strange time of year in fantasy leagues because of this. But it's also conducive to streaks from players who otherwise may not be on anyone's fantasy radar. Bottom line, this a good time to pluck guys from the waiver wire.
Jamie McBain – D – Carolina
Jamie McBain has two goals and six points in his first seven NHL games. But it isn't as if the defenseman is getting lucky offensively; he has a track record of offense from the blueline. He had seven goals and 40 points in 68 games in the AHL this season before being recalled and was a point-per-game player in his final season with Wisconsin in the NCAA. He's the future of Carolina's defensive corps, but is proving that the future may come a lot sooner than many expected.
Steve Sullivan – W – Nashville
Steve Sullivan has one goal, four points and a plus four rating in the Predators' last four games and three goals and 11 points in 15 games since the Olympic break concluded. If only he could get some power-play time, he'd be even more valuable. As it is, though, Sullivan is producing on a great line with
Marcel Goc and
Patric Hornqvist, with all of his points coming at even strength.
David Krejci – C – Boston
David Krejci is hot again. The notoriously streaky scorer has two goals and six points in the past three games. His hot play dates back to the end of the Olympics, where he scored five goals and registered 15 points in the last 12 games. And he has taken advantage of his increased playing time due to
Marc Savard's serious concussion. He's playing on a line with
Blake Wheeler and
Michael Ryder.
Erik Karlsson – D – Ottawa
Erik Karlsson is a dangerous player. The trouble is, he's dangerous both offensively and in his own zone. Karlsson is a shifty little player on the point with extreme confidence when handling the puck. That confidence has led to one goal and five assists in the Senators' last four games. But before that, Karlsson had a five game pointless streak with a horrendous minus nine rating. It's boom or bust with this kid, but we think the boom period should last another week or two.
Erik Christensen – C – New York Rangers
Erik Christensen is back on the top line and producing. He has four assists in the Rangers' last three games while playing on a line with
Marian Gaborik and
Brandon Dubinsky. Gaborik is still trying to find his game and remains wildly inconsistent; he's either putting up three-point games or zeroes. At least Christensen has endeared himself enough to coach John Tortorella that he's been a fixture on the top line for some time now. That's worth a gamble in deeper fantasy leagues this time of year.
Ron Hainsey – D – Atlanta
Ron Hainsey has two goals and eight points in Atlanta's last nine games. Most Thrashers are hot right now with five wins in their last seven games, and Hainsey has been one of their better performers. He will never be confused with the likes of
Mike Green or
Nicklas Lidstrom, but Hainsey is a serviceable defender with some offensive upside. With Atlanta in a dog fight for a playoff spot, they will continue to rely on veterans like Hainsey down the stretch.
Liam Casey is a senior hockey writer for Rotoworld. He has also written for Toronto Life and the Ottawa Citizen. He once selected Alexandre Daigle in a keeper league but has learned much since then. He also runs
BusterAvenue.com, like The Onion, but worse.
Email :
Liam Casey