If you own a fantasy hockey league team then there is a pretty good chance that you or one of the other general managers in your league is dealing with a significant goalie issue following injuries to Matt Murray, Corey Crawford and Cam Talbot. There is a good chance that their replacements have already been picked up. If not, you might want to consider grabbing Tristan Jarry, Anton Forsberg or Laurent Broissoit in your fantasy hockey league either to help you out or keep them away from your opponent as long as your have the roster space. Here is a look at some of the other best NHL waiver wire picks for this week.
LW/RW: Alex DeBrincat, Chicago Blackhawks
It didn’t take long for the 19-year-old DeBrincat to find his scoring touch in Chicago. DeBrincat has posted four goals and two assists over his last five games and is up to 11 goals and 19 points in 27 games this season. DeBrincat is now tied with Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller for second in goals among rookie players and is hot on the trail of Vancouver Canucks first-year forward Brock Boeser. It’s only a matter of time before he moves in to the Blackhawks top-six forward core. Grab DeBrincat now before somebody else in your league gets their hands on him.
LW: Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets
Speaking of rookie wingers that have the potential to put up big points, Connor has been producing at a high level playing alongside Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler on Winnipeg’s top line. Connor has 17 points in 21 games this season, which is a ridiculous rate for a first-year player. Connor is currently dealing with a lower-body injury but he should return this week. It makes sense to pick him up now and plug him in to your lineup when he is ready to return.
C: Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks
Thornton had been relatively quiet early in the year but he has picked up his production of late. The veteran center has two goals and four assists over his last six games. Thornton will likely continue to struggle with consistency from time to time this year but he is still playing with Joe Pavelski at even strength and on San Jose’s top powerplay so he has the potential to contribute in bunches. If you need help at center, consider Thornton a legitimate waiver wire option with the Sharks set to play four games this week.
RW: Craig Smith, Nashville Predators
Smith has quietly been a very consistent producer for the Predators and he is worth grabbing in fantasy hockey leagues if you need some help up front. Smith has five goals and nine points in 11 games since Nashville acquired Kyle Turris and paired the two together. Smith is currently tied for the Predators lead with nine goals. If you need help on the wing, consider Smith as a worthy waiver wire option.
The Predators are on a roll right now as they have won seven of their last 10 games. Since starting the year 5-5-2, they have won 11 of their last 14 games. That has put them three points off the pace in the Western Conference as they try to chase down the Winnipeg Jets (38 points).
C: David Desharnais, New York Rangers
An injury to Mika Zibanejad has opened the door for Desharnais on the Rangers’ top line next to Chris Kreider and Pavel Buchnevich. He has recorded a goal and three assists over his last two games and could continue to produce on New York’s new first line. While he won’t be an elite option in the long term by any means, Desharnais is worth taking a chance on if you are looking for a short-term option at the center position.
The Rangers have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL since the end of October. They only won two of their first eight games but have been on fire since. They are 12-4-0 in their last 16 games and have scored at least three goals in five of their last six contests.
The 2017-18 odds to win the Stanley Cup have been posted. Click here to get the latest lines from BetDSI, including moneylines, totals, props and futures!
