Each week we will be mining the waiver wire to find lesser-rostered assets that can help your squad. We’ll do this regardless of whether you prefer dynasty, redraft, or both. Last but not least, we’ll be looking at old go-to fantasy assets which may have been overvalued in the short and long term.
Forward
Josh Anderson, RW, Montreal Canadiens(Recorded in 42.0% ESPN.com leagues)Anderson had scored three goals and an assists on seven shots in his previous two games before taking a puck to his face against the Sabres. Anderson returned to action in Ottawa on Saturday, clearly no worse than before. The Canadiens’ top line now with Nick Suzuki Cole CaufieldThis week’s space featured Anderson as a power forward who will contribute more efficiently. Anderson leads all Montreal forwards with hits and has even more fantasy value in leagues that reward him.
Jesper Bratt, RW, New Jersey Devils (40.0%):He is back and more productive than ever. Bratt, who had missed a few contests because of an upper-body injury to his right arm, returned to the ice and scored four goals in each game. Also, he assisted on nine shots during a pair of games in Pittsburgh and Chicago. This brings Bratt’s total points to 48 in 47 games. This under-valued asset also averages 2.0 fantasy goals per outing. Go get him.
Jakub Vrana, C/LW, Detroit Red Wings (17.6%):The Detroit forward may soon make his season debut out of his non-contact jersey and practicing on the team’s secondary power play. It is likely that he will make his season debut in the top six, along with the role of the extra skater. Vrana scored eight goals and had three assists in just 11 games after joining the Red Wings from Washington in the trade. Former Capital is recovering from shoulder surgery and will be energized to take advantage of the rest of the season.
Jake DeBrusk, LW, Boston Bruins (2.9%):Perhaps the Bruins AreDeBrusk was primarily used to play on the top line of the team, in order to show his potential and to make a trade offer. That’s okay! It doesn’t matter if he scores four goals or assists on 13 shots during the four most recent games. It’s important to remember that all four contests were won by the B’s. There is no reason to move DeBrusk down the lineup. The best thing would be to trade him to another team willing to sell assets. He could benefit from a change in scenery as the 25-yearold hasn’t been the same since scoring 27 goal in 68 games for Boston just three seasons ago. He is worth a look in deeper fantasy leagues.
0:54
Only 33 seconds into overtime, Jake DeBrusk scores the second goal to help the Bruins beat the Kraken by 3-2
You can also see: Tanner Pearson, LW, Vancouver Canucks (26.6%); Tanner Jeannot, RW/LW, Nashville Predators (28.6%)
Defenders
Damon SeversonNew Jersey Devils (23.5%):His station in New Jersey is the reason that many fantasy managers are not as savvy as he is. Because the numbers are raw. Severson averages 24:47/game and has scored six goals and assisted 20 in 30 games since Dec. In 2021-22, only forward Jesper Bratt (see ad above) has more fantasy points for Devils. But there is the defender, who is available in more that three-quarters ESPN.com leagues. If the return of Dougie HamiltonSeverson, a healthy-again player, has scored two goals and provided two assists in those two games. Severson is still the club’s No. Power play.
Vladislav Gavrikov, Columbus Blue Jackets (6.6%): 26-year old Gavrikov has contributed six assists to a dozen games in the past month. He’s blocked 25 shots and thrown 20 hits. Gavrikov can be considered useful in deeper fantasy competitions as he averages 1.8 fantasy point per game in ESPN.com’s standard leagues.
Goaltenders
Pavel Francouz, Colorado Avalanche (14.0%):The Avalanche’s other netminder does not start as often as Darcy KuemperHe usually wins, even though he doesn’t always win. Francouz is now 9-1-0 and has a.925SV% since Jan. 8. He only played in one mid-December match. Streaming the No. 2 goaltender of the club is almost always worthwhile. 2. Or, you can use him as a Daily Fantasy asset when he is given the goaltending reins in Colorado.
Sam Montembeault, Montreal Canadiens (1.6%):Although the joy balloon is sure to burst soon, the Canadiens seem to be having a great time right now. They’ve won five straight under the new head coach. Martin St. Louis. Montembeault was the winner of three of those wins, including Wednesday’s shutout by the Sabres. The Montreal netminder kept the Maple Leafs (and Blues) to just two goals in each of the other wins.
The upcoming four-game Habs swing through Western Canada, which includes stops in Winnipeg and Calgary as well as Edmonton and Vancouver, could prove to be difficult. However, I believe Montembeault is hot enough to be able to take on any team except the Flames. The Canadiens will then face the Flyers, Kraken, and Coyotes, which are less scary. This could be a great match. Montreal’s other goalie is also a favorite of mine. Andrew HammondAs a Daily Fantasy play against whomever he’s supposed to face. With the exception of the Flames. Calgary’s offense scares me right now.
Expectations are lower
Jack Campbell, G, Toronto Maple Leafs (99.2%):Coach: “He has to be better.” Sheldon KeefeAfter Saturday’s 10-7 victory over Detroit, he said. Indeed. Do you think Campbell can regain the form he showed earlier in the season? Yes. He’s a mess statistically, and to anyone who is watching. That’s it. Petr MrazekWashington on Monday, also speaks volumes. Bench Campbell until he is able to show that he has figured out a way out his inconsistency.