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Victoria Matiash, Fantasy Hockey
Every Monday, we’ll mine the waiver wire for lesser-rostered performers who have the potential to help fantasy teams in a variety of leagues. We’ll also present several strong streaming candidates for the immediate week ahead.
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Forwards
Valeri Nichushkin, F, Colorado Avalanche (Rostered in 35.1% of ESPN leagues): All goes to plan, Nichushkin will be back on competitive ice for the Avalanche in short order. Qualified for reinstatement from suspension this week, the power forward is expected to draw into the lineup Nov. 15 against the Capitals. Coach Jared Bednar recently suggested other members of the Avs are excited to have him back, and the return process – he’s been practicing a while now – has been “great”. This guy is a game-changer for Colorado and fantasy managers alike. A top-six/top-power play regular, Nichushkin is as consistently dynamic as they come. As long as he’s playing. Check on the 29-year-old’s availability ASAP.
Gabriel Vilardi, F, Winnipeg Jets (24.8%): He’s all warmed up now. After a sluggish start to the campaign, the top-line winger is in fine form now, riding a seven-game point streak with five goals and four assists. All the while awarding his managers an average of 2.7 fantasy points/game in standard ESPN Fantasy leagues. A greater sum than either of his linemates, Kyle Connor or Mark Scheifele, as it happens. Vilardi should be rostered in all but the very shallowest of fantasy competition.
Jack Roslovic, F, Carolina Hurricanes (10.6%): Settled into a coveted gig on a top scoring unit with Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho, the former Ranger/Jacket/Jet has nine goals and one assist in 11 games. Considering how successfully the ‘Canes are rolling along, there’s little reason for coach Rod Brind’Amour to break up this unit, or any other, right now. Leading his club in goals already, Roslovic should be well into double digits by the time Carolina wraps up this week’s four-game slate
Evan Rodrigues, F, Florida Panthers (6.5%): Bumped to a top scoring line alongside Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart, Rodriguez is riding a four-game point streak, comprising three goals and three assists. The 31-year-old veteran is also seeing quality minutes on the secondary power play. He’s worth engaging as a fantasy performer at present.
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Defenders
Rasmus Sandin, D, Washington Capitals (11.6%): The fantasy defenseman selection in deeper leagues is rather limited these days, but if blocked-shots count, Sandin is worth your consideration. The Capitals blue liner is also more than capable of contributing to the score sheet, as made evident by his (more anomalous) recent run of nine points in seven contests and (more characteristic) 0.39/game career rate.
Goaltenders
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, G, Buffalo Sabres (40.2%): The Sabres’ No. 1 netminder is certainly doing his bit in trying to drag the Sabres into playoff contention. Luukkonen is 6-2-1 with a .914 SV% and 2.66 GAA since mid-October. Only a handful of netminders have provided their managers with more fantasy points over that same stretch.
Pyotr Kochetkov, G, Carolina Hurricanes (38.9%): With Frederik Andersen out week-to-week, Carolina’s goaltending reins belong almost exclusively to Kochetkov. (Spencer Martin’s single appearance to date versus the Avalanche did not go well.) Winner of six-straight and serving as a Top-10 performer these past two weeks, the Hurricanes’ other netminder still has just the one loss to show for 2024-25. If needing any netminder help at all, pick up Kochetkov now. After Monday’s contest in Vegas, the ‘Canes face Utah, Ottawa, and St. Louis this week.
John Gibson, G, Anaheim Ducks (4.6%): Pick him up, sure, but not until he’s traded or on the cusp of being dealt elsewhere. No question, Gibson looked fantastic in his return from having an appendectomy, stopping all but two of 40 shots in Sunday’s win over Columbus. But backstopping this current Ducks squad is a tough gig right now. Just ask Lukas Dostal. Maybe stream Gibson when he’s still fresh and the matchup makes sense. Otherwise, wait.
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Short-term streamers
Brendan Gallagher, F, Montreal Canadiens (3.7%): Montreal’s feisty forward is on one of his productive tears, with a goal in each of his most recent three games, and five (plus an assist) in his past seven. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues reluctant to make a permanent commitment might at least consider streaming Gallagher until his scoring mojo dims once more. The dry spells tend to trend rather parched.
Alexandre Carrier, D, Nashville Predators (37.6%): The Predators’ top shot-blocker is in position to rack up a good number when Nashville hits the road this week, making stops in Colorado, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. Who knows? Maybe he’ll pitch in an assist or two as well.
Jonathan Quick, G, New York Rangers (15.4%): If he gets a turn in relief of Igor Shesterkin versus San Jose or Seattle, absolutely! But perhaps not against the nearly perfect Jets Tuesday. As great as Quick has been in his three starts this year — 3-0, .970%,1.00 GAA — Winnipeg is making the best kind of history.
Jonathan Lekkerimaki, F, Vancouver Canucks (0.6%): Keep an eye on the young call-up, who could make his NHL debut on a scoring line with Elias Pettersson Tuesday. Recalled from Abbotsford, the 15th overall draft pick (2022) has five goals and two helpers in seven AHL contests. With Brock Boeser out indefinitely, Lekkerimaki could enjoy ample opportunity to not only prove he belongs in the big leagues, but on a Canucks’ scoring line.
