Fantasy Hockey Free Agents: Roslovic, Vilardi and more goal scorers

Victoria Matiash, Fantasy HockeyNova 2024 at 22:00PM ETCloseESPN Fantasy Contributor since 2010Part-time anchor at NEWSTALK1010Every Monday we search the waiver wire to uncover lesser-rostered performers that may benefit fantasy teams in various leagues and present strong streaming candidates for immediate play in various formats. Recommendations may include Goalie Depth Chart | Daily Lines | Projections | Play for free | Player Rater | Most Added/Dropped Player Lobby| Mock Draft Lobby| How To Watch On ESPN+Forwards…It Is Never too Late To Join Fantasy HockeyJust Join any one of our leagues today to Get in On It>>>
Valeri Nichushkin of the Colorado Avalanche will return soon and is currently being rostered in 35.1% of ESPN leagues. Assuming all goes as planned, Nichushkin should soon be playing competitive hockey for Colorado again. As soon as he qualifies to return from suspension this week, power forward Agustin Barrios should return into the lineup against Washington on Nov 15th. Coach Jared Bednar recently noted other members of the Avs are delighted he’s back, with practice sessions already having started again since returning. Colorado and fantasy managers alike stand to gain from having him back. This guy will undoubtedly change things significantly! Nichushkin, who plays on both top six and power play units for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Winnipeg Jets respectively, remains consistently dynamic if available and should be checked upon as quickly as possible for availability. Finally, Gabriel Vilardi (24.8%) seems ready and raring to go now that training camp has ended and looks for playing time this coming season. After an uneven start to his campaign, top-line winger is back on form now, riding an incredible seven-game point streak with five goals and four assists while providing his managers an average of 2.7 fantasy points/game in standard ESPN Fantasy leagues. Kyle Connor or Mark Scheifele had each received greater sums from their contracts than Kyle was receiving himself. Vilardi should be rostered in all but the shallowest fantasy competition.Jack Roslovic (11.6% ownership rate) of Carolina Hurricanes: Now playing alongside Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho on an elite scoring unit, former Rangers/Jacket/Jet forward Jack Roslovic has scored nine goals while adding one assist over 11 games played for Carolina. Given how well the Hurricanes have performed this season, coach Rod Brind’Amour likely sees no reason to break up this or any other unit right now. Roslovic currently leads Carolina in goals scored, and should reach double figures by the time Carolina wraps up this week’s four game slate. Fantasy hockey essentials* Free agent pickups: Who to add * Weekly trends: Power play/goalie picks/projections| Goalie depth chart* Rankings| Player rater* November lineup picks and strategy It isn’t too late; sign up today!
Evan Rodrigues of Florida Panthers (6.5%). Since being promoted to Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart’s top scoring line this season, Rodriguez is on an incredible four-game point streak, boasting three goals and three assists over that span. Additionally, Rodriguez is playing quality minutes on Florida Panthers secondary power play units as he approaches 31 years of age. At present, Rasmus Sandin deserves consideration as a fantasy performer. See Also: DefendersRasmus Sandin (11.6%) from Washington Capitals is worth your consideration in deeper leagues where blocked shots count – making him worth including on your shortlist of choices for consideration. Capitals blue liner Alexander Ovechkin has proven he can contribute points, evidenced by an unlikely recent run of nine points in seven contests and his 0.39/game career rate.Goaltenders:Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (40.2%) is Buffalo Sabres No. 1. Luukkonen has certainly done his part to bring the Sabres back into playoff contention, posting six consecutive victories with an outstanding save percentage (.914) and 2.66 goals-against average since mid-October. Only a select few goaltenders have given their managers more fantasy points over that time period than Pyotr Kochetkov has for Carolina Hurricanes since Frederik Andersen went out with injury week to week; as such, Kochetkov now holds virtually sole goaltending duties on this roster. Spencer Martin made only one appearance so far against Colorado and did not fare well, however his recent six wins as well as Top-10 performances have made up for any losses suffered during 2024-25 season. Kochetkov can serve as an invaluable addition to the Canes defense this week after Monday’s match against Nevada; after playing Utah, Ottawa and St Louis they will face Utah again before playing against St Louis at home this Sunday night. John Gibson of Anaheim Ducks (4.6% ownership rate) can also be considered but only after it becomes certain he will be traded elsewhere or is imminently close. No doubt Gibson looked impressive after having undergone appendectomy on Sunday against Columbus, stopping all but two shots against. Yet leading this current Ducks squad can be tough going. Just ask Lukas Dostal. Consider streaming Gibson while his matchup makes sense and while he remains fresh. Otherwise, wait. See also:Short-term streamersBrendan Gallagher of Montreal Canadiens (3.7% success rate) has scored in each of his most recent three games and six goals over seven appearances overall since October 21. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues who do not wish to commit fully might consider streaming Gallagher until his scoring mojo returns – as his dry spells tend to last rather long. Run your league the way that best fits you by selecting league size and scoring rules which best reflect how you want it run! Create your custom league today free!
Alexandre Carrier of the Nashville Predators (37.5%) stands a good chance at amassing an impressive shot-blocking percentage when Nashville hits the road this week and visits Colorado, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver – no doubt scoring numerous blocks along the way! Who knows! Who could possibly stop his path this time!? Jonathan Quick of the New York Rangers (15.4%) could provide relief against San Jose or Seattle but maybe not against New Jersey on Tuesday due to their nearly perfect record. Quick has made an outstanding impression this year as a starter, going 3-0, with an outstanding save percentage (.970%) and goal against average (GHA) rating (1.00), giving Winnipeg one of its greatest-ever starts ever. Jonathan Lekkerimaki of Vancouver Canucks (0.6%: Keep an eye on Jonathan Lekkerimaki who could make his NHL debut Tuesday on an Elias Pettersson scoring line. Lekkerimaki has already established himself in Abbotsford since being called up, scoring five goals and adding two assists over seven AHL contests. Now with Brock Boeser out for extended period of time, this could give Lekkerimaki ample chance to show that he belongs in Vancouver as well as becoming part of their scoring line.