Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Pickups to make before the NHL Trade Deadline
By Evan Berofsky, RotoWire
Special to Yahoo Sports
Only four days until the NHL trade deadline and there's been plenty of recent activity. Most of the deals have involved players who hold marginal value, but a few will end up affecting the fantasy landscape. Some will move up the depth chart, some will slip down and others will completely drop out of the lineup.
Your job is to pay attention to what's happening and make decisions based on the transactions, and we’re here to help you through it.
(Yahoo roster rates/stats as of Feb. 20.)
Forwards
Tyler Toffoli, Vancouver Canucks (41 percent rostered)
Toffoli left the Kings on a high note by notching a hat trick Saturday and arrived in Vancouver just in time for the announcement that fellow right-winger Brock Boeser may be sidelined for a couple months. So, yeah, no pressure. He started his Canucks career Wednesday alongside Elias Pettersson and appeared to fit right in with an assist and four shots. Based on the exciting potential this arrangement could provide, you should probably load up on Toffoli.
Tyler Bertuzzi, Detroit Red Wings (37 percent)
The Red Wings may be awful this season, but plenty of talent and hustle can be found across the roster. Bertuzzi leads the club with 18 goals and 12 power-play points while looking like a dynamo on the ice. That obviously hasn't convinced most Yahoo participants, possibly due to a lack of secondary stats and/or Detroit's poor standing. To his credit, Bertuzzi seems to be actively trying to prove multi-category proficiency with 10 shots and 13 hits in the last six games.
Joonas Donskoi, Colorado Avalanche (10%)
We break up our run of Tylers to bring you an injury beneficiary in Colorado. You might remember Donskoi racking up the points during the first half, but a minor health issue and a long slump shifted him back to the bargain bin. The one assist in nine games and the three points from 23 aren't encouraging indicators, but there's an opportunity to turn it around with Mikko Rantanen set to once again be gone for a while. Donskoi scored on Wednesday, so that's a good start.
Justin Williams, Carolina Hurricanes (4%)
Many might have been skeptical of Williams' comeback last month, but he totaled 104 points in two complete years in Carolina. Going into Tuesday, the 38-year-old had put up seven consecutive zeros on the scoresheet. Fortunately, Williams stopped the stagnation that night with a pair of helpers. He's not going to contribute big numbers, but a place among the top-six on even strength and the Canes' first power play should net enough.
Andrew Copp, Winnipeg Jets (4%)
Copp has mainly served in a smaller capacity over his five-year NHL career, but he's seen a massive minutes increase this season — including a steady spot on the Jets' backup man-advantage. And thanks to three goals, four assists and 25 shots across nine outings, the Ann Arbor, Mich., native has been promoted to skate with Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers. He adds further value in leagues that count faceoffs by averaging almost eight wins in the last 11.
Kyle Turris, Nashville Predators (2%)
Following a forgettable first full year in the Music City, Turris is starting to rediscover his third overall draft-pick pedigree. He's known as a natural center but has succeeded lately playing on the wing with nine points — four of those PPPs — in 11 appearances. Assuming Turris remains in the upper half of the Preds' depth chart and maintains a substantial power-play role, the fantasy roster figures will follow. You could monitor him to see if those positions hold, but you're taking a chance if you miss out.
Andrew Mangiapane, Calgary Flames (1%)
Mangiapane translates from Italian to "one who eats bread," and if the Flames forward can keep his hot run going, he's bound to earn way more bread than his current $715,000 annual contract. You probably wouldn't have noticed Mangiapane earlier this season as he languished lower in the lineup. But the Torontonian has earned recent attention due to a two-point effort last Thursday in Anaheim that was followed Monday by a hat trick and assist against the same opponent. If you're not sold yet, maybe his alignment beside Matthew Tkachuk and Mikael Backlund will change your mind.
Troy Terry, Anaheim Ducks (0%)
Adam Henrique has been one of the league's hottest centers in the last two weeks. This good fortune has carried over to a couple teammates, one being Terry. The former U.S. gold medalist at both the U18 and U20 levels performed well in the AHL with 51 points in 48 games but is only recently receiving an extended look with the big club. Since being recalled in late January, Terry has woken up during the last five by producing four points and 28 shots — with nine on net during one defeat.
Defensemen
Jake Muzzin, Toronto Maple Leafs (55%)
Muzzin's power-play time has pretty much disappeared since being acquired from LA, but he makes up for it by registering decent numbers across the board. In addition to 18 points and 92 shots, the veteran has added 105 hits, 100 blocks, and 40 PIM in only 50 games. You'll find more offense from other D-men, but Muzzin makes an outstanding option if you require an immediate injection of secondary stats.
Jakob Chychrun, Arizona Coyotes (54%)
Since being featured in late October, Chychrun's Yahoo roster rate has increased by 50 percent due to 10 goals and 11 assists. That puts him at 26 points overall — including eight PPPs — which is six more than his career-high. The 2016 first-round selection is adept at accumulating shots (149), blocks (95) and ice time (22:26 average). Chychrun won't turn 22 until next month, but his career projection already appears promising.
Samuel Girard, Colorado Avalanche (26%)
Cale Makar might be dominating the D discussion in Denver, but Girard is pretty good too. The 2015-16 QMJHL top defenseman quickly adapted to the NHL game as a teenager and has seen his responsibilities consistently grow. Girard's at 29 points, with 15 coming in the last 20 matchups. Throw in 11 PPPs, 81 shots and 80 blocks and you have the makings of a complete fantasy blueliner.
Damon Severson, New Jersey Devils (25%)
Despite being surrounded by superior talent, Severson continues to exceed expectations. He's never been the flashy type; just someone who goes about his business and provides full effort every time. That work ethic has paid off for Severson, as he's gone off for 13 points in 20 outings this year. With Sami Vatanen out and P.K. Subban struggling, the 25-year-old has also reclaimed a prime position on Jersey's top power play.
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Goaltenders
Martin Jones, San Jose Sharks (49%)
For someone coming off a subpar 2018-19 and currently 14-17-2 with a 3.15 GAA and .894 save percentage, Jones's inclusion may seem odd. And the fact Aaron Dell has started 14 of 18 games in 2020 doesn't lend much support for the former King. But sometimes in the NHL recent performances play a significant role in decision making. Jones might have been rusty heading into Saturday's matchup at Minnesota, but that didn't prevent him from stopping all 39 shots. Meanwhile, Dell allowed four versus Florida on Monday. By the time you read this Thursday, Jones should be between the pipes against the lowly Devils. If you happen to catch this section before puck drop — and confirm with the latest projected goalies — give him a go.
Pavel Francouz, Colorado Avalanche (39%)
Philipp Grubauer was awesome in February until he left Saturday's game with a lower-body injury. It's unknown when he'll return, so Francouz will once again deputize in net. The Czech backstopper has looked solid this season in 24 appearances, posting a 14-5-3/2.44/.923 line. Even with a few absences up front, the Avs still carry one of the league's most imposing attacks, so even if Francouz happens to let in a couple of goals, his offense should provide enough firepower to earn some Ws.
Players to consider from past columns: Brock Nelson, Bo Horvat, Clayton Keller, Andre Burakovsky, Sam Reinhart, Patric Hornqvist, Zach Parise, Kevin Fiala, Phillip Danault, Gustav Nyquist, Paul Stastny, Pavel Buchnevich, David Krejci, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Zach Sanford, Charlie Coyle, Jason Zucker, Zach Hyman, Josh Bailey, Alex Killorn, Ryan Strome, Bryan Rust, Jordan Eberle, Nikita Gusev, Christian Dvorak, Oscar Klefbom, Neal Pionk, Anthony DeAngelo, Jaccob Slavin, Jared Spurgeon, Mike Reilly, Cam Fowler, Devon Toews, Adam Fox, Tristan Jarry, Jaroslav Halak, Antti Raanta, Elvis Merzlikins, Ilya Samsonov, James Reimer.
