Discover the best available players to stash off league waiver wires as the 2021-22 NHL season gets underway on Tuesday night.
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Center
Jordan Staal (C/F – CAR): 31%
The veteran returns to Carolina for his 14th season in the league after helping the Hurricanes launch a deep playoff run during the 2020-21 season. Staal rattled in 16 goals and dished 22 assists last season and finished with a plus-minus of 2, which created a safe floor. Staal will continue to lead Carolina’s third-line and anchor their second powerplay unit, relying on his experience and chemistry with the team to continue producing in 2022.
Ryan Getzlaf (C/F – ANA): 3%
Getzlaf saw his production dip tremendously in 2021, netting just five goals and 12 assists while netting a plus-minus of -14. However, the grizzled veteran only played 48 games and was stuck at the bottom of the West Division averaging under 17 minutes of time on ice per game. With the additional influx of young talent added to the roster this offseason, it’s worth stashing Getzlaf to see if the new pieces can create some offensive momentum to elevate his point opportunities when on the ice.
Wing
Alex Killorn (LW – TB): 25%
The 32-year old winger for the reigning NHL champion Tampa Bay Lightning holds immense value heading into the new season. Killorn earns additional minutes on the top powerplay unit, which directly benefits his offensive production due to skating alongside superstar Nikita Kucherov (F – TB) and talented veteran winger, Steven Stamkos (RW – TB). Killorn is talented enough to produce big games, meaning he should be targeted and stashed before the demand rises after the first few games of the 2021-22 season.
Kyle Palmieri (RW – NYI): 27%
A late-season trade sent Palmieri from New Jersey to New York, where he demonstrated his grit and savviness in the offensive zone, often serving as a decoy to free up the Islanders’ first-line skaters. Prior to his trade, Palmieri was delivering consistent offensive production for the Devils, netting eight goals and nine assists. He will be an integral piece of the Islanders offense under head coach Barry Trotz in 2022. Stash Palmieri and prepare to insert him into lineups sooner than later.
Defense
Ryan Graves (D – NJ): 28%
Despite being traded from a contender in Colorado to a New Jersey Devils franchise in rebuild mode, Graves possesses immense talent on the defensive end. As part of the Avalanche last season, he recorded 91 blocks and 77 hits, which creates a stable floor if Graves is unable to set up an assist. He should be logging nearly 20 minutes of time on ice per game on the Devils’ first defensive line alongside fellow newcomer, Dougie Hamilton (D – NJ), making him a great value to stash.
Jonas Brodin (D – MIN): 22%
Brodin is coming off of a career-high nine goals during the 2020-21 season and has formed chemistry with fellow first-line defensemen for the Minnesota Wild, Mathew Dumba (D – MIN). The duo also forms the defense for Minnesota’s second powerplay unit, which increases the likelihood of them cashing in on an assist or goal. Stash Brodin and reap the rewards with a solid defenseman that plays on the top line for one of the league’s better teams.
Goalie
Jake Allen (G – MON): 15%
Allen didn’t produce his best career outing last season, allowing a 2.68 goals-against average (GAA) in 27 starts behind Carey Price (G – Mon). With the amount of depth Montreal has on both sides of the ice, plus the absence of Price due to an indefinite leave of absence in the NHLPA’s player assistance program, Allen will have a chance to return to his GAA percentage (2.15 GAA) from two years ago in St. Louis. Stash Allen for the upcoming season, as he gets a chance to prove himself as the top goaltender on one of the league’s more underrated teams.
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Matthew MacKay is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Matthew, check out his archive and follow him @Matt_MacKay_.
