Another week of NHL action is in the books. If you’re looking to fine-tune your fantasy roster, you’ve come to the right place. Below I’ll list four waiver wire options you can add for the upcoming week.
NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Advice (Week 5)
(Rostership percentages courtesy of ESPN)
Sean Monahan (C – CBJ) | 41.0% Rostered
Hopefully, we don’t buy high on Sean Monahan and get left holding the bag if he falls off in the coming weeks. Even if his point production dips a little bit, the centerman is still on the ice for the most important moments. He’s centering the top line, as well as getting time on the main power-play unit.
Overall this year, Monahan has amassed 11 points (51st), which have come courtesy of six goals (22nd) and five helpers (110th). He’s also second on Columbus’ roster in shots on goal SOG with 36 (3.3 per game). I think Monahan’s an excellent mid-term option as long as this Blue Jackets offense, which is averaging 3.5 goals per game (11th), continues to pour in the goals.
Connor McMichael (C – WSH) | 25.4% Rostered
Another surprise start to the year is the Washington Capitals, who boast the league’s third-best offense (4.4 goals per game). Connor McMichael has been seemingly lighting the lamp at will this year, where he’s logged seven goals (11th) and five assists (110th). Heading into the new week, McMichael has scored in three straight games and four out of his last five contests.
The natural centerman is slotting in on Washington’s second line, playing alongside Pierre-Luc Dubois and Tom Wilson. He’s also on the top power-play unit but hasn’t done any damage on the man-advantage unit yet. McMichael leads the team in SOG with 31 (3.1 per game). If you’re looking for depth at forward, you can’t go wrong with McMichael. In his next nine games, four of his opponents rank 28th or worse in GAA (3.50 GAA or worse).
Alex Vlasic (D – CHI) | 6.7% Rostered
Alex Vlasic is an emerging defenseman in the NHL. He just inked a six-year, $27.6 million contract extension with the Blackhawks in April. The 23-year-old doesn’t have a ton of offensive production, but he has logged six assists (69th) through 12 games this year. However, four of those points have come in the last six games, so he may continue to trend upward offensively.
Mostly, I like this pickup due to his shot-blocking ability. The Blackhawks have absorbed the eighth-most SOG (360) this year, and I don’t anticipate that changing since they’re a young, run-and-gun style team. This has provided Vlasic the opportunity to rack up the blocked shots, 31 to start the year. That’s the eighth-most in the NHL.
Jonathan Quick (G – NYR) | 12.2% Rostered
Last, but certainly not least, I’m suggesting Jonathan Quick might be worth an add at goaltender. Unfortunately, the only thing that’s hindering the veteran netminder is that Igor Shesterkin is handling a vast majority of the workload between the pipes. With that said, Quick has been fantastic when getting opportunities, as he’s 2-0-0 with a 1.51 GAA and .953 SV%.
You can’t lean on Quick to be your everyday goalie since he’s playing only 20% of the games. However, if you have room to stash a goalie or need a one-time pickup, Quick is the guy. He’s often getting lowly competition, as Shesterkin is typically handling the big-time opponents. This should help keep Quick’s numbers low.
