The fantasy hockey grind never stops. If you’re looking to improve your roster heading into the new week, then you’ve come to the right place. Below I’ve listed four players who I would consider targeting on the waiver wire if you need a bump in production.
NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Advice (Week 7)
(Rostership percentages courtesy of ESPN)
Mason Marchment (F – DAL) | 25.9% rostered
After a slow offensive start to the season, the Stars are approaching the dangerous levels of production that we saw a year ago. Dallas lit up both Pittsburgh (7-1) and Boston (7-2) for seven goals while edging out Minnesota in a 2-1 contest on Saturday. In the three games, Mason Marchment scored four goals and added five assists.
The 29-year-old is up to 17 points (37th) on the year, which have come via six goals (67th) and 11 helpers (34th). This is a no-brainer if you need a boost in scoring, especially with Dallas’ offense heating up. Marchment went for 53 points (22 goals, 31 assists) last season, so he’s a real contributor to this offense. He’s well worth taking a shot on if you need a long-term option at forward.
Bobby McMann (F – TOR) | 1.5% rostered
With Auston Matthews (upper-body) still sidelined, the Maple Leafs are looking elsewhere on the roster to pick up the scoring production. Top-line winger Bobby McMann has answered the bell, to an extent, as he’s scored three goals in the last two games. He’s gaining confidence, as he is averaging 5.7 shots on goal per game (SOG/G) in his last three contests. McMann has played in at least 15:02 minutes in the last three contests, including going for at least 18:24 in the recent two. As long as the forward keeps getting ice time and open looks, he could be worth taking a chance on.
Chris Tanev (D – TOR) | 27.9% rostered
If you need to fill a gap defensively, Toronto’s Chris Tanev could be your guy. I wrote about Tanev in last week’s waiver wire piece, and he remains rostered in an identical 27.9% of ESPN leagues. Along with Tanev’s rostership staying consistent, so has his point production, where he has only three points (all assists) this season.
What’s the reason for picking up the 34-year-old defenseman? It’s his willingness to step in front of pucks and block shots. He leads the entire league in blocked shots with 66. There are more ways to score in fantasy hockey than lighting the lamp, and Tanev’s shot-blocking ability makes him a top-tier option among fantasy free agents.
Jake Allen (G – NJD) | 12.6% rostered
The Devils are 21 games into the season and Jacob Markstrom has taken 66.7% of the workload in the net. Jake Allen has picked up the other seven starts. If you need a spot starter or have room to carry a backup goaltender, Allen makes a great option.
The 34-year-old goalie has been fabulous when given the opportunity, going 4-2-1 with a 2.30 GAA (sixth), .916 SV% (11th) and two shutouts (second). An additional pro is that Markstrom will likely draw the tougher opposition, which makes Allen a valuable option against subpar opposing offenses. Make sure to check starting goalies daily, because streaming a guy like Allen could provide crucial points to help push you over the top in your league.