Fantasy Hockey Week 8 Waiver Wire Picks & Preview
In the 36th episode of the Fantasy Hockey Hacks Podcast, the FHH team discusses the 8th week in the NHL, covering fantasy hockey week 8 waiver wire picks, schedule notes, and more. We’ll discuss players to focus on in week 8 (and beyond), what the schedule looks like for each team this week, get you up to date on the latest hockey news, and injury updates!
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Highlights:
- Brayden Point out for up to 6 weeks
- Jack Hughes was in a full-contact jersey at practice on Saturday
- Filip Forsberg, Max Pacioretty, and Brayden Schenn all returned from injury
- Artemi Panarin fined $5,000 by the NHL Department of Player Safety for throwing his glove at Brad Marchand
- Brendan Lemieux has a hearing with the NHL after biting Brady Tkachuk during Saturday’s game
- Evander Kane placed on waivers, will be sent to AHL Barracuda if he clears
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John’s List
If you have been listening to our podcast for a while, you’ve undoubtedly heard about “John’s List”; which is basically John’s $h!t list of players past and present. We’ve decided to make this a regular segment on the podcast and will include it in the blog for fun as well. If you have any suggestions for players we should add to the list, let us know!
Dominic Hasek
Had a $h!t helmet. Fantastic player. Plus I have a dislike of everyone on that Red Wings team from those years.
Hockey News & Injury Updates | Nov. 23-28, 2021
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November 23
- Jared Spurgeon is considered week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
Jared Spurgeon is week-to-week with a lower-body injury, #mnwild coach Dean Evason said.
— Sarah McLellan (@sarah__mclellan) November 23, 2021
- Brock Nelson will miss 2-4 weeks with a lower-body injury.
Lou: Nelson out two to four weeks
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) November 23, 2021
- Brayden Point will miss 4-6 weeks due to an upper-body injury.
UPDATE: Brayden Point is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with an upper body injury.
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) November 23, 2021
- Duncan Keith did not come out for the 3rd period against the Dallas Stars. Waiting for an update.
- Kirby Dach first official NHL fight, sticks up for linemate DeBrincat.
Kirby Dach’s first official NHL fight as he sticks up for teammate Alex DeBrincat. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/sYkkS7J16h
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) November 24, 2021
November 24
- The Capitals placed T.J. Oshie on IR. Nicklas Backstrom was skating with his teammates for the first time, although sporting a non-contact jersey.
- With Kevin Hayes week-to-week, Morgan Frost will be joining the Flyers, according to Elliott Friedman.
- Brayden Schenn returned to the St. Louis Blues lineup after missing 9 games with an upper-body injury.
- Drew Doughty was in a full-contact jersey at practice. May return against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
- Filip Forsberg was activated from IR, returns after a 9-game absence.
Filip Forsberg has been activated from injured reserve and is expected to play tonight against the Vegas Golden Knights. Forsberg missed nine games.
— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) November 24, 2021
- Max Pacioretty was activated from IR.
- Connor McDavid reached 400 career assists against the Arizona Coyotes, becoming the 4th fastest player in league history to reach that milestone. With 2 G and 2 A, Leon Draisaitl became just the second Edmonton Oiler player in franchise history to record 40 points in the team’s first 19 games played.
#SportsnetStat📊#Oilers who have recorded 40 points in the team’s first 19 games:
– Wayne Gretzky
– Leon Draisaitlend of list. @Sportsnet | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/8rDu0LIcFS
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) November 25, 2021
November 26
- Doug Wilson is taking a temporary medical leave as General Manager of the San Jose Sharks.
- Braden Holtby was cleared for game action, served as the backup to Jake Oettinger against the Colorado Avalanche.
- Joe Pavelski scored twice in 19 seconds for the Stars, reaching 400 career NHL goals!
- Alex Ovechkin posted a hat trick in a 4-3 win against the Florida Panthers; this was Ovi’s 28th hat trick, and 6th most by a player in league history. 👀 With 273 PPG in his career, Ovechkin is also just one PPG shy of tying Dave Andreychuk (274 PPG) for most PPG by a player in league history.
November 27
- Artemi Panarin was fined $5,000 by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for throwing his glove at Brad Marchand.
NY Rangers’ Artemi Panarin has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for Unsportsmanlike Conduct during yesterday’s game with the Boston Bruins.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) November 27, 2021
- Matt Murray waived by the Ottawa Senators. Record to date this season: 0-5-0, 3.26 GAA, .890 SV%.
- Bowen Byram returns after missing 6 games with a concussion.
- James Neal placed on IR.
- NHL postponed Islander games through at least Nov. 30. Up to eight players potentially in COVID protocol.
SCHEDULE UPDATE: @NYIslanders games postponed at least through Nov. 30. https://t.co/DQdxsvMCm6 pic.twitter.com/pXs2Vej1Ln
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 27, 2021
- Jack Hughes was in a full-contact jersey at practice on Saturday, not expected to play Sunday. Return to game action definitely getting closer.
- Zach Hyman fought off Mark Stone, managed to score in the breakaway for his 200th NHL career point.
- Congratulations to Kris Russell on setting the NHL record for blocked shots during the 1st period of Saturday’s game; Russell the first player in league history to hit 2000 blocked shots, did it in 891 games (2.24/GM).
“It’s a commitment from a player to put his body on the line to help the team win & there’s something to be said for that.”
Congrats to Kris Russell on setting the @NHL record for blocked shots during tonight’s first when he hit 1999 in 891 games!https://t.co/ZKVr0gWbGw
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) November 28, 2021
November 28
- Brendan Lemieux will have an “in-person” hearing via Zoom after biting Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk during Saturday’s contest.
Los Angeles’ Brendan Lemieux has been offered an in-person hearing via Zoom for Biting Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk. Date and time TBD.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) November 28, 2021
- Evander Kane placed on waivers today, and will be sent to the Barracuda if he clears.
Evander Kane will be placed on waivers today, @mercnews has learned. Assuming he clears, he will be assigned to the Barracuda.
— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) November 28, 2021
- The Montreal Canadiens have relieved Marc Bergevin of his duties and hired former NYR GM, Jeff Gorton, as the new Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations. The club is still searching for a new GM.
Los Angeles’ Brendan Lemieux has been offered an in-person hearing via Zoom for Biting Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk. Date and time TBD.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) November 28, 2021
- Bryan Rust is in IR according to the NHL’s website.
Ask The Hacks
- Jake Oettinger or Spencer Knight?
- Is it time to drop Semyon Varlamov?
- Do you prefer Dylan Larkin or Anthony Cirelli?
- Would you drop Quinn Hughes for Moritz Seider?
- Would you trade Elias Pettersson in a redraft or keeper league? What sort of return would you expect?
- Who do you like more in a season-long, points-only league: Ryan Ellis or Rasmus Andersson?
- Is it time to drop Tyler Seguin?
- Should I drop Jonathan Toews for Phillip Danault, Jakub Voracek, or Robert Thomas? Cats League – G, A, PPP, FOW, SOG, HIT, BLK.
- Would you drop Jesse Puljujarvi for Tage Thompson? Points league.
- Should I be concerned about Torey Krug?
Edge Work | NHL Schedule, Week 8
Need To Know:
Week 8 sees the NHL get back to a more normal schedule with American Thanksgiving now behind us. There are 4 light days throughout the week – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, plan accordingly.
- Monday – 4 Games
- Tuesday – 9 Games
- Wednesday – 6 Games
- Thursday – 10 Games
- Friday – 5 Games
- Saturday – 10 Games
- Sunday – 6 Games
Teams With 4 Games: CBJ, CGY, NYI, SJS, TB
- Teams Of Interest | Fantasy managers will have plenty of options for streamers with 4 games on the schedule for next week. Columbus (3.41 GF/GP, 6th), Calgary (3.40 GF/GP, 7th), and Tampa Bay (3.17 GF/GP, 11th) all offer players that should be available in ~50% of leagues and could offer value as a streamer for next week.
Players To Consider: Boone Jenner (35%), Cole Sillinger (4%), Max Domi (10%), Gustav Nyqvist (4%), Blake Coleman (36%), Oliver Kylington (38%), Rasmus Andersson (37%), Anthony Cirelli (47%), Alex Barre-Boulet (1%),
Teams With 3 Games: ANA, ARI, BOS, BUF, CAR, CHI, COL, DET, EDM, FLA, LAK, MIN, MTL, NJD, NSH, NYR, OTT, PHI, PIT, SEA, STL, TOR, VAN, VGK, WPG, WSH
- Team Of Interest | Of the teams playing 3 games next week, fantasy managers will want to give a look at Carolina (3.22 GF/GP, 10th), Colorado (4.01 GF/GP, 1st), Edmonton (3.79 GF/GP, 3rd), and Winnipeg (2.84 GF/GP, 17th). The Edmonton Oilers play all 3 games on light days (Wednesday, Friday, Sunday), helping to optimize games played for your roster. Carolina, Colorado, and Winnipeg all have favourable schedules next week with the Canes taking on Dallas, Ottawa, and Buffalo; the Avs taking on Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa; and the Jets taking on Arizona, New Jersey, and Toronto.
Players To Consider: Seth Jarvis (18%), Nino Niederreiter (13%), Jacob Slavin (45%), Andre Burakovsky (66%), Alex Newhook (3%), Zack Kassian (8%), Evan Bouchard (38%), Kailer Yamamoto (6%), Stuart Skinner (28%), Andrew Copp (76%), Josh Morrissey (67%), Nate Schmidt (53%).
Teams With 2 Games: DAL
- Teams Of Interest | The lone team with 2 games on the schedule for next week, the Dallas Stars have matchups with the Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets. Check the availability in your league for Alex Radulov (56%), Denis Gurianov (13%), Ryan Suter (24%), and Jake Oettinger (31%).
Edge Work | NHL Week 8 Waiver Wire Targets
Waiver wire targets will be focused on players with ownership ~50% or less.
Top Waiver Wire Targets
📈 Viktor Arvidsson (RW), LAK | Rostered: 32% (Yahoo) | GP: 3 (Vs.ANA, Vs.CGY, @EDM) | Line: 2 (w/ Iafallo & Danault, PP1)
- Arvidsson has 3 points (2 goals) in his last 2 games, playing in the top 6 and on PP1. A fixture on the top power play unit, Arvidsson also has 3 PPP in his last 2 games played and is seeing a 62% PP share to date this season. The former Pred has also found his shot again this season, averaging 4.1 SOG/GM! Individual SH% (7.5) is below his 3-year average (8.8%), and well-below his career average of 11.2%; 5v5 SH%, Pts/60, IPP, and Sec. Assists % are ALL at or below what we would expect, so no concerns with his production moving forward.
📈 Charlie Coyle (C/RW), BOS | Rostered: 11% (Yahoo) | GP: 3 (Vs.DET, @NSH, Vs.TB) | Line: 2 (w/ Hall & Foligno, PP2)
- Charlie Coyle is on a 5-game point streak, producing 5 points (3 goals) in that span. With 11 points (6 goals) in 17 games played, Coyle is on-pace for 53 points, which would be his best total since 2016-2017! Individual SH% (17.3%) and Sec. Assists % are higher than expected, so expect to see Coyle cool down at some point. Largely playing with Hall and Foligno – 55.30 CF%, 50 GF%, 50.88 SCF%.
📈 Tage Thompson (C/LW/RW), BUF | Rostered: 33% (Yahoo) | GP: 3 (Vs.SEA, @FLA, @CAR) | Line: 1 (w/ Skinner & Olofsson )
- Thompson has been fantastic for the Buffalo Sabres this season with 15 points (10 goals) in 21 games played; currently on-pace for 59 points, which would be a career-high. Playing alongside former 40-goal scorer, Jeff Skinner, and Victor Olofsson (a talented winger himself). That line in 91:34 together: 57.46 CF%, 69.23 GF%, 53.09 SCF%. Individual SH% (16.7%), 5V5 SH%, Pts/60, and Sec. Assists % are all high, regression coming eventually.
📈 Victor Olofsson (LW/RW), BUF | Rostered: 32% (Yahoo) | GP: 3 (Vs.SEA, @FLA, @CAR) | Line: 1 (w/ Skinner & Thompson )
- As mentioned, Olofsson is playing on an effective first line with Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner. The young Swede has bested his linemates though, playing at a point per game pace with 13 points (5 goals) in 13 games played. Expect to see some regression with a high individual SH% (16.7%), Pts/60, and Sec. Assist %.
📈 Rickard Rakell (LW/RW), ANA | Rostered: 18% (Yahoo) | GP: 3 (@LAK, Vs.VGK, Vs.CGY) | Line: 2 (w/ Milano & Zegras )
- Rakell is playing on a very effective 2nd line in Anaheim (just 36:21 together) with Sonny Milano and Trevor Zegas – 68.66 CF%, 75 GF%, 68.97 SCF%, 76.92 HDCF%! Rakell has 8 points (3 goals) in 11 games played, which puts him on-pace for 60 points, his best pace since 2017-2018. Rakell is shooting at a career-best 3.5 SOG/GM, and his individual SH% (15.8%) is high compared to his 3-year (8.2%) and career (11.4) averages; however, Rakell’s other metrics are in-line with what we would expect. Also seeing time on PP1 (59% PP share). Ride the hot hand while you can.
📈 Sonny Milano (LW/RW), ANA | Rostered: 3% (Yahoo) | GP: 3 (@LAK, Vs.VGK, Vs.CGY) | Line: 2 (w/ Rakell & Zegras )
- Milano is part of that great 2nd line for Anaheim as mentioned earlier. Individually, the Ducks forward has posted 13 points (5 goals) in 16 games played; it’s surprising to see that he’s just 3% rostered in Yahoo leagues. Does not shoot as much as his linemates (just 1.7 SOG/GM), and he is only seeing a 38.5% PP share at this point in time. Given Milano’s production though, he’s at least worth consideration as a streamer.
📈 Brandon Saad (LW/RW), STL | Rostered: 16% (Yahoo) | GP: 3 (Vs.TB, @TB, @FLA) | Line: 1 (w/ O’Rielly & Perron)
- Brandon Saad is worth a look based on his linemates alone; but the former Av has been productive this season with 11 points (8 goals) in 17 games played. Playing on PP2, Saad has already passed his PP production from the past 2 seasons, and could post career-highs in PPP. Saad is also on-pace for his best season since 2016-2017 (53 points), and no concerns in terms of advanced analytics.
📈 Alex Goligoski (D), MIN | Rostered: 20% (Yahoo) | GP: 3 (Vs.ARI, Vs.NJD, Vs.TOR) | Pair: 2 (w/ Merrill, PP2)
- Goligoski has 7 points (2 goals) in his last 5 games played, and is on-pace for 63 points so far this season. Second pairing and PP2. Individual SH%, 5v5 SH%, Pts/60, and IPP are higher than expected, but enjoy the production while you can. Favourable schedule for next week should help.
📈 Vladislav Gavrikov (D), CBJ | Rostered: 19% (Yahoo) | GP: 4 (@NSH, @DAL, @WSH, Vs.SJS) | Pair: 2 (w/ Peeke)
- Gavrikov has been a pleasant surprise for Columbus and fantasy managers alike, posting 12 points (2 goals) in 19 games this season, while seeing 20:55 ATOI. Advanced analytics are a cause for concern, but given his current TOI, production, and ability to contribute hits and blocks; he’s worthy of a look in deeper leagues.
📈 Ryan Suter (D), DAL | Rostered: 25% (Yahoo) | GP: 2 (Vs.CAR, Vs.CBJ) | Pair: 1 (w/ Klingberg )
- Suter has been very good for the Dallas Stars this season with 11 points (3 goals) in 19 games played. The former Wild has already matched his PPP from all of last season, and is on-pace for his best year since 2019-2020.
📈 Adam Boqvist (D), CBJ | Rostered: 6% (Yahoo) | GP: 4 (@NSH, @DAL, @WSH, Vs.SJS) | Pair: 3 (w/ Bayreuther, PP1)
- Big game on Saturday from the former Blackhawk who is heating up offensively, and is now on a 3-game point streak – 5 Pts (3 G). Averaging 2:12 PPTOI (44% PP share), but has been seeing more time on PP1 lately. Vs.STL: 2 G (1 PPG), 1 PPA, 3 SOG, 8 iCF (2nd), 5 iSCF (2nd), 1 iHDCF, 5:08 PPTOI (70% PP share), 20:48 TOI.
📈 Mario Ferraro (D), SJS | Rostered: 22% (Yahoo) | GP: 4 (@NJD, @NYI, @NYR, @CBJ) | Pair: 1 (w/ Burns)
- Ferraro is off to a 41 point pace for the San Jose Sharks with 10 points (2 goals) in 20 games played. With a fairly favourable 4-game schedule next week, Ferraro could return fantasy value, particularly in leagues that include hits and blocks where the Sharks dman is averaging 2.2 Hits and 3.0 Blocks per game respectively.
📈 Alex Nedelkjovic (G), DET | Rostered: 54% (Yahoo) | GP: 3 (@BOS, Vs.SEA, Vs.NYI) | Role: Starter (64% Net Share)
- Nedelkjovic has started the last 5 games for Detroit, and 14 of 22 this season; by all accounts he appears to have won the starting job for the Red Wings. Still available in ~50% of all Yahoo leagues, “Ned” has been simply fantastic in his last 10 appearances – 5-2-2, 2.44 GAA, .925 SV%.
📈 Joseph Woll (G), TOR| Rostered: 8% (Yahoo) | GP: 3 (Vs.COL, @MIN, @WPG) | Role: Backup (14% Net Share)
- In a very limited sample size, Joseph Woll has been impressive for the Leafs – 3-0-0, 1.67 GAA, .939 SV%. Mostly applicable for deep leagues, but Woll could also be a great spot start whenever he gets the call. The return of Mrazek will obviously hinder Woll’s fantasy value, but take advantage while you can.
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2021 How To Win Your Fantasy Hockey League Series
- Episode 19 | Guide To Wingers
- Episode 20 | Guide To Centers
- Episode 21 | Guide To Defencemen
- Episode 22 | Guide To Goalies & Zero G Draft Strategy
- Episode 23 | 2021 Fantasy Hockey Guide & The Perfect Draft
BONUS: Dom Luszczyszyn’s (The Athletic) Fantasy Hockey Rankings & Cheat Sheet