Author: Dave Pitman, FNTSY Analyst
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bar with your morning coffee. Look, I’m not about to decline the sweet taste of chocolate covered nougat in the morning, just as I wouldn’t turn down the prospect of strengthening my Fantasy Hockey team with some waiver wire studs that are widely available… I told you before that I’m the master of segue’s…
Anthony Mantha – LW/RW – Detroit Red wings
Anthony Mantha is getting time on the Red Wings’ top line. Photo Credit: Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire
With nine points in his last seven games, Anthony Mantha tops the list as one of the hottest pickups in Fantasy Hockey right now. It’s about time, too! It’s been a long time since his insane 2013-14 year with Val-d’Or Foreurs of the QMJHL when he scored 57 goals with 120 points in just 57 games, and Mantha hasn’t been able to live up to the expectations that came with such success. It’s important to remember Mantha is only 22 years old. The way he’s spoken about, as if he’s been a flop, might make you think he’s into his mid twenties, but that is not the case. The 6’5″ duel-eligible winger has a bright future ahead of him and could be a staple on Fantasy rosters the rest of the way.
Over the last five games, Mantha has seen his ice time increase every game. He’s got seven points in those five games with 18 shots on goal while playing on the top line with Tomas Tatar and Henrik Zetterberg, and he’s seeing time on the first power play unit as well.
Patrick Maroon – LW – Edmonton Oilers
Patrick Maroon is one of those guys that I’ll find myself writing about numerous times over the course of the season. If he were consistent, he’d be a Fantasy monster. He may not be a stud week-to-week but if used correctly, he can be a streaming staple.
Now and then, Maroon will find himself up on the top line with Connor McDavid and Jordan Eberle. I call those times the “We’re in the money” weeks. As nice as it is, It’s impossible to predict when he’ll land there. Fortunately, the recent consolation prize for Maroon has been his presence on a line with Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and he is adding value to Fantasy teams in various ways.
In his last five games, Maroon has three goals on 10 shots, 16 hits and eight penalty minutes with a plus five rating, making him a multi-category must-own player.
Zach Hyman – C/LW – Toronto Maple Leafs
The youth movement in Toronto is in full swing and everybody’s jumping on board, including Zach Hyman. Not a well known name by any means, unless you’re into children’s books, Hyman has worked his way into Mike Babcock’s good graces and has been rewarded by playing alongside the 2016 first overall pick, Auston Matthews.
While Hyman alone isn’t truly a special player, as long as Matthews is hot, Hyman is worth the pickup. Over his last four games, Hyman has five assists while adding six hits. Roll with him until Matthews cools down.
Ryan Spooner (LW) & Frank Vatrano (C) – Boston Bruins
While David Pastrnak may be the big name in Boston alongside Brad Marchand and David Krejci, there’s a couple of guys making some noise of their own. With the recent drop off in production from Pastrnak (zero points in last six games) the duo have had a chance to play a little more and the results have been positive.
Ryan Spooner has seven points in his last six games with 15 shots on net, adding three assists on the power play. Vatrano, Spooner’s linemate, has benefitted from playing alongside him, as he’s kicked off his first showing of the season strong with four points in just six games, three of them in the last three games. The duo is a great DFS play and a sneaky stream this week as the Bruins play two consecutive back-to-backs.
Goalie Watch:
Juuse Saros – Nashville Predators
Pekka Rinne has been the staple in the Nashville crease for as long as I can remember, but the Predators have an intriguing prospect in Juuse Saros. Saros has played under Rinne Internationally for a few years now and has really started to make an argument for playing time. In this past summer’s World Championship, he posted two shutouts and carried momentum into the season as the starter in Milwaukee, Nashville’s AHL affiliate, where he owns an .938 save percentage in 13 games. Saros has now carried that strong play into the NHL where he’s started three of the Predators last seven games going 1-0-1 with a shutout and .957 save percentage. Expect Nashville to ride his hot streak when they can.
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