2017 Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Report: January 11
Published: Jan 11, 2018
Each week of the National Hockey League regular season, we will take a look at some of the most interesting names that may appear on the waiver wire in various fantasy leagues. It may be NHL players whose situation has improved because of injury, minor-league players recently recalled (or on the verge of a recall) or off to fast starts in the AHL. Here is this week's batch:
1. Daniel Sprong, RW, Penguins
Those in keeper (and deep year-to-year) leagues who failed to pick Sprong up earlier this season when he was still in the AHL are now probably out of luck. Still, he should be the first name picked up for the rest of the fantasy leaguers out there. While Penguins coach Mike Sullivan has done a ton of line shuffling this season, there is hope that Sprong may stick on Sidney Crosby's line. After all, the captain has gotten hot since the merger.
2. Tyson Jost, C/LW, Avalanche
The young Colorado forward was a preseason Calder trophy candidate, but a knee injury five games into 2017-18 halted Jost's freshman campaign early on. He has worked his way back into a prominent role on the surprising Avalanche and is once again playing center (after an early stint at left wing). Furthermore, the 19-year-old Jost is now seeing time on the Avs' No. 1 power-play unit. He is a must-own player in all keeper leagues.
3. Mathieu Perreault, LW/C, Jets
It has taken time for Perreault to return to fantasy relevance but he now appears to be back. After missing 12 early-season games due to a lower-body injury, Perreault lost his spot as a top-six winger in Winnipeg to Kyle Connor. Reduced to fourth-line status, Perreault has still seen a lot of time on the power play and is now replacing the injured Mark Scheifele (after some line juggling) in a scoring role. Pick him up if he is available.
4. Andreas Athanasiou, W/C, Red Wings
With apologies to Edmonton's Connor McDavid and maybe a few others, the man known in Motown as 'Double-A' might be the fastest player currently in the National Hockey League. He has played all three forward positions for Detroit and is really coming into his own in his third NHL campaign. He missed the start of '17-18 because of a contract dispute but is now making up for lost time. Athanasiou has just scratched the surface on his potential.
5. Colton Parayko, D, Blues
In most fantasy leagues where the defense position figures prominently, talented blueliners like Parayko are no longer available. Ditto for most keeper leagues. However, some fantasy hockey leagues have basic scoring systems and no position requirements. Even in those leagues, Parayko is becoming an intriguing option. The 24-year-old's booming point shot will always be a factor, especially if he starts seeing more time on the power play.
6. Vinnie Hinostroza, W/C, Blackhawks
A local player from Chicago, Hinostroza was assigned to the AHL's Rockford IceHogs to begin 2017-18. However, the versatile 23-year-old produced 22 points in 23 games down on the farm to earn a promotion back to his hometown. With five points in his last four games with the Blackhawks, Hinostroza is becoming a fantasy factor (especially now that he is playing right wing with captain Jonathan Toews and winger Brandon Saad).
7. Sebastian Aho, D, Islanders
If Carolina's Sebastian Aho is unavailable in the vast majority of fantasy leagues (and he should be), why not take a chance on the Islanders' version? The Swedish Aho (as opposed to the Finn who plays for the Hurricanes) recently spent some time in the NHL with the Islanders and did not look out of place. Furthermore, Aho is second among all AHL rookie rearguards in points (30 GP, 9-11-20). He should be back in the NHL soon.
8. Michal Neuvirth, G, Flyers
Do not forget about Neuvirth, although it is somewhat easy to do so. The talented, yet oft-injured Czech netminder has looked really good in his first two games back (1-0-0, 1.50 GAA, .952 Sv%) since missing time with an undisclosed injury. Now 29, Neuvirth tends to run hot and cold--not unlike the Flyers' other goalkeeper, Brian Elliott. The latter may be due for a slump soon, so do not hesitate to pick Neuvirth up when Elliott does.
9. Anthony Duclair, RW/LW, Blackhawks
Recently acquired by Chicago from Arizona, Duclair needed a fresh start and should get it with a Blackhawks team that is desperate to get back into playoff position in the Western Conference. Duclair can score, so he automatically qualifies for the fantasy radar. If he can carve out a good role for himself in Chicago, he should be able to give fantasy leaguers a boost. Duclair is probably available in most year-to-year leagues. Grab him!
10. Ilya Kovalchuk, LW, Devils
Remember him? Kovalchuk, whose NHL rights still belong to the Devils, was almost dealt last off-season but New Jersey General Manager Ray Shero did not receive an offer he loved. So, he held onto Kovalchuk. Since then, the veteran sniper has enjoyed an excellent KHL campaign (48 GP, 30-27-57) and is currently tied for the league lead in points. One way or another, 'Kovy' is expected back in the NHL in 2018-19. He turns 35 in April.
Player News
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde told reporters that Zach Eflin (lat) is likely to return and start Sunday against the Angels
It was assumed that Eflin would be back this weekend, but now we have a concrete date. The 31-year-old may not be at full strength after throwing fewer than 60 pitches in his rehab start, but the Orioles feel confident enough to have the right-hander back on the bump for the series finale against the Angels.
Riley Greene is not in the lineup for the first game of a doubleheader against the Rockies on Thursday.
Greene will get a break and likely return to the lineup for the second game of the twin-billing. Zach McKinstry will get the start in left field while Greene rests.
Panthers released TE Jordan Matthews.
Matthews converted to tight end a few years ago and hasn’t made much noise at the position. The change has, however, likely kept him in the league for a few more seasons. He appeared in four games with the Panthers last year but didn’t record any stats on offense. The Panthers also released or waived WR Dax Milne, C Andrew Raym, and TE Colin Granger.
Yu Darvish (elbow) is facing live hitters on Thursday.
Darvish has been throwing bullpen sessions and traveled to the team’s complex in Arizona to face live hitters on Thursday. It will be his first time facing live batters since a spring training appearance on March 13th. He will likely need a few sessions like this before the Padres can map out a rehab appearance timeline for him.
Adael Amador is starting at second base and batting ninth for the Rockies on Thursday.
Amador has now started three of the last four games at second base for the Rockies. He’s gone just 7-for-43 this season with 15 strikeouts in 16 games. He’s just 22 years old, so there is plenty of time for him to adjust to the MLB level, but he doesn’t need to be on redraft radars right now.
Jackson Holliday is playing second base and batting second for the Orioles on Thursday against the Twins.
With Cedric Mullins sitting out on Thursday, Gunnar Henderson will bat lead off, and Holliday will jump up from sixth in the order to second. Holliday is riding a hot streak right now, and the Orioles are taking advantage. This is likely just a one-game sample with no Mullins or Adley Rutschman in the lineup, but Rutschman has been struggling, so perhaps it could become a more permanent spot in the lineup for Holliday moving forward.