2018 Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Report: March 15

Published: Mar 15, 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. Ivan Barbashev, C/W, Blues
When the Blues traded veteran center Paul Stastny to Winnipeg at the deadline, Barbashev was supposed to be one of the main beneficiaries. He has been just that, as the versatile Russian forward has started to establish himself as an NHL regular. Perhaps more importantly, he is now seeing regular minutes at his natural center position. Barbashev has produced back-to-back, two-point efforts against the Kings and Ducks (on the road).
2. Christopher Gibson, G, Islanders
Sooner or later, somebody needed to step up and stake a major claim on the Islanders' No. 1 goaltender position. The surprise here is that it ended up being the team's third stringer in Gibson, a 25-year-old Finn who is completing his fifth season in the professional ranks. With Thomas Greiss injured and Jaroslav Halak struggling, Gibson has taken over (he has gone 1-0-2 and surrendered just six goals in 3 games). A keeper, perhaps?
3. Erik Gustafsson, D, Blackhawks
Recently re-signed to a new, two-year contract extension with Chicago, Gustafsson appears to be making his best case to be a part of the Blackhawks' blueline brigade in 2018-19. The 26-year-old Swede posted five total points in back-to-back matchups against the Boston Bruins last weekend, and is logging over 19 minutes of average ice time in recent games. He is even breathing new life in veteran partner Brent Seabrook these days.
4. Chris Kreider, LW, Rangers
The 26-year-old winger might have been dropped in some leagues earlier this season (especially after he was diagnosed with blood clots in late December). Now, Kreider should be a strong candidate to be picked back up in some leagues, especially since he has registered four points in his last two contests. With JT Miller, Rick Nash and Michael Grabner all traded away recently, Kreider has a chance to establish himself as a No. 1 left-winger.
5. Curtis McElhinney, G, Maple Leafs
Even before Toronto starter Frederik Andersen went down with an upper-body injury this week, McElhinney was on the fantasy pickup radar due to his impressive recent statistics (5-0-1, 1.63 GAA, .945 Sv% in his last 7 GP). The 34-year-old journeyman is enjoying his best NHL campaign so the Leafs may not be in trouble if Andersen is out of commission for a few games. Fantasy leaguers, especially Andersen owners, need to pick up McElhinney.
6. Oskar Lindblom, LW, Flyers
When does a player who has yet to produce an NHL point in 11 contests merit mention on the weekly waiver wire report? When he has Lindblom's long-term offensive upside. The young Swede was recalled on February 19 and has played mostly on a strong offensive line alongside fellow rookie Nolan Patrick and veteran playmaking winger Jakub Voracek. It should only be a matter of time before Lindblom starts putting up numbers.
7. Antti Niemi, G, Canadiens
Incredibly, veteran Niemi has been Montreal's best goaltender in 2017-18. Yes, that was not a typo. His statistics with the Canadiens (5-2-4, 2.30 GAA, .933 Sv%) are better than those of both Carey Price and rookie Charlie Lindgren. The move to Montreal may have saved Niemi's NHL career, since he struggled badly last season with Dallas (and also earlier this season with both Pittsburgh and Florida). Pick up Niemi if goaltending is an issue.
8. Jimmy Vesey, LW, Rangers
If Chris Kreider isn't the Rangers' top option at left wing, it could wind up being Vesey. The latter is two years younger than Kreider and has just as much potential as a power forward (Vesey does not have Kreider's overall size and physicality, but he may be a better offensive player). Vesey recently registered his first career NHL hat trick against the Carolina Hurricanes, which could be a sign that he is ready to break out offensively in '18-19.
9. Elias Pettersson, C, Canucks
Keeper alert! There is no reason for a player of Pettersson's obvious talent to be available in any keeper league (unless he is ineligible). At age 19, he won the scoring title in the SEL as a member of Vaxjo Lakers HC with 56 points in just 44 games. Teens are usually hard-pressed to see significant ice time in the top league in Sweden, let alone lead the entire circuit in scoring! He has a good chance of playing in Vancouver in 2018-19. Grab him!
10. Trent Frederic, C, Bruins
The Bruins are young and deep up front, so Frederic might not get an opportunity to shine with the big club before 2018-19 (at the earliest). That said, he should be a household name by now in keeper leagues. The two-way center posted 65 points in 66 games in his two seasons at the University of Wisconsin, so he has obvious upside for the highest level. Now signed, Frederic should be picked up immediately in deep, keeper leagues.
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.