The Fantasy Hockey season is really heating up, and we're starting to see more NHL injuries. While some players will be sidelined for a while, it gives others a chance to shine. 

There are a few guys on the Fantasy Hockey waiver wire that you should definitely consider adding to your team. Let’s check out those players and keep the good vibes going this week.

 

 

 

Fantasy Hockey Week 12 Injury Report

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Edmonton Oilers - Illness

Tis the season when some players miss games due to illness. The flu always hits a few locker rooms every year, making late scratches more common. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins didn’t suit up last game due to illness, but it doesn’t sound like he will more than one game. 

Edmonton returns to action after Christmas, so look for the veteran to return to the lineup in his usual spot.

Ivan Barbashev - Vegas Golden Knights - Upper-body

Ivan Barbashev has missed the last two games due to an upper-body injury and is in danger of missing a third. His status for Monday’s game against the Ducks is still up in the air, so there is a chance the team elects to give him some extra rest with the holiday pause just around the corner. 

Barbashev has been a very important part of the offence for Vegas – racking up 15 goals and 30 points-- so if the extra rest allows him to return sooner, do that. Fantasy owners may just want to sit tight for now and wait for an update towards the end of the week.

 

 

 

Linus Ullmark - Ottawa Senators - Upper-body

Just as the Ottawa Senators and Linus Ullmark were finding their groove, the worst has happened. Ullmark left yesterday’s game due to an upper-body injury and did not return. We don’t know how serious the injury is or how long he might be out of the lineup, but this would be a tough blow if he were to miss an extended period of time. 

The Senators aren’t a very good team with their number one goalie out of the lineup and fantasy managers were starting to feel some joy after a bumpy start. For now, we need to take a deep breath and sit tight. We’ll get an update on his stats before the team’s next game.

Auston Matthews - Toronto Maple Leafs - Undisclosed

Auston Matthews was held out of the lineup last game due to his mystery injury and we don’t know if he will be able to suit up for the next game. He reaggravated the injury that forced him to miss some time earlier in the year and it sounds like he may have to manage this injury all season long. 

This isn’t what anyone wants to hear, but we all have to make the best of it. The main priority is to make sure he isn’t missing an extended period of time, so if he has to sit out a game every once in a while until the end of the season, that’s a win. 

 

 

 

Fantasy Hockey Week 12 Waiver Wire

Aliaksei Protas- Washington Capitals - Yahoo!: 25% owned

The Washington Capitals have been rolling all season and that has really boosted the fantasy value of certain players. Aliaksei Protas has been on a tear the last few games, racking up five goals in the last six games and sporting a very impressive plus-18. 

He’s also seeing a healthy amount of ice time, pushing 16-minutes most nights. That number may drop once Alex Ovechkin returns, but for now, he’s a great depth option on a fantasy team that needs some scoring.

David Kampf - Toronto Maple Leafs - Yahoo!: 0% owned

I did not have David Kampf as a fantasy hockey option to close out 2024, but here we are. With Auston Matthews out of the lineup, Kampf is getting the first crack at centre the top line. He skated there last game and played just shy of 15-minutes and collected an assist. 

He’s not going to explode offensively now that he’s playing in the top six, but the opportunity he is getting can’t hurt him. As long as he is seeing a top-six role, he’s worth considering in deeper formats.

 

 

 

Sam Montembeault - Montreal Canadiens - Yahoo!: 62% owned 

It’s still crazy that Sam Montembeault is only 62% owned in Yahoo! leagues considering the number he is putting up. He’s been very good in his last five starts and he is getting the bulk of the action. 

He even played back-to-back games against Detroit, something not many goalies do anymore. The Canadiens are still a below-average team that gives up a ton of scoring chances, but Montembeault is up to the task and could finish the season as a top-15 fantasy goalie. If he is on the waiver wire, go ahead and scoop him up.

Vladislav Gavrikov - Los Angeles Kings - Yahoo!: 12% owned 

In case you were unaware, Vladislav Gavrikov has 15 points this season and is on pace to set a career high. I was unaware of this, mainly because you don’t think of Gavrikov as an offensive defenceman. 

He has five assists in the last four games and is playing well over 22 minutes a night. Drew Doughty is expected to return at some point in January, which could slow down Gavrikov’s production, but for right now, he’s a good option on many fantasy teams.