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Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Pickups: Martin Necas, Anders Lee, Jake DeBrusk (2022)

Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Pickups: Martin Necas, Anders Lee, Jake DeBrusk (2022)

The NHL fantasy hockey season is well underway, but with the season still in its infancy, there’s plenty of time to scour the waiver write for that next home-run sleeper.

Let’s check out this week’s waiver wire and see who is worth adding in hopes of receiving future dividends.

*Rostered percentage courtesy of ESPN

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Martin Necas (C – CAR) – 30.1%

After a productive 2020-21 season that saw Necas catch the eye of the fantasy community, he fell right off the radar last season when he recorded 14 goals and 40 points across 78 games on a potent Hurricanes offense. For context, Necas tallied 14 goals and 41 points in just 53 games the season prior.

Still just 23 years old, Necas is very much worthy of a look in what already appears to be a bounce-back season, especially in dynasty leagues. The Czech native has jumped out of the gate with two goals and five points in three games, along with a healthy nine shots on goal. He’s also a plus-five with four penalty minutes in the process, making him an early cross-category contributor this season.

Carolina tends to mix their lines up quite a bit. Still, Necas is not only skating on the team’s second line alongside sniper Andrei Svechnikov but also on the top power-play unit with the Canes’ top offensive players, including captain Sebastian Aho. He’s yet to record a man-advantage point this season, but that will come in a hurry if he can remain in the top group.

Now is the time to hop on Necas before he’s inevitably scooped up.

Anders Lee (LW – NYI) – 29.2%

A former fantasy stud, Lee’s production has dipped some in recent seasons, but he’s put together a nice start to his 2022-23 campaign.

The Isles’ captain has notched a goal and three helpers through three games but has also put nine shots on goal while collecting six penalty minutes and a plus-three rating in that time. If your league includes hits, it’s worth noting he’s tallied four of those to boot.

He might not return to a 40-goal scorer, but he did record a healthy 28 tallies in 76 games in his return from ACL surgery a season ago. Keep in mind that was on an anemic Islanders offense, as Lee stands to benefit more than anyone on a more productive offensive attack on Long Island.

He has a track record of more than 100 hits numerous times throughout his career, while he’s posted at least 191 shots on goal five times. That figure dipped with 156 last season, but Lee appears healthier and better fit for a return to form right now than he did a year ago.

Lee is worth considering, given his fine start to the season.

Jake DeBrusk (LW, RW – BOS) – 16.6%

DeBrusk is benefiting from the absence of No. 1 left winger Brad Marchand in Boston, but Marchand is out at least 10 games or 24 days from the beginning of the season, so DeBrusk is a quality short-term add at the very least.

Skating on a line with Patrice Bergeron helps, but he figured to either skate with Bergeron and/or David Pastrnak when healthy. Taylor Hall is currently getting top-line left-wing minutes, with DeBrusk seeing time on his off-wing alongside Bergeron on the second — or 1B — line.

Wherever he is, it seems to be working DeBrusk has recorded two goals and five points in three games with an excellent 12 shots on goal in that time. With three hits and a plus-five rating as well, DeBrusk is another early-season, cross-category contributor that is seemingly still flying under the fantasy radar.

A two-time 25-goal scorer, DeBrusk finishes strong after a disgruntled first half with the Bruins last season, but he and the organization are back on good terms, and he’s playing much better hockey as a result.

Jaden Schwartz (LW – SEA) – 10.8%

Schwartz might not be off to the same hot offensive start as the names above him here. However, he’s doing more than putting up solid offensive production.

He’s recorded a pair of goals and three points in five games in the young season, but he’s also put a hefty 18 shots on goal while laying eight hits. Additionally, two of Schwartz’s three points have come on the power play.

Furthermore, I love that he’s skating with Matty Beniers at 5v5 action. He’s not yet a superstar, but the 2021 second-overall pick will be Seattle’s top offensive player in no time if he isn’t already. The speedy Schwartz has a fine opportunity ahead of him alongside Beniers.

Admittedly oft-injured, Schwartz hasn’t quite reached the offensive ceiling many envisioned when he entered the league. However, he sure looks healthy here in the early going despite missing pre-season time with a lower-body injury.

He’s certainly a name to keep an eye on if he can continue to connect with Beniers and on the man advantage moving forward.

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