We’re heading into crunch time of the fantasy hockey season, and whether you’re looking to make a last-minute push up the standings or trying to fortify your roster for the playoffs, you’ve come to the right place. Below I’ve listed four waiver wire pickups to give you a boost down the home stretch.
NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Advice (Week 20)
(Rostership percentages courtesy of ESPN)
Matvei Michkov (RW – PHI) | 50.2% Rostered
I’m a bit surprised to see Philadelphia’s Matvei Michkov is only rostered in half of ESPN’s fantasy leagues. The right-winger is 85th in the NHL in scoring this season, with those points coming via 19 goals (68th) and 25 assists (95th).
The rookie, who owns the third-shortest price to win the Calder Trophy (+700 consensus), is producing at a fantasy-worthy rate. He’s also averaging 2.3 shots on goal per game (SOG/G) and occupying a spot on Philly’s top power-play unit.
Boone Jenner (C – CBJ)| 41.2% Rostered
If you missed the PSA in last week’s waiver wire piece to add Boone Jenner, don’t worry, there might still be time. Jenner has been lighting it up since returning from injury, racking up seven points (seven assists) in just four games back.
The natural centerman is currently driving Columbus’ second line, where he’s feeding a couple of veterans in Kent Johnson (20 goals) and James van Riemsdyk (14 goals). I expect him to keep producing, especially considering the Jackets are only getting healthier with more goal-scoring forwards returning soon.
Will Smith (C – SJS) | 3.2% Rostered
San Jose’s Will Smith could be worth a look if you’re in a deeper league or need a hail mary to catapult up the standings. Smith has just 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) this season, but five of those points (two goals, three assists) have come in his last three games.
The rookie winger is playing alongside some decent skaters in Fabian Zetterlund (16 goals) and Alex Wennberg (18 assists) on the second line, and he also resides on San Jose’s top power-play unit (25th, 19.19%). This season isn’t going anywhere for the Sharks, but this could be beneficial for their budding stars — Smith and Macklin Celebrini — as they can play loose and take chances.
Mason Lohrei (D – BOS) | 13.2% Rostered
With Charlie McAvoy (shoulder) sidelined for the indefinite future, the Bruins will have to turn to someone else to help produce offense from the blue line. So far, Mason Lohrei has stepped up and taken advantage of the opportunity.
McAvoy went down at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. Lohrei has racked up five points (one goal, four assists) in four games since the league returned from the break. Lohrei’s up to 28 points (four goals, 24 assists) on the year. I don’t know if the 24-year-old can fix Boston’s 29th-ranked power play (15.51%), but his three power-play points (one goal, two assists) and 17 shots on goal (SOG) since the break are inspiring.
