The fantasy hockey season is winding down, and for some of us, it’s already playoff time. With the NHL’s trade deadline behind us, it opens up a few unique opportunities in the fantasy hockey realm. Below, I’ve listed four players who I recommend adding if your squad needs a boost. Here are my top fantasy hockey waiver wire pickups for Week 20.
NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Advice (Week 20)
(Rosterships courtesy of ESPN)
Mats Zuccarello (F – MIN) | 40% rostered
It’s rare that you can find a top-line player who is getting first-unit power-play usage this deep into the season. Mats Zuccarello checks both of those boxes, and considering he’s a part of a potent Minnesota offense that’s 11th in goals per 60 minutes (3.23), this seems like an absolute no-brainer. I added him to my personal fantasy team immediately after the Olympic break.
The 38-year-old right winger is just under a point-per-game production, tallying 38 points (12 goals, 26 assists) through 44 games this season. He’s averaging 2.2 SOG/G since the Olympic break and he has five points (3 goals, 2 assists) during the six-game stretch. Minnesota has seen 6+ combined goals in 16 of their last 19 games, implying that they’re constantly playing in high-scoring games. Zuccarello should continue to produce, as long as their offense is forced to play in barnburners.
Josh Norris (F – BUF) | 28.9% rostered
Buffalo’s Josh Norris is another guy who has flown under the radar this season, mainly due to missing time with injuries. However, when Norris has been healthy, he has been a key contributor for this red-hot Sabres club. In 23 games, the third-line center, who has Noah Ostlund and the scrappy Josh Doan on his wings, has registered nine goals and 14 assists.
His 23.7% shooting percentage is the fourth-best mark in the NHL among players who have played at least 25 games. Norris’ other metrics are okay, as he’s averaging 1.5 SOG/G, 0.5 blocked shots per game, and 5.9 FOW/G.
Alexis Lafreniere (F – NYR) | 15.5% rostered
With Artemi Panarin out of the picture in New York, the Blue Shirts have been forced to try and find offense elsewhere. One player who has stepped up in Panarin’s absence is Alexis Lafreniere, who has five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in the six games since the trade.
Overall this season, the top-line winger and first-unit power-play contributor has 37 points (14 goals, 23 assists) in 62 games. He’s averaging 1.9 SOG/G, and as he moves into a more critical role, we could see him take more chances on net down the stretch. It’s also worth mentioning that Lafreniere and the Rangers are one of 15 teams playing four games this week, making him an ideal candidate in the “volume department” as we enter this high-stakes portion of the fantasy hockey season.
Martin Fehervary (D – WSH) | 26.4% rostered
Another player who may be a beneficiary of a trade is Washington’s Martin Fehervary. With the veteran John Carlson out of the way (traded to Anaheim), someone will be forced to step up and replace his 22:51 TOI/G. It appears Fehervary will be a top candidate.
We’re not adding the d-man because of his offensive metrics, although he does have a modest 20 points (four goals, 16 assists) and 62 shots on goal in 63 outings this season. Fehervary’s real value comes in the underlying metrics, where he’s seventh in the NHL in blocks (138), while averaging 1.4 hits per game. Between the potential increased role with the Capitals and the fact that Washington has four games on the schedule this week, I believe Fehervary is a solid streaming candidate.
