Fantasy hockey free agents: Big week ahead for Celebrini, Forsberg

Every Monday, we’ll mine the waiver wire for lesser-rostered performers who have the potential to help fantasy teams in a variety of leagues. We’ll also present several strong streaming candidates for the immediate week ahead.

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Forwards

Valeri Nichushkin, RW, Colorado Avalanche (1.71 FPPG, 53.7% available): It took a few games, but Nichushkin has reclaimed his spot at the top of the Avs’ depth chart, both at even strength and on the power play. His preseason outlook was uncertain, but for now, Nichushkin has re-established himself as a key offensive contributor, frequently sharing the ice with superstars Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar. It’s time to get him back into lineups across the board, and the timing couldn’t be better. The Avalanche have a four-game slate this week, starting with matchups against the Sabres and Hurricanes, both of whom rank in the bottom 10 for power-play opportunities allowed. The week also includes a game against the Red Wings, who rank dead last in power-play goals allowed. In short, it’s shaping up to be a strong — or even spectacular — week for the Avalanche power play.

Kent Johnson, C, Columbus Blue Jackets (2.60 FPPG, 63.8% available): Riding a five-game point streak and averaging 2.82 FPPG since returning from injury, Johnson is finally delivering the breakout performance we’ve been anticipating. While the Blue Jackets’ current surge (points in six straight games) might not be sustainable long-term, Johnson has both the skillset and the opportunity to stay relevant in fantasy lineups.

Macklin Celebrini, C, San Jose Sharks (2.31 FPPG, 34.2% available): Despite his growing rostership (up from 57% to 66% since Nov. 22), Celebrini still isn’t receiving the fantasy attention he deserves. After a brief slump following his return from injury, he has found his stride, averaging 3.35 FPPG over the Sharks’ last six games. As the focal point of San Jose’s offense, Celebrini should be universally rostered and started. Check your league as he’s still available in more than a third of them.

Matthew Knies, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs (1.70 FPPG, 63.1% available): Things are looking up for the Leafs, as both Auston Matthews and Knies returned to the lineup on Saturday, played together at even strength and with the advantage, and managed to generate a couple of goals. It looked like Knies built some confidence while Matthews was injured and, at least on Saturday, it looked like that confidence remains. The Leafs also have a great schedule for daily-lineup leagues, with games Monday, Wednesday and Friday before they also lace up on a busy Saturday. Knies or any other Leaf would pair perfectly with the Calgary Flames for a full slate of action, as the Flames play Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Will Cuylle, LW, New York Rangers (2.11 FPPG, 54.9% available): The Rangers’ lines are still being shuffled as they work to stabilize after snapping a five-game skid on Saturday. Despite the uncertainty, Cuylle — recently skating alongside Artemi Panarin and Filip Chytil — has been a consistent producer with points in eight of his past 10 games. The Rangers’ struggles have actually bolstered his fantasy value. Keep riding the wave; even when the points slow down, Cuylle’s physicality and hits make him a valuable asset.

Adam Gaudette, C, Ottawa Senators (1.65 FPPG, 94.3% available): Clinging to a top-six role, Gaudette has surprised with 12 goals this season, a remarkable feat considering his last NHL goal before this season came on Feb. 13, 2022. He’s making the most of his opportunities on a scoring line, outproducing players like Shane Pinto and Ridly Greig, which could keep him in this role for now. The Sens, heavily reliant on their power play, face a mix of challenges this week: they open against the Red Wings (most power-play goals allowed per game), followed by the Predators (fewest power-play goals allowed per game) and finish with the Islanders (fewest power-play opportunities allowed per game). It’s shaping up to be a week of extremes for Gaudette and his teammates.

Kasperi Kapanen, RW, Edmonton Oilers (0.74 FPPG, 99.6% available): The clock is ticking, as Zach Hyman‘s return is likely to end Kapanen’s current opportunity. For now, he’s receiving significant ice time alongside Connor McDavid at even strength, but he’s not getting Hyman’s power-play time as Corey Perry has taken over that role.

See also:

• Tyler Seguin, RW, Dallas Stars (2.01 FPPG, 31.9% available)

• Anders Lee, LW, New York Islanders (1.88 FPPG, 38.7% available)

• Matvei Michkov, RW, Philadelphia Flyers (1.76 FPPG, 39.6% available)

• Jake Neighbours, LW, St. Louis Blues (1.60 FPPG, 90.8% available)

• Jake DeBrusk, RW, Vancouver Canucks (2.05 FPPG, 61.5% available)

• Corey Perry, RW, Edmonton Oilers (0.76 FPPG, 99.6% available)

Defense

Dante Fabbro, D, Columbus Blue Jackets (1.65 FPPG, 96.1% available): A waiver claim by the Blue Jackets in November, Fabbro has quickly become a fixture alongside Zach Werenski on the top defense pairing during the team’s recent run of success. Over his seven games with the first pair, he’s averaged 2.71 FPPG. While the Jackets’ hot streak could cool down with a challenging four-game Western Canada road trip this week, Fabbro’s elevated performance alongside Werenski is sustainable, though perhaps not at this exact level. If you’re dealing with a slumping defender, Fabbro should be on your radar.

Jake Walman, D, San Jose Sharks (2.20 FPPG, 49.7% available): After some jostling to fend off Timothy Liljegren for the role, Walman has re-established himself as the Sharks power-play quarterback.

David Jiricek, D, Minnesota Wild (0.68 FPPG, 99.5% available): It’s hard to see a clear path to significant NHL minutes for Jiricek with the Wild, much like it was with the Blue Jackets. It’s unclear whether this trade will provide the opportunity the first-round pick has been seeking, as he faces stiff competition from Brock Faber, Jake Middleton, Jared Spurgeon, and Jonas Brodin on the depth chart. However, Jiricek does bring offensive upside that none of the Wild regulars naturally possess. Both Faber and Spurgeon appear ill-suited for power-play quarterback duties, which could open a role for Jiricek in that area. Keep an eye on how the Wild utilize him this week, particularly in a favorable power-play matchup against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday.

See also:

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Goaltenders

Joseph Woll, G, Toronto Maple Leafs (4.2 FPPG, 66.4% available): The upcoming week could be pivotal in determining the future crease share for the Leafs. Woll has been increasing his presence and outperforming Anthony Stolarz, who had an early stranglehold thanks to Woll’s injury to start the campaign. This week includes matchups with the team that allows the most fantasy points to opposing goaltenders (Predators) immediately followed by the team that allows the least (Capitals) — or more accurately since goaltenders can get negative fantasy points, inflicts the most damage. Surrounding those extremes, the Leafs also have very favorable goalie matchups against the Blackhawks and Penguins. Who gets deployed in which contest could determine how the coming weeks play out and, at the moment, it looks like Stolarz might draw the short stick against Washington.

Scott Wedgewood, G, Colorado Avalanche (-0.80 FPPG, 98.3% available): Depending on how the goaltending duties are assigned, Wedgewood’s early days with the Avalanche could set him up for a solid share of the crease moving forward. This week features a mix of matchups: Thursday and Sunday (Hurricanes and Devils) present challenging opponents, while Tuesday and Saturday (Sabres and Red Wings) offer more favorable opportunities. There’s potential for Wedgewood to carve out a … well, wedge of additional playing time.

See also:

Short-term streamers

Mason Marchment, LW, Dallas Stars (2.17 FPPG, 42.2% available): The Stars should absolutely be your first stop for some additional help this week. Not only do they have matchups against the teams ranked 23rd, 30th and 31st for power-play goals allowed among their four games, but the Stars have the perfect off-night week. As in, they play on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday — the nights with the least amount of competing action. Marchment, who is popping off with 2.48 fantasy points per game (FPPG) across his past six outings, can be paired in daily-lineup leagues with any player from the Detroit Red Wings, Carolina Hurricanes, St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, San Jose Sharks, Buffalo Sabres or Montreal Canadiens (all with games Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) to give you an active player every day of the week.

Anton Forsberg, G, Ottawa Senators (1.44 FPPG, 97.3% available): Such a rare opportunity! The Senators play the two teams that allow the most fantasy points to opposing goaltenders in back-to-back contests on Saturday and Sunday this week. It’s a guarantee that Forsberg will have a favorable outing in one of the two games when the Senators host the Predators and then the Islanders.

Chris Tanev, D, Toronto Maple Leafs (1.99 FPPG, 66.3% available): It’s worth highlighting Tanev for fantasy managers in daily-lineup leagues that have MacKenzie Weegar or Rasmus Andersson on their team. Tanev, who has posted 2.40 FPPG across his past six games, and the Maple Leafs play on the four nights the Flames are resting this coming week.

Elvis Merzlikins, G, Columbus Blue Jackets (1.48 FPPG, 91.4% available): If you are riding the Merzlikins train of late — which is a wild ride but has been admittedly beneficial during this team hot streak — consider getting off before it pulls into Vancouver during this Canadian road trip. The Flames rank third and the Oilers rank seventh in allowing points to opposing fantasy goaltenders, but the Canucks rank 26th and the Jets rank 31st.

Michael Rasmussen, C, Detroit Red Wings (1.08 FPPG, 98.8% available): The Red Wings have the best three-game fantasy forecast for the coming week, with their opponents power plays all ranking 25th or worst for power-play goals allowed per game. Rasmussen has been filling in on the top unit with Patrick Kane sidelined. But he’s only a draw for fantasy managers if Kane stays that way – which is questionable. Make him a last-minute lineup addition if Kane’s absence drags.

Source: www.espn.com