Viktor Arvidsson has been among the best waiver wire pickups of the season, especially at the forward positions. He’s thriving in Nashville seemingly out of nowhere. A late bloomer, which caused him to be drafted at 21 years old in the 4th round by Nashville, Arvidsson first made his name in the league by scoring an overtime goal in Game 6 against the Sharks last season, his rookie campaign. Now, in his sophomore season, we’re seeing upside that I quite frankly didn’t know what there. On Saturday, Arvidsson scored his first career hat trick on eight shots, albeit in a 7-4 loss against Florida. He came right back on Sunday to record an assist with six shots. That brings his totals to 18+21 in 54 games with well over 3 shots per game and a +16 rating. Arvidsson moved back onto the first line Saturday which helped sparked this surge. He’s a clear as day hold at the moment and should be even if he eventually drops down a line. Regardless, Arvidsson is available in over 50% of leagues so do your part to fix that and pick him up. Here’s what else I saw around the league this weekend:
Friday’s Games:
Artem Anisimov – Goal and an assist with two shots. The shots are poor but it’s too good elsewhere to do anything but hold him.
Patrick Kane – Goal and an assist with six shots and two PIM. Kane is settling in right around a point per game which was the preseason expectation. We’re getting a nice bump in penalty minutes as well.
Duncan Keith – Goal and an assist, +4. Chicago runs on Duncan. I’ll see myself out…
Artemi Panarin – Goal and two assists with five shots. His upside from game to game is as high as anybody in the league but there are a lot of 0’s to go with his multi-point efforts.
Connor Hellebuyck – 31 saves on 34 shots in the 5-2 loss to Chicago. He’s firmly in the “desperate for starts” category right now, mostly because I don’t have faith in the team around him defensively.
Andrei Vasilevskiy – 37 saves on 38 shots in the 2-1 SO loss in Minnesota. It’s games like these why I’ll have him aggressively ranked next season if he’s the clear starter in Tampa. So much upside.
Devan Dubnyk – 26 saves on 27 shots getting the win. Business as usual for Dubs.
Mikael Granlund – Assist with seven shots. The point streak came to an end before this game but don’t worry, he got right back on the horse.
Saturday’s Games
Alexandre Burrows – Goal and an assist with three shots. His days of being fantasy relevant are in the past outside of deep leagues.
Jannik Hansen – Two assists with three shots. The second part of this new line, Hansen intrigues me a bit more than Burrows. That said, it’s only as a streamer.
Bo Horvat – Goal and an assist with four shots. Bo knows! He’s right back on the fringe for me and remains a dynasty favorite.
David Krejci – Two assists with two shots. Nice little run for Krejci lately who can be held if you need his assists.
Frank Vatrano – Goal and two assists with three shots. Frank the Tank has been getting his shot value up on a consistent basis lately. He’ll be a nice late round pick next season and should be a streamer the rest of the way.
Craig Anderson – 33 save shutout in the 3-0 win over the Islanders, his return after being with his wife the last two months. Anderson has been excellent all season when he played so if he was dropped while he was away from the team, pick him up immediately.
Mark Stone – Goal on three shots. While the assists are down a bit, it looks like Stone has a good chance to get a new career high in goals. It helps to shoot 21%!
Kevin Labanc – Assist with five shots. This wasn’t even his best game of the weekend… Spoiler alert! I’m using Labanc as a streamer in all matchups right now.
Aaron Dell – 33 saves on 35 shots in the 2-1 OT loss to Philly. Tough luck loss for Dell who played outstanding in this game. This save was remarkable:
https://twitter.com/NHLAIIAccess/status/830540555176271876
He doesn’t play often but it’s worth streaming every time he does.
Wayne Simmonds – Goal on five shots with two PIM playing 24:38. He moved back to the top line which saw a huge boost in minutes for Simmonds. Hopefully the Flyers keep these big guns together instead of trying to balance things out.
Michal Neuvirth – 23 saves on 24 shots getting the win. It’s hard to trust a Flyers goalie but Neuvirth has only allowed 6 goals in his past 5 starts. If you need a guy, grab him off the wire.
Sebastian Aho – Goal on eight shots. I’d lean towards holding him right now if you have the room.
Elias Lindholm – Two assists with three shots. He’s been an assist machine lately with 7 in the last 5. He’s basically a one category guy right now so you know what to do.
Jordan Staal – Two assists with two shots and nine PIM. He’s played his way into a decent streamer.
Jamie Benn – Two assists and a shot. Starting to get pretty close to that point per game mark again.
Patrick Eaves – Two goals on three shots. It’s inconsistent outside of the shots but Eaves is on pace for 30 goals and great STP. I’m still holding.
Curtis McKenzie – Goal and an assist with two shots. And there’s your annual Curtis McKenzie update!
Kari Lehtonen – 22 saves on 24 shots in the 5-2 win over Carolina. He’s the main goalie right now which only makes him appealing in saves leagues. The numbers are dreadful overall.
Jonathan Huberdeau – Goal and two assists with five shots and two PIM. Man, Huberdeau has sure been worth it for everyone who stashed him on IR.
Jussi Jokinen – Goal and an assist with two shots. Jussi J has 3 1+1 games in his last 5. He’s certainly back on the streaming radar again.
Reilly Smith – Two assists with three shots. He hasn’t put together any decent point streaks this year making him a bottom end streamer at best.
Vincent Trocheck – Two goals and an assist with four shots and a fight. This game should alleviate any concerns about Trocheck dropping down to the second line. Everything will be just fine.
Ryan Ellis – Two assists and a shot. It’s bottom end so I can see cutting bait with Ellis or holding him. Again, lacking alternatives on defense, etc.
Roman Josi – Goal and an assist. He’s starting to pick things up looking like he can have a big second half to make up for a sub-par first.
Thomas Vanek – Goal. He missed Sunday’s game showing what Vanek’s only problem has been this year: health. When he’s been in the lineup, he’s been outstanding.
Sergei Bobrovsky – 35 saves on 36 shots in the 2-1 win over Detroit. He has been struggling a bit lately so it was nice to see him back on track Saturday. Huge game on Monday night for Bob against the Rangers.
Brandon Dubinsky – Two assists with three shots. Dubi is really starting to heat up with three multi-point games in the last five. I think he’s a fine streamer and if you really need PIM, I don’t mind holding him.
Boone Jenner – Goal and an assist with three shots. He’s been a huge disappointment this year but I’m good with streaming him now given his improved play of late.
Patrik Berglund – Hat trick on his three shots on goal. He has 16 goals in his past 26 games after scoring 1 in the first 30. Given the injuries the Blues are dealing with, they’re depending on Berglund a bit more than usual. He’s below average in every category but goals so you need to decide if the goals are worth holding or not. Regardless, it’s a great streamer and cheap DFS play.
David Perron – Goal and an assist. I trust him to hold his current stat-line than Berglund. He’s right on the fence for me.
Alex Pietrangelo – Two assists with a shot. His numbers remain incredibly yawnstipating.
Jaden Schwartz – Two assists with a shot. I’d probably try to move Schwartz based on name value right now. It’s an okay line but it’s nothing special in any category.
Jake Allen – 28 saves on 30 shots in the 4-2 win over Montreal. He’s on fire right now finally paying dividends for his early round selection. Hopefully he keeps up this run of fine form.
Max Pacioretty – Goal and an assist with two shots. Patches was covered at length on the most recent podcast.
Nathan MacKinnon – Assist with two shots. Four game point streak for Mack who seems to be finding consistency with the new top line.
Henrik Lundqvist – 32 saves on 34 shots in the 4-2 win over the Avalanche. Wouldn’t expect less from The King against the putrid Avalanche.
Kevin Klein – Two goals on four shots. This is more goals than Klein scored the first 50 games so you now know his fantasy relevance.
Oscar Lindberg – Two assists with a shot. The minutes need to go up a bit if I’m going to trust him even for streaming.
Robin Lehner – 43 saves on 44 shots in the 3-1 win over Toronto. Sunday’s game didn’t go well but Lehner is still sitting at a .923 save percentage.
Jack Eichel – Three assists with four shots. On the whole, it’s been great but it’s been inconsistent. Such is hockey for most 20 year olds, even the wunderkinds.
Evander Kane – Two goals. Most goals since December 1st in the league? Yeah, it’s Kane. Hope you’re reaping the benefits.
Sam Reinhart – Goal and an assist. He’s playing with Kane and Eichel at the moment and with four points in three games, he’s right back on the fringe for me.
Ben Bishop – 32 saves on 33 shots in the 4-1 win over Winnipeg. These damn Lightning goalies have teased us so much this year that I’m expecting whoever starts to give up 5 in their next game, Saturday against Dallas (their bye is this week).
Victor Hedman – Goal and an assist with five shots. He looks like a lock for a new career high in points. Hopefully the shots get back up to last season’s level.
Ondrej Palat – Goal and an assist. It’s bottom end so I’m okay with holding or streaming.
Brayden Point – Goal and an assist. He’s centering the second line right now and had three points over the weekend. There’s not much there now with the lack of shots and penalty minutes but I’m liking him a bit in deep dynasties.
Jacob Trouba – Goal on five shots. Trouba is the #3 defenseman over the last 30 days. I’m all in on Trouba for this year and going forward.
Cam Fowler – Two assists with a shot and two PIM. He’s slowed down quite a bit but I’m still holding.
Ryan Getzlaf – Goal and two assists with two shots. The penalty minutes and shots have really dried up which hurts his overall value quite a bit. Right now, he’s basically elite assists and not much else.
Jakob Silfverberg – Goal and an assist with three shots. Excellent year to this point for Silfverberg who has an overall line very similar to Arvidsson’s.
Nicklas Backstrom – Goal and two assists with four shots. Man, what a season from Backstrom who is only one point off the league lead now.
Marcus Johansson – Goal and an assist with three shots. That’s his fourth straight 1+1 game. He needs to be owned everywhere again.
T.J. Oshie – Goal and an assist with three shots. Is Oshie a top 50 player next season? Right now, I’d have to lean that way.
Daniel Winnik – Goal and an assist with four shots and two PIM. I feel like Winnik would be alright if he was in a scoring role but that’s not going to happen with Washington’s depth.
Patrick Kane – Goal and two assists with two shots. Nine points in his last five seems good.
Richard Panik – Two goals and an assist with four shots. He’s approaching streamer status again but there’s plenty of other guys I trust more.
Jonathan Toews – Two assists with four shots. Mutton Chops is cruising right now with 7 points in his last 5. The shots are back up which is nice to make up for the fact that the penalty minutes have dropped off.
Scott Darling – 30 saves on 31 shots in the 5-1 win over Edmonton. Stream him every chance you get.
Sunday’s Games
Brent Burns – Two goals on eleven shots. Brent Burns doing Brent Burns things! He’s my MVP right now.
Kevin Labanc – Two assists with two PIM. Moving to the first line has helped him out quite a bit lately so stream the young man.
Joe Thornton – Goal and an assist with three shots. A second non-empty netter in three games!
Martin Jones – 21 saves on 22 shots in the 4-1 win over New Jersey. Doesn’t get much easier than this one for Jones.
Taylor Hall – Assist with three shots. He’s been hot lately and while the penalty minutes have disappeared, Hall has kept the shot rate well over three per game.
Andreas Athanasiou – Goal on six shots. Elite streamer at the moment.
Anthony Mantha – Goal and an assist with five shots. It’s excellent across the board already in his rookie season. Expect him to be ranked in my top 100 going into next season.
Gustav Nyqvist – Assist with four shots and four PIM. If I owned him, I’d cut him right now. He’s going to be receiving a very lengthy suspension after a gutless high stick to the face of Jared Spurgeon (assist, 2 SOG).
Vicious high-stick from Gustav Nyquist on Jared Spurgeon pic.twitter.com/RRqmbRBQiW
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) February 12, 2017
Charlie Coyle – Goal and an assist. He’s heating back up again with six points in the past four. Five category contributor; just get those shots up!
Mikko Koivu – Two assists with two shots. Nothing like reviving your career at 33, almost 34 years old. Boudreau is a God.
Gustav Olofsson – Two assists, the first two points of his young career. There is some long term upside here for the former second round pick who just turned 22 years old.
Zach Parise – Two goals on four shots. The shot rate is excellent lately and it’s come with four goals in his last five. This is why you have to hold him.
Jason Pominville – Two assists with two shots. Dude is absolutely on fire right now with nine points in the last five. Own him while he can’t do anything wrong.
J.F. Berube – 26 saves on 27 shots in the 5-1 win over the Avalanche. I immediately dismiss this game because it’s against Colorado. I have no faith in Berube.
Johnny Boychuk – Two assists with four shots. He’s picked it up a bit lately so if you need a shot boost on defense, you can grab Boychuk. I’d rather let him sit on the waiver wire though.
Nick Leddy – Goal and two assists. Clear as day hold.
Anders Lee – Two goals on three shots. Lee has to be owned everywhere right now with 7 points in the past 5 plus 21 goals on the season.
John Tavares – Two assists with three shots. The goals have dried up after his massive heater but the peripherals still look good. He’ll be just fine.
Jamie Benn – Goal and an assist with three shots. Rocking and a rolling right now.
Tyler Seguin – Three assists with three shots. I know he was -3 in this game because they were all power play assists but there’s no reason why Seguin should only be playing 14:40 in a game. Come on, Lindy, at least let your studs be the reason you get fired, not their lack of playing time.
Roman Josi – Two goals on six shots playing over 28 minutes. That’s what I’m talking about! I’m buying a Josi resurgence.
James Neal – Two assists with two shots and two PIM. Arvidsson’s role boost has come at Neal’s expense. I’d still hold him because of the excellent shots and solid PIM but it’s more tentative than usual.
P.K. Subban – Two assists with two PIM. Same as Josi although I have more faith in Josi because of the bigger workload.
Tuukka Rask – 25 save shutout in the 4-0 win over Montreal. Rask had been a mess the last two weeks before this game. His save percentage is all the way down to .912 on the season now. Woof. Hopefully you sold high when you could have.
Peter Cehlarik – Two assists in his second career game. He played on the second line in this one giving him short term streamer appeal.
David Krejci – Goal and an assist. Keep rolling him during his hot streak.
Brad Marchand – Assist with six shots and four PIM. The Troll doing Troll things.
Jacob Markstrom – 26 saves on 28 shots in the 4-2 win over Buffalo. I was at this game and Markstrom left me uninspired. It’s a nice stat-line but he was struggling with rebound control all night. I remain hesitant to use him going forward.
Alexandre Burrows – Goal and an assist with three shots and two PIM. Meh, this game still doesn’t do enough to change my thoughts above.
Michael Chaput – Two goals on four shots. He had 3 goals in his 101 career games before this one. Typical Sabres giving up piles of goals to randoms.
Bo Horvat – Goal and an assist with two shots. Alright Mr. Horvat, I look forward to you playing a great two-way game for years to come.
Monday Streamers – Options are limited with only two games on the slate tonight. I like the Rangers Blue Jackets game to be lower scoring meaning I’m turning to the other game to stream, mostly Flames. Troy Brouwer stands out along with whoever is available on their second line, preferably Matthew Tkachuk or Mikael Backlund. If you do want someone from the other game, I prefer Pavel Buchnevich or Boone Jenner.
That’s all for now guys. With only two games tonight, I’ll be back with daily notes on Wednesday morning. Expect a podcast to drop Tuesday morning / afternoon. As always, feel free to ask any questions or leave any comments below. Thanks for reading, take care!
