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Fantasy Hockey: Hot Waiver Wire Pickups-11/06/14

By Zachary Thompson

Nov 4, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan (23) scores the game-winning goal on Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) as Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) defends in overtime at Verizon Center. The Flames won 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan (23) scores the game-winning goal on Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) as Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) defends in overtime at Verizon Center. The Flames won 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NHL season continues to skate right along as we head into the second week of November and things continue to unfold as the winter weather starts to make it feel more like hockey season.  If you are playing fantasy hockey, you are already locked in and focused on the season, but you also know how important it is to stay on top of the trends and moves during the season.  More so than almost any other fantasy sport, fantasy hockey owners have to keep their roster fluid as teams and players get hot and cool back off.

Here are our weekly waiver wire pickups who are available in at least 50% of ESPN Fantasy Hockey leagues as we get a clearer picture of players’ roles after the first 10+ games of the season for each team:

Goaltenders

Nov 2, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward (30) stops the shot by Los Angeles Kings forward Anze Kopitar (11) during the third period at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward (30) stops the shot by Los Angeles Kings forward Anze Kopitar (11) during the third period at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

Cam Ward-Carolina Hurricanes: Ward has helped the ‘Canes to three straight wins after a horribly slow start to the season.  He’s taken the top goaltender spot for the time being from Anton Khudobin and is the top goaltender pickup right now.  Ward has had issues in the past, though, so I see hi as more of a short-term pickup than a long-term solution to any issues you have at the position.

Jason LaBarbera-Anaheim Ducks: LaBarbera has started the last two games for the Ducks and could be lined up for increased work going forward with John Gibson out for six weeks with a groin injury.  He’s a journeyman netminder without a ton of upside, but his situation behind a very good team is definitely worth monitoring for as long as he’s in the starting mix.

Michael Hutchinson-Winnipeg Jets: In one of the most impressive surprise goaltender performances of the season, Hutchinson stonewalled the Blackhawks for his first NHL shutout in his fifth start in the league.  The 24-year old could see more time going forward as a result of his strong play and is a nice backup for Ondrej Pavelec at this point.

Defensemen

Dennis Seidenberg-Boston Bruins: Seidenberg is still available in tons of leagues despite playing huge minutes for Boston.  He is currently filling in for Zdeno Chara on the top defensive pairing and has been on the ice for 22+ minutes in each of the B’s last six games.  He scored his first goal of the season Saturday against the Sens and has three points in his last five games.

Nov 1, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg (44) and left wing Brad Marchand (63) get set for a face-off during the third period against the Ottawa Senators at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg (44) and left wing Brad Marchand (63) get set for a face-off during the third period against the Ottawa Senators at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Zach Bogosian-Winnipeg Jets: Bogosian has been a bit part of the Jets solid start having success alongside Tobias Enstrom on the second pairing.  In his 12 games, Bogosian has a +2 +/- and has passed out five assists including two in his last four games.

Justin Braun-San Jose Sharks: The Sharks top defensive pairing features Braun and Marc-Edouard Vlasic, and Braun has had a nice run of five straight games with a positive or neutral +/-.   He’s passed out a pair of assists in his last three games and has five assists in his 13 games this season while averaging over 21:30 of ice time per game.

Michael Del Zotto-Philadelphia Flyers: Del Zotto has been a disappointment in his NHL career so far, but he’s looked much better this year and could be on his way to a nice bounceback year.  He has six assists in his 12 games and is playing over 20 minutes a game.

Alec Martinez-Los Angeles Kings: Martinez was off to a slow start after last season’s Stanley Cup heroics, but he has scored in two of his last three games and looks to be getting back into the flow of the Kings offense.  He’s playing under 20 minutes a game, but keep an eye on his production since it looks like he’s rounding into form.

Forwards

Sean Monahan-Calgary Flames: The Flames have gotten off to a  better start than many expected and lately their top line C Sean Monahan has started to step things up as well. Monahan netted the game-winner against Washington on Tuesday giving him four points in his last three games.  On the season, he has eight points in 14 games and is on a good pace.  If you need a forward, his is the first name to check for on the wire.

Carl Soderberg-Boston Bruins: Another center stepping things up, Soderberg currently is anchoring the third line for the Bruins with Matt Fraser and Loui Eriksson.  He’s passes out three assists in his last three games and has 10 points in his 14 games.  He’s a very productive player whose ownership is quickly rising as evidenced by this being his second straight week on our fantasy hockey waiver wire pickups list.

Nov 4, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Antoine Vermette (50) celebrates with defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) and defenseman Zbynek Michalek (4) after scoring a goal in the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Antoine Vermette (50) celebrates with defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) and defenseman Zbynek Michalek (4) after scoring a goal in the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Antoine Vermette-Arizona Coyotes: Another returnee from last week’s list, Vermette continues to lead a strong top line for the Coyotes and has four points in his last two games including a pair of goals.  On the season, he has nine points in his 12 games played.  He continues to be a strong play.

Jori Lehtera-St. Louis Blues: Lehtera is centering the Blues second line right now and his stock is rising with eight points in his 1 games.  He’s definitely involved on the power play although he doesn’t typically pile up a ton of shots.

Johnny Gaudreau-Calgary Flames: “Johnny Hockey” playing on the Flames 2nd line for now. He had five points in three games before being limited in Tuesday’s game due to illness.  He played through it but only managed 11:15 compared to his average of 15 minutes.  Hopefully, he’ll be back to full strength tonight against the Lightning and get back to producing points.

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