Fantasy NHL: Under-owned waiver wire players for week of March 26

Who is hot and who is not for the week of March 26 in the NHL? The additions to your fantasy lineup could have championship implications.

With over 90 percent of the NHL season in the books, there are only so many points left to be had in the fantasy hockey schedule. Most leagues have been won and lost at this point, no one is going from last place to first in the time remaining, but third to first or fifth to third could happen.

With that in mind, it’s important at this point to keep an eye on the future in keeper leagues and to select and identify the players you will be protecting for next year, all the while still being willing and able to cut ties with players that aren’t going to cut the mustard for the few remaining games. With that in mind, the players listed below might be able to fill a need while you figure out just how far you want to go in the pursuit of glory.

All stats and owned percentage information via ESPN.

Forwards

Pontus Aberg – (Edmonton Oilers- 3.1 percent owned)

When Edmonton got Pontus Aberg back from Nashville for Mark Letestu, there was very little buzz on the swift-footed Swede. Aberg had only three goals in 52 games last year with the Preds a stat that shows how much trouble he was having carving out a top-six role with a deep team in Nashville.

Since the move to Edmonton, Aberg has got those minutes and the production has followed. Since returning from injury on Tuesday, Aberg has been on a bit of a tear, putting up two goals and four assists in three games to go along with a +3 rating and seven shots. His ice time and power play usage are up, and access to current leading scorer Connor McDavid and current linemate Leon Draisaitl will only help his case.

Phil Di Giuseppe (Carolina Hurricanes – 0.1 percent owned)

A former second round pick, Di Giuseppe has landed a plum role alongside Carolina sniper Jeff Skinner and highly touted center Elias Lindholm. Apparently not one to miss an opportunity, Di Giuseppe has run with the assignment and produced in the second line spot, putting up two goals and three assists in three games last week, feasting on the easier competition in wins against Arizona and Ottawa. With a +3 rating and seven shots to go with the points, Di Giuseppe filled the score sheet and has played well enough in his expanded role to be given a look should he stick on Carolina’s second line.

Jesper Fast (New York Rangers- 3.1 percent owned)

2018 has not been a good year for the Rangers. The Blueshirts came out of the gate slow and have struggled all year to string together wins. When the team signaled their intentions to blow it all up and re-build on the fly at the deadline, the mass exodus of players led to openings throughout the lineup that needed to be filled with players that would be promoted from within.

Jesper Fast has been the biggest recipient of that internal boost when Rick Nash was sent to Boston, Fast went from third line duties to first, and the look has been very kind to him. Fast is in the midst of a seven-game point streak with his new linemates and isn’t showing signs of slowing down with a three-point night against the Flyers on Thursday night.

With five points in three games last week, a +3 rating and nine shots on goal, he can help in multiple categories as long as the streak continues. But with limited power play time and a tumultuous Rangers lineup, don’t be too high on the hardworking Swede, when the streak ends, drop him like a hot potato.