Welcome back! The first week of the 2019-20 NHL season is nearly in the books and it’s time for the first Waiver Wired of the year.
There hasn’t been an update on Evgeni Malkin’s injury from Saturday night yet, but if he misses time then Jared McCann (owned in 3% of Yahoo leagues) is worth a pickup. He played well last night after being promoted to the second line with two goals and one assist.
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Victor Olofsson (BUF) - LW, RW - Owned in 28% of Yahoo leagues
Olofsson had plenty of sleeper appeal going into the season when it was learned that he would play on the top line with Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart. He played well in six appearances with the Sabres last year when he supplied two goals and two assists. Olofsson also impressed during training camp and he has been hot to start the 2019-20 season. He has two power-play goals, one assist and six shots through Buffalo’s opening-two games. The 24-year-old looks like a real keeper.
Kevin Shattenkirk (TBL) - D - Owned in 27% of Yahoo leagues
Shattenkirk has compiled one goal, one assist, 10 shots, three hits and three blocks through Tampa Bay’s first two games of the 2019-20 season. He entered the year feeling like he had something to prove and he has performed well out of the gate for his new team. Shattenkirk has also been logging time on the second power-play unit.
Jakub Vrana (WSH) - LW - Owned in 18% of Yahoo leagues
Vrana has two goals and one assist over a three-game point streak to begin the 2019-20 season. The 23-year-old made positive strides last season with 24 goals and 47 points. Vrana appears be poised for a breakout year on Washington’s second line. Lars Eller had been occupying the center role with Vrana and T.J. Oshie, but now that spot could go to Evgeny Kuznetsov, who has finished serving his suspension, or Nicklas Backstrom.
Pavel Buchnevich (NYR) - RW - Owned in 17% of Yahoo leagues
Buchnevich is another player with plenty of breakout potential this season. He has been skating on the top line with Mika Zibanejad, who has been scorching hot to start the year, and Artemi Panarin during even-strength and power-play situations. Buchnevich picked up two assists in New York’s opener. He hasn’t been credited with a shot yet, but he has averaged 1.71 shots per game during his career so that should change soon. Unfortunately, the Rangers only play one game this coming week.
Erik Haula (CAR) - C, LW - Owned in 13% of Yahoo leagues
Haula has found the back of the net in each of his first two games with Carolina. He has been playing between Ryan Dzingel and Martin Necas during 5-on-5 play, while seeing time on the second power-play unit with Teuvo Teravainen and Andrei Svechnikov. Haula was a productive player in two seasons with Vegas, but he missed most of the 2018-19 campaign due to injury. He appears to be back on track and primed to contribute.
Neal Pionk (WPG) - D - Owned in 10% of Yahoo leagues
Pionk had a quiet debut with the Winnipeg Jets against his former Rangers teammates, but he notched one goal and one assist in Friday’s comeback win over New Jersey. He also ranks first on the Jets with four blocks and co-leads the team with five hits, while averaging 25:17 of ice time per game. Pionk has been playing alongside rookie Ville Heinola at even strength and on the second power-play unit. He appears be positioned for a large role this campaign.
Zack Kassian (EDM) - RW - Owned in 9% of Yahoo leagues
Kassian has benefited in the early going from playing alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. He has collected two goals and one assist in Edmonton’s first two matches of the 2019-20 season. Kassian has also provided six hits and three shots. If he continues to produce while rubbing shoulders with the best players on the Oilers then he is a worthy fantasy option, especially in leagues that value hits and penalty minutes.
Sammy Blais (STL) - LW, RW - Owned in 6% of Yahoo leagues
Blais earned a spot on the second line of the Blues out of training camp and he has been proving that the decision to promote him was the right one. He is tied for the team lead in scoring with linemate Ryan O’Reilly, who has been the offensive catalyst of the team since he joined last season. They both have three points and Blais leads the club with two goals. He is also third in the league with 12 hits. David Perron, who is owned in 21% of Yahoo leagues, is also worth scooping up. He is the third member of this combination.
Hampus Lindholm (ANA) - D - Owned in 5% of Yahoo leagues
Lindholm has two assists in two games this season. He reached the scoresheet in both outings, while soaking up a team-leading 24:39 of ice time per game. Lindholm also currently leads all Ducks skaters with six blocks. He will be leaned on heavily this season and it looks like his offensive game could reach new heights.
James Reimer (CAR) - G - Owned in 4% of Yahoo leagues
Reimer was excellent in his Hurricanes debut on Saturday. He turned aside 32 of 34 shots in a 3-2 overtime win over Washington. Petr Mrazek bounced back nicely with Carolina last season and Reimer’s rebound seems like a distinct possibility. If the Hurricanes don’t lean heavily on Mrazek then Reimer should see his fair share of starts, which could make him a decent depth option in the crease.
