The Wire Troll: NHL Trade Deadline Edition
Anthony Mantha’s value should rise in Vegas. (NHL.com)
Welcome back to another week of Fantasy hockey. The trade deadline has passed, thereby changing the Fantasy value for many players, so be sure to pay extra attention to the waiver wire.
This week, the Oilers continue to surge behind their potent offense (although who saw them scoring just two in Columbus?); the trade deadline frenzy of moves should make your hockey wagering an adventure down the stretch at FanDuel; and the Panthers locked up a pair of their players to long-term extensions.
And now, let’s get to this week’s…
Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Picks
Anthony Mantha, RW, Vegas Golden Knights (ESPN: 3.9 per cent; CBS: 20 per cent): The return Detroit got for Mantha a few years back is a big part of the team’s current resurgence, but he was inconsistent at best with Washington, never really living up to the promise (injuries didn’t help matters). However, now that he’s been traded to Vegas, we’re expecting bigger things in a top six gig, even if penalties hampered his debut with the Golden Knights. Pending UFA Mantha is capable of providing some offense (three-time 20-goal scorer) even if he hasn’t come close to duplicating the scoring touch he showed as a junior. Hell, he’s also willing to support his teammates (see video below). Mantha is already in the top 100 for Fantasy points per 60, so if his ice time and PP opportunities rise, he’ll be a nice asset down the stretch.
Oliver Kylington, D, Calgary Flames (ESPN: 0.5 per cent; CBS: 9 per cent): Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin have been traded, so there’s minutes to be had for Flame blueliners. We expected Kylington to have a bigger role down the stretch, and sure enough, he’s topped 20 minutes in two of the last three games, recording a +2 rating in both. Don’t expect much offense for now, but it’s worth noting that before missing all of last season with mental health issues, he scored nine goals and 31 points in just 73 games. Kylington is currently auditioning for an extension, so he’s a nice speculative pickup in deeper leagues.
Daniil Tarasov, G, Columbus Blue Jackets (ESPN: 0.5 per cent; CBS: 6 per cent): Tarasov has been sharing duties in the Columbus net and playing very well lately, even shining on Thursday in a very tough matchup against the Oilers (29 saves on 31 shots). His numbers have improved each month to the point that he now deserves some Fantasy attention, and it’s clear that he’s shaken off a poor season after looking so good in his first taste of the NHL in 2021-22. Tarasov is known for his strong reflexes and ability to read the play; could he be the next star Russian goaltender?
Morgan Frost, C, Philadelphia Flyers (ESPN: 3.5 per cent; CBS: 15 per cent): Frost was a Wire Troll All-Star last season thanks to a big recovery from a crappy start. It’s been a somewhat similar narrative this season as after a couple of rough months, he finally worked his way out of Head Coach John Tortorello‘s dog house and has been playing very well since January (26-4-16-20 despite a current three-game drought). Frost is back to struggling on faceoffs, but is actually driving play at career-best levels this season (58.2 CF%).
Others to Consider
Ryan Hartman, RW, Minnesota Wild (ESPN: 21.9 per cent; CBS: 38 per cent): It’s been a dog’s age since we last recommended Hartman, and while his offense has regressed in recent seasons, he should be leaned on more heavily now that Brandon Duhaime has been dealt to Colorado. The goals have really dried up for Hartman, but he continues to log plenty of PT and rack up the dimes (accumulating 35 points all told, with six multi-point efforts) while also pitching in with hits and blocks (three of each on Friday), so consider him an upside option for the stretch run.
Tyson Foerster, RW, Philadelphia Flyers (ESPN: 8.9 per cent; CBS: 33 per cent): Before getting shut out in the last two games, all Foerster did was score nine goals over his previous nine contests to put himself in the thick of the rookie scoring race. He led the Phantoms in points last season, but struggled to produce consistently in the first half this season. Now, Foerster is oozing confidence with the swagger of a future sniper.
Simon Benoit, D, Toronto Maple Leafs (ESPN: 1.1 per cent; CBS: 2 per cent): Benoit doesn’t produce much offense, but is playing a bit more lately and keeps racking up the blocks, takeaways and — especially — the hits. Deep league special here.
Ty Dellandrea, C/RW, Dallas Stars (ESPN: 0.3 per cent; CBS: 2 per cent): Almost a year ago to the day we pimped Dellandrea after he was promoted to the third line. He didn’t exactly light it up after that, but we’re back to give him more love now that he’s in the top six while Evgenii Dadonov and Tyler Seguin are out. Dellandrea is still a solid play driver (career-best 56.5 xG%), but is not getting much in the way of individual chances, so this is strictly a temporary deep league option.
Jordan Greenway, C/LW, Buffalo Sabres (ESPN: 0.9 per cent; CBS: 2 per cent): When we last checked in on Greenway, we mistakenly thought the trade rumours surrounding him were done. Just over a year later, he was dealt to Buffalo, and has managed to pick up his scoring since. Now, with Casey Mittelstadt traded, Greenway has moved into the top six, while seeing PP2 and PK1 time. Greenway’s PT is up — especially lately — and he’s managed a +4 rating on a meh team. He’s an interesting add in deeper formats.
RotoRob Tune of the Day
The late, great Frank Zappa was born Frank Vincent Zappa. Active from 1955 (at age 15) until his death in 1993, he released his second solo album, Hot Rats, in 1969. The only single from this effort was “Peaches en Regalia,” an instrumental jazz fusion number.
