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Every week, we'll mine the waiver wire for lesser-owned assets to help your squad, whether you favor dynasty or the redraft format, and we'll also toss in some tips for DFS players out there. Finally, we will look at some former go-to fantasy assets who might be overvalued -- either in the short or long term -- for one reason or another.
Forwards Josh Anderson, RW, Columbus Blue Jackets (rostered in 44.8 percent of ESPN leagues): Playing on a red-hot scoring line with Nick Foligno and Boone Jenner, and contributing with the secondary power play, Anderson is on a tear with four goals and an assist in his five most-recent games. He rifled six shots on net and skated more than 21 minutes in Saturday's 4-3 win over Vegas. If available, plug in the 24-year-old into your own roster before he cools down.  Brock Nelson, C, New York Islanders (28.6 percent): Perennially under-appreciated across the fantasy spectrum, Nelson deserves fresh attention as the Islanders' top center alongside Jordan Eberle and Anders Lee, as well as a vital component on the club's No. 1 power play. The 27-year-old has five points in five games, including two assists with the man-advantage. He's also been averaging 19 minutes-per-game since the All-Star break.  Phillip Danault, LW/C, Montreal Canadiens (21.4 percent): How about them Habs? With only one regulation loss in the past month, the Canadiens are effectively shushing all those naysayers who dismissed them as potential contenders earlier in the season. Plus, while Jonathan Drouin gets some much-deserved accolades for the club's success, his center is often overlooked. Enjoying a career year, Danault has three goals and four assists in his past five games alone. Although he doesn't regularly skate with the man-advantage, there's still so much to appreciate about the 25-year-old.  Frank Vatrano, C, Florida Panthers (14.1 percent): It's hard to argue with six goals and four assists in nine games. It's equally difficult to dismiss the promise of skating on a scoring line with Vincent Trocheck and Jonathan Huberdeau. Vatrano deserves far more attention than he's been receiving in fantasy play. The 24-year-old fourth-year player should finish with 30-plus goals this season.  Zack Kassian, RW, Edmonton Oilers (0.9 percent): With four goals and two assists in his last seven games, the feisty forward is now earning the chance to skate on Connor McDavid's wing, in place of an injured Ty Rattie. It's exciting stuff. Exploit this penalty-minute magnet in whatever fantasy fashion makes sense before he falls back to earth.  Adrian Kempe, C/RW, Los Angeles Kings (0.8 percent): Having lost only once in regulation in the last six games, the Kings are re-establishing themselves as a relevant factor in the wide-open Western playoff race. This has been in no small way thanks to Kempe's four goals and two assists in four games skating alongside Ilya Kovalchuk and Carl Hagelin. Getting it done, this trio isn't up for a dismantling anytime soon. Still only 22, the former 2014 first-rounder boasts great potential, particularly in dynasty formats.  Nick Cousins, C, Arizona Coyotes (0.2 percent): Centering a top line with Arizona's leading scorer Clayton Keller, the former Flyer has five assists in four games, while averaging nearly 19 minutes of ice time. He's also garnering opportunities with the secondary power play. While the Coyotes remain in the playoff mix (just like every other team in the West) Cousins has use in deeper leagues for as long as he sticks alongside Keller.
Defensemen Justin Schultz, Pittsburgh Penguins (43.3 percent): Loosely expected to return this week, Schultz should be spoken for in all but the shallowest of leagues. While there's little doubt he'll need a few games to shake off the rust, the 28-year-old offensive-defenseman can be counted on to contribute to the scorecard regularly, both at even-strength and with the extra skater. Before suffering a broken ankle in October, Schultz had racked up four assists in four games. Check to see if he's available in your league.  Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars (34.0 percent): After a dull second half of January, Heiskanen is back in a groove with five points in five games so far in February. He's also seeing mega-minutes as a Stars' top-four defenseman, while also serving on the secondary power play. Drafted No. 3 overall in 2017, this kid is going to be a star in the not-too-distant future. He should be rostered in nearly every fantasy format.
Goaltenders Cam Ward, Chicago Blackhawks (5.9 percent): Ward should be a lesson for us all. Namely, never completely write off a proven veteran -- no matter how awful he appears to be playing during any one particular stretch. After a sub-mediocre first half to 2018-19, Ward is again looking his old self, riding a .941 save percentage through four straight wins. Splitting time with rookie Collin Delia, the 34-year-old former Hurricane could see a larger share of Chicago's starts if he continues this successful run. It also doesn't hurt that his teammates out front are scoring more, too.  Anthony Stolarz, Philadelphia Flyers (0.7 percent): With a couple of back-to-back affairs this week, the Flyers are expected to turn to their current trusty backup behind Carter Hart. Coming off two solid starts -- including a shutout win over the Rangers -- Stolarz is an intriguing option in DFS competition versus the Wild on Tuesday and again against the Red Wings over the weekend.
Lowered expectations Taylor Hall, LW, New Jersey Devils (97.3 percent): The Devils seem to be playing word games when Coach John Hynes says, "Right now there's no plans of (Hall) not playing this year." This double-speak doesn't exactly instill confidence in fantasy managers, and in fact makes it sound more like the reigning Hart Trophy winner -- who is nursing some sort of lower-body injury -- very much might not return this season (or, if so, not for any lengthy period of time). Unless you have an abundance of IR spots, fantasy managers in re-draft leagues might start considering life without Hall moving forward. Patric Hornqvist, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins (84.1 percent): A role with the Penguins' top power play isn't cutting it anymore. Since returning from a concussion on Jan. 19, the 32-year-old veteran has no points in eight games, while also skating in the bottom-six. There are better options available at RW.
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