Every Monday, we'll mine the waiver wire for lesser-rostered performers who have the potential to help fantasy teams in a variety of leagues. We'll also present several strong streaming candidates for the immediate week ahead.
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Forwards
Pierre-Luc Dubois, F, Washington Capitals(1.7 FPPG, 65.7% available): Don't look now, but the Capitals' second-line center has five goals and three assists in seven contests, a span over which he's averaged 2.6 fantasy points/game. The Capitals host the Panthers before playing the Flyers and Utah this week. Tuck Dubois in your lineup for some extra scoring pop before the break.
Filip Chytil, F, Vancouver Canucks (1.2 FPPG, 97.3% available): As far as franchise debuts are concerned, it's hard to find fault with a goal on three shots and more than 20 minutes of ice-time. Centering a new-look scoring line with Conor Garland, and skating on the secondary power play, the 25-year-old ex-Ranger should feel additionally inspired in his new digs. Especially after being dealt for a player (J.T. Miller) that registered 103 points just a season ago. Following a string of inconsistent years in New York, and losing most of last season to a serious head injury, Chytil could undoubtedly use this fresh start.
Morgan Frost, F, Calgary Flames (1.5 FPPG, 93.9% available): While keeping a view of how fellow Calgary import Joel Farabee gels with new linemates Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau, I'm equally intrigued by Frost's assignment on a unit with Yegor Sharangovich and Martin Pospisil -- the ex-Flyer scored on five shots against the Seattle Kraken Sunday -- and No. 1 power play. Unlike Farabee, Frost is almost guaranteed to be available in your fantasy league.
Quinton Byfield, F, Los Angeles Kings (1.2 FPPG, 63.3% available): As discussed in February's edition of "Hacking the Schedule," the Kings compete more often on slower nights when most other teams don't this month, allowing for the greatest flexibility in maximizing a particular performer's output. Like Byfield, who appears to be rediscovering his productive groove after a rather dry January.
Valeri Nichushkin, F, Colorado Avalanche (2.0 FPPG, 61.0% available): Nursing a lower-body injury, he's due back immediately after the 4 Nations Face-Off break. Yes, Nichushkin's proclivity for falling hurt is frustrating. He's also a fantasy gem when fit and active, and worth that headache in all but the shallowest of fantasy leagues. Ideally, you'll want to snatch up the power forward just as this week concludes.
Mason McTavish, F, Anaheim Ducks (1.5 FPPG, 89.1% available): The second-line winger took a brief break, failing to dent the scoresheet in Calgary Thursday after amassing six goals in his four previous contests. He then veered back on sizzling track, scoring against the Canadiens on Sunday. Ride the 22-year-old until he cools off.
Jackson Blake, F, Carolina Hurricanes(1.4 FPPG, 88.7% available): Earning a turn on a top line with Sebastien Aho and Mikko Rantanen, the rookie is certainly worth a fantasy whirl in deeper redraft leagues. The 21-year-old is putting up points -- a goal and three helpers in five contests -- while logging substantial minutes.
See also:
Kent Johnson, F, Columbus Blue Jackets (1.8 FPPG, 73.1% available)
Mason Marchment, F, Dallas Stars (1.8 FPPG, 71.8% available)
Defensemen
Tony DeAngelo, D, New York Islanders(2.4 FPPG, 85.8% available): It's hard to argue against an average of 2.4 fantasy points/game, isn't it? Especially when that sum includes a less-impressive 1.2 in his first contest since sashaying over from the KHL. Anchoring the Islanders' top power play, DeAngelo is pitching in points, logging tons of minutes -- more than 28 against the Flyers the other night -- and blocking shots. Exploit the controversial, well-traveled, first-round draft pick (2014) to maximum fantasy benefit until he cools off. Or until Noah Dobson returns from injury, which could be a while.
Aaron Ekblad, D, Florida Panthers (1.7 FPPG, 60.9% available): After losing almost two weeks to an upper-body injury, Ekblad has one goal and four assists, including a helper on the power play, on 12 shots in his five games back. Not all that anomalous a showing, considering the veteran defenseman is averaging 0.54 points/game this season.
See also:
Jackson LaCombe, D, Anaheim Ducks(1.9 FPPG, 64.3% available)
Drew Doughty, D, Los Angeles Kings (0.8 FPPG, 56.1% available)
Goaltenders
Anthony Stolarz, G, Toronto Maple Leafs (3.5 FPPG, 53.3% available): While the Maple Leafs' netminder reportedly feels fit and fabulous, it's now just an issue of "conditioning and timing". Before suffering a knee injury, Stolarz posted a .927 SV% and 2.15 GAA through 17 starts. It's difficult to find much fault with those numbers. If not this week on the road, look for the Leafs' 1A to make his post-break return either Feb. 22 against the Hurricanes or Feb. 23 versus the Blackhawks. Stolarz should start regularly, and perhaps more often than Joseph Woll, moving forward.
Joey Daccord, G, Seattle Kraken (2.6 FPPG, 45.4% available): Would it surprise you to know Seattle's No. 1 has served as a top-10 fantasy goalie since returning from injury Jan. 9? Well, he has, accumulating more points than Sergei Bobrovsky and Igor Shesterkin during that stretch. In fact, Daccord has only posted a negative fantasy integer twice in a dozen appearances since that date: -2.8 in Detroit on the 12th, and -0.6 in Edmonton on the 27th. He merits rostering in all but the very shallowest of leagues, without question.
See also:
Darcy Kuemper, G, Los Angeles Kings (3.2 FPPG, 44.3% available)
Short-term streamers
Shane Pinto, F, Ottawa Senators (1.4 FPPG, 87.1% available): The Senators hit the road for four contests before the league breaks for the 4 Nations Face-off, including a stop in Nashville Monday, the league's only tilt that date. On another mini-tear with two goals and three helpers in four matches, Pinto is worth streaming at least this week, if not beyond. Especially now that he's earning more regular turns with the extra skater.
Jake Allen, G, New Jersey Devils (1.9 FPPG, 83.8% available): The Devils face the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, and Montreal Canadiens this week, with a day off in between each contest. That projects to go well enough for Allen, who has fared reasonably well as New Jersey's go-to while Jacob Markstrom remains shelved. Nursing a sprained MCL, the Devils' Numero Uno isn't expected back until the end of February, at earliest.
Calvin Pickard, G, Edmonton Oilers(2.3 FPPG, 96.9% available): Edmonton's backup is set to get the nod again either Tuesday in St. Louis or Wednesday in Chicago. Either way, toss him out there. Winner of five straight and nine of his past 10, Pickard has been better than Stuart Skinner for the Oilers of late. In fact, don't be surprised if Edmonton's other netminder sees more action down the stretch altogether as the club endeavors to stave off Vegas for top spot in the Pacific.
Montreal Canadiens: This week, the Canadiens visit the Sharks and Kings, before travelling back home to welcome the Devils and Lightning -- two of those tilts landing on sparse NHL dockets Wednesday and Sunday, when only three and two games are scheduled. Depending on availability, look to stream forwards Juraj Slafkovsky, Jake Evans, or Alex Newhook, in that order.