Crashing the Net – Week 16 Waiver Wire
This week, with no team playing more than two games because of the circus NHL All-Star game, fantasy owners are saved from the recent rash of injuries across the league. During last week’s Crashing the Net, we examined players such as Jamie Benn, Scott Clemmensen, and Wojtek Wolski. When action returns returns to full-time duty next week, owners will see a list of stats who have returned from injuries and are still sitting on the waiver wire. Along with returning players, some players receive a boost in value due to you guessed it, more injuries.
Brian Boyle – C, New York Rangers
After Brandon Dubinsky became the latest injured Ranger, the team is now more than ever counting on undervalued players going forward. After a seven game pointless streak to start the new year, Boyle has scored three goals in his last five games. Boyle is currently fifth on the team in points and also shares the lead for the most goals scored on the team with 17. While he isn’t on the first line with Marian Gaborik, Boyle is finding time on the first power play unit and is seeing a lot more shooting opportunities.
Kyle Okposo – RW, New York Islanders
Among other things happening with the Islanders, Okposo made his season debut late last week. Okposo has missed every game this season after recovering from shoulder surgery. He’s owned in less than 25-percent of ! leagues and is patiently waiting for the chance to score your team some points. He started on the second line during his first game back and has collected one assist over his first three games. He might be a little rusty over his first ten games or so, but he’s a terrific winger who is usually owned in every league when healthy.
T.J. Oshie – C/RW, St. Louis Blues
After missing 31 games due to a broken ankle, Oshie returned to the ice and scored his first goal during his second game back. Oshie, who has two goals this season, is still an exciting player to watch and can easily rack up fantasy points on any given night. In his first three games back, Oshie is collecting just over 19 minutes of ice time and appears to be showing no ill effects of his ankle injury. With being owned in less than 25-percent of leagues, you simply can’t pass this opportunity up.
Patrick Eaves – RW, Detroit Red Wings
Motown knows how to take average hockey players and turn them into fantasy point scoring machines. We’ve seen it thus far with player such as Dan Cleary and Darren Helm. Eaves might be the next player to add his name to this list, as he’s currently playing alongside Henrik Zetterberg and Todd Bertuzzi. Over his last nine games, Eaves has five goals and seven points. His average time on ice per game is just over 12 minutes, but is starting to see more and more playing time, as represented by his 15:39 minutes of ice time during the month of January.
You can follow @dailyfaceoff on Twitter for hockey news and notes. Be sure to check out the Starting Goalies section for your fantasy starters tonight and the Team Lineups page.