Crashing the Net – Week 9 Waiver Wire
With the holidays right around the corner, fantasy owners are digging through their waiver wires searching for that special gift that can help lead their team into the playoffs. Whether its an injury replacement or a young player finally developing after two full months of play, here are some players who can provide value for your roster. During last week’s Crashing the Net, we discussed players such as Corey Crawford, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Antoine Vermette.
Anders Lindback – G, Nashville Predators (12% Yahoo! / 31% CBS)
This rookie netminder will see a bulk of the work while regular goalie Pekka Rinne is sidelined with a knee injury for the next two to four weeks. Not only will Lindback receive a majority of work in Rinne’s absence, but he’s also a solid goaltender that is capable of posting big numbers. While Rinne dealt with an injury earlier this season, Lindback went 3-0-1 during a two week stretch as the number one goaltender. For the season, Lindback is 3-1-1 with a 2.78 GAA and a .913 SV% over eight games played. Nashville plays seven games over the next two weeks, so there’s no reason not to add him. Unfortunately, once it’s determined that Rinne is 100 percent healthy, Lindback will return to his backup role with the Predators as the team did not plan on playing him more than 22 games this year.
Corey Crwaford – G, Chicago Blackhawks (24% Yahoo! / 42% CBS)
Crawford was listed on the “Other to Monitor” last week, but it’s now time to add the 25-year old netminder. With the Western Conference being a very close race and every win determining your playoff hopes, the Blackhawks will turn to Crawford just as much as Marty Turco this season. First and foremost, Turco owners should own Crawford as a handcuff, because coach Joel Quenneville has made it obvious that he will play the “hot hand” going forward. Crawford has won his last five starts and prior to his last start against the St. Louis Blues, he had not allowed more than two goals during those games. Over his ten games this season, Crawford has posted a 6-4-0 record, but has a terrific 2.38 GAA. Even with the 6-4 record, the Blackhawks need wins and that’s exactly what Crawford is bringing to the table.
Jeff Tambellini – LW, Vancouver Canucks (2% Yahoo! / 4% CBS)
This winger was another player listed on the “Others to Monitor” earlier in the season, but due to his two-way contract, he’s been a fantasy risk splitting time between the AHL and NHL. He was sent down when Alex Burrows was healthy enough to play, but has found himself back in the NHL and is currently making the most of his time. Besides finding himself on a line with the Sedin Twins earlier in the year, Tambellini now finds himself on another offensive line, as he’s been skating with Mason Raymond and Ryan Kesler. Since his latest recall, Jeff has two goals and four total points over his last four games.
Tomas Fleischmann – LW, Colorado Avalanche (22% Yahoo! / 56% CBS)
I tweeted my thoughts on Flash moving from Washington to Colorado earlier in the week, but I’ve always thought Flash was roster worthy in most leagues. Colorado knows how to score goals, which is backed up by their 3.36 goals per game this season. Now most of the scoring happened while Chris Stewart was healthy, but this team is still a threat to score goals. Flash is currently playing on second line with center Matt Duchene and winger David Jones, but could find himself floating not only between multiple positions, but floating between the first and second line. While the Avs are without Stewart and T.J. Galiardi, Fleischmann will not only see increased ice time, but significant ice time on the powerplay.
Cam Fowler – D, Anaheim Ducks (7% Yahoo! / 47% CBS)
The 12th overall pick during the 2010 NHL Draft seems to finding his fit with the Ducks thus far. Fowler just turned 19 and is not only seeing close to 20 minutes of ice time per game, and is averaging over three minutes of power play ice time per game on a unit that features players such as Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Bobby Ryan. Fowler has collected six points over his last 10 games and should tally close to 30 points overall this season. Even if you Fowler is a spot-start here and there, he’s definitely worth taking in deeper leagues and keeper leagues.
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