We are now almost one month into the NHL regular season. My biggest fantasy takeaway is the Zero Goalie Strategy paying off for anyone who had the grapefruits between their legs to do so. With that in mind, let's take a look at my 2023-24 Fantasy Hockey Week 5 Waiver Wire plays.
Premier goaltenders aren't paying significantly higher dividends overall than names plucked off the wire for spot starts. GAA and SV% are rising across the league. The disparity between goalie tiers is seemingly dwindling. This has led to the likes of Jonas Johansson being a top-25 fantasy player so far.
All my add suggestions are deep dive ownership plays but that shouldn't deter you from consideration if they make sense. You're more than likely dealing with injuries at this point. These provide you with opportunities for streaming if your settings allow for it.
I also want to reiterate that my drop considerations are for redraft leagues. Keeper-eligible players I will make a designation.
2023-24 Fantasy Hockey Week 5 Waiver Wire
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Anton Lundell, C, Florida Panthers (3% owned)
Sam Bennett played eleven shifts in his return from injury before suffering another long-term one. Eetu Luostarinen got the first crack at second-line center duty in his absence and floundered.
This time around the 22-year-old Finn gets the opportunity to center Matthew Tkachuk. Hopefully, it'll ignite the former twelfth-overall pick after what's been a slow start to the year.
The Panthers are the premier team to play this week with all four games falling on off nights.
Calle Jarnkrok, C/LW, Toronto Maple Leafs (3% owned)
The 32-year-old Swede quietly had a solid campaign last year with 39 points in 73 games. 20 of said points were goals. He's now riding shotgun with Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews as he did at times in 2022-23.
Having shown the ability to run with elite linemates across his career, these two are about as cushy a deployment as one may receive. The Maple Leafs have three off-night games out of four total this week.
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Kyle Burroughs, D, San Jose Sharks (1% owned)
Much like Connor Murphy who I mentioned a few weeks back, this is a great add if you need hits and blocks. The same mindset applies here: expect no points, any and all are a bonus.
The former seventh-round pick can challenge for 100 blocks and will absolutely cross 150 hits barring injury. He's also a solid source for PIM. This team will be getting abused routinely; expect him to bring the physical element often.
Joey Daccord, G, Seattle Kraken (5% owned)
Philip Grubauer is single-pane glass and just not that great of a goaltender. Case in point, Daccord is besting him so far in SV% and GAA. Even though the Boston native may never rise to workhorse-level play, it's looking like a timeshare at the very least.
Seattle has not had the best of starts. Regardless, it's a deep four-line team that I expect will improve as the season progresses.
Don't expect world-beater play but with a reversal of team fortune, he can maintain what's been solid performances in net.
Drops
Morgan Frost, C, Philadelphia Flyers
I had high hopes for the young pivot coming off a full season where he scored just under fifty points. At 24-years-old, he looked prime for a mega breakout this campaign. Instead, he finds himself in John Tortorella's doghouse, a notoriously hard place to escape.
Had Sean Couturier not been out, he'd more than likely be getting scratched.
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Blake Wheeler, RW, New York Rangers
As a Rangers fan, I was glad to see the Minnesota native brought into the fold. At his age and coupled with the fact he'd most likely be a depth piece, I tempered expectations. One point so far however was not expected.
New York is doing the right thing utilizing their youth in more prominent roles than the former Atlanta Thrasher. Since he's lost a step or two, don't expect a resurgence anytime soon.
Barrett Hayton, C, Arizona Coyotes
Another young center coming off an impressive full season that's been a gigantic dud to start the year. The lack of production is perplexing serving at the Coyotes' top center at even strength along with PP1 deployment.
Last season he didn't have Logan Cooley breathing down his neck. It would seem Cooley's time is coming as Arizona's premier center.
Hopefully, these 2023-24 Fantasy Hockey Week 5 Waiver Wire plays are beneficial to you. Comment below if they're not!
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