The San Jose Sharks are making it extremely hard for me to wear my favorite vintage sweater this season. Already with two ten spots put up on them, they're likely to go down as the worst team in the past fifty years. While I consider alternate hockey-related attire, let's take a look at my 2023-24 Fantasy Hockey Week 6 Waiver Wire plays.
If you have been following this column throughout the season so far, first off, thanks! I hope my suggestions have been of benefit to those trusting my insights in any magnitude.
Sticking to my strength of schedule game plan, the Anaheim Ducks are the prime team play with four games including three scheduled for off nights. 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.
2023-24 Fantasy Hockey Week 6 Waiver Wire
Adds
Robert Thomas, C, St. Louis Blues (28% owned)
No real need to go in-depth here, this is a superstar. Case in point he has five goals and four assists in his past six games. At only 24 years old, there's still another gear.
The Blues overall are not a strong team but the former London Knight collects points at an elite clip. Forget the typical complaints about him like he doesn't shoot, he doesn't hit, etc. If your league counts faceoffs he is a must-own.
Plus, St. Louis plays four times this week.
Pavel Mintyukov, D, Anaheim Ducks (55% owned)
It is rare that a 19-year-old defenseman walks into an NHL franchise and puts up an impressive offense show right off the bat. On a rising Anaheim squad, he's making it look easy.
Filling the PP1 role vacated by Jamie Drysdale's long-term injury, he's currently pacing for a 50-point season if not more. There have been no updates regarding Drysdale's injury. No news is good news so this looks like a long-term absence.
As long as the young Russian keeps manning the primary powerplay, he is seemingly going to keep up the production.
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Kyle Palmieri, RW, New York Islanders (5% owned)
It's not that long ago the American winger was a highly valuable multi-cat asset. Although on the wrong side of thirty now, he's somewhat turning back the clock in Elmont, NY.
If healthy all year, the former New Jersey Devil may challenge for 50 points, 200+SOG, and near 100 hits. Last season he had 33 points in 55 games. Top six deployment as well as PP1; four games this week with two scheduled for off nights.
Pyotr Kochetkov, G, Carolina Hurricanes (29% owned)
My first article said to grab him and stash him in NA if you have it. Sure enough, only six weeks in, he's been called up once again. If you have the roster space make the add. His first start this past weekend landed any investors a shutout. Go grab the future of Carolina's crease ahead of the curve.
Drops
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Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, Winnipeg Jets
Here I am calling myself out again. When I suggested you drop Gabriel Vilardi a couple of weeks ago, I said it was more so because Ehlers would run away with the prime deployment he'd receive in his absence. WRONG.
Although this is not entirely the Dane's fault. This team refuses to showcase him, instead opting for Alex Iafallo on the top line and powerplay. Playing line two at even strength centered by Vladislav Namestnikov is not a recipe for offensive proliferation.
Artturi Lehkonen, LW, Colorado Avalanche
If you have IR spots he's definitely worth the stash due to the deployment he receives. Nonetheless, his injury looks serious and it'll be a long window of time before he returns. Then on top of that, he'll have to get back up to game speed.
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Rickard Rakell, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins
The most frustrating fantasy winger to own strikes again. After a very solid first season in the Steel City, he's back to being an underachiever. After a career season at 24 years old, he's done nothing but disappoint overall, now 30.
He has all the physical gifts to be dominant yet lacks the determination to be great a la Sidney Crosby. Cut ties now, save yourself the grief.
Hopefully, these 2023-24 Fantasy Hockey Week 6 Waiver Wire plays are beneficial to you. Comment below if they're not!
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