The New York Rangers have grasped Peter Laviolette's 1-3-1 defensive system, sitting atop their division near the quarter point of the season. The Ottawa Senators, who I expected to enter the contender arena, are sixth in the Atlantic. The Vancouver Canucks under Rick Tocchet are cruising and the Golden Knights look primed for a title defense. With three-quarters of a season left, let's take a look at my 2023-24 Fantasy Hockey Week 7 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 Nashville Predators and Edmonton Oilers are the prime team plays with four games including two 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 7 Waiver Wire
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Gustav Nyquist, LW, Nashville Predators (2% owned)
The Swedish winger has a solid case for being the most forgotten fantasy depth scorer around. Last campaign was a mulligan for him as he was dealing with a long-term injury alongside a trade to Minnesota at the deadline.
In his first season in Tennessee, he's back to being the reliable scorer you can count on for anywhere from 40 to upwards of 60 points if all the chips fall in his favor. Playing on line one at even strength as well as PP1 is the best chance for the right chip fall.
Ilya Mikheyev, LW/RW, Vancouver Canucks (14% owned)
The 29-year-old Russian has always displayed the ability to score points at a decent clip. A cap casualty in Toronto, he now finds himself in year two playing for the British Columbian franchise.
Although his career to this point in time has been mired by injury, anyone riding shotgun with wunderkind Elias Pettersson should thrive. And thrive he has, with 10 points through 14 games so far. The Canucks have been a force to start the season.
With their top pivot in a three-way tie with JT Miller and Quinn Hughes leading the league in scoring, expect the Omsk native to cipher points off him.
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Connor Brown, RW, Edmonton Oilers (4% owned)
Connor McDavid exposure is back on under newly minted coach, Chris Knoblauch. Edmonton's new bench boss was at the helm of the Erie Otters when the duo abused the OHL. I'm thinking the leash will be longer under him for this to work.
This is a pure speculation add since he's scored zero points so far. The Oilers may be rounding into form now though, winners of three of their last four. Get in on the ground floor.
James van Riemsdyk, LW, Boston Bruins (13% owned)
Boston is the fountain of youth. With diminishing point totals year over year at the end of his Philadelphia tenure, the University of New Hampshire alum is operating at 0.75 points per game.
A franchise everyone was calling for the demise of this offseason just keeps rolling. Boston uses JVR on the primary powerplay and rightfully so as he is still one of the best net front presences in the league. Don't expect a 70-point season but I won't be shocked when he hits the 50-point plateau.
Drops
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Hampus Lindholm, D, Boston Bruins
His shortcomings make it all the more impressive how well the Bruins are doing. Coming off a career year with 53 points he has disappeared on the score sheet in 2023-24.
Charlie McAvoy at 100% certainly plays a hand in this but you didn't draft the Swedish blueliner as high as you did for four points so far. Devoid of strong peripherals, he's a waste of roster space.
Josh Anderson, RW, Montreal Canadiens
I said Rickard Rakell was the most frustrating winger to own in fantasy last week and this guy is a very close second. I myself have fallen under his tantalizing spell in several off-season drafts. Time and time again he leaves you holding the bags.
An insane physical specimen as far as his speed-to-size ratio a la Alex Tuch, but the inability to stay healthy for a full season ruined potential stardom. With only two points despite top powerplay deployment, it's time to move on.
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Jonathan Huberdeau, C/LW, Calgary Flames
He must hate Canada despite being from there originally. After years in the Florida sunshine, his body is no longer acclimated to freezing cold and overcast skies.
Anything and everything besides hockey I will use to explain this catastrophic fall from grace. Someone who posted 85 assists in one season two years ago just can't have that level of talent disappear at the age of 30.
It's not to say he's been completely useless but the points pace is far beneath what it was in the States. Attempt to trade him netting anything decent you can.
Hopefully, these 2023-24 Fantasy Hockey Week 7 Waiver Wire plays are beneficial to you. Comment below if they're not!
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