Before Week 16, consider these unrated waiver wire options

Yahoo Sports Special

Vacation is for relaxation. It can be a great way to get out of the grind and give you an emotional boost. Maybe flying to New Orleans to play in a three day Scrabble tournament wasn’t the best option to relieve stress.

As it turned out, I did not heed the advice of last week about staying alert to fantasy activity. I was focused solely on the lexical arts for the entire weekend and managed to avoid any acquisitions or lineups. My teams were left in disadvantageous situations, and I’m only now starting to recover.

The lesson is to not go anywhere. Ever. Keep your rosters performing at their best. If you have exhausted all internal checks and are considering trading, there are some free agents available.

(Rostered Rates as of Jan. 20, 2019)

Forward

Andre Burakovsky, SEA (Yahoo: 44%)

Burakovsky, Seattle’s seventh forward this season, is mentioned. It’s not surprising since the club is fourth in goals per match. After a career-high of 61%, Burakovsky signed a four year deal to go to the Emerald City. Burakovsky quickly produced with his new team, eventually accumulating 10 goals and 18 assists over the 30 first contests. And then — shock! — a six-game slump. But he’s back in form with 10 points — including three on the power play — since Jan. 5 while being paired with Matty Beniers.

Jason Zucker, PIT (Yahoo: 31%)

After scoring four points in the first four outings, Zucker was able to climb into this column. This would be followed soon by 11 points in 11. 32 shots, 30 hits and a few missteps. Zucker continues to play alongside Evgeni Malkin At even strength, and with the Penguins’ second man advantage. His recent accomplishments include four goals, two assists and 26 hits in the seven last games.

Calle Jarnkrok, TOR (Yahoo: 8%)

Jarnkrok has not been able to make it big in North America but he has been a consistent producer. Jarnkrok had a good season last year with the Kraken, but he was not expected to be offensively strong in Toronto. This prediction held for the first five-plus week with six points, but Jarnkrok struck the jackpot and moved up to a line joining John Tavares And Mitch Marner. Although he could be in serious trouble for a short-term injury, he has looked fantastic, scoring five goals and 10 assists over the last 18, and even contributing two PPPs to his backup group.

Conor Garland VAN, Yahoo: 8

Garland had a great start in Vancouver, scoring 52 points and taking 203 shots. After three goals, five assists and 19 shots in the first month, it seemed that the same trend was continuing this campaign. He would see a gradual decline in his scoring over the next 12 games, with only two assists. However, he still scored 23 goals during that period. Although logs from recent games show that Garland hasn’t been scoring much, his minutes are increasing and he’s back at the Canucks’ top man advantage while skating with Bo Horvat And J.T. Miller at five-on-five.

Juuso Parssinen, NSH (Yahoo: 6%)

Parsinen, like many others, enticed me after he scored five goals in his first four NHL games. After 12 scoreless outings, I felt it was time to put him back in the waiver pool. He’s been exceptional since that slump and has two goals, 11 assists and 25 hits in fifteen games. Parssinen, who was just moved down to third centre, has notched six PPPs with Nashville’s second unit. However, he is likely to be less productive at any strength.

Kirill Marchenko (CLS, Yahoo: 2%).

Remember last week, when I briefly mentioned Marchenko at the Gustav Nyquist section? He didn’t add any offense to the nine goals he’d already posted, though he got a minutes boost the last three games — including a place on the lead power play — while tallying 11 shots and four blocks. Marchenko is a talented player who has already scored a hat trick. Let’s see if he can get more opportunities.

Dylan Guenther ARI (Yahoo 2%)

Mason McTavishThe previous column featured Guenther again as the Canadian hero in the WJC summer edition. Five months have passed and Guenther has become the latest Canuck legend. He scored the gold medal-winning goal against Czechia. The ninth pick from 2021 made the Yotes’ roster in the fall and got off to a quick start with six points — four of those PPPs — in eight matchups. Guenther has seen his ice time increase since returning from the tournament. He’s now in the top six, plus his regular man-advantage duties.

Taylor Raddysh, CHI (Yahoo: 1%)

Raddysh was first presented to Raddysh on Dec. 2. He sat at one per cent. 49 days later, he’s at … one percent. This is a strange feat for someone who managed 12 points, 37 shots and 20 hits in seven weeks, while still working on Chicago’s top powerplay.

It’s not surprising that so many people are turning their backs on the non-stars of a team that ranks 31st in offense. C’mon, Raddysh scored a goal and helped with two assists on Saturday, and now he has the scoresheet in four consecutive games. I told him to give him a chance when he was last mentioned and I’m going back to that sentiment.

The Defensemen

John Klingberg (ANH, Yahoo 39%)

Anaheim signed Klingberg in the summer to an one-year contract. He had averaged 47 points over his eight years living in Dallas. The 30-year-old performed well enough in his first 13 games, with seven assists — including three PPAs — 19 shots, 11 hits and 16 blocks. The scoring dropped dramatically in the 19 following games, with four goals and no assists. This also covered a brief lower body injury, a plus-15, and a demotion from the second power play. The Ducks might still be struggling offensively, but Klingberg is showing signs of improvement with four points from his last seven games, including 15 shots and 10 hits as well as 11 blocks.

Brett Pesce, CAR (Yahoo: 12%)

Pesce only received one assist during the nine contests following their discussion in early December. Pesce would soon be credited with two PPAs, as well as a jump at the Canes’ lead-man advantage. Pesce’s last 12 games have seen him produce 10 points, 30 shots, and 16 blocks while playing just under 23 minutes. There is no one to debate Brent BurnsCarolina’s top-ranked blueliner is Pesce, but he’s doing enough to merit fantasy attention.

Samuel Girard (Yahoo: 11%)

Based on Girard’s consistent offensive record and the fact that Avalanche are among the top league attacks, Girard was the first to be featured at the beginning of the campaign. His output soon dropped, with just three assists in the 22 subsequent games. Girard, however, has found his groove and now scores seven points in 12 games. He also records 17 shots, 11 hits, and 17 blocks. You won’t get what he scores. Cale Makar Or even Devon Toews He is a strong addition to the team and can often achieve his goals.

Jake Walman (DET, Yahoo: 7.7%)

Some players are unable to do much for long periods of time, then suddenly become a star. Walman was out of the first 15 matchups after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. He then only played 16:54 per night in the 15 subsequent games. As he was performing well defensively more ice was given and this eventually led to a partnership. Moritz Seider. Walman went on to score four goals, two assists and 34 shots. He also had 12 PIM, 16 hits, and 32 blocks. This was highlighted by an OT win in Pittsburgh and a PPA against Toronto while he was playing with Detroit’s first team.

Goaltenders

Pavel Francouz COL (Yahoo 41%)

Francouz has had a series of injuries that have hampered his performance, but he still managed to post a 2.48 GAA record and a career.920 save percentage. Francouz won back-toback appearances, before he was sidelined for four weeks due to a lower-body injury. Francouz was back last Thursday, and he won the nod in three consecutive appearances. He also picked up two wins and shut out Ottawa. Alexandar Georgiev Colorado’s No. He is currently Colorado’s No. 1 player, but has been inconsistent since Dec. 27, posting an average 3.69/.890. Francouz is now free to continue his run and earn more starts.

Alex Lyon, FLA. (Yahoo 2%)

Spencer Knight This has been out for more than a week. Sergei Bobrovsky left Thursday’s contest early with a lower-body issue, which forced Lyon — with all of 24 NHL appearances over five seasons coming in — to step up and stop 23 of 25 Montreal shots. Lyon, with Knight still out of action and no information on the extent of Bobrovsky’s injury, should be able to at least provide fantasy value behind a Panthers offense that has recently scored many goals.

From past columns, players to consider: Logan Couture. Martin Necas. Dylan Cozens. Joel Eriksson Ek. Jeff Skinner. Phillip Danault. Phillip Danault. Phillip Daniers. Phillip Danault. Phillip Strome. David Krejci. Trevor Moore. Nick Schmaltz. Max Domi. Mason McTavish. Lucas Raymond. Alex Iafallo. Brock Boeser. J.T. Compher, Owen Tippett, Jared McCann, Conor Sheary, Jack Roslovic, Brandon Hagel, Gabriel Vilardi, Sam Steel, Jordan Eberle, William Karlsson, James van Riemsdyk, Viktor Arvidsson, Eeli Tolvanen, Jason Zucker, Nick Paul, Seth Jarvis, Tyler Bertuzzi, Seth Jones, Brandon Montour, Shayne Gostisbehere, Jake Sanderson, Noah Hanifin, Cam Fowler, Ty Smith, Sean Durzi, Vince Dunn, Adam Boqvist, Janis Moser, Justin Schultz, Erik Gustafsson, Calen Addison, K’Andre Miller, Vitek Vanecek, Martin Jones, Charlie Lindgren, James Reimer, Karel Vejmelka, Antti Raanta, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Stuart Skinner, Pheonix Copley, Samuel Ersson, Craig Anderson, Casey DeSmith