The fantasy hockey season is finally back! Granted you’ve already likely drafted your fantasy hockey squad for 2013; the season opened on Saturday. There are a few guys who made have made themselves surprisingly fantasy relevant based on just the first one or two games that made make a Week 1 waiver wire add necessary. We’ll explore them here:
- Tasasenko: Russian For "Scoring Goals Easily"
Vladimir Tarasenko (RW, Blues) The former first-round pick had a dazzling debut in his first game for the Blues. Owners tend to take notice when you score twice in your first NHL start and that’s exactly what Tasasenko did helping St. Louis defeat the Detroit Red Wings on the season opener. The young Russian has plenty of upside and word on the street is he could lead the Blues in scoring. He dominated the KHL at the tender age of 19; his defense is the only that could affect his playing time. A special player and he’s the hottest add right now in fantasy hockey. Get him.
Also scoring two goals (one on power play) in the Blues dominant shutout of the Red Wings was Chris Stewart (RW, Blues) on five shots Saturday night. Stewart reportedly dedicated his offseason to reconditioning thus increasing his speed on his skates, but time will tell. Of course, being on of the most prolific offense in the NHL means that being on the Blues third line is probably equivalent to most second lines in the NHL. He’s owned in 10% of standard leagues.
- Zajac Attack
A good bet for scoring could come in the form of talented but oft-injured Travis Zajac (C, Devils). Limited to a handful of games the last couple of years, he reminded us all of his talent and fantasy usefulness during the Devils Stanley Cup run in 2012. New Jersey seems to believe in him and you should too, even if he is only currently owned in 40% of standard leagues. Reason number one: he signed an 8-year, $46 million dollar contract with New Jersey in the offseason not to be on the second line. Reason number two: Although he’s without star Zach Parise (signed with Minnesota) he still lines up with marksman Ilya Kovalchuk. Fellow center Adam Henrique is still there so it bears monitoring early on.
- Jagr the Facilitator?
Jaromir Jagr (RW, Stars) Probably owned in most leagues) but add rate is jumping after yesterday’s opener. The grizzly veteran (aged 40) can still get it done and be fantasy relevant this year. He scored 4 points against Phoenix in Dallas’s opener; he scored only 19 goals and only 54 points as a Flyer all of last year. He has potential this season with center Jamie Benn and Loui Eriksson to get pack to a point average a game—something savvy fantasy owners will capitalize on. He will likely excel more as a facilitator then a pure goal scorer this year.
There may be some goaltender help for accidental auto-pick hockey victims, or real deep leagues in the form of Toronto’s Ben Scrivens (G, Maple Leafs) Owned in less than 5% of fantasy hockey standard leagues, Scrivens saved 21 shots in a scrappy 2-1 win against the Habs. He’ll face competition from struggling incumbent James Reimer but it’s a situation to monitor. Reimer isn’t too far removed from promising fantasy goalie himself and there are the trade rumors swirling with Roberto Luongo. It’s a deep situation to monitor but keep in mind Scrivens looked right at home in the crease, albeit against the offensively-challenged Canadiens.
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