FanPost

Fantasy Hockey Roundup: Waiver wire, buy low/sell high candidates

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

I've noticed that the site lacks fantasy hockey coverage, so I've decided to hopefully fill the gap and write an article to help. I'll make this a weekly thing if people want. Anyways, here are some guys you should look to add to your roster:

ADD HIM

Jean-Sebastian Giguere (Owned in 56% of Yahoo Leagues) - With the recent arrest of Varlamov, Giguere figures to potentially take the starting spot in the near future. Giguere already has sparkling stats to the tune of a .67 GAA, .981 SV%, and 2 shutouts. Expect these numbers to regress, but if Giguere can get the starting gig he should figure to be a solid bet on a surprisingly good Avalanche team.

Patrick Maroon (Owned in 3% of Yahoo Leagues) - Maroon figures to be in one of the best situations in hockey right now as the left winger for Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. As a result, Maroon should be an add in deep leagues as he should be able to generate some solid numbers just by virtue of playing with such great players. He's got 2 goals in his last 2 games and is seeing time on the PP with Perry and Getzlaf as well. Dustin Penner is coming back from injury and was the top line option before he hit the IR, so if he regains his place and Maroon falls in the depth chart react accordingly.

Jason Demers (Owned in 11% of Yahoo Leagues) - Demers is the top line PP replacement for Dan Boyle, and so long as Boyle is on the IR with a concussion Demers figures to see some significant PP time. Don't expect earth-shattering numbers, but if injuries are plaguing you Demers should be a suitable replacement for a few weeks until Boyle comes back.

Kyle Okposo (Owned in 62% of Yahoo Leagues) - If Okposo is still available in your league grab him now. The player who should benefit from the Vanek trade the most, Okposo becomes a key component on one of hockey's most potent lines. He is already the 21st most productive fantasy player in the last two weeks since moving to Tavares line, and should only see that number increase. He sees a lot of offensive zone faceoffs alongside Tavares, and is a must add in any format.

Carl Hagelin (Owned in 11% of Yahoo Leagues) - The Rangers are not good this year, but don't give up on the Blueshirts just yet. The Rangers began the season on a prolonged, month long road-trip that has now passed, and the Rangers should begin to play better after a very tough October. The Rangers have also been decimated with injury so far, with Nash, Callahan , and Moore all missing extended periods of time. Carl Hagelin was injured, but he is back now and should provide an instant boost to the Rangers anemic offense so far. Playing on the first line with Brad Richards, the speedy winger could see heavy minutes and be put in situations where he should succeed. Keep track of his play in standard leagues, but if you're in a deep league it might be a good idea to get a jump on everyone and take a risk that could pay immediate dividends.

Alex Goligoski (Owned in 38% of Yahoo Leagues) - Goligoski may be one of the unluckiest players in the league right now. His stat line is terrible, which means its time for you to strike while his stock is low. He has a 1.33 team SH% at even strength (one of the lowest numbers in the league) that is bound to jump up, and currently has an on-ice SV% of .849. In short, he is terribly unlucky. Goligoski gets starts a good number of his shifts in the offensive zone and sees first line PP minutes. Historically, he is an above average offensive defenseman. Get him now while you can.

Josh Harding (Owned in 53% of Yahoo Leagues) - Harding is injured now, so keep that in mind, but he has been fantastic so far this season. He has 5 wins, a 1.00 GAA and a .953 SV% and plays on a dominant Minnesota team that controls play and will be one of the top teams in the league this year. Niklas Backstrom hasn't been strong since coming back from an injury of his own, and so Harding could be poised to take the starting job and run with it this year. Stash him on your bench and play him when he's expected to start.

BUY LOW

Claude Giroux - Simply put, Giroux is too good to continue playing this poorly. He has been a point a game player for the last three seasons (0.93 in 2010/2011, so close enough) and has been one of the best players in the NHL over this time. He hasn't scored yet, but he will. I do have to point out that it is troubling that he is shooting less this season, but he should bump that up and still be good for 25 goals and 35 assists. If you can get him right now without giving up a lot, do it.

Niklas Backstrom - I know I just told you to pick up Harding, but hear me out. Minnesota is poised to be one of the leagues best teams this year, and currently boast the league's second best shot attempt differential in the league (or Corsi, as it is otherwise known). Because the goalie situation is unclear, you should be able to get Backstrom on the low, and if you can grab both him and Harding you will have a very good goalie situation going forwards.

Thomas Vanek - Vanek moves from flanking Cody Hodgson to being John Tavares' new right-hand man. Vanek was toiling on a terrible Sabres squad that has a bottom 5 offense and now moves to a line with one of the best offensive players in the game. Look for his game to skyrocket and look to reap the benefits in the near future.

Patrice Bergeron - Bergeron is the ultimate buy low candidate right now. He has one of the highest Corsi figures in the league (24.9 Corsi) which means that his offensive game is trending in the right direction. If there was one player that a hot-streak was going to hit it would be Bergeron, and his typical assist totals will come. Factor in that he wants to play well to show the Team Canada brass he should be on the team again for the Olympics, and a big turnaround should happen for Bergeron.

Brad Marchand - In similar fashion to Bergeron, Marchand should see a significant uptick in his offensive play in the coming future. He is currently shooting at 7.1% (career 15%) mark and also sports a low team shooting% mark (6.45). Marchand's luck should turn as he is on a very talented Boston team, and he should regain his preseason projections. Buy low on him right now before the hot streak starts.

Sell High

Matt Moulson - Much for the same reason as you would buy Vanek, Moulson's stock takes a huge hit by leaving Tavares' side. Don't let the 2 goals in his first game fool you, Moulson's play was largely driven by Tavares, and losing him will be a big blow. Sell while his stock is still high.

Ryan Miller - Buffalo is terrible this year, and while Miller hasn't had bad periphery numbers I do not think that he can be even remotely successful in Buffalo. His name has been in trade rumors recently, but I think its more likely to see him moved near the trade deadline than it is now. He should still garner interest because of his name alone, so if you can trade him, do it.

Jiri Hudler - If you didn't already know, Jiri Hudler is on a torrid pace to begin the year, with 5 goals and 8 assists. This is the best it will ever get for Hudler, and if you can sell high on him now (perhaps in a package for a player listed above) do it. He won't keep this pace up, so sell now if you can.

If you have any questions or need any advice, post it in the comments below and I'll try to help you as best I can.