Frozen Fantasy: Beyond the Wire

Let's face it – trading in Yahoo! leagues can be a tough slog. League settings get in the way. So do egos, for that matter. But that's another story. So active owners like you and me try to pan for gold on the waiver wire.

Why else would you read my article every week?

This season has been the first in a while where the wire has been this ugly. Maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but the wire really does seem thin. I don't know if it's because of a diluted player pool or more aggressive roster management by owners.

Maybe it's both.

Roster management has always been a critical success factor in most Yahoo! leagues. And most people oversimplify that to just mean waiver pickups. But trolling the wire means nothing if you run out of games later in the season.

Don't blow your wad too early.

I'm using the classic definition here, so get your mind out of the gutter. Only desperate gamblers put all their money on the table early in a game. Patient gamblers watch and wait, and play their hand about three moves ahead. So why not apply that patience to your fantasy roster?

It's harder than it sounds.

It's easy to get caught up in chasing the league leader. Or worse, looking over your shoulder all the time once you're sitting at the top. Some owners flat-out seem to ignore that little box in the lower left corner of their team page – you know, the one that shows your game projections.

There's a big risk to be sitting plus-six or seven in any position at this point. But it's potentially calamitous to be plus-10 or plus-13 about 30 games into the season. It's happening already in the Yahoo! Friends and Family League, and it's going to panic a few owners once they realize where they sit.

Who wants to be sitting on the sidelines with two weeks to play?

Don't be that guy. But if you have one or two of those in your league, then I say "fair game." Scare the living crap out of them by highlighting their plight. They're vulnerable. Go ahead and prey on them – they might trade you someone who can be a difference maker, simply because they've already used up too many games in that category.

Go for it. I will if you don't. Hey – I'll do it anyway. #ruthless.

Now let's take a look at who caught my eye this week.

Justin Braun, D, San Jose (6 percent Yahoo! owned): Cue the breakout! Cue the breakout! OK, I'll admit that's a bit sarcastic. But something is clearly happening on the left coast. Braun has four points in four games heading into action Saturday and 12 in 31 games this season – that's good enough for second in scoring from the Sharks' blue line. He's on a 30-point pace with a shot at 75 PIM and 100 each of blocked shots and hits. That kind of production can really help in the right format.

David Clarkson, RW, Toronto (4 percent Yahoo! owned): The return of Joffrey Lupul has given Toronto a fantastic third line (or second line, depending on how you look at it). And Clarkson is flourishing as the crease-smashing heavy on that line with Loops and Peter Holland. Clarkson has three points, a plus-five rating and six PIM in the three games heading into action against Detroit on Saturday. Hey – he's actually on pace for more than 20 goals and close to 100 PIM. It's not New Jersey production, but it's enough to help you in your last RW spot.

Kevin Connauton, D, Columbus (0 percent Yahoo! owned): Connauton is a power-play specialist who has bumped around just a little too much in his young career. Vancouver. Dallas. And now Columbus. And all by age 24. You and I both know that means people think there are holes in his even-strength game. But sometimes it's about fit, and he may have finally found his with the Jackets. The BJs have been hammered with injuries on the back end, so they snagged Connauton off waivers and immediately slotted him into their top four (with second PP unit duties, too). It's paid dividends – he has a goal in each of his first two games and he seems to have a decent fit alongside James Wisniewski. I'm a believer, so I dumped Justin Schultz to pick him up. Because unlike Schultz, Connauton might actually help my roster…

Jared Cowen, D, Ottawa (0 percent Yahoo! owned): Cowen was one of the guys who seemed to really suffer under the sarcastic moustache of Paul MacLean. His development had stalled, and he'd been a healthy scratch right before "the firing." But a funny thing happened in a walrus-free world – he scored a goal AND added an assist. He'll never be a huge scorer, but he can deliver 25 to 30 points and 200 hits if he develops the way he should. His newfound freedom could result in a blip in output. I'd take the chance.

Mike Fisher, C, Nashville (4 percent Yahoo! owned): Fish is back. This former 50-plus point man just returned from the IR after surgery in July to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon. We both know that's a tough surgery, but Mr. Underwood only has one gear. And that's full bore. He has four points in his last four games heading into play Saturday and it looks like he's really enjoying the Preds' new open style of play. He could provide you with a solid little boost in the short term.

Peter Holland, C, Toronto (1 percent Yahoo! owned): A month ago, I flagged Holland as a get-onboard type. Granted, he slipped into a bit of a funk just after that, so I won't poke at you for not snagging him then. But I will now. He is skating with David Clarkson and Joffrey Lupul, and this trio is electric. Holland has three points, including two goals, and a plus-four rating in the three games heading into Saturday. Best of all, his confidence is soaring. He's always had talent; he's just finally showing it. Roll the dice.

Barret Jackman, D, St. Louis (1 percent Yahoo! owned): Jackman used to play with a snarl and a loose screw that made guys scared to come down his side of the ice. He's mellowed a bit with age and lately, he has provided a stay-at-home safety net – but still with a bit of snarl – for the Blues' offensive-minded defenders. So that makes his recent outburst a bit confusing. He has a three-game, four-point, plus-seven streak flying into action this weekend and that certainly won't last. But he could provide some desperation production in the next few games, particularly if you've been hit with injuries. #lightninginabottle

Tomas Jurco, RW, Detroit (3 percent Yahoo! owned): This is purely a hunch, so bear with me for a second. Jurco has started skating with Gustav Nyquist and Henrik Zetterberg, so opportunity is knocking for the flashy winger. And Stephen Weiss' shoulder injury Friday night means Jurco's role in the top six should become even more important. Can he take advantage? He has the talent to thrive alongside elite linemates (remember those Saint John Sea Dogs?), so I'm willing to take a chance. Maybe he can bottle some lightning, too. Worst case, he's an easy dump.

Petr Mrazek, G, Detroit (2 percent Yahoo! owned): I've mentioned him this season, too, so I won't spend much time here. Other than to say he's finally cutting down his goals against, which is great for his team and his fantasy owners. He seems to be rolling every fourth or fifth game, and he's picking up wins (of course, it helps that the Wings are among the class of the East). I'd use him plug-and-play on one of those nights (like Saturday against the Leafs) and then send him right back to the wire. You won't need him again until he's cleared waivers and there's nothing better than blocking a fellow owner from owning him. It'll drive them nuts. While you're kicking their butts, of course.

Evgeni Nabokov, G, Tampa Bay (3 percent Yahoo! owned): Nabby's overall numbers are ugly, but that's most because of a three-game stretch – okay, 137 minutes to be precise – where he allowed 13 goals. That period was bookended by four games – two on each side – where he has allowed a measly five goals. Total. His last two have been particularly sharp with just two goals allowed over 125 minutes of work. Tampa is an elite team with an elite starter. But that doesn't mean Nabby can't help you on a matchups basis. Just don't expect wins, per se – his mates have only scored six goals in those four games I already mentioned. But ratios? He can sure do that for you.

Jiri Sekac, LW, Montreal (1 percent Yahoo! owned): Sekac was a rising star in the KHL last season – those sweet offensive skills made him the most-coveted foreign signing of the summer. Still, a star there is rarely a star here, so I ignored him to start the year, but I'm wondering now if I should change my tune. Sure, it's taken the slick-skating playmaker a while to get accustomed to the physicality of the NHL game. But now that he has, he has six points in eight games heading into the weekend, including four on his current three-game streak. That comes after delivering just six points in his first 16 contests. He and Tomas Plekanec seem to perform well together, so I'm taking the bait. He has 60-point upside (some day) if he can take advantage of his opportunities.

Mika Zibanejad, RW/C, Ottawa (8 percent Yahoo! owned): Zibanejad was on a three-game point streak when he flat-out exploded Sunday night with four points – two goals and two assists – in a win over the Orcas. This guy has the complete package – size, skill and smarts – but he has struggled to find consistency early in his career. New Sens coach Dave Cameron is a great young-player's coach, so I fully expect him to give the line of Zibanejad, Mike Hoffman and Bobby Ryan carte blanche to show him what they've got. It should be a fun few weeks at the very least. I trolled the wire for him, but someone else had already snapped him up in every one of my formats. Damn.

Back to blowing that wad.

Seriously – DO NOT be that guy. Save yourself the embarrassment. Don't run out of games. You never want a premature ending to anything good in life. Patience really is a virtue. And it might even bring you a fantasy title if you play those cards right.

By the way, Chag Hanukkah! There are so many wonderful holidays this month.

Until next week.