This article is part of our NHL Waiver Wire series.
Even with the 2016-17 season still in its infancy, it's never too early to tweak your roster and seek out short-term upgrades that could turn into season-long success stories.
There are typically two approaches to early-season adds and drops. Some owners wait for free agents to "prove it" and remain patient with their late-round picks off to a slow start. But winning owners pounce on impact talents immediately and cut their weakest link, especially when the free agent is being deployed in favorable offensive situations and surrounded with their team's best players.
Stepping back, 44 players scored over 60 points last season, so you're unlikely to unearth many top-50 scorers from your waiver wire. However, there were 124 players who finished between 40 and 59 points last year. Many of these skaters are interchangeable, and depending on your league's settings, you will want to be consistently tinkering with one or two roster spots to maximize your lineup nightly.
Riding the hot hand and keeping track of your skaters' role with their own team can enable you to garner a top-50 return out of a roster spot even though you never once had a player of that caliber slotted in. Additionally, in leagues where you're attempting to fill out multiple categories, being active on the wire allows you to mix and match to fit the needs of your team over the long haul and in weekly head-to-head setups.
As long as you don't have tight transaction limits, the waiver wire should
Even with the 2016-17 season still in its infancy, it's never too early to tweak your roster and seek out short-term upgrades that could turn into season-long success stories.
There are typically two approaches to early-season adds and drops. Some owners wait for free agents to "prove it" and remain patient with their late-round picks off to a slow start. But winning owners pounce on impact talents immediately and cut their weakest link, especially when the free agent is being deployed in favorable offensive situations and surrounded with their team's best players.
Stepping back, 44 players scored over 60 points last season, so you're unlikely to unearth many top-50 scorers from your waiver wire. However, there were 124 players who finished between 40 and 59 points last year. Many of these skaters are interchangeable, and depending on your league's settings, you will want to be consistently tinkering with one or two roster spots to maximize your lineup nightly.
Riding the hot hand and keeping track of your skaters' role with their own team can enable you to garner a top-50 return out of a roster spot even though you never once had a player of that caliber slotted in. Additionally, in leagues where you're attempting to fill out multiple categories, being active on the wire allows you to mix and match to fit the needs of your team over the long haul and in weekly head-to-head setups.
As long as you don't have tight transaction limits, the waiver wire should be viewed as an extension of your bench. If you don't become enamored with replacement-level talents, and instead view them as the fantasy commodities they are, you'll be able to roster the most competitive lineup possible most nights. And you might even grab one of those top-50 scorers in the process.
With that in mind, here are a number of players of interest who may be available in some, many and most leagues:
There has never been a question of talent with David Pastrnak, but he hasn't always been provided with the best opportunities to succeed through his first two seasons with the Bruins. However, the third-year winger has been handed a top-line gig with a role on the No. 1 power-play unit to start the season, and he's scored three goals and added a pair of assists.
Jonathan Marchessault has exploded out of the gate with two goals and two assists, and he's playing with Aleksander Barkov and Jaromir Jagr on the top line. Marchessault has a track record of offense, too. He posted 263 points through 306 games in the AHL.
The Big Apple has been tasty for Mika Zibanejad through the first two games of the season. The 23-year-old center has a goal and three assists to start the campaign, and he's coming off a 51-point showing last year – which was the third consecutive season he increased his point total.
After recording six shots and looking dangerous on Opening Night, Mitch Marner scored his first career goal Saturday. The rookie is up to 10 shots on net for the season and is playing a significant role alongside veterans James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak. Marner is an elite talent who might skip the adjustment period most rookies endure at the highest level.
Travis Konecny picked up his third assist of the season Saturday and also saw a slight boost in ice time. He was arguably the fastest rising prospect over the past year, and his early success in the point column not only helps solidify Philadelphia's top-six group but affirms Konecny's fantasy value. The rookie's six shots through two games also warrants mention as another sign he's moving the offensive needle.
William Nylander scored 11 points over the final 12 games last season and has settled in with Auston Matthews at even strength to start the 2016-17 campaign. Along with Zach Hyman, the trio has looked strong, and Nylander already has a pair of assists and six shots on net to start the year. The 21-year-old Swede also received an encouraging 3:48 of power-play time Saturday.
While you're not chasing much upside with Alex Killorn, he's a high-floor asset locked into a top-six gig. He has two goals and a helper already this season and is currently providing some sandpaper alongside Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov at even strength. A career year isn't out of the question for Killorn.
Career trajectory points to a true breakout showing for Charlie Coyle. He's started the season on the top line with Eric Staal and Zach Parise, and the youngest member of the trio has responded with a goal and an assist through the first two games. There is also upside for Coyle to top his career-high 21 goals from the 2015-16 campaign.
After blocking 694 shots over the previous three seasons, it's almost comical to see Kris Russell sitting with three assists and just three blocked shots through his first two games of the season. The 10-year veteran is a far better fantasy asset than real-world player, as he paces the league in blocked shots by a large margin over the previously mentioned three-year span. However, he's also a capable offensive contributor who can pad the point column when provided with power-play opportunities.
Zach Werenski has played over 20 minutes in each of the first two games of his career, and has a goal, an assist and nine shots on net. There is a legitimate plus/minus risk, but if you can stomach it, Werenski could prove to be a year-long asset.
Connor Hellebuyck will emerge as the No. 1 goalie in Winnipeg sooner than later, if he hasn't already. There are likely to be some peaks and valleys throughout the season, especially because the Central Division might be the toughest in the league. However, he's backstopping a high-powered offense and mediocre defense, so his save percentage and wins should be plus-categories.
James Reimer is scheduled to start against the Lightning on Tuesday, which isn't exactly an ideal matchup, but it proves he's not going to be a typical backup goalie. Reimer has been at his best in a supporting role and is coming off a strong campaign with a .922 save percentage. Perhaps you'll want to keep him on your bench Tuesday, but he's going to receive enough starts over the course of the season to warrant a roster spot, and Florida is a playoff team.
