Fantasy Hockey Sleepers - Pick 'em up!

The Hockey Counselor is IN:

First off hello! This is my first post at FSC and I'm mighty proud to be here!

We're a few weeks into the NHL season now and there have been plenty of injuries within the past week or so that may or may not have ravaged your starting line up and now you're dealing with the fact you have to plug those holes for the next 4-6 weeks or whatever the case may be. I'm here to help you with that, this will be a weekly article giving the reader some options on possible waiver wire pick ups that are available in most leagues:

Forwards:

Brooks Laich (Washington - C) - the little known Laich has been benefiting from playing with Alexander Ovechkin and others on the Capitals potent power play. Laich has 9 points so far this season (4 goals, 5 assists) mostly coming from playing in front of the net and putting in rebounds on the power play. He's a great 3rd or 4th center to have on your squad, he'll put the puck in the net and get you some power play points at the same time. He's available in 35% of Yahoo! leagues, and he's definitely worth a pick up
Andrew Brunette (Minnesota - LW) - Although the Wild are struggling so far this year, especially on the road where they are 0-8-0, Brunette already has 10 points with 7 goals and 3 assists. He's had 50+ point years each of the past two seasons on mediocre teams, he'll be a go to guy if he can keep up this pace in Minnesota. If you can overlook the fact that so far he is a -7, he will help you in the goal category without a doubt and is available in a staggering 75% of Yahoo! Leagues!!!

Ales Kotalik (New York Rangers - RW) - The newly acquired New York Ranger Kotalik has been putting up impressive numbers playing along side of Vinny Prospal and Marian Gaborik on the power play, he has 5 goals and 7 assists along side an incredible 9 power play points that will definitely put you over the top in a close matchup. While he's not the go to guy on the power play, he's turning into an assist machine thus far. He's available in 40% of Yahoo! leagues so go check him out, he's definitely worth a look!

Defensemen:

Alex Goligoski (Pittsburgh - D) - With the loss of star defensemen Sergei Gonchar on the blue line, the Penguins have turned to a little known second year player in Goligoski to run their potent power play. He already has 9 points this year (3 goals, 6 assists) and looks to add a ton more just by being on the ice when Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby do their thing. He has a great first pass out of his defensive zone which also should prove for some more assists. I think he'll get a bunch more goals in the coming games because the opposing teams won't respect him like they would Sergei Gonchar with a slap shot from the point. He is available in 40% of Yahoo! Leagues, so definitely check him out, he is a must have!

Jason Demers (San Jose - D) - While Demers doesn't see much Power Play time with the sharks, he's still accumulated 8 assists thus far throughout the season, which is a ton for a guy that has no power play points so far. He's benefiting from being on the ice with guys like Dany Heatley and Joe Thornton. Although he doesn't offer much in other categories (6 PIM's, only 10 shots) he does have a +5 rating and is definitely worth looking into particularly in deeper leagues. He's only owned in 25% of all Yahoo! Leagues so its very likely he's available.

Goaltenders:

Jonathan Quick (Los Angeles - G) Quick has an impressive 8 wins so far this season, especially because he's been seeing competition from fellow Kings' goaltender Erik Ersberg. Have no fear though, Quick is the clear cut number 1 in LA now, and with a 2.91 Goals Against Average, he's definitely a solid number 3 goaltender pick up.

Jaroslav Halak (Montreal - G) Although entrenched in a goaltending battle in Montreal, Halak has started the past 4 games for the Canadiens and they've been winning with him in net. Carey Price may have checked out in Montreal, and Halak is a perfect handcuff for anyone with Price. Halak has a 2.28 Goals Against Average and a .910 Save Percentage, which makes him a very viable option, especially if you have Carey Price

Thanks for reading everyone, check back next week with a whole new batch of fantasy sleepers, and until then stop by FSC for all the fantasy football help you can ever want from Larry Bud!!



The Hockey Counselor is OUT: