Operator: “911 … what is your emergency?”
Caller: “I need some assistance – I am at risk of not making my fantasy hockey playoffs!”
Playing the “avoid the Covid” game. Is that what we are down to? Let’s hope not. Let me first say that it is no game to anyone or a loved one affected by the non-forgiving virus. Covid is nothing to joke about or downplay at all, and I only refer to it here in the sense of frustrated fantasy hockey coaches. I got home from work today only to find Colorado postponing games, after I just adjusted my roster for the news from Minnesota. It is indeed a challenge but I am keeping the scheduling advice up to date. Hang in there and let me do the research for you! No reason for both of us chew our nails waiting for all of this to make sense. On NHL.com they have an updated schedule with all the changes.
Taking calculated chances playing the waiver wire while watching favorable schedules can win leagues. Waiver wire considerations: (Ownership in Fantrax leagues)
| Forward | Team | Own | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Fiala | MIN | 87 | Dropped while suspended? Be the first to grab |
| Jordan Kyrou | STL | 73 | Scoring at a nice pace for Blues |
| Alex Killorn | TB | 53 | 4 games in week 5, TB one of seven teams with 4 |
| Philipp Kurashev | CHI | 17 | Worth a flyer, has a nose for the net |
| Josh Norris | OTT | 50 | 4 games in week 5 and 6, shown he can score |
| Defense | Team | Own | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Schultz | WAS | 52 | Coming back from injury, was hot when hurt |
| Alec Martinez | VEG | 44 | Getting hard to find an available top replacement |
| Jonas Brodin | MIN | 39 | Blueline thin with injuries to two top pairings |
| Duncan Keith | CHI | 66 | Heavily involved on special teams, gets assists |
| Goalies | Team | Own | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Allen | MON | 38 | Backup on one of the league’s best teams so far |
| Peter Mrazak | CAR | 82 | Dropped? Get and stash for March stretch run |
Schedule advantage for week 5:
Mon 2-8 thru Sun 2-14
- 4 games 7 teams: NYR, NAS, OTT, PHI, TB, VEG, WAS
- 2 games 4 teams: ANA, ARI, BUF, MIN
- 1 game 1 team: COL (All other teams 3 games)
Schedule advantage for Week 6:
Mon 2-15 thru Sun 2-21
- 4 games 16 teams: BUF, CAL, CAR, CHI, DET, EDM, FLA, NYI, NYR, NAS, NJ, OTT, TOR, VAN, WAS, WPG
- 2 games 4 teams: COL, MON, PHI, VEG (All other teams 3 games)
Schedules including all postponed and rescheduled games as of this Saturday posting
- I have not repeated anyone listed in the table above for the first 5 weeks of the season
- Best suggestions thus far: Toffoli and Byram advised in week 1, Devon Toews in week 2, Stuetzle in week 3, Gurianov, Hayes, Ty Smith in week 4 Exchange Rate.
Dave Schneider can be contacted by email at daveytrane1@yahoo.com Feedback welcome!