Fantasy Hockey: Playoff Waiver Wire
The fantasy hockey playoffs are right around the corner, and now is the perfect time to make some last-second roster changes.
Nick Schmaltz, Alex Killorn, Ben Chiarot and Karel Vejmelka are among the players you should target for your playoff run.
Let’s dive into these players you should add as you prepare to pursue a fantasy hockey championship.
Nick Schmaltz, F, Arizona Coyotes
Nick Schmaltz proved this season that last year’s 23-goal, 59-point campaign was no fluke.
Through 50 games, Schmaltz has 21 goals and 25 assists which is good enough to make him the Coyotes' second-leading scorer.
Schmaltz also blocks a surprising amount of shots averaging 0.5 blocked shots per game.
Schmaltz does struggle with injuries and has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury.
But when healthy, Schmaltz averages 1.9 fantasy per game, making him an excellent addition to rosters that have already secured their spot in the playoffs.
Alex Killorn, F, Tampa Bay Lightning
On a team full of stars, Alex Killorn’s fantastic 2022-23 season has been lost in the shuffle. But in fantasy hockey, you don’t need star power; you need production.
Killorn has 21 goals and 31 assists on the year while being on pace to break career highs in both categories. He can also provide some points in defensive categories, as he has 26 blocks and 49 hits on the year.
Killorn is only rostered in 44.7 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues despite averaging 1.6 fantasy points per game. If you are looking for a productive forward for your playoff run, consider Killorn.
Ben Chiarot, D, Detroit Red Wings
After signing a four-year $19-million contract this offseason with the Red Wings, Ben Chiarot has proved he belongs on a top-four defensive pair.
Chiarot is typically viewed as a defensive defenseman, but he has added some offensive production this year. Through 67 games, the Hamilton, Ontario, native has five goals and 13 assists.
On the defensive side, Chiarot has been insanely productive, with 151 blocked shots and 136 hits.
Chiarot has a safe floor as most of his production relies on defensive stats, but his ability to get his name on the scoresheet while averaging 1.8 fantasy points a game makes him a must-add to any team's defensive core.
Karel Vejmelka, G, Arizona Coyotes
Goalies are tricky because you need volume and wins to be productive in fantasy hockey. This often leads to highly effective goalies remaining un-rostered. Karel Vejmelka falls into this category, as he is rostered in just 15.8% of ESPN leagues.
The Arizona Coyotes goalie is the 12th-ranked goalie in fantasy hockey despite a stat line of 18 wins, 3.36 goals against average and a .903 save percentage.
The reason behind Vejmelka’s success: volume. The Coyotes have allowed 2,445 shots this season which is second in the entire league.
Vejmelka’s shot volume alone makes him an excellent addition to your goalie room for your playoff run.
Ben Palillo is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email bgp5079@psu.edu.
