All posts by Evan Berofsky

Hockey News

Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Sean Monahan returns to the ice

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Sean Monahan #23 of the Columbus Blue Jackets
PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 7: Sean Monahan has returned, so fantasy hockey managers should jump to add hi. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)
Joe Sargent via Getty Images

Anyone who's reading this is either participating in the fantasy hockey playoffs, looking ahead to next season, in a roto format or just plain bored (or interested!).

And if you're still part of that first group, the following player suggestions may come in handy on your quest to cash in.

(Rostered rates as of Mar. 28)

Forwards

It was a shame when Monahan suffered a wrist injury in January as he had been one of the Blue Jackets' driving forces the first half of the season with 41 points in as many games. He returned on Monday after missing more than two months, and didn't look out of place as he notched two assists, a shot, three hits, and 11 face-off wins on 18:51 as the No. 1 center in all scoring situations. Get Monahan before others realize he's back. 

The post-Steven Stamkos era in Tampa has benefited Cirelli, as he's well past his career-high in points (at 52, seven more than 2023-24's peak) and occasionally gets looks on the first power play on top of a lead shorthanded role. And he's been especially productive the last seven contests with six goals on 18 shots alongside an assist and 51 FW. Cirelli may be limited in Yahoo by only qualifying at C, though is well-positioned within the Bolts' lineup where he can post plenty of counting stats.

Sherwood had quite the night for himself on Wednesday as he accumulated two goals, an assist, four shots, a plus-3, four hits and a block. He's surpassed his personal-best with 32 points, but is probably more recognized in fantasy circles for having already obliterated Jeremy Lauzon's hits record of 383 from last year at 404 with 10 matchups remaining. Combine all that with a secondary PP spot and the flexibility to fit anywhere allows Sherwood to be a reliable fantasy player.

Injuries and inconsistency have hurt Karlsson's output to where he's averaging just 0.5 points per game, a mark he's only previously hovered around once (39 in 67 during 2021-22) since joining the Golden Knights. From the four contests since he returned from an extended lower-body absence, he's chipped in with three helpers – two of those PPAs – eight shots, three hits and three blocks. And with Tomas Hertl out, Karlsson has ascended to the lead man-advantage. Even as Vegas's third even-strength center, anywhere in their top-nine is fine. Add Karlsson and then monitor the situation to see what happens when Hertl slots back into the lineup.

The Bruins lost some talent this season, yet there are a few serviceable forwards remaining. Geekie is enjoying another solid campaign firmly entrenched in the top-six and first power play with 26 goals, 15 assists, 132 shots and 95 hits. He's also found the back of the net four times through five outings to go with a PPA, 10 shots and five hits. Boston probably isn't making the playoffs, but Geekie will be motivated to do well as his contract expires this summer.

It's only been 35 days since Kuzmenko originally appeared in this column, and there's good reason for a repeat. The much-moved winger never really meshed with Calgary or Philly, so going to LA wasn't expected to result in anything different. He was scoreless across the opening seven outings, but it was at least promising to be part of the first line and PP. Things finally clicked with him Saturday with a goal and a PPA, another marker on two shots Sunday and a second PPA Tuesday. As long as Kuzmenko sticks within the upper three units or doesn't get scratched/hurt, he'll be okay.

Bertuzzi has always been skilled around the net with a knack for power-play production, which has been displayed this year in the form of his 20th goal on Wednesday and 18 PPPs. He now resides in the lower half of the depth chart, though he's managed seven points from the last five matchups and still joins forces with Connor Bedard while up a man (four of those seven coming there). As someone who can score and direct a fair share of pucks on target, Bertuzzi makes for a decent mid-roster addition.

Hockey fans love an underdog story, and there's probably no bigger relevant example than McMann, as he toiled in the minors before receiving his first real NHL stint with the Leafs during 2023-24. The 28-year-old has skated with various teammates, including working the last week or so at five-on-five beside John Tavares and William Nylander. This has led to a pair of goal-plus-assist performances to go with six shots and five hits. McMann could eventually end up in a less favorable arrangement. But until then, he's at least worth a flyer.

Defensemen

When the Isles brought DeAngelo aboard in January, it was assumed his fantasy value would drop off once Noah Dobson returned from injury. And even though he'd miss the scoresheet during Dobson's first four games, he's gone off for nine points, 21 shots and 10 blocks over the last 10. The duo has even coexisted on the top power play of late, including combining for a goal there last Thursday. With this type of production and a 23-plus minute average across this run, DeAngelo needs to be on more rosters.

Samberg is a tricky fantasy commodity as he's solid in secondary stats while not being a traditional scorer, yet almost any Winnipeg blueliner can be considered simply by being on the ice within a top-three attack. He's certainly made a case the last three weeks by registering two goals and four assists in addition to having 20 shots and 24 blocks on 22:20 a night. Samberg is more of a short-term option with the potential for longer usage if he can keep picking up a passable amount of offense.

Broberg was first featured here right after starting the season with nine points across 11 appearances and immediately before being sidelined for nearly a month. The scoring hasn't continued to be prolific, though you may have noticed his goal and three assists on Tuesday — or the six total points over the last five supplemented by eight shots, six PIM, eight blocks and a plus-8. Broberg assumes a significant workload and offers enough potential to warrant more coverage.

It looks like Pettersson just needed a few contests to get used to his new surroundings after coming over from Pittsburgh at the end of January, as since then, he's supplied an assist from seven of 13 along with 12 shots, 12 hits and 33 blocks. He may not skate next to Quinn Hughes (or regular partner Kris Letang while on the Pens) and lacks man-advantage duty, but he's still a reliable cross-category contributor. Let's get Pettersson into double-digits.

Goaltenders

Since Jacob Markstrom returned, he's gone 2-5-1 with a 3.87 GAA and .847 save percentage. During that same stretch, Allen has posted a 3-1 record alongside a 1.77/.943 line. There's no questioning Markstrom's status as Jersey's No. 1, though their prized offseason acquisition shouldn't be pushed heading into the playoffs as the club is pretty much locked in as the Metropolitan Division's third seed. And that would leave more opportunities for Allen to produce solid fantasy numbers behind a decent attack and a defense that's top-10 at suppressing shots.

Going for Gibson comes with its drawbacks, the main one being his extensive injury history having come back last week from another physical setback. But let's consider Lukas Dostal has been erratic in 2025 while only winning two of his last eight appearances to go with a 3.55 GAA and .886 save percentage. Gibson has earned victories in both of his recent starts, though neither the Preds nor Bruins could be considered offensive juggernauts. And the Ducks rank last for allowing pucks on net, so any of their goalies represent risky recommendations. The team isn't going anywhere this season and Dostal clearly represents the future, but they may want to use Gibson more the rest of the way to showcase him for a possible summer trade.

Hockey News

Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Ride the Jordan Eberle hot streak

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Jordan Eberle #7 of the Seattle Kraken
Jordan Eberle is under-rostered, which doesn't reflect his recent production. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Steph Chambers via Getty Images

The fantasy hockey playoffs will soon be here. So if you're looking to strengthen your squads for the important part of the season, we've got a few NHLers who can be of service.

(Rostered rates as of Mar. 21)

Forwards

DeBrusk may not be the most consistent scorer, but he's sufficiently involved in all attacking situations. The top-six spot is nice, but his biggest draw comes from skating on Vancouver's top power play having already set a career-high with 16 PPPs. DeBrusk averages two shots per game while delivering a decent amount of hits and a few blocks, though you're ultimately picking him up for his offense.

The Wild have lost a few notable forwards, resulting in only 36 goals since the start of February — or an average of 2.31. Since missing eight contests due to suspension, Hartman has helped the cause by posting 3 goals, 3 assists, 23 shots and 8 hits through eight games. Oh, and let's not forget the four PPPs on Minnesota's lead unit over that stretch. As Joel Eriksson Ek's return is unknown and Marco Rossi just got hurt on Wednesday, Hartman should be given plenty of opportunities to log major minutes at center while enhancing his stats.

Carlsson experienced a couple offensive droughts after coming back from injury, though he's been on fire since Feb. 2 with 17 points over 18 matchups. As a top-six pivot and point man on Anaheim's top man-advantage, there's no shortage of offensive opportunities. Carlsson's shooting percentage during this latest run may be unsustainable (28.0), yet the overall contributions make him a solid fantasy performer who deserves much more coverage.

It's mainly been a lost season for Eberle thanks to him being out for nearly three months. Nothing came during the first three outings upon returning, but he's reeled off two goals and eight assists from the last 10, and the team has found the back of the net 35 times (and that includes getting blanked on Wednesday). The Kraken may not have much to play for, as they're somewhat behind in the playoff hunt and one of the teams on a league-leading 70 games, though a reliable scorer like Eberle still can boost his offensive numbers the rest of the way. 

Mittelstadt kicked off the campaign with 16 points in 15 appearances, with half of that scoring on Colorado's elite power play. His stats ultimately took a hit when other forwards returned, as he got knocked down to the backup group. Mittelstadt was moved to Boston at the NHL Trade Deadline with Charlie Coyle the main part of the package going the other way. And now he's teaming up with David Pastrnak and company on the Bruins' first PP while recording a goal, two assists, six shots, five blocks and 34 faceoff wins on a 17:21 average.

Carolina marks Hall's sixth organization across six seasons as one of the lesser-remembered pieces of the blockbuster that saw Mikko Rantanen (Step 1 of 2) and Martin Necas swap locations. The former MVP may be 33, but he still has enough to offer. And the Canes have finally recognized Hall's strength by placing him on the top power play, where he managed his first PPP since New Year's Eve on Saturday. Things are also gelling elsewhere as he's combined for six points and 13 shots through the last two weeks. So all I am saying is give Hall a chance.

Coronato may have only registered four goals and an assist during the last 14 contests, yet he's been busy by firing 29 shots on nearly 18 minutes per outing. He's also notched PPGs in each of his last two. As Coronato has been entrusted with substantial ice time and favorable positioning throughout the season, his output is bound to improve.

Linemates can help in fantasy, and Perron is currently surrounded by two pretty good ones in Dylan Cozens and Drake Batherson. There's also something to be said about experience, like the 18 years he's spent in the league. Combine those two areas and you can see how Perron has succeeded since the beginning of the month with seven points, 10 shots, 24 hits and a plus-6.

Defensemen

Things have improved for Fowler since he was traded by the Ducks back in December. And while he would only post an assist over his first five games with St. Louis, he's racked up 24 points across the last 34 in addition to 43 shots and 41 blocks on a 22:00 average. Fowler also switches between power play units, where he's supplied four PPPs so far.

It's not often you'll see a teenager immediately thrust into a prominent NHL role — more so for a defender — but that'll happen on a weaker club and with a huge talent like Levshunov. The second overall selection from last summer's draft starred at Michigan State during his only year there and went on to total five goals and 17 assists across 50 AHL contests before being promoted. Levshunov notched a helper in two of five – one of those coming on Chicago's lead man-advantage — alongside seven shots and eight blocks. Assuming the club keeps him there for the remainder of the season, he's someone to target based on prime PP placement and significant skill.

Timmins' career has been highlighted by injuries and healthy scratches, but his fortune could be turning around with Pittsburgh. We may not want to get too ahead of ourselves and project his last three outings over a longer time period, though it's hard to overlook the goal, three assists, three shots, three hits, two blocks and a plus-7 during this stretch. Timmins isn't participating while up a man — not surprising considering the presence of Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, and Matt Grzelcyk — yet is active on the penalty kill. As long as he stays in the lineup, he's at least worth a flyer. And when the scoring dries up, you can always throw him back.

Like Levshunov, Mukhamadullin has recently earned an elevated workload, though his opportunity didn't come right away after being called up. He's gone on to produce 7 assists, 11 shots, 12 hits and 19 blocks across 12 appearances while skating 21-plus minutes through the last eight. Mukhamadullin also lines up on the Sharks' second power play and has delivered a pair of PPAs. He's a bright talent for the future, yet also qualifies now as a decent addition.

Goaltenders

After Jarry's horrendous first half and multiple AHL stints, not many could've predicted he would eventually become a hot fantasy commodity as he's stepped in to win four straight while looking solid in a defeat on Tuesday. The sample size may be small, but he's at least started to resemble the netminder who accumulated 103 victories over a four-year period. There's the potential for another drop-off, though the Pens will probably want to give Jarry as many appearances as he can handle so they can assess his long-term future with the club.

The Detroit goaltending carousel has been busy all season moving between a number of candidates who've gone in and out of favor at some point. Ville Husso struggled, got some work in the minors and was then shipped to Anaheim in February. Cam Talbot has primarily operated as the No. 1, while Alex Lyon received a couple chances, yet it's been Mrazek – reacquired at the Deadline from Chicago – who's started the last four. The 33-year-old may not be able to consistently hold down the lead role with three goalies on the Wings' active roster, but he should be provided enough opportunities as the team attempts to claim a Wild Card berth.