The extended fantasy hockey week is almost over and the NHL trade deadline is just around the corner. NHL clubs are preparing to bolster their rosters by March 7, so you should be doing the same.
Thankfully, we’ve provided some readily available players who can be acquired free of charge.
(Rostered rates as of Feb. 28)
Forwards
Valeri Nichushkin, COL (Yahoo: 52%)
Nichushkin returned Wednesday after missing the previous 21 games with a lower-body injury. And while he didn’t immediately get on the scoresheet, there were still five shots and two hits on 17:46 — including 2:03 on the power play. It shouldn’t take Nichushkin long to find his form based on his 17 points from 22 games and a place within Colorado’s top-six. Snap him up before that happens.
Quinton Byfield, LA (Yahoo: 46%)
The knock on Byfield for much of this season has been offensive inconsistency, though that hasn’t been a concern since the start of February as he’s reeled off 11 assists across seven contests in addition to 14 shots, seven blocks and a plus-10. Even as the Kings’ third center, Byfield frequently logs 20-plus minutes while participating on both special-teams units. The supplementary stats may be sparse, yet there’s enough upside from just the points and pucks on net.
Matvei Michkov, PHI (Yahoo: 44%)
There was plenty of NHL hype for Michkov following a couple dominant years in the KHL. And other than a few brief scoreless runs, that’s been mainly delivered upon. Michkov endured an 0-for-7 stretch that began near the end of last month, but he’s since notched four goals, five assists and a whopping 24 shots from five outings. That puts him tied for first in rookie scoring with 44 points and second at 15 PPPs. Looks like the Flyers’ gamble of drafting Michkov at No. 7 paid off, though you won’t need to take as much of a risk to add him to your squad.
Pavel Buchnevich, STL (Yahoo: 42%)
After three straight seasons with at least 63 points, Buchnevich has been slightly off the pace so far with a projected total somewhere in the mid-50s. This downturn is a product of less man-advantage output, slightly fewer pucks on goal and a weaker shooting percentage (10.8 compared to recent marks in the mid-10s all the way up to 21.1). Buchnevich continues to skate with top talent and has tallied nine points across eight appearances. So as long as he keeps trying to score, he’ll eventually find…