Crease Chaos & Fire on the Wings: 4 pickups for the Stretch Run

The Olympic break is over, the 5-ring glow has faded, and the NHL is back in full swing. There are plenty of teams vying for a playoff spot, making these next few weeks an absolute grind. With only a couple of weeks left until fantasy playoffs, it's now or never if you're on the playoff bubble. Or even if you're sitting pretty, but need to bolster your roster, some solid depth players couldn't hurt. Now's the time to make that bold pick up, as your league mates are still nursing the post-Olympic hangover. This week we will look at a versatile forward getting bumped up the lineup, a power forward a trade away from fantasy relevance, an undersized forward who could be heating up at just the right time, and one of the world’s most volatile goaltenders.

Evan Rodrigues – E-Money was buzzing Thursday night in T.O. Rodrigues was crushing all the categories in the 5-1 beat down. I'm talking a PP point, I'm talking a short handed goal (first of his career interestingly enough). And the icing on the cake, 9 SOG, 7 of them coming in the first period alone. Franchise record, no big deal. He was centering a line with Reinhart and Verswaggy, which never hurts. Look for him to keep contributing offensively as the Panthers try to sneak their way into a playoff spot during the final push of the season. At only 10% owned, he's definitely worth a look if you need some help in a deep league (14 teamers +). He’s just sitting on the waiver wire (ripe for the picking), like that $20 you forgot about in your fall jacket. He possesses the coveted tri-forward eligibility (C/LW/RW), but unfortunately is not featured on either of the Panthers’ PP units.

Evander Kane - Patty Kane's illegitimate brother has been a top 6 forward in Van City all season long, racking up an underwhelming 26 points. The bad boy from under the bridge has the ability to contribute in all categories, except for plus minus on a team like the Canucks. There is a possibility that he gets traded to a contender looking for some grit and finesse for a playoff run. He registered a goal and 4 shots in his first game back after the Olympic break. At 17% owned, which is about the same as my credit card interest rate, I'd take a gamble on Kane in hopes that he lands in a better situation by the deadline. Especially for those in bangers leagues (96 hits, 78 PIM, 140 SOG).

Cole Perfetti – Now I’m not sure about the rest of you fantasy players, but I’m always trying to watch as much hockey as possible. Nothing beats the eye test. It was 2019 when a young Cole Perfetti caught my eye while he was lighting up goalies in the OHL as a member of the Saginaw Spirit. He was a prolific scorer in junior (74 points then 111 points) prior to being drafted 10^th overall in 2020. He didn’t return to the OHL thereafter (damn CoVID) and I have always wondered what the extra seasoning against peers his own age would have done for his development. He seemingly arrived last year with a 50-point season. This year has been tough sledding for him though as he only has 19 points in 43 GP. It seems as though he would benefit from playing with more skilled linemates given his abilities, but this sort of depth is non-existent once you move past line 1 in Winnipeg. Sitting at 15% owned, I do feel this guy needs a change in deployment or a trade out of town so he can realize his full potential.  He has 5 points in his last 6 games

Elvis Merzlikins - After his failed Elvis impersonation career took a dive in his native country of Latvia, Merzlikins moved to the U.S. and decided to try his hand at goaltending. It turned out to be the right decision, even if it wasn't his first choice. At only 14% owned, Elvis (and all of Columbus) has been outstanding ever since Rick Bowness has taken over behind the bench. He was 5-1 with a 2.03 GAA and .924 save percentage before the Olympic break. Not to mention Bonesy is clearly vying for a much more even split of playing time in the Jackets’ crease (Jet Greaves really did start 12 of 13 games for Dean Evason earlier in the season). Columbus has been heating up in a last ditch push to put themselves in the mix for a wild card spot down the stretch run. If you are looking for a 2nd, 3rd or, heck, even 4th goalie, this could be your guy. But be warned; Elvis is liable to leave the building at any point in time (I’ve been burned before by this one).

Rodrigues offers versatility and deployment upside. Kane brings category coverage with an edge, who could be re-invigorated with a rade to a contender. Perfetti has prospect pedigree and could be on the verge of a heater. Merzlikins? He’s the ultimate volatility play who can swing a week with one game (that swing can be either positive or negative however). None are perfect. All are useful. And at this stage of the season, useful is good.