Fantasy Hockey News: Brad Marchand, Dougie Hamilton Out | Target Luke Hughes, Valeri Nichushkin, Dylan Cozens on Waivers

Today I have some injury updates for you, as well as some waiver wire targets to utilize as an injury replacement or streamer as we get closer and closer to the fantasy league playoff stretch.

We are officially past the trade deadline, but it's still going to take some time for things to shake out as players on new teams adjust to their new team, coaching staff, and systems.

Injury Reports

Dougie is Done

Dougie Hamilton is out for the rest of the regular season, and likely the first round of playoffs. It's a huge blow to the New Jersey Devils, and your blueline if you are a Hamilton owner.

Obviously this means in a redraft league he is an automatic drop, however you should still be holding him in a dynasty league. He still has huge value as the Devils' best offensive defenseman. This guy will pepper the net from anywhere, and is tough to replace.

This season, Hamilton had nine goals, 31 assists, and 15 powerplay points as a defenseman in 63 games played. He also had a whopping 182 shots on goal, as well as 81 blocked shots.

With such a tight race in the Eastern Conference, the Devils will have to continue to somehow put up wins without the number one blueliner, which means the brother of teammate Jack Hughes, who is also out for the season, is going to have to seriously step up. More on this later.

Sadly, it's a grim look for the Devils, even if they do somehow make it into the playoffs. While they are still third in the division, their superstars are dropping like flies. Keep this in mind when choosing who to start and who to sit.

Brad Out and Resting

Brad Marchand of the Boston Bruins... wait, that's not right. Let's try this again...

Marchand of the Florida Panthers (that's better?) still has not played a game in his new sweater. It's pretty well known the amount of work Marchand had on his back through the summer, and his rough and tough style of play is catching up with him.

No spring chicken, it doesn't stop the rat from playing hard minutes, and continuing to be a pest on the ice. A huge factor in Team Canada's win in the Four Nations Face-Off, once he does hit the ice he will make an immediate impact for the Panthers.

Marchand still could be a couple weeks out, but should return in time for fantasy league playoffs, and pre-NHL postseason so he is a hold in all leagues. Don't panic, because whatever time you can get from Marchand upon his return will no doubt net you a lot of points.

This season, Marchand has 21 goals, 26 assists, and 13 powerplay points as a forward in 61 games played. He also has 175 shots on goal, 66 hits, 27 blocks, and zero licks this season.

Waiver Wire Pickups

Opportunity for Hughes

Let's start with the direct replacement for Dougie Hamilton in New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes. Still only owned in approximately 40% of leagues, but being picked up quickly, I would jump on him for the rest of this season. With Hamilton's departure for the season, Hughes is going to see a huge bump in deployment.

Look to see Hughes jump to the top pairing and get number one powerplay unit time. Even if the Devils do start to struggle, Hughes' deployment should carry him through his slumping team. It's a great opportunity to see a dynasty target and elite player of the future finally get a full opportunity to shine!

Hughes has six goals, 25 assists, and nine powerplay points as a defenseman in 57 games played. He also has 89 shots on goal, 17 hits, and 50 blocked shots.

Nuke is Explosive

Next up is Valeri Nichushkin of the Colorado Avalanche. Again, criminally under rostered at just over 50% in leagues, Nuke is on one of the best teams in the league. He is also coming off of a hat trick showing against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Another player with elite deployment, he is on the top powerplay in Colorado along franchise players Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. Also, thanks to the trade deadline, he is on recently acquired Brock Nelson's wing on the second forward line. For me, Nuke is a hold for the rest of the year. 

If he isn't rostered in your league, I would ask yourself two questions. One, why haven't I picked him up yet? And two, is this a taco league? All jokes aside, stop reading this article and pick him up now, then come back and finish reading!

Nuke has 15 goals, eight assists, and four powerplay points as a forward since his return from injury in 28 games played. He also has 73 shots on goal, 26 hits, and 15 blocked shots.

New Scenery for Cozens

Last but not least is the newest Ottawa Senator, Dylan Cozens. Let's hope what normally happens to former Buffalo Sabres when they leave happens - they simply get better and find immediate success elsewhere.

Cozens has been wing clipped his whole career, and is poised to learn to fly on this up-and-coming squad. The Sens keep promising to be better and take the next step, but for some reason are stagnant. Maybe Cozens will help spark this team into making a push in the vicious Eastern Conference.

Cozens is seeing second line forward time, as well as number one powerplay time alongside some pretty elite talent such as Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson and Jake Sanderson. He has also put up two goals and one assist since the trade. Cozens is already in better company than he was on the Sabres, so let's see what he can do with this opportunity.

Cozens has 13 goals, 21 assists, and five powerplay points as a forward in 65 games played. He also has 147 shots on goal, 167 hits, and 37 blocked shots.

He's a great player to pick up and take a chance on if not rostered in your league. He is hovering around the mid-50 percentile for rostered status since his trade, and he throws a ton of hits which helps banger leagues, too.