Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Targets: Ryan Donato, Taylor Hall, Pius Suter and Kiefer Sherwood, Plus an Alex Ovechkin Update

Today, I have some waiver wire targets you should be considering as we get into the end of fantasy league playoffs. All of these players are less than 40% owned in all leagues, with most of them already having a 10%+ ownership spike due to their hotstreaks. 

With lots of stars getting games off to rest during the stretch, and several players being considered “out” with illness; now is your time to strategize and capitalize on hot players to potentially win you your playoff matchup. As I was told this week, pickups are now worth their weight in gold!

Of course, we are going to check in on the goal scoring record, too, which is two goals closer to being broken. Let's get into it, shall we?

Ryan Donato, Chicago Blackhawks

Donato has been finding success recently with six goals, two assists, and eight points in his last four games played. He is playing on the top line next to franchise phenom Connor Bedard, so it's no wonder he is picking up so many points as of late. Also of note, Donato is getting top powerplay unit time. With only 40% ownership, he may not be available in your league but worth a peek if he is.

Donato has 29 goals, 30 assists, and 14 powerplay points as a forward in 72 games played. He also has 168 shots on goal, 102 hits, and 14 blocked shots.

Be weary of his terrible +/-, which currently sits at -17. Food for thought, but a really decent pickup here.

Taylor Hall, Carolina Hurricanes

Okay, I know what you're saying. Wasn't Hall in your players of yesteryear article? Yes he was, but that doesn't mean he can't still get hot - and right now he is hot.

For whatever reason, Hall is seeing more success with Carolina and is fitting in really well with their systems. 

He has a hat trick going back five games, and has added a total of five goals and two assists. What's notable is he has at least one point in all of his last five games in a time of need for the Canes. As long as he is getting on the score sheet, he is probably worth a risky pickup.

Hall has 17 goals, 22 assists, and nine powerplay points as a forward in 70 games played. He also has 130 shots on goal, 41 hits, and 39 blocked shots.

Credit where credit is due here. I would never draft him, and his prime is gone, but hot streaks are worth riding, especially in the playoffs.

Pius Suter and Kiefer Sherwood, Vancouver Canucks

While not technically eliminated yet, it is likely over for the Canucks trying to make the playoffs. That has not stopped a couple players from giving it their all, though.

Suter since joining the top line has been on an absolute tear. He's another player with a four-game point streak, tallying two goals and six assists during this streak. His deployment is elite, again being down the middle of the top forward line, and the top powerplay unit, along with some second penalty kill unit time.

Suter has 22 goals, 20 assists, and five powerplay points as a forward in 73 games played. He also has 116 shots on goal, 51 hits, and 39 blocked shots.

While unfortunate that the Canucks are missing two thirds of their top line, Suter has capitalized on his opportunity with flying colors and has proven to the organization that he is a diamond in the rough. Suter is found talent that is poised to have an increased workload next season. I would be keeping an eye on him next year when drafting your fantasy league team, but in the meantime, get him on your team to help you during the playoffs!

Next up we have chief Keef. First and foremost, whatever number he ends up with in hits this year will be an NHL record. The record was previously 383, and currently Kiefer has 422. I will let you do the math here.

He is a bangers league legend, and should never be on waivers again, however he is still only owned in about 30% of leagues. He is coming off of a couple multi-point games, so he is not even just one dimensional.

Kiefer has 17 goals, 18 assists, and 33 penalty minutes as a forward in 70 games played. He also has 127 shots on goal, a record breaking 422 hits (so far), and 29 blocked shots.

Three To Go!

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals scored yet again against the Boston Bruins, and the Carolina Hurricanes, bringing his career goal tally up to 892. He needs 894 goals to tie Wayne Gretzky's goal scoring record, and needs 895 goals to beat it. 

Ovi ended up with two points; scoring a goal and an assist in the 4-3 victory against the struggling Bruins, and another goal against the Hurricanes.

This leaves the great eight only three goals away from breaking the long standing goal scoring record. I would suspect Ovi owners are rejoicing right now, because he is averaging 3-4 shots on goal per game, and you know he is going to continue to be fed at the point where he will wait to slapshot his way into the record books. His next game is against the bottom dwelling Chicago Blackhawks, and now that he is only a hat trick away from the record, every Capitals' game is going to be a must watch! 

Ovi has 37 goals, 26 assists, and 16 powerplay points as a forward in 57 games played. He also has 211 shots on goal, 100 hits, and 11 blocked shots.