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Fantasy hockey: Top waiver adds for each category in Week 6

Marcus Foligno is one of many Wild players to target in this week's waiver wire. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Marcus Foligno is one of many Wild players to target in this week's waiver wire. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

It's a Wild waiver wire in fantasy hockey for Week 6.

Literally.

Minnesota is one of nine teams with four games on its schedule for the upcoming week, and with so many of its players available in over 50 percent of Yahoo fantasy hockey leagues, the club finds itself as the go-to for managers to target.

Here are the top waiver-wire adds for Week 6.

Goals: RW Jordan Eberle, Seattle Kraken (35 percent rostered on Yahoo)

Almost every shot Jordan Eberle is taking these days finds the back of the net, and more fantasy managers should be looking to ride with the winger during this hot streak.

Over his last nine games, Eberle has recorded eight goals on 25 shots, resulting in an unsustainably high 32 percent shooting. Even though he won't continue scoring at this rate, there are lots of indicators that point to Eberle flirting with 30-plus goals this season.

For starters, his ice time is up significantly with the Seattle Kraken. After averaging 16:45 in time-on-ice with the New York Islanders last year, he's seen 18:44 in average ice time this campaign which is a fairly significant jump. Additionally, his shots-per-game rate has risen slightly to 2.53 from 2.33 and he's on pace to finish with 208 shots on goal, which would be tied for the most he's ever rifled on net in a single season.

Seattle plays three games this week, but Eberle could be a long-term fix for teams that are struggling to tickle the twine.

Assists: RW Mats Zuccarello, Minnesota Wild (30 percent rostered on Yahoo)

Mats Zuccarello was a popular waiver-wire add in fantasy hockey when he began the year with six points in his first four games, but a stint in the NHL's COVID-19 protocols cost him four games and his production has tapered off a bit, as he's posted just three points over his last six contests. With the Wild scheduled to play four games in Week 6, however, Zuccarello is a great target for those needing some helpers.

In 10 outings, he has six assists and should continue racking up the apples as long as he's attached to Kirill Kaprizov. Zuccarello plays alongside the Russian forward at both even strength and the power play, which is great for fantasy. Kaprizov appears to be heating up, too, as he's tallied three goals in his last six games, a development that'd only bolster Zuccarello's value.

Zuccarello can also help fantasy managers who need some more power-play points, as he's recorded four this season.

Plus-minus: D Nick Jensen, Washington Capitals (11 percent rostered on Yahoo)

Nick Jensen leads the NHL in plus-minus with a plus-15 rating this year and considering the Washington Capitals have four winnable games on the schedule this upcoming week, he's the go-to add for those needing a positive influence.

The Caps square off against the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, and Kraken, and while the Ducks and Kings have largely exceeded expectations, Washington still owns a better record than all of the aforementioned teams.

Additionally, what makes Jensen a solid pick-up is his category coverage. The blue liner has recorded two goals, six points, 24 shots on goal, 25 hits, and 23 blocks. He's giving fantasy managers a little bit of everything so far, especially in the defensive categories.

Power-play points: D Rasmus Andersson, Calgary Flames (42 percent rostered on Yahoo)

I recommended Rasmus Andersson as the top waiver-wire add in last week's column for those needing assists, and while that hasn't really panned out this week, I'm coming back to him for Week 6.

In Week 5, Andersson was almost held off the scoresheet entirely as he tallied just one assist. The Calgary Flames' offence at large has been quiet, as it's tallied just eight goals through four games. The reason why I'm doubling down on the Swedish rearguard, however, is due to the opportunity he will continue to see.

Andersson is still posted up on Calgary's first power-play unit, and there's no real threat to take that spot from him. He still has a very respectable five points on the man-advantage this year, and even though he hasn't been earning many points lately, he's still shooting the puck. Andersson has fired a respectable nine shots on goal in his last four games.

The 25-year-old also has a strong plus-10 rating, and with four games on the schedule for the Flames this week, he's worth rostering.

Shots on goal: C/RW Ryan Hartman, Minnesota Wild (30 percent rostered on Yahoo)

Ryan Hartman has been one of the NHL's best at getting pucks on net, and with the Wild suiting up for four games in Week 6, he should continue to keep goaltenders on their toes.

Across the 14 games he's played during the 2021-22 campaign, Hartman has mustered 47 shots on goal which is tied for 19th-most in the league. His high shooting volume has also resulted in a recent uptick in goals, as the 2013 first-round pick has registered three in his last five games.

The 27-year-old is also coming off of a three-assist performance in the team's win over the Kraken on Saturday, and he has recorded nine points and a plus-six rating in his last eight games.

For fantasy managers in need of a little more offence, Hartman can help.

Faceoff wins: C Joel Eriksson Ek, Minnesota Wild (47 percent rostered on Yahoo)

Joel Eriksson Ek isn't necessarily one of the better faceoff guys in the NHL, but he takes a lot of draws and wins his fair share.

The Wild centre has never won more than 50 percent of his faceoffs in any season, and he's won just 47.5 percent this year. He has, however, taken 282 draws during the 2021-22 campaign which ranks eighth in the league, and has won 134 which is tied for 15th.

Eriksson Ek has also offered some decent category coverage in fantasy hockey this year, as he's been a solid contributor for goals with five, shots with 36, and hits with 22.

Hits: LW/RW Marcus Foligno, Minnesota Wild (39 percent rostered on Yahoo)

Marcus Foligno is the last member of the Wild listed in this column, I promise.

More affectionately known as 'Moose,' Foligno lives up to the moniker with his aggressive playing style. His 38 body checks are 21st among forwards in the NHL, and he actually offers some decent offensive upside, too. In 14 contests, he's recorded five goals and 10 points, with three coming on the man advantage.

Playing on Minnesota's first line and second power-play unit, Foligno is worth rostering.

Blocks: D Mario Ferraro, San Jose Sharks (11 percent rostered on Yahoo)

Mario Ferraro must have the most beat-up body in the NHL.

All this guy does is block shots and hit people. His 43 blocks are at the top across the league while he's also dished out a respectable 31 hits. The Sharks' blue liner has posted three blocked shots or more in eight consecutive games, and there's no reason to believe he's going to slow down.

Ferraro has also flashed a little bit of offence recently, notching five points in his last six outings. San Jose plays seven games over the next two weeks, making him a great target for those needing a little more grit.

Goaltending: G Anton Khudobin, Dallas Stars (17 percent rostered on Yahoo)

After a strong outing on Saturday night, Anton Khudobin has made himself worthy of an add.

As the Dallas Stars' goaltending situation remains ambiguous, it'd be wise for fantasy-hockey managers to continue attacking it by scooping up the hot hand. Khudobin stopped 31 of 33 Philadelphia Flyers shot attempts in his last start, and he'll likely see a fair number of starts for as long as Braden Holtby is sidelined with a lower-body injury. Holtby's absence also gives Khudobin an opportunity to seize 1A duties altogether.

The Stars play three games with zero back-to-backs this upcoming week, so it should be expected that Khudobin draws a start in at least two contests.

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