Fantasy Hockey Waiver Picks: Will Blues Benefit from New Coach Bump?
In Missouri, there is a buzz around the St. Louis Blues as they welcome a new head coach, Jim Montgomery, to the team. With the hope of a potential turnaround, fantasy managers and Blues fans are eager to see if the “new coach bump” magic will kick in and bring some positive changes to the struggling team.
One player who could benefit from this change is Jordan Binnington, the Blues’ No. 1 netminder. Despite his solid performance, Binnington has lacked scoring support from his team. With a fresh approach and improved team defense under Montgomery, Binnington could be a valuable addition to fantasy teams, especially since he is available in almost half of ESPN Fantasy leagues.
On the offensive front, players like Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich are worth keeping an eye on. Buchnevich, who has been underperforming, is expected to improve his numbers soon. Meanwhile, Thomas has been showing promise since returning from injury and could provide significant fantasy points. Another player to watch is Jake Neighbours, a top-six skater with potential for regular contributions.
In terms of defense, Justin Faulk’s role on the power play is something to monitor. The Blues need to improve their performance with the extra skater, and Philip Broberg could be a more effective option on the top unit once he returns from injury.
Looking beyond the Blues, there are several other players to consider for fantasy teams. Forwards like Sean Monahan of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Jonathan Drouin of the Colorado Avalanche have been delivering solid performances and could add value to fantasy rosters. Defenseman Jake Walman of the San Jose Sharks and goaltenders David Rittich of the Los Angeles Kings and Spencer Martin of the Carolina Hurricanes are also worth considering for fantasy managers in need of defensive and goaltending support.
For short-term streaming options, teams like the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins have favorable schedules this week and could provide fantasy points. Players like Brendan Gallagher of the Montreal Canadiens and Joey Daccord of the Seattle Kraken are also poised to make an impact in the coming games.
Overall, with the coaching change in St. Louis and several players showing promise across the league, fantasy hockey managers have plenty of options to consider as they make roster decisions in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more updates and insights as the fantasy hockey season progresses.