Big week in fantasy hockey as this marks the first round of playoffs for leagues where matchups are two weeks long. Also, this week saw the trade deadline pass for most standard Yahoo fantasy leagues.

In a perfect world everyone made great trades that benefitted both parties. However, we know that this rarely happens and some of you didn’t get the return you wanted. You didn’t have a blockbuster trade; you had a desperation trade, sacrificing one category for the greater good of your other categories. Who needs blocked shots anyway?

Even if you didn’t get the steal of the deadline, that doesn’t mean there aren’t still decent players on the waiver wire to pick up. We know it’s late in the season and it’s getting harder to find “sleepers”. Thankfully as we move closer to the playoffs, there is less competition from owners who have dropped out of contention, so your odds improve in being able to snag a free agent. So who has a chance of stepping up right now?

Forwards on The Rise

Jiri Sekac, ANA LW (Owned %, ESPN 1.3%, Yahoo 2%)

Since his trade from the Montreal Canadiens to the Anaheim Ducks, Sekac has 3 assists in five games and seems to be fitting in with the team. Based on the way coach Bruce Boudreau switches lines around, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Sekac get a chance on the first line at some point. Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry have seemingly played with every other forward on the team at some point this season.

Ryan Spooner, BOS C (ESPN 0.6%, Yahoo 1%)

Spooner will have every opportunity to prove himself while David Krejci is out of the lineup. Having only played in five games this season, it’s hard to fully gauge Spooner’s ability. This is especially true when looking at his averages over those games, where you need to take into account he played less than five minutes his first game. Since that first game, Spooner has 3 points (1G, 2A) in four games and is averaging over 16 minutes of ice time playing on Boston’s second line.

Antoine Vermette, CHI C (ESPN 32.6%, Yahoo 31%)

While he hasn’t done anything in Chicago yet, there is little reason to believe that Vermette won’t contribute to one of the league’s best offenses. Considering he was producing in Arizona, on one of the worst offensive teams in the league, his numbers should improve centering Patrick Sharp and Brandon Saad on the Blackhawks’ second line.

Defensive Depth Players

Andrej Sekera, LA D (ESPN 19.9%, Yahoo 16%)

The recent addition of Sekera to the Kings lineup should be pay dividends immediately. Not only can Sekera log big minutes, which he’ll do on the Kings’ second line, but he’s going to give the Kings something they’ve been missing with Alec Martinez being out, a decent left-handed shot on the power play. Expect Sekera to open things up a bit for the team when he’s quarterbacking the power play.

David Savard, CLS D (ESPN 14.8%, Yahoo 9%)

With James Wisniewski being traded to Anaheim, Savard moves up to the first defensive pairing in Columbus next to Jack Johnson. Savard has also moved up to the second power play unit upping his average TOI by a minute a game. The Blue Jackets aren’t great, but at this point in the season it’s hard finding first line D-men to fill in when needed.

Matt Irwin, SJ D (ESPN 1.3%, Yahoo 1%)

This is more for deep leagues than standard, but Matt Irwin is playing his best hockey of the year right now. He’s currently on the Sharks’ second power play unit and has points in four straight games (2G, 2A). If you’re in desperate need of a D-man he might be worth a look while he’s hot.

Goalies Getting a Shot

Dan Ellis, FLA G (ESPN 0.9%, Yahoo 3%)

This is a short term solution in Florida as both starter Roberto Luongo, and regular backup Al Montoya, went down with injuries in the same game. The Panthers are in ninth place and pushing Boston for the final playoff spot. Ellis will have to hold his own for them for at least a couple games.

Andrew Hammond OTT G (ESPN 27%, Yahoo 37%)

If you’re in a competitive league, the ship has probably already sailed on picking up Hammond, but if he’s slipped through the cracks, make sure to grab him while he and the Senators are hot.

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