Conacher latest trending waiver wire option

The healthy scoring arsenal of the Tampa Bay Lightning is clicking on all cylinders, and rookie Cory Conacher has been the primary beneficiary thus far.

The reigning AHL most valuable player and rookie of the year has made an immediate impact in his first three games with the Bolts, reeling off two goals, three assists, a plus-3 rating, four PIM, one power-play point and five shots on goal in an average of 14:41 ice time per game. On Tuesday night, the 23-year-old Conacher beat Cam Ward on the rebound for a first-period goal that was made possible by a nifty move to the net by Vincent Lecavalier.

And it's those sequences that are what make Conacher's situation so promising. In a matter of days, the dual-eligible (C/LW) fantasy forward's value has spiked as he's gone from owned in less than 1 percent of Yahoo! leagues to 18 percent on Wednesday morning.

Cory Conacher

Center - TBL

GOALS: 2 | ASST: 3 | PTS: 5
SOG: 5 | +/-: 3

His first career goal, scored Saturday night in the Lightning season opener against the Washington Capitals, came in the third period of a one-goal game during a transition opportunity. For a player who had never seen ice time in an NHL game before that day, the way Conacher cashed in on a feed from Purcell looked natural beyond his years. That's what being a part of a world-class offense can do for a player's value.

Conacher is riding a three-game point streak and should absolutely be claimed off the waiver wire if possible in any deep fantasy leagues. For owners who missed out on fellow rookies Vladimir Tarasenko and Jonathan Huberdeau earlier this week, here's a chance to redeem yourselves. Tampa Bay's offense is feasting on its opponents through three games, scoring 13 goals in that span -- second in the NHL behind only the Chicago Blackhawks (14).

While it's always possible Conacher could hit the "rookie wall" at some point this season, the multi-point games are becoming a trend. As long as he's still churning out points, make sure you pursue this trendy fantasy asset while you still can.

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