Fantasy waiver wire

NHL.com identifies preseason standouts worth monitoring on the fantasy hockey waiver wire entering the 2019-20 season. For more fantasy coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy and subscribe for free to the NHL Fantasy on Ice podcast.

NOTE: The below players are going undrafted on average in Yahoo Fantasy. … NHL.com top 250 rank is listed (if applicable).
Victor Olofsson, LW/RW, BUF (NHL.com rank: 207) -- The rookie wing led the Buffalo Sabres with three goals on five shots on goal in three preseason games and could remain on a line with elite center Jack Eichel and valuable right wing Sam Reinhart.
Anthony Cirelli, C, TBL (217) -- The Tampa Bay Lightning center had three points (one goal, two assists) and was plus-3 with nine SOG in five preseason games and could play on a line with elite forward Steven Stamkos and remain there when Brayden Point (hip surgery) eventually returns.
Cody Glass, C, VGK (218) -- The Vegas Golden Knights rookie had three assists and was plus-5 in five preseason games. With center Cody Eakin day to day and wing Alex Tuch (upper body) week to week, Vegas has shuffled its lines, featuring Glass on the top unit with valuable wings Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty. With this lineup placement, Glass offers more upside than some of the safe centers (e.g. Paul Stastny, Bo Horvat, Ryan Johansen) in late rounds.
Ilya Samsonov, G, WSH (234) -- The Washington Capitals rookie went 2-0-0 with a 2.03 goals-against average and .893 save percentage in two preseason games and is expected to start the season as the backup after they placed Pheonix Copley on waivers. Samsonov is worth adding in deep leagues and monitoring in all formats with Braden Holtby being in a contract year (potential 2020 unrestricted free agent). UPDATE: Samsonov is expected to make his NHL debut against the New York Islanders on Friday.
Alex Nylander, LW/RW, CHI (235) -- The Blackhawks forward, acquired from the Buffalo Sabres on July 9, had three points (one goal, two assists) in four preseason games and is expected to start the season on the top line with elite forwards Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.
Taro Hirose, LW, DET (249) -- The Detroit Red Wings rookie led them with five points (one goal, four assists) in seven preseason games and could play in a top-six role with valuable forward Andreas Athanasiou.
Ethan Bear, D, EDM (250) -- The Edmonton Oilers rookie defenseman had five points (two goals, three assists) in four preseason games and could see time on the first power-play unit with valuable forwards Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, especially after the injury to Joel Persson (upper body).
Connor Brown, LW/RW, OTT (N/R) -- The Ottawa Senators wing, acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1, had four points (two goals, two assists) and 12 SOG in four preseason games and is expected to start the season on the first line with valuable left wing Brady Tkachuk (six points in four preseason games) and Colin White.
Sammy Blais, LW/RW, STL (N/R) -- The St. Louis Blues forward had six points (one goal, five assists) and was plus-8 in five preseason games and is expected to start the season on the second line with forwards Ryan O'Reilly and David Perron (same line from 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs).
Nick Suzuki, C, MTL (N/R) -- The Montreal Canadiens rookie had four points (one goal, three assists) and 13 SOG in five preseason games skating mostly on the second line with forwards Max Domi and Jonathan Drouin.
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