We’re putting on the second half push here and it is clutch acquisitions that could fortify your playoff spot or help you make that push for the final playoff spot. Consider some of the following players to potentially have a solid 2nd half of the season:
Nathan Horton – Florida Panthers
Horton has produced somewhat less than expected so far this season and managers who took Horton in the first six rounds or so are certainly disappointed with his output thus far. He has 19 points in 31 games played and is a -8 on the season. There have been several inquiries into what to do with Horton and if you have the opportunity, you would be smart to look into for the remaining 3 months of the regular fantasy hockey season. He’s the future of the franchise and savvy managers who play their cards right could benefit from his slow start.
Peter Mueller – Phoenix Coyotes
Despite my feelings on the sophomore slump, we know from last year that Peter Mueller has the skill set to be a top performer for the ‘Yotes and I’d look for him to have a solid 2nd half of the season. Phoenix has a young team and they are learning how to gel with one another. We’ve certainly seen an improved effort from the Coyotes over the past couple of week and they certainly are a candidate for one of the final playoff positions in the Western Conference. Mueller is going to be relied upon heavily to help push this team down the stretch and should respond well.
Brian Rolston – New Jersey Devils
Rolston spent a good majority of the season thus of action with an ankle sprain and since his return, he has only tallied 6 points in 17 games. The Devils brought Rolston in for his leadership and playmaking ability but haven’t quite gotten a taste of that so far. Luckily for New Jersey, their improved offensive play since Brodeur went down has kept them in the hunt in the Eastern Conference. History has shown us that if anything, Rolston has been consistently productive over the past 7 years of his career. Although he hasn’t seen a long term injury like the one he had this year in quite some time, consider him a candidate to bounce back and have a nice second half to the season.
Andrei Kostitsyn – Montreal Canadiens
Kostitsyn was a highly touted winger coming in to this fantasy season and so far, he’s fallen short of expectations. Luckily, he’s on a team where he can easily flip his fortunes and really pick up his game in the second half of the season. He has 20 points in 34 games played and has produced big sporadically so far this season; a hat trick here and a 3 game point streak there but certainly nothing consistent enough to fulfill fantasy expectations. Keep him in mind as you head in to the second half of the season. Montreal is riddled with injuries right now, so his production will be relied upon until the team can restore itself to full health.
Sam Gagner – Edmonton Oilers
Gagner only has 14 points on the season and has been some what of a disappointment for the Oilers after last year’s 49 point performance. He was expected to surpass that mark this year and while he may not be able to achieve that goal, he is certainly worthy of a look in deeper leagues as a 4th option at center for the 2nd half of the season. I’m sure managers who own Gagner are more than willing to part with him, so make a play if you have the capacity to sit on a cold player right now and see if he heats up over the next couple months. Gagner is a prime example of a “throw-in” player if you’re looking to make a trade. It doesn’t seem like you’re asking for much, however, it could work out in your favor in the long run if he picks up his game.
Patrick O’Sullivan – Los Angeles Kings
Another player with high expectations heading in to this season, O’Sullivan hasn’t quite produced like many owners expected. While I don’t foresee him going on an absolute tear in the 2nd half of the season, he could easily be acquired a “throw-in” in a trade. He’s sitting at 23 points in 38 games, which is somewhat on pace to mimic last year’s performance. However, being as talked about before the season as he was, it’s certainly a let down for a manager who took him early on in the draft. I’m sure they expected big things from him and haven’t received it yet. This is a prime opportunity to make your move.
Pierre-Marc Bouchard – Minnesota Wild
The opportunity to step up in Gaborik’s absence is ripe for Bouchard who only has 19 points in 36 games so far this season. He has had two rock solid seasons with the Wild and with Minnesota getting back to how they played early on in the season, it’s worth considering Bouchard as a candidate to have a nice 2nd half. Certainly a low buy in deeper leagues and possibly a waiver wire pickup to fill an injury in shallower leagues.
Steven Stamkos – Tampa Bay Lightning
While thoughts of low buying Stamkos in a keeper league may be somewhat non-existent, those of you in deeper year-to-year leagues may want to consider adding him as a 4th option at center or possibly a utility player in the second half of the season. He only has 14 points so far on the season which is way under what was probably expected of him. We know he’s a great player, however, he’s found himself in a situation where it’s difficult to benefit from his limited ice time and a limited opportunity on the power play. He certainly could be a “throw-in” candidate, however, it’s difficult to say what kind 2nd half Stamkos is going to have because of the state of the Lightning. It certainly is a risky play but if you have the capacity to hold him, or if you’re riddled with injuries, he should be worth some consideration.
Tomas Plekanec – Montreal Canadiens
Only 17 points in 38 games played for Pleks who tallied 29 goals and 40 helpers last season. It’s a pretty significant drop-off if you ask me. It’s not like he isn’t getting the opportunity to bury the biscuit however. He’s 6th on the team in ice time (2nd amongst forwards) so he has the opportunity but just isn’t capitalizing. He’s certainly worth a look in the 2nd half as, like Kostitsyn, he will be relied upon heavily to get Montreal through this round of injuries.
Milan Michalek – San Jose Sharks
I wouldn’t go so far as to say Milan Michalek is having a bad season. He has 23 points in 32 games. Not too shabby. The reason I put him on this list is that San Jose is a high flying team that can put up some serious points. His totals don’t reflect where many managers drafted him this season, so take advantage and see if you can land him for the 2nd half. I think you’ll be glad you did.
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