The goal is to get blueline help for free, and only players owned in less than 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues are eligible. Hit it.
Marc-Andre Bergeron (11 percent): We know the book on Bergeron by now; he's a talented offensive weapon and a power-play specialist, but not a dynamic player in all areas on the ice. The Lightning can live with Bergeron's limitations and so can we, so long as Tampa keeps running him out with the big kids on the power play. Bergeron already has four points in his four starts this year, along with nine shots and a couple of power-play points. His ownership level should be at least three times the current number.
Alex Pietrangelo (27 percent): While everyone is waiting for Erik Johnson's pedigree to kick in, don't look past Pietrangelo, another high-upside kid (fourth overall pick in 2008). AP's confidence with the puck has been quietly expanding all season, and he picked up a couple of power-play assists in the Monday victory over Vancouver. He's still on the escalator.
Joe Corvo (48 percent): This guy is owned in less than half of the leagues out there? What, you got something against winning? Corvo has ten points and 44 shots over the last month and he's a staple on the power play. Don't overlook the steady veteran.
Travis Hamonic (7 percent): You can always get a good deal on an Islander, as so many fantasy owners never steer onto the LIE. Hamonic has a tasty 2-6-8 line over the last month (along with 34 penalty minutes) and he's starting to get some time on the power play. Milan Jurcina (2-6-8 over his last 10 starts) isn't a bad option either.
Anton Babchuk (16 percent): Consistency has never been his middle name but he can move the puck and he's on a run over his last five games (2-4-6). Calgary is fighting for its playoff life but don't blame the offense; only three teams have scored more goals.
Roman Hamrlik (32 percent): He's still got some pep in his step at age 36, improving his offensive production rates and headed towards his busiest penalty season in four years. The Habs don't exactly have a dominant power play these days, but it is in the Top 10 for the season.
Grant Clitsome (7 percent): Another nameless, faceless Blue Jacket that you keep avoiding for some reason. What's wrong with 10 points in 15 games, and four points on the man-advantage? Clitsome doesn't have a lot of flash in his game – he won't jump out at you when you scout Columbus – but steadiness is an admirable trait, too.
Cody Franson (8 percent): He's taken a step forward in just about every important stat in his sophomore season, and he'll probably be in the 30-35 point range when the year is over (with double-digit goals). The other big names on the Nashville blue line keep Franson under the radar.
Jason Demers (15 percent): He's only got three points over the last month but he's also carrying a plus-8 rating, which speaks to his improved defensive awareness. Eventually, this should translate into more trust from the coaches, more opportunities, and more scoring. Not a bad upside play for the final third of the season.
Taylor Chorney (0 percent): The Edmonton blue line has been a frustrating own this year – looking at you, Kurtis Foster and Tom Gilbert – but maybe Chorney can pull a rabbit out of the hat. The kid from Thunder Bay has four points in his past four games, including the game-winner (on the power play) from Tuesday night. If nothing else, he's going to get decent icetime going forward.
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Image courtesy Associated Press
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