Wow, it really is time to start handing out handkerchiefs to those Fantasy owners who are just crying over spilled milk. All is not lost just yet. Also there is no crying in hockey! None! Every week I keep hearing the same thing: “I have all these injuries and my team is in the dumps.” Okay, here is a little secret.

One of my Fantasy hockey teams has seen more change and endured enough injuries enough for a full season. Yet, out of 16 teams, they are amazingly sixth right now. Why? There was no panic. Moves were made deliberately and a plan was put in place.

What was the plan? This is a simple case of just exploiting the structure of your Fantasy league. It is not illegal by any stretch of the imagination. Maybe there is some ethical boundary broken but no one is going to lose any sleep over it. Look at your categories, ladies and gentlemen! Figure out exactly what you are going to need to win each week and by how much as a best case scenario. Do not think about the worst case. If you want to succeed, you have to suck it up! Sorry for the emphasis, but it has to be said.

So what are we going to do for our readers this week? We will give you three players on the waiver wire that you will need. Let’s get down to business, shall we?

Vladimir Tarasenko, C, St. Louis Blues: Yes, Tarasenko has been out since the end of February with a concussion. However, he returned to action Saturday and immediately logged an assist while recording four shots on goal. Considering Tarasenko had 12 points in 17 games before the injury, it’s a good time to grab him now. At a 15-to-20 per cent ownership rate, the rookie is a solid investment and, yes, he is even waiver claim worthy if someone just waived the forward in a panic.

Andrew Cogliano, C, Anaheim Ducks: The suspension to Corey Perry will create a few additional opportunities from time to time for a player like Cogliano, who has 17 points in 27 games. Yes, Cogliano is a bit hit or miss and that 14:56 ATOI is a bit scary for some but that 20-to-25 per cent ownership rate means he amazingly is still out there. The other concern is that he has only one power play point, but on the plus side Cogliano has 44 shots on net and honestly could have 50+ if he was a little more accurate. Speed is not an issue and for little risk he could be an asset in leagues in which you need a bit of a scoring boost.

Lee Stempniak, RW, Calgary Flames: What’s the deal when a guy is only owned in 25-to-30 per cent of leagues and yet he has 20 points in 26 games? Also Stempniak gets some occasional top line time with Jarome Iginla and you know that can help a player’s bottom line. The 58 shots help too and hey he has 10 blocks for those scoring at home. The forward has potted a few points on the man advantage too. In leagues in which no one sees a near 18-minute ATOI still hanging out there, Stempniak really is worth all that and more.

Good luck next week, Fantasy hockey fans and as always you can follow me on Twitter at @ChrisWasselTHW. Get out there and make us proud. While you’re at it, leave a few comments at the bottom. Thank you for reading.

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That kind of effort is going to earn him decent PT going forward, making him a nice low-end option. There’s a chance the Nets will try to deal Brooks this summer, and if that’s the plan, perhaps he’ll be showcased a bit more down the stretch. This kid showed he could score as a rookie last season, but his soph campaign has been a nightmare as the addition of JJ has him buried in Brooklyn. more

Malone’s numbers are pretty good and his ownership rate is right around 10 per cent in most Fantasy leagues (but that won’t last). The opportunities will keep coming from a Fantasy standpoint. However, health will remain a question because of the bruising style in which Malone plays. You just have to live with the potential consequences and roll with it anyway. more

He’s playing 40 minutes per game so far in March and has really responded (with three straight 20-point games) as he’s really taken a leadership role offensively on the short-handed Bulls. Hell, Belinelli even canned the game-winner Friday against the Jazz. The dude is in the zone, so grab him now. more

Two multiple-point games in the last week got us thinking that maybe Goc was finally over the ankle injury that had dogged him in the early part of the season. Currently he has just seven points in 15 contests this season but five of those have come in the past three. And with Goc’s ownership under 1 per cent and desperate Fantasy owners in need, he may just be that guy for a team dying for a little production with minimal risk. Please remember that these pickups are the lowest of the low as far as a gamble. One can dump them just as fast as claim them without worry. more