Fantasy owners all over were dealt huge blows with the news that Marc Savard and Sergei Gonchar, both premier fantasy options, would miss 4-6 weeks with a broken foot and wrist, respectively. With this in mind, let’s have a look at some of the top options at Center and on Defence that might still be kicking around on the waiver wire.

Center (Marc Savard)

Rich Peverley, C, ATL Peverley has put up 8 points in 6 games, and is on the right side of the +/- ledger. He’s a bit of a late bloomer, but he’s done nothing but produce since his arrival in Atlanta.

Sam Gagner, C, EDM A notoriously slow starter, Gagner is doing what he can to shake that label this season. He’s put up a respectable 3 goals and 5 points through 8 games this season, and is still just scratching the surface of his offensive potential.

Brendan Morrison, C, WAS Remember when Morrison centered one of the best lines in hockey, with Naslund and Bertuzzi skating on his wings? That may seem like ages ago, but Morrison looks to have found new life seeing regular minutes on the Caps’ top two lines. Morrison is a playmaker, and is surrounded with plenty of high-end finishing talent in Washington. He’s posted 7 points through 8 games thus far, and isn’t hurting anyone in the +/- department.

Patrice Bergeron, C, BOS Bergeron has had a rough go of it the last couple seasons, and might seem far removed from his heyday as a 70 point scorer. Remember though, he struggled with injuries, and when he came back was faced with a lineup that featured David Krejci and Marc Savard down the middle. He’s only 24 years old, and should see a huge jump in ice time in Savard’s absence.

Defence (Sergei Gonchar)

Alex Goligoski, D, PIT I’ve been impressed with Goligoski every time I’ve seen him play, and I’ve been waiting for his big breakout for awhile now. He’s been great so far this season, with 7 points and a +9 rating through 9 games. With Gonchar gone, Goligoski and Kris Letang will be expected to step up on the power play.

Denis Grebeshkov, D, EDM I ranted and raved about this guy in my sleepers column before the season began, and he’s off to a hot start. He has 7 points through 8 games and is still available in most leagues.

Adrian Aucoin, D, PHO The veteran still has that booming slapshot from the point, has posted a solid 4 points through 7 games in Phoenix, and sports a +4 rating. He may not have the upside of some of the other defenders listed here, but he does have 6 seasons with 34+ points on his resume.

Jason Demers, D, SJ Demers has come out of nowhere this year, putting up 7 assists through his first 9 NHL games. 4 of those have come on the power play, so Demers is being given the chance to log important minutes with the likes of Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley, Devin Setoguchi, and Patrick Marleau. It’s not entirely fair to expect him to produce at this clip all season, but he’s available in most leagues and is at least worth the gamble.